Sunday Snippet: A Quiet Hell

Bleh. I found out we need to get a new furnace because ours is old, horribly inefficient, and very dangerous. Fun news I didn't really need or want. The good news is the new furnace will be super energy efficient and probably save us a buttload of money overall. I definitely won't complain about that.

Had a semi-decent viewing week. I caught two episodes of Midsomer Murders and should be ready to start the final series. I'll be sorry to see Cam go. I liked her.

Caught episodes of Murdoch Mysteries and Frankie Drake Mysteries. I'm kind of on the fence with the new season of Frankie. I liked the first episode but it feels like a very different show. I loved the first season, enjoyed the second season, so I'm hoping I'll fall into a groove with the third. We'll see how it goes.

Finished up the first story arc of Sapphire and Steel. I rather like the show. I'll give the rest of the season a whirl and see how it goes with this one too.

Watched the rest of Classic Who's season eight. I'll be starting season nine this week.

I should also be catching the final episode of Arrow's season seven run. I'm trying to savor every last moment because season eight is the final bow.

That's pretty much it for television this week. Tonight's post is from A Quiet Hell, a novella that got a start with a writing community prompt.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Mattox Lang lives in a quiet hell, seeing and sensing paranormal activity. Bruce Wendelson has haunting dreams that linger, but he can never recall the details. Mattox understands Bruce's torment and hopes to ease her own by helping him deal with the nightmares.

And a preview snippet…

Mattox wanted to snatch the offer back as soon as it left her mouth. But she couldn't stand the torment oozing from every channel coming from Bruce. The man didn't have much longer before he went completely mad.

Bruce narrowed his gaze. "You actually see what I'm thinking?" He tilted his head and gave her an overt once-over.

Marie made an attempt to step in. "Uh, Bruce, maybe we should give Mattox a little breathing room." She started for the coffeepot.

Mattox waved off Marie's concern. "It's okay, Marie. I'm good now." She did her best to shield her senses and met Bruce's gaze. "Being crude doesn't change facts, Mr. Wendelson. But I'll give you points for being inventive." Her lips twitched when his mouth dropped open.

His gaze went speculative. "You could be well-versed in reading people. I still don't believe you can see what's in my head." He folded his arms over his chest.

Mattox leaned in closer to him and pitched her voice low. "Sex. Up against the wall. You pulled a switch and had your shoulders braced with me straddling your thighs. That's why you got points for being creative." She sat back and gave him a pointed glance.

His face took a ruddy shade of red. "Damn. Okay. You've made your point." He met her gaze this time. "I'm sorry. That was a total dick move and you didn't deserve it." Slumping back, he sighed. "I'm usually not a complete asshole."

Marie brought two cups of coffee over and handed one to Bruce then held the other up, asking if Mattox wanted it.

She accepted gratefully. "Thanks, Marie. I really am okay now." The shielding helped and the caffeine would clear the cobwebs from passing out.

She still had a running movie playing in her mind, but she filtered out the hopelessness and frustration that held Bruce in their grip. Her heart went out to the man, even while her brain urged caution. Instinctively, her gut warned he had the power to break her.

Marie took a chair and turned it around to face them. "Well, Mattox… I'm right, aren't I? Bruce is special like you." She almost preened.

Mattox gave a brief snort. "I've always thought of it more as a—"

Bruce cut in. "Curse."

Mattox huffed out a laugh. "Exactly." She turned toward Marie. "I don't know what's going on yet… if Mr. Wendelson has an ability or if he's just caught up in something else, but I should be able to help."

Bruce broke in again. "It's Bruce, please. If what I suspect is going to happen happens, Mr. Wendelson is gonna get old real quick." He paused and took a bracing gulp of the coffee. "We'll need to be on a first name basis."

Mattox grinned. "Bruce it is. Obviously, I'm Mattox. I rarely use my last name." She tried to avoid anything to do with her mother. "I do think I can help you, but if you don't want one-on-one sessions, it's going to be difficult."

Bruce closed his eyes and slowly exhaled. "I had a traumatic experience as a kid during therapy. But I'm willing to do just about anything to be able to sleep again." His gaze went dark and stormy.

Man, did she feel his pain on that topic.

Mattox braced herself and put a hand on his arm. "What I do isn't therapy, Bruce. Not in the traditional sense." She stopped a moment then opted to finish with the biggest truth bomb she could. "But you'll have to be comfortable with me sharing your bed for a while."

I like writing Mattox and Bruce. Wounded souls that find their way to each other is one of my favorite things.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye