A-Z Challenge #26: Z is for Zoic

Z is for Zoic, A Message from the World

[oh my... a bit of strange one to end on, a lot... more intense than I expected, O.o]

If the world could tell the despairing one thing, it would be, 'Look...'

Yes, it is scarred and cracked. But inside those cracks are shoots of green.

Yes, many buildings are being dragged down, crumbling. But the space left behind can be cleared.

Yes, the fight was terrible and all reaching and not a single thing did not get hurt. But scabs form for a reason.

If the world could tell the despairing one thing, it would be, 'Look, I have not given up on you. Don't give up on me.'

A-Z Challenge #25: Y is for Yearning

Y is for Yearning, An Ache Fulfilled

[Fulfilling my weekly quota of sap and fluff... ^_^]

Art:
There’s little about life that Art lets get him down. But even he notices, when he meets Chester and then Baggaro and then Elpirt, that suddenly there’s a lot more reason to have fun.

James:
James has a hard time describing music to the others. Sure, he can talk about sound and lyrics, instruments and rhythm. But to James, that’s not what music is about, or what it means, or how a guitar can be worth almost everything to a person brave about nothing. But he finds he likes trying to, all the same, because they always stop to listen.

Elpirt:
Elpirt likes to climb. To swing around and lug up ropes and sway with the teetering buildings. She had never thought anything could be better than a cold drop brought to an end by the snap of thick, bruising rope, the breath crushed out of her by excitement. But now she like clinging to Barnard’s back, or wrestling while being tangled in Art’s limbs, or, best of all, sneaking to stare at Chester when he wakes up - he screams, he curses … he laughs.

Barnard:
Barnard doesn’t lie. He tells them things as he sees it, and he tells them things as he saw it. He saw the End coming, he saw the reactions coming, and he thought he saw the time where even he would fade away. But he didn’t see, never, how a couple of knuckle-headed thieves with snot running down their faces could paint such a beautiful picture, turning everything he had been seeing on its side.

A-Z Challenge #24: X is for Xylomancy

X is for Xylomancy, One of Barnard’s Quirks

It takes Ellie to notice it. Or maybe, it takes Ellie mimicking it to make James notice it. Either way, it takes James a lot longer than it should have.

It’s innocent enough. They often don’t have a specific destination in mind, and Barnard has lived - and survived - the longest out of all of them. So Art is content to let Barnard change their course whenever he wants, and James doesn’t much care unless they’re running low on supplies, and Ellie..... James doesn’t know about Ellie.

But there are times they are walking along and Barnard will stop. He’ll cock his head to the side and stare down at the road and he’ll mutter to himself and he’ll grumble to them and, more often or not, they’ll end up changing directions with little fuss. They can’t really get lost, since they never have a destination in mind, so all seems well. For all James know, Barnard has a map of every place in the world memorized inside his head. It wouldn’t surprise him, not at all, if Barnard did.

Well, when Ellie joined the group she’d walk right up to Barnard during these stops, cock her head to the side, look down, and hum. She’d nod along with the older man’s whispers, let Barnard cuff her shoulder lightly, and then Barnard would announce the new direction. It was a relaxing pattern, if a little odd.

Well, one day James joined them. He found that what they were staring at, and discussing, were a pile of sticks. Barnard was muttering things like, “no good,” “we should go west,” “too risky to go north, even if it has potential to give us a boon,” and then he straightened up, cuffed Ellie on the shoulder, rubbed a knuckle into James’ head - James scowled, did Barnard think he was five? - and announced, “We’re changing direction. Heading west now. Let’s go.”

“Wait,” James snapped. “Why?”

Everything stopped. It was like James had asked why they didn’t feel like going along the same road, even it lead them over a cliff. Art frowned.

“Barnard says we need to go west.”

“Because of, because of...” James gave a frustrated look at the older man. “A pile of... sticks.”

“If you don’t believe in the supernatural and superstitions, you’re plain mad.” Barnard shrugged.

“Ohhh,” Art said, bouncing on his toes. “Drivition.”

“Divination,” Barnard corrected. Ellie hopped onto the man’s back, grinning at the fuming James over Barnard’s shoulder.

“Yeah. Like, talk to ghosts-”

“I didn’t say that,” Barnard corrected again, gently. “But I’m telling you, I can see things sometimes. Real clear like, in the way wood and sticks pop up. And we do not want to keep going north.”

James gaped, at a loss for words. His perplexition lasted too long, because Art announced, “What are we waiting for? To the west!”

And, well, that was that.

“It’s called Xylomancy,” Barnard told James later.

James shrugged. “Yeah. Ok.” Not like that makes it any better.

Though, they’d soon find, it was a very, very good thing they went west.

