Sunday Snippet: Red-Eyed Monster

There's nothing quite like hitting the third week of December and realizing less than half my holiday shopping is complete. I need about five more hours each day to get everything finished up. Something tells me I'm not going to see that extra time.

Had a decent week of television viewing. Caught an episode of Riverdale and, wow, I'm seriously impressed with how the relationship with Betty and Alice is being portrayed. I'm on the fence with the Hal stuff. Was completely thrilled I didn't have any Hiram to deal with and loved the father / son stuff between FP and Jughead and Archie and Fred. It's so bittersweet to watch Luke Perry's scenes.

Caught another arc of Sapphire and Steel. I should be getting ready to start the third season next week.

Watched an episode of Murdoch Mysteries. Really not sure what to make of the neighbor interaction. My gut says the wife is probably some type of murderer. We'll see if I'm proven right. I have a vague idea of who I think she'll end up taking out if she is.

Also watched an episode of Frankie Drake Mysteries. Enjoyed seeing a family member added to the fold. Loved Nora's mama bear protection instincts.

Also caught another episode of Midsomer Murders. Very happy this has another season coming up.

That's pretty much it for television this week. I also dived deep into the holiday music on a couple of days. Tonight's post is from Red-Eyed Monster, a novella that got a start with a writing community prompt.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Psyche Hood and Errol Winkham are best friends, growing up together in the enchanted realm. A sinister darkness and red-eyed metal monster is moving in and Psyche drags Errol out to pick up the trail, little knowing she's playing right into the evil wizard's plan. He wants the red-eyed monster to rain fire down on Errol so Psyche will be alone and his for the taking.

And a preview snippet…

Psyche stood outside the door of her father's house. "Here goes nothing." Twisting the knob, she entered the foyer and waved his ever-present butler and best friend aside. "He'll be expecting me, Smithy. No need to make an announcement." She didn't wait to get a response from the man she'd known since the age of two.

She definitely didn't want an audience for the argument she'd no doubt have with her dad.

Padrick Hood sat behind the large desk in his study, poring over a map. His dark hair had rows where his fingers had combed through the strands and his red pencil made three quick circles on the plotted page before him. He heaved a sigh that sounded older than his forty-six years.

Padrick didn't glance up when she took her usual spot across from him. "The destruction is even worse after last night. Why haven't we caught the red-eyed beast yet?" He finally looked up, a bit of accusation in his gaze.

Psyche didn't rise to the bait. "Because you don't want more than two people out there looking for it." And one of those two happened to be her.

Padrick tossed the pencil on the paper. "You know why I don't. I'm not going to put anyone at risk when something fueled by dark magick is roaming our glade." His fingers drummed frustration on the desk.

Psyche put her hands on the surface, covering the map. "Then let me do what needs to be done." She braced for the explosive response.

Padrick shot to his feet and got in her face. "No. I will not have you mucking about in your mother's books and journals." He slammed a hand down. "You're better than that and shouldn't need to delve into using the dark side of magick to catch this thing." His nostrils flared and his voice boomed.

Psyche barely refrained from rolling her eyes. "Why do you always assume I want to use dark magick? I only need to get a handle on how it works, not wield the power." His utter lack of understanding pissed her off.

Padrick backed away and paced the floor behind his desk. "You don't need to be anywhere near your mother's history." His tone held accusation.

Beyond tired of getting lumped into a category she didn't deserve, Psyche lifted her chin. "You know what, Dad? It's not my fault you got all hot and bothered over a dark arts mistress and couldn't keep it in your pants. The fact that I'm the result of dark and light coming together is something you won't let me forget and the one time I tried to find answers about my mom you flipped your shit and locked me down with an enhancement that won't let me practice anything other than light magick. What exactly are you afraid of here?" Did he really want the beast caught or not?

Padrick stopped and faced her. "I'm afraid of losing you the way I lost her." His eyes filled with ragged pain. "She couldn't turn away from the dark, Psy. She tried but couldn't resist the temptation. I won't let you go down the same path." He came around the desk and stood at her side. "You have to understand it would kill me to see you succumb like she did." His hand grasped her shoulder in a fatherly squeeze.

Dammit. She did get it. But she also hated the low-level distrust her dad held for her at all times. She made one mistake—over a decade ago at age sixteen—and he couldn't let it go.

She'd given her idea her best shot. Now they had to figure out how to proceed with finding and containing the red-eyed monstrosity wreaking havoc in the glade.

Blowing out a breath, she gave a nod. "I get it, Dad. Let's focus on catching our interloper." She swung the map around and pointed to the center of the village. "I'm thinking we should stake out the—"

Padrick interrupted her. "No, it started in the north quadrant, then moved west the next night. Last night it tore up the south quad. I want you to patrol the east sector tonight."

She sighed. "Don't you think at least one of us should be in the square? That way if the beast returns and doesn't go where we predict, we have a better shot at catching it."

Her father shook his head. "No. Errol needs to be with you. I don't want you two to split up."

She'd rather have Errol Winkham with her at all times, but she also wanted to rid the village of the contraption causing all the problems so she and Errol could get back to doing what they did best… challenging each other in work and play.

Psyche lifted a shoulder. "Fine. Whatever you say, Dad." She backed up and turned to leave.

Padrick softened his stance a little. "If you don't have any luck in the east quad, you can do it your way. As long as you and Errol agree."

Psyche's lips curved. "Not a guarantee but, thanks." She exited the study and nodded to Smithy before leaving the house.

Standing outside, she shook her head. "Okay, that didn't go well, but it could've been worse." She started down the drive to head over to Errol's.

I love this story! One of my favorite tropes is having an established couple go through a personal trial that could end up breaking them apart. This story has that through-line and I'm having so much fun with it.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye