Well … my youngest
is pretty much officially a graduated senior. She got to walk outside—the
weather cooperated—and received her diploma in a socially careful ceremony. The
entire thing will be shown next week on the scheduled night of commencement.
I'm scared and excited for her future. Times are weird, what else can I say?
Semi-decent week of
television viewing. Still haven't finished up the third episode of Picard but hope to get to it this week.
Caught an episode
of Gargoyles and remembered this one.
I like it when they dive into the mythology of the show.
Watched four
episodes of Danger Man. I'm enjoying
the longer format of the second season. I also really like the black and white
episodes. I think the show moves to color in the next season.
Caught another
episode of The Witcher. I love this
show! The fluid timeline can be a little confusing but I'm staying pretty clear
on what's going on. Based on what I've read, by the end of the season, the
timelines converge. Here's hoping that's actually the case.
Finally watched the
season finale of Murdoch Mysteries.
I'll honestly say I'm pleasantly surprised by the way everything unfolded. Not
sure I'm keen on Violet getting a second chance but I'll see how things go. I
do believe the moral quandary of not always being able to go by the book comes
through in a terrific way. It's also quite nice to see William understand
things can't always be firmly put into one column or the other. I so love this
show!
Started a new
episode of Blue Heelers but didn't
get very far before I had to pause. I'll try to finish it up this week.
Also in the middle
of a Strike Back episode. Quite happy
with how they've moved the timeline forward but we still get to see what
happened to Mac play out. That was a massive cliffhanger at the end of the
previous episode.
And that's pretty
much it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Think Twice, a novella that got a start with a writing community
prompt.
Here's the
mini-blurb:
When Judd Millian asks
Pru Watson to work with him to take out the evil invading their city, she
doesn't hesitate to say yes. But when he wants something more, she hesitates,
unable to commit to an answer. The indecision drives a wedge between them, but
Pru won't let Judd get sucked into the worst part of her past.
And a preview snippet…
Judd Millian caught sight of a
lone woman peering over the edge of the second-floor balcony. She's the one who stepped into the line of
fire. And, like him, she probably had an ability she didn't know much
about.
"Millian! A little help
here." His colleague held up the automatic rifles the terrorists used.
Judd glanced up again before
crossing the short distance to Ben Zoya. Taking the firearms, Judd held them
together and used his gift to turn them into a congealed mass. The three men
gawked, which looked incredibly odd with their faces under black balaclavas.
Judd handed the weapons back to
Ben. "The local LEOs can still pull prints off the magazine if there are
any." Usually, the element Judd's team dealt with had higher than average
intelligence, so prints might not be an option.
Ben shook his head. "I'm
still not used to seeing you do that." He nodded toward the other two team
members. "Metro is on the way. Bag and tag these guys then hand them
over." He stepped toward the counter. "Ladies and gentlemen, you're
all clear. It's safe to come out now."
Heads started popping up from
behind the ticket station. Ben motioned the group to come around and they
complied, most talking about the woman who'd saved their lives. Shooting Judd a
sideways glance, Ben quirked an eyebrow.
Judd shrugged. "Not sure.
There's someone on the second floor. That might be who they're talking
about." He itched to go after her, maybe discover how much they had in
common.
Ben rolled his eyes. "Go on.
See if she's still around and maybe find out if she's got any information on
this bunch." He didn't have to tell Judd to bring her in, but his tone
implied it needed to happen.
He'd do his best, but he wouldn't
force anyone to do something against their will.
Judd inclined his chin.
"I'll check in when I can." His gaze landed on the spot he'd last
seen the woman.
Reaching the second floor, he
found the location empty. "She's quiet, that's for certain." He
followed the rounded corridor to the left and came upon an empty stairwell
leading upward. "Might as well try." He took the steps up three
levels and exited out onto the rooftop.
The woman stood at the edge of
the wall facing the street below. Her hair whipped in the gusty wind, the dark
strands flicking back and forth. He approached quietly, fearing he'd startle
her otherwise.
"That's close enough."
Her voice carried on the air. "Are you here to take me back?"
His step faltered. Take her back
where? Maybe she had the same questions he did … or possibly answers to his
questions. Either way, she intrigued the hell out of him and he hoped he got
the chance to find out more.
Keeping his distance, he tried to
put her at ease. "I don't know where back is. Name's Judd Millian. I think
you might have the same type of affliction I have." He clocked the
squaring of her shoulders but pushed forward. "Well, not the same. Bullets
don't bounce off me…" From her torn clothes, she'd deflected a shit ton of
them. "But I can make them harmless before they cut through my body."
She whirled around. "Who are you?" A tiny tremor of fear
laced the question.
He frowned. "I told you. My
name is—"
She growled. "Not your name,
dumbass. Are you military? Black ops? Who are you working for?" Each
syllable of the last sentence had perfect enunciation.
Judd took a step toward her but
backed off when she tensed, ready to run. "I'm not military, more like
private security." Actually, a lot like mercenary for hire but he feared
she'd freak if he mentioned that part.
She relaxed but only slightly.
"Why are you here?" Her head tilted to one side and she gave him a
slow once-over.
Judd widened his stance, hoping
to appear conversational. "We've been tracking that trio since they got
off their plane. They planned to bomb a building—not sure which one—but
something spooked them and they ended up shooting up the station instead."
He held back some information; he couldn't reveal the full details yet.
"I'm on this rooftop with you for two reasons. One to make sure you're okay.
And the second is to find out if you heard or saw anything that might help
us." He paused a moment. "Actually, I don't care about the second
one. I've only met a handful of people who have our abilities and I didn't want
to miss an opportunity to meet another one."
Her lips twisted in a wry smirk.
"And that's it? I'm free to go?"
He tried to hide his
disappointment. "If you want. Do you have somewhere to be?" He jerked
his thumb over his shoulder. "I can make sure you have a ride if you
do."
Her face fell. "I have nowhere
to go. That's why I was at the station."
A wild idea took root in his
brain. "In that case … how are you with heights?" His loft would be
quick to get to if they traversed the rooftops … in traffic, it would take
thirty minutes.
She gave him a long, level look.
"I'm standing on the edge of a building. Heights don't bother me."
He flashed a quick grin. "In
that case, if you need a place to crash for the night. Follow me." He made
his way to the south side of the building then took off at a run and leaped
across the alley.
He didn't stop but smiled again
when he heard her land behind him.
So far, his night looked to be
very interesting.
I love writing
meta-human stories. Working different abilities into the romance is a challenge
and fun to do.
That's it for this
week.
Cheers!
Skye
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