A-Z Challenge #22: W is for Winter

W is for Winter, A Time for Tales

The Old Lady has a name, but Art can’t remember what it is. She doesn’t mind, and doesn’t correct him. He thinks she likes it, sort of, because whenever he greets her she smiles. They sort of, kind of, live together. Art’s parents are... somewhere.

“A better place,” the Old lady says. Art believes her. She knows a lot.

Art likes to roam around, so he’s not always living with her.

But now it’s winter, and the weather is cold. Art likes snow because its pretty and tastes okay, but he also hates it, because it’s wet and cold and boring. It’d be a lot cooler if it was purple or something.

“We don’t need to add to our problems,” the Old Lady would laugh. Art doesn’t see how purple can ever been a problem.

It’s a winter day and Art is bored. No. He’s B-O-R-E-D. When Art spells certain words right - sometimes the Old Lady likes to test him - she unearths strange treats. Hard candies that burst with flavor, or burn his tongue. He doesn’t much like the mints, and lets the Old Lady have all of them. But Art is bored and just wants to go outside already, to do something. The Old Lady is coughing a lot, and Art turns to stare. She smiles at him when she’s done, wiping at her lips.

“Come over here, Art. Have I told you about King Arthur yet?”

“No.” Art says. Though she has. A lot. But if he tells the truth she won’t repeat the story, and its Art’s favorite, and it’s ok, he thinks, to live life telling only a couple of lies, right?

“Well come over here. I think you’ll like this tale. It’s about knights, you know. And quests. Do you know what a quest is?”

Did Art know what a quest was?

“No,” he says. And settles down to listen.

A-Z Challenge: V is for Victory, A Few Small Ones

Whew, I almost missed this one, didn't I? Though it's a short one, and not connected to WS.

I'm afraid I've been quite scatter-brained lately, and travel never bodes well for my productivity. And it's been a crazy fews days with family stuff. That said, I'm going to do at least a little victory dance on a couple of things.

1. I'm still working through this A-Z shindig. I hope everyone participating is still going strong and having fun, and those not participating don't mind the blogs that are.

2. I wrote a full chapter (well, maybe it could use another paragraph or two). I feel this is particularly exciting because lately all I've been able to manage are snippets. I like snippets, but at some point I need to get back into writing meatier chapters.

3. I may have forgotten to hand out two of the five copies of EQ to various family members, but I finally remembered to sign and give out one. I'm sort of super excited it's available in paperback, though I need to start learning more about marketing and connecting with readers.

4. I finally started the next book I've been meaning to read, which is good, because I don't want to miss my goal of 65 books in 2012. I just started The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. It's a book I've passed over for years, admiring the cover but not buying. I go in and out of my suspense/thriller phase of reading. Lately, I've been craving a good, thrilling mystery, so, perfect timing, right?

Any big or little victories in your lives? I hope so.

A-Z Challenge #21: U is for United

U is for United, Teammates Big and Small

   It was sort of a novel experience, realizing that when Art feared something, he was just as insane about that as any idea or adventure.
   It wasn't just cats, James came to learn. But every animal.

   Dogs - "Big teeth!"
   Rabbits - "Twitchy. Weird ears. Trick you into forgetting they have teeth."
   Horses, cows, deer, etc. - "Huge. What if they kick you?"
   Snakes - "They sneak into your blanket and might try and eat you."
   Birds - "They're after our eyes, Chester. Our eyes!"
   Rats and other rodents - "Bitey."
   Insects - "They're everywhere and can do everything. They jump and fly, and swallowing them is nasty."

