Novel Title: A Wicked Messenger
Goal: 90,000
Today: 1,200
Total words: 13,300
Research: Methane, Exploding Cows
Excerpt:
“Did they hurt you?” Nathan asked, horrified. “Are you still you?”
“She came upon me like a lion. Savage. Without mercy or care. I tried to fight.” She laughed hollowly. “I actually tried to use my cross to scare her off. I think I amused her. She asked me about you. Even then, I couldn’t hide what I felt. And when she bit it, it was closest I had ever been to the universe.”
“Are the other New Flesh around?” Nathan asked, hoping this wasn’t a full-fledged ambush. If this wasn’t a trap for him, would they use this distraction to attack the ranch and his family? He feared to mention it least it give them ideas. “Why are you here, Phoebe?”
“I’m called Misery now. I’ve been reborn in the fire of creation, Nathan.” She hopped off the boulder quickly, like a cat. “Phoebe died when you left her behind. All that’s left is the misery that lived in her bones.”
“If you are really in there, Phoebe, I’m sorry this happened to you.” Nathan’s fear intensified the flames. “I won’t let you suffer.”
“You have so much more to lose, Nathan. I saw what you did to Zeal’s hand.” Misery cackled. “He won’t soon forgive you, despite the prophecy, but he can vent his frustrations properly.”
He felt the horror of his worst nightmare realized. “Don’t hurt them, Phoebe. Please.”
“My name is Misery!”
The azure flames dimmed. “Misery, please don’t do this. Don’t hurt them. Grandma Loni and Poppa Ray are gentle and kind. They aren’t ready for this.”
Misery tilted her head, pulled back her hair, and listened to roar of a familiar engine. She grinned wildly. “Sounds like good o’ Uncle Marty is coming to your recuse. I wonder if anyone is watching the Ranch.”
“You planned this.” The fire burned brightly now that anger replaced fear. It was then that he felt a dozen pricks at the back of his head. One by one the blackbirds at the Ranch were dying. The sole image reported was the gaping maw of Acrimony about to swallow him whole. Nathan refused to let them distract him from the situation. “If you hurt them, I swear I don’t know what I’ll do.”
“Why would we hurt them at this stage? They’re perfect hostage and Marty won’t leave the Ranch until they’re safe.” She laughed. “He’ll die before he can collect on that cure for Borri. Ironic, no?”
“Nate! Nate!” Marty bellowed from the campground. “Are you here?”
Nathan turned slightly away from the vampire. “I’m down by the river.”
During the time that it took to mouth those words, Misery disappeared. Nathan made a solid scan of the area, trying to scene her presence, but by the time Marty had made it down to the river, she was gone.
“What sort of stupidity do you have, Nate?”
He didn’t have time to argue. “We have to go back. The Ranch is unprotected.”
Marty groaned. “Son of a bitch!”
Dead Bodies: Phoebe, Mrs. Higgins
Classic Rock References: A Rock Feels No Pain
New Magics: The concept of a primal Platoian in the dreamlands for concepts
Challenges: This was a strange scene. I hadn't meant to make Phoebe the newest member of the New Flesh, but based on some suggestions from Mario it really worked.
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