  So as Barnard introduced them all to Fidget, James was concerned when Art went rigid and still, eyes fixed on the furry little thing poking its head out from the other man's pack. He guessed the only reason Art wasn't running around and screaming was because Barnard, one of his friends, wanted the thing to become a part of their group.
   James had ignored, for a long time, the heights to which Art placed the happiness of his friends.
   Ellie immediately perked up with interest, holding out her hands to pet it. Barnard sternly said, "Fidget is on the list, Elpirt." And while the girl’s cheeriness faded just a bit, she still insisted on holding and petting the curious - and brave, James thought, thinking about how he hadn't handled meeting Ellie nearly so well - little... thing.
   "What is it?" James asked. Art was still sitting rigid by his side, watching warily as James picked up the creature and pet through the thick, thick fur. It was pretty cute, James thought privately.
   "Chinchilla," Barnard announced. "Surprisingly friendly. Don't hog it, Ches."
   Then the old man scooped Fidget up and placed it into Art's lap.
   Man and beast stared at one another. James would have laughed, if he hadn't noticed the suspicious way Art's lower lip began to tremble. It made something in his gut twist painfully, and suddenly he was really annoyed. Before he could rescue Art, Barnard said loudly, though not unkindly, "Just pet him once, Art. He's the newest member of the team."
   Art raised his hand, lines of tension appearing in his face. Thank god, James thought, that the chinchilla was as docile as Barnard claimed. It's little animal senses must have picked up on Art's discomfort, and it made no movement as Art's fingers, very slowly and carefully, cut through the thick fur to make one gentle stroke down its back.
   "N-nice," Art said. And Barnard scooped Fidget back up with a big smile.
   "He likes you. Us. I'll make sure to take care of him, so don't worry about it Art."
   Art gave a shaky nod, as Elpirt went back to cooing over Fidget, and Barnard continued to talk about everything he could remember learning about Chinchillas, and James frowned thoughtfully. This, he thought, could be a real disaster.
   But Art, true to his obnoxious self, made no comments about disliking the newest addition. James wasn't about to smart his pride by bringing it up.
   So it was a little surprising, after their first big tussle since getting Fidget, when Barnard hollered out in distress, "Fidget?" The pack the bigger man kept strapped around his waist that Fidget traveled in had a big hole in the bottom. James looked around, seeing nothing but blood splatters and dropped weapons from the roving scavengers they'd fought off. Art piped up, voice stressed but cheerful,
   "Don't worry, Baggaro. He's r-right here." Fidget was inside the pocket on Art's shirt. "I didn't let them trample him."
   "Good man, Art." Barnard laughed, running a big hand over his balding head. "I'll get this bag fixed up soon. Think you can handle the little monster until then?"
   "Yea. Yup. He's a part of the team, right?" Art tried to giggle.
   James bit his tongue. He didn't say anything against Barnard, or make a big deal about it to Art. But quietly offering to keep Fidget in his bed because, "You move around too much. You'll squash him," netted him the most brilliant smile from Art yet. That was saying something.

A-Z Challenge #20: T is for Time

T is for Time, Inching Along

[I'm not really sure where this one came from! Haha]

The Girl watched the little bug scrunch up and straighten out, dragging its body along. It was a bright, bright green, contrasting with everything else in the building she was climbing.

She frowned.

She didn't like to think about the bug being so lost. There was nothing up this way for it to eat - no, she wasn't going to share her catch. Not that it would want any. All this struggle and effort, all this wasted time, to climb its own grave.

The Girl dropped her supplies and scooped the bug up. Briefly, she wondered what it would taste like. But she had a much bigger meal waiting so instead she just stuck in the crook of her neck and began climbing down.

For one more day, at least, she'd help it find someplace better to explore.

Later, when she was back at work, she'd sometimes stop at a window and crane her neck, trying vainly to see if she could spot it in the bushes at the bottom. Of course she couldn't, but there was no harm in trying. She was in no rush. The days were stacked up in line, all the same whether past or future. It would be another year until she would realize she was also climbing a building that would have been her lonely grave. Another year until what she was waiting for, found her.

If time had a smile, it would be as wide as the Chesire's.

*Also, one of the bigger hurdles that has kept me so busy is now over… my sister's Bridal Shower was on Sat. and she loved it! Not only that, but she was surprised! It was a lot of fun, despite the long drive there and back (she lives in CT while my family is in NJ). Hopefully now I can start working through the huge backlog of posts and chapters I've got half read or written and finish a them.*

A-Z Challenge #19: S is for Sharp Shooting

S is for Sharp Shooting, How James Meets Nick

   James meets Nick on a sunny day.
   Somehow, and he should have been suspicious from the start because his luck is never that good, James has found an apple orchard.
   James enjoys a lazy afternoon eating apples until he wants to puke, and strumming his guitar. The guitar is a beat-up, ratty thing, with half its strings missing and a crack in the neck threatening to snap the thing in two. He’s just thinking it might be time to find a place to lie down for the night, when the raiders show up. They’re an mean-looking bunch. Then again, you’re either mean in this new world, or a wimp.
   James knows what he is...
   “This is our orchard,” Tall-Dude says.
   “Just leaving,” James mutters. He turns to go.
   “What about payment for all these apples?” Rat-Faced Girl snaps, and she gestures at the cores littering the ground.
   James wants to say, ‘For being your orchard, you sort of suck at guarding it,’ but instead he offers to play a tune. “For old times’ sake,” he says. And it’s typically 50/50 whether or not that sort of thing will work.
   For these guys, they want more. They want his bag. And James is preparing to run.
   “Where do you think you’re going?” Tall-Dude grins.
   The scuffle would have been short. James hasn’t learned much fighting, since he spends most of his days running, and he’s trapped. In a stupid, last ditch effort, he climbs a tree. Rat-Faced Girl starts to climb after him, when a sound CRACK sounds. The apple closest to the girl’s hand explodes, and both her and James screech. James nearly falls out of the tree in surprise.
    The explosion turns out to be a gun-shot, and a second group of scavengers arrive. James watches the little battle unfold, not surprised that the new comers win. None of the original group seems to have a gun, and not many stick around to try and steal them.
    A young man wanders over and looks up the tree where James is still perched, too terrified to climb down. He has a narrow face, but wide smile. Skin naturally tanned, and eyes slanted.
   “Can you play that?” The stranger asks.
   “What?”
   “The guitar. Can you play it?”
   James nods.
   “Perfect. My name’s Nick.”
   “James.”
   The day James met Nick was sunny, sky blue and wide, and important, so important, that if James had known he would have refused the offer. Since he doesn’t, and only thinks it’s a little safety for a little while, James shakes Nick’s hand.


[I'm keeping my A-Z challenge entries themed. They're set in the post-apocalyptic world of my current w.i.p The Wandering Shadow. They're typically scenes featuring the four main characters - Art, James, Barnard, and Elpirt. I hope you find them entertaining and enjoy learning about the characters. Excited to be a part of the A-Z Challenge!]

A-Z Challenge #18: R is for Rusty

R is for Rusty


"Dogs are not our whole lives, but they make our lives whole" - R. Caras

A lhasa apso with a big heart to match his bigger than life attitude. Nearly took off my finger once when I tried to rescue him from chocolate. But I loved him. He's in a better place now, chowing down on chocolate, bones, and meat. I don't want to make this post too sad... we may have lost Rusty this morning, but I want to remember all the good times when he was still alive.

So I'm going to share a happy memory:

One time my boyfriend and I were walking Rusty, watching him for my dad and whatnot, and we're walking along, all casual, and Rusty is this tiny little guy. This HUGE dog playing outside with his family gets away from the kids and starts leaping around and charging towards us. I'm flipping out more than Rusty. Rusty just sort of snorts and turns on his heel, all, 'What's this dude think he can do to me? Pff...'

Haha, that was Rusty.....  <3

A-Z Challenge #17: Q is for Quest

AN: First off, I'm a little behind on replying to comments. Never fear, I will catch up! Though I wonder why Blogger doesn't have the ability to make the replies to comments alert worthy? Maybe they do and I haven't found the option yet...

Also, I have stared at this snippet for quite awhile... and I'm fairly certain the tenses in the first part don't match the rest. This is because tenses are my mortal enemies, and they like it when I embarrass myself by showing off my lack of comprehension. If by some miracle they do match... well... I guess I win this one, eh tenses?

Q is for Quest, Of Which There are Many

Quest #72

   “You're... you're...” The woman gasps for air, but he didn't loosen his hold. This was their first lead in days, and he'd die before leaving without the information he was after.

   They're both covered in sweat and grime. The smell in the air is enough to make him swallow down bile incessantly. He thinks about never exploring the old, mutating sewer system again. He's had enough of slick floors making his footsteps squelch, and molting people with wandering memories and wart covered skin. He's had enough of sludge glowing in the dark, and snapping turtles more fierce than rats.

   “Ch-Ch-Chessss-”

   “Chester,” he snaps, pent up anger and fear adding an almost physical bite to his words. She flinches and flounders in his hold, face swelling as she struggles for air. He thinks she could pass for a witch, maybe something worse. “The Bard. Perhaps you've heard of The Wandering Shadows?”

   Her breathing comes out in sick wheezes.

   “Well!”

   “Yes. I-I-we have.”

   Cool relief floods his body. “Good. Then maybe you can help me. Where are they keeping him?”

   She shakes, trying to protest. “Who, who ah-ah-ah're you-”

   Chester has no time for games. “I want to know where they've taken Art. I want to know now.”

[I'm keeping my A-Z challenge entries themed. They're set in the post-apocalyptic world of my current w.i.p The Wandering Shadow. They're typically scenes featuring the four main characters - Art, James, Barnard, and Elpirt. I hope you find them entertaining and enjoy learning about the characters. Excited to be a part of the A-Z Challenge!]

A-Z Challenge #16: P is for People

P is for People, Shadows of the World

[Went a little experimental again... I think it fell a little flat, hmm... let me know what you think!]

    They had been loud.

    There had been cars that guzzled, and the heavy hammering of buildings sprouting up like concrete trees. There had been music, always music, playing through cracked windows somewhere. And shouting, often shouting, of strangers or lovers or others. And if there wasn't screaming there was laughter, whether the small sort of children or the deep sort of adults. Footsteps, whistles, sirens, bells, honks, horns, rings and hums.

    Now they are quiet.

    Now the earth is the loud one.

    Time sending concrete jungles to the ground, overrun with vines and plants and the tiny steps of rodents. Music is scarce, and laughter even rarer. Shouting still happens, from time to time, but it is desperate most often, and short. The people duck into nooks and crannies and lean against one another and wait. What are they waiting for?

    They move like shadows. Quiet, solemn, and waning.

[I'm keeping my A-Z challenge entries themed. They're set in the post-apocalyptic world of my current w.i.p The Wandering Shadow. They're typically scenes featuring the four main characters - Art, James, Barnard, and Elpirt. I hope you find them entertaining and enjoy learning about the characters. Excited to be a part of the A-Z Challenge!]

A-Z Challenge #15: O is for Omitting

O is for Omitting, A Short Conversation

   “Thanks.” Why are you here?
   “It wasn’t any trouble.” I’m sorry.
   “Elpirt says the wound’s not that bad.” Why did you leave?
   “Ellie would know.” I was stupid.
   “We’re going to head out tomorrow.” What do you want?
   “I’ve already helped Barnard pack.” Can you forgive me.
   “I fought a lion!” Of course. And you called me an idiot?
   “I saw it. I was surprised to see one alive.” Thank you. Thank you.
   “Let’s have a feast! Lots of celebrating to do now. Hey, tell Elpirt I should be allowed to get up. We’ve got to eat lots of food and, hey, you got a new guitar? Music! We need music and -” Well, you were stupid, but families forgive stupid stuff.
   “Stop moving! The bandages, geez, Art lie back down!” Family.


[I'm keeping my A-Z challenge entries themed. They're set in the post-apocalyptic world of my current w.i.p The Wandering Shadow. They're typically scenes featuring the four main characters - Art, James, Barnard, and Elpirt. I hope you find them entertaining and enjoy learning about the characters. Excited to be a part of the A-Z Challenge!]

A-Z Challenge #14: N is for News

N is for News Update!

So, a little break from the regularly scheduled posting of Wandering Shadow snippets. (shh.... this isn't because I totally blanked on a snippet for N, *shakes head vigorously* not at all)


Anyway... first off, thank you to everyone who has been following the snippets so far. I know I don't give a lot of explanation behind them, haha, so I hope you're enjoying them despite probably being a little confused. I guess to give a tiny bit of information - The Wandering Shadow is set in a post-apocalyptic world, and you follow Art as he collect (*coughdragscough*) a couple of other survivors into his mad scheme of living-it-up in this supposed "dead" world. Naturally, they have varying degrees of tolerance for Art's antics. The book is mostly from James' point-of-view, and, well, James is not so easily convinced that life is anything to hoorah about.

So, besides the snippets, I've been a little busy the past week, and I'm going to be quite busy this week. And whenever I get super busy I sort of shut-down on things not directly related to what needs to be done. Unfortunately, writing falls under this. Luckily, I haven't just been sitting around fretting (not too much, anyway), and I've try to maintain a certain level of productivity.

A-Z Challenge #13: M is for Meat

M is for Meat, Bones and Blood

   She didn't like the small ones. The creatures that her parents would most often prey upon. They were all bones with little meat. They twisted more in her hands. Their teeth, though tinier, more often found their way to her skin. The bites stung.
   But, there was merit to the rats and rabbits and squirrels. It was easier to sink teeth and fingers into their thinner hides. The injuries they could leave on her fingers, and hands, and arms more quickly healed. Their eager noses and lighter frames made them fall more easily into the traps left in the dark corners of her territory. They were just easier - to roast over flames, to eat fresh, to pick clean and leave behind bones to toss, spiraling and turning in the air, to clack and clatter in her garden.
   But they didn't provide the same rush and allure as the big ones. The ones that could chases her down, if she wasn't careful. The louder ones. The ones that break and challenge her cages and ropes, her pulleys and tricks.
   They pushed and pulled. They threatened chunks and slivers of her own flesh. The types that would require more than the mushed creams and lotions of mashed up and liquified plants and clays that she collected and mixed and stored in cracked and shattered jars. They could grab and hold and bite back.
  They could prove that her body was nothing more than their bodies. Nothing more than bones holding meat thick with blood. Tender, weak, the only protection from death besides a pulse was the quickness of her feet matching the quickness of her mind.
   And her teeth, two rows sharply defined and ready, always ready...


[I'm keeping my A-Z challenge entries themed. They're set in the post-apocalyptic world of my current w.i.p The Wandering Shadow. They're typically scenes featuring the four main characters - Art, James, Barnard, and Elpirt. I hope you find them entertaining and enjoy learning about the characters. Excited to be a part of the A-Z Challenge!]

A-Z Challenge #12: L is for Loner

L is for Loner, Not Lonely

    “But our adventures. We’re family.”
    “No. We’re not.”
    “Yes, we ARE! We’re family because families protect each other, like we do,”

Art’s being lifted by a large, dark hand, metal pole abandoned on the ground. James thinks about how if it wasn’t Art being caught it’d be him and that’s the only reason he picks up the weapon and swings it frantically at the Bomber’s knee, despite the burning in his side flaring and swallowing his organs in a blinding fire. A boot slams down on his arm and makes his bones creak ominously, and the pole slips from lifeless fingers. But he’s still got one hand free and he grabs the man’s leg and tugs weakly, thinking maybe he can trip him or unbalance him enough for Art to escape. From the way Art is screaming he knows they’re either both going to live or die and they won’t have to wait very long to find out.

    “and because they play together like we do,”

Art demands a song, and because they’re all alone and the sky is clear and the wind feels great on his face, James complies. The harmonica isn’t quite the same as a guitar, so he can’t sing as he plays, but Barnard’s deep voice and Art’s higher pitch can almost make a harmony. Sometimes, for the lines he really likes, he forgoes the harmonica altogether and they sing without aid. And when he starts to grow thirsty and Art doesn’t want to quit, well, isn’t that a giant cat with five inch claws in the distance? Art will hide behind Barnard’s legs and screech like a little girl and that’s not the reason James does this at all. The cat was there, he swears.

    “and because they have fun together, like WE do!”

Ellie steals a bite from the leg of meat that Barnard is in the process of bringing to his lips and she accidentally, maybe, almost takes his finger too. The bigger man spills his beer down the front of his shirt and Art starts laughing big hiccuping laughs, and even Ellie smiles and hisses out an amused noise around the food in her mouth, and James doesn’t know why it’s so funny but he’s laughing so hard he topples to the ground and his chest feels like it will burst.

   “I guess we’ve had some fun. But that doesn’t make us family.”
   That word is too big and too small, and if James doesn’t turn around now, here, then he doesn’t know if he ever will. And he has to. He needs to leave. The desire makes his heart stutter and his fingers curl and his legs tense. He’s smothered, constricted, he’s,
   “Sorry.”
   He doesn’t run. He turns and walks and time speeds up to him on a deserted road all alone and he’s not being followed and he’s so damn happy that’s the only explanation for the way his eyes well and turn the horizon into a blurred line.




[I'm keeping my A-Z challenge entries themed. They're set in the post-apocalyptic world of my current w.i.p The Wandering Shadow. They're typically scenes featuring the four main characters - Art, James, Barnard, and Elpirt. I hope you find them entertaining and enjoy learning about the characters. Excited to be a part of the A-Z Challenge!]

A-Z Challenge #11: K is for Kitten

K is for Kitten, A Ravenous Beast

   James learned about Art’s fear of cats so fast that he never saw it coming. They had set up camp, and James was trying to get a fire going. Art was chattering away.
   “And then the Old Lady taught me a lot about water. And did you know that stag-nant water isn’t so good? I don’t really see a difference, but if the Old Lady said so than I’m not going to argue, because I tried to argue once and it didn’t work out very well, because that was before I had my metal pole you see, and not because she was super fast or anything, and the wooden spoon didn’t even hurt, not really, though I cried a little, because, you know, I didn’t want to hurt her feelings, and then-”
   Maybe, if James had been paying more attention, he would have noticed the unusual silence that fell. Maybe he would have looked over and seen Art go stiff and wide-eyed, staring at the new intruder to their camp. Maybe he would have seen the way Art jumped up and began running.
   James didn’t see any of this.
   But he certainly felt it when Art collided into his back, ironically trying to climb it like the cat he was screaming about.
   “Caaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!” Art screeched, right into James’ right ear. The ear went deaf, and James nearly fell face fire into the stack of wood he had been trying to light. Art was heavier than he looked, but James swung around anyway, body tensing with anticipation - it wasn’t so crazy that they might have crossed paths with a wild cougar or something.
    If it was a cougar, it was the smallest one James had ever seen.
   The kitten sitting innocently on the log that Art had vacated, yawned. Art whimpered.
    “Really?” James sighed.
   “Demon,” Art whispered.
   “You chased a wild dog around the city and-”
    “Dogs are only part demon.”
    James sighed again. He guessed he’d have to shoo the kitten away.


[I'm keeping my A-Z challenge entries themed. They're set in the post-apocalyptic world of my current w.i.p The Wandering Shadow. They're typically scenes featuring the four main characters - Art, James, Barnard, and Elpirt. I hope you find them entertaining and enjoy learning about the characters. Excited to be a part of the A-Z Challenge!]

A-Z Challenge #10: J is for Jesters

J is for Jesters, Joking and Juggling

   In a more devious mood, Art bet he could juggle the sludge balls longer than him. In a more bored mood, James agreed to the bet.
   It was just after dawn. Art seemed to have an ongoing rivalry with the sun, or something, because the moment daylight even hinted at rising over the horizon, Art was awake and loud and ready to GO! Barnard threatened death to Art - which was promptly laughed at and ignored - and a week without music for James - which sent shivers up James’ spine and forced him to agree to keeping Art quiet - so that the older man could roll over and get more sleep.
   “Ok, here I go!”
   What was surprising was that Art actually could juggle. It wasn’t the most elegant, but the globs of moss, and mud, and pond sludge held up to the rough treatment. Art started with five of them, quickly losing one, and then not long after that losing another. But he was holding up with three, and James had to shush them both when their giggles and cheering threatened to get too loud. Art pushed his luck further, sending the mud higher and higher into the air, making the catches harder.
   James should have seen it coming. As it was, they both froze, eyes wide, when Art lost control and one round glob of mud landed smack dab on Barnard’s snoring face.
   “What. The. Fuck.”
   They soon had a large, simmering Barnard ready to swing a club into their skulls like the barbarian Art wanted him to be. James threw up his hands in protest.
    “Actually. You might not realize it. But it looks great. Very Conan meets Swamp Thing.”
   “What’s that?” Art piped, as Barnard momentarily gaped at James.
   “Cross between a monster and a... well... a barbarian actually. See, we helped.”
   For being well into his late fifties, Barnard could run really fast. And he could swing that club really hard. He chased them around the pond.
    Art gasped for air around each laugh, like it was just completely hysterical.
   What’s worse, James did do.




[I'm keeping my A-Z challenge entries themed. They're set in the post-apocalyptic world of my current w.i.p The Wandering Shadow. They're typically scenes featuring the four main characters - Art, James, Barnard, and Elpirt. I hope you find them entertaining and enjoy learning about the characters. Excited to be a part of the A-Z Challenge!]

A-Z Challenge #9: I is for Idea

I is for Idea, Insidious and Catching

I

    For James, well, he's not sure he's bought it yet. Not sure he can carry it the way Barnard can. Not sure he can distort it and crush it and snap it between his teeth like Ellie has. And Art - well, James doesn't think he can ever be like Art, and he's better for it, isn't he?
    The world, no matter how wide or ruinous or alive, could ever handle more than one Art. More than one crazy, wide-eyed, grinning runt with a loud voice and a constant faith in every word he says.
    Why fight the truth like they have? One of them has to see things for the way they really are. Someone has to keep in mind that jumping is jumping, not flying. That life is…
    Life is…
    Since meeting Art, he's not so sure what this life is.
    He doesn't think he can see it the way they do. But now, now his own eyes see something not quite the same as before and not quite clear enough for a future.
    The distance wavers, like a constant lick of heat is flickering a mirage in front of his face, in front of his hand, as though if he just reached out…
    James hasn't bought it yet.

II

    For Barnard, it was after a quivering musician with soft muscles and a short, red-faced kid swinging a metal pole thought barreling through a door into his kitchen counted as sneaking. After Art called him Baggaro. After they had picked through his belongings with varying degrees of thought and care. It was after trekking towards the giant husk of Chicago. It was after Art pointed to a building and said, 'Are you ready?'
    It was after all of that.
    But not much after.

III

    For The Girl, it's before Art names her Elpirt. Before he’s grinning so wide it hurts as she tries to mirror it. Before Chester was too scared to look her in the eye but brave enough to say, ‘Elpirt’s a bad name for a girl, Art. So I’m calling her Ellie. That’s pretty, at least.’ Before a giant finger is wagged into her face by Baggaro, ‘I don’t care about much else, but these are the only things you can’t eat,’ and it is said sincerely.
    It was when she heard them laughing. Singing. When they danced through her territory light-footed and noisy and alive.
    Too alive to be anything else.

IV

    For Art, it's life.
    Pure and simple and wonderful.
    Why live it any other way?




[I'm keeping my A-Z challenge entries themed. They're set in the post-apocalyptic world of my current w.i.p The Wandering Shadow. They're typically scenes featuring the four main characters - Art, James, Barnard, and Elpirt. I hope you find them entertaining and enjoy learning about the characters. Excited to be a part of the A-Z Challenge!]

A-Z Challenge #8: H is for Hanging

H is for Hanging, Holding, Hoping

 
“This is your fault!” James shouted. The wind rips apart his words, throwing them up to his companion in bits and pieces. It takes time for Barnard to put them in order. When he does, the old man's bellow has enough weight to sink three feet and land on James' head before the wind can think to snag it.
   “How do you reckon that? It came from Art.”
   Art was strapped to Barnard's back. The blood along his temples had stopped dripping, but he was still out cold. It was for the best. If he was awake, he'd be laughing.
   Then James would have to kill him.
   “Don't play dumb. 'Well, not most have dared it.' Your exact words.”
   “Well, not many have.”
   “So you tell Art – Art! – crazy shit who wouldn't turn down a challenge if it involved eating his own foot!”
   Now Barnard was the one laughing. Deep, throaty guffaws. The precarious, leaning wall grumbles. Its body grinds and churns and shakes, and James was left breathless. When everything settled – and doesn't shatter, taking them with it on its plunge down, down, down to the very far away ground, thankyougodthankyougod – Barnard hollered over his shoulder,
   “I've got a plan!”
   “Oh?”
   “Here's what I'm thinking. You climb up, I'll grab you, toss you towards the top, you grab on, then, you pull us up.”
    James looked down. Then he looked back up.
   “That's not happening.”
   “Don't you trust me?”
   “I trust you think you can throw me.”
   Like a ghost, Ellie was suddenly there. No longer content with bringing up the rear, her small hands were searching, and she was pulling her body up and even with his own. She was finding handholds and footholds that were invisible to James. Her face perfectly serene as she shimmied past him, wound herself around the others, and used Barnard's head as a trampoline to jump to the top. She disappeared from view.
   “See. Elpirt's got the right idea.” Barnard demanded.
   “Ellie's basically nine pounds.”
   “I said I'd help by tossing you-”
   “And I'm still not convinced she's human. Probably a demon. Maybe half spider. Don't pretend you haven't thought about it!”
   Barnard was silent.
   “Yeah. That's right. So, how about a new plan?





[I'm keeping my A-Z challenge entries themed. They're set in the post-apocalyptic world of my current w.i.p The Wandering Shadow. They're typically scenes featuring the four main characters - Art, James, Barnard, and Elpirt. I hope you find them entertaining and enjoy learning about the characters. Excited to be a part of the A-Z Challenge!]

A-Z Challenge #7: G is for Giant

G is for Giant, Long Necks and Spots

[Sorry, this is another long one.]

   Barnard looked up from the campfire as a noise gradually grew louder the closer it came. Instinctively he reached for the gun he normally kept tucked into the back of his pants; no gun was to be found. Without missing a beat, he reached down for his new club, only half worried, because Art was always screaming about something.
   His barreling, rolling, and screeching new comrade dashed right into their campsite and tripped over something, landing flat on the ground. Damn, Art had to have the luck of the devil to live this long.
    “This is why you shouldn’t ever be without a weapon,” Barnard counseled. “Then you wouldn’t have to run anywhere.”
    Art staggered up painfully from where he landed, face covered in dirt. “Dinosaur! I think there’s a dinosaur! Though it might not be because they’re all dead. But then again, it could be, because it might be!”
   Barnard shook his head. There was no talking to Art like this. He’d have to wait until, oh, there he was.
   James entered the campsite much calmer than Art, though even he looked a little spooked. “Don’t be ridiculous. I told you it’s not a dinosaur.”
   “But it has a long neck like the broncosaurus and-”
   “What’s a broncosaurus?” Barnard asked. He didn’t remember learning about that one. Then again, it’d been a long time and a world ago since he’d been in school.
   “Made-up, that’s what. It’s a giraffe.”
   Well, damn, if that still wasn’t weird.
   “No, it’s not!” Art protested, voice hot. “It can’t be.”
   “Didn’t the Old Lady teach you about-”
   “I saw a giraffe before. In a book,” Art said, and made it sound insulting, like books were still commonplace. “It was a lot friendlier looking though. And it would never try to eat a person.”
   “A giraffe tried to eat you?”
   “No,” James said, exasperated. “Art, was climbing a tree - and no, don’t ask - and then we heard something and-”
   “Something was shiny in the tree! It was probably treasure and-”
   “And that’s not a good reason to risk breaking your neck. What type of treasure could possibly be in a tree-”
   “If I knew that I wouldn’t have been climbing it-”
   “I’m trying to tell Barnard-”
   “Baggaro-”
   Barnard sat back down and leaned against the tree behind him, taking in the argument with a steady growing calm. These kids were... kids. And damn, if that wasn’t something he ever thought he’d miss. Plus, he’d have to wait until they quieted down to ask about the merits of hunting it. He’d never had giraffe.


[I'm keeping my A-Z challenge entries themed. They're set in the post-apocalyptic world of my current w.i.p The Wandering Shadow. They're typically scenes featuring the four main characters - Art, James, Barnard, and Elpirt. I hope you find them entertaining and enjoy learning about the characters. Excited to be a part of the A-Z Challenge!]