Sunday Scribblings Prompt # 217 mantra
Adelyn stomped around the kitchen stuffing weapons and supplies in her backpack. She jammed a round into the gun and stuffed it back into the holster on her side. She clipped a huge knife to her belt. She turned her back as she peeled off her bloodstained tee shirt. Grabbing a clean one from the counter she pulled it over her head. If he had been paying attention he would have seen the scars on her back. He was rocking back and forth now, chanting over and over “oh shit. oh shit.” like some kind of mantra. He looked as pale as that thing that nearly took his head off.
She crouched down in front if him and gave him a smack on the head, then ruffled his brown hair. “Snap out of it! I get that you’re in shock but we have to MOVE! That thing was real and where there’s one, there’s bound to be more.” She grabbed his chin and raised his face so he had to look at her. She spoke in a calmer voice. “Chris, there is a lot out there that most people don’t see. It’s like a curtain separates this stuff from everyday people. My mama and my grandma were both seers and I’m one too. Trust me when I say this is real and we have to get out of here. I’m sorry you got pulled into this, but they have your scent now and I have to take you with me.”
Chris focused on her voice and her eyes and shook himself. “Wait. Wait! Okay. This is really real? I’m not going to wake up and wonder what the hell I smoked last night?”
Adelyn grinned and patted his cheek. “Nope, sorry. This is as real as it gets. Come on. We have to get out of here.  She stood and handed one backpack to him and picked up the other. She handed him a pistol.
He stared at her. “Is this loaded?”
“Wouldn’t do you much good if it wasn’t.”
“I’ve never shot a gun!”
She grinned again. “Just be careful. The safety is off. Anything tries to mess with us before we make it to the truck, you point it and squeeze the trigger until it’s empty. Let’s go!”
He followed her to the truck, copying the way she swiveled her head back and forth watching for things that made the bile rise from his stomach to his throat. She hadn’t wanted to take him with her. Grandma had taught her to never involve normals in her world. They couldn’t handle it. They would end up dead and maybe take you with them. Grandma was gone and so was mama. She was the seer now and if she had left him he would already be dead. The truck cranked first try. She kept it in good condition, tank always full. She stepped on the gas and they lurched forward. As they turned the corner onto the gravel road, the truck rocked as the raspy metal on metal sound of something screamed in the night. Adelyn punched it. Chris looked grim as he spun his head around trying to get a look. They heard the angry howl of loss as they sped off through the night.
Ho, I do believe your writing’s got majorly better since I was last here…what was it? months ago…April??? Anyway, I dig this vibe and you’ve left the story in a prime spot with “the angry howl of loss.†Cool, Ms. Dee, cool : )
Gracias…I don’t think Adelyn and May would meet at Nordstroms but May seems to have some inner strength going on. Now Liza? She’s another story. I can easily imagine her pulling out a pistol if zombies ever showed up at Macy’s 🙂
P.S. Took your advice and took a class.
Gripping!
Thank you Carina!
This is the first time I’ve read anything on your blog, but I definitely was delighted with your writing.
Feisty females are great fun. That is so long as they are on your side. Now just where is Adelyn? Just so I know if and when I have to get out of her way.
Great stuff as usual.
Adelyn is off killing nasties and making the world safe for the rest of us – glad you liked her!
Roped me in completely!
Thank Gel – it was a fun write!
You do action so well. Excellent.
Thank you very much Anthony 🙂
Fantastic – I’m hooked!
Thank Keith – I’ll try to keep you that way!
Hi Dee..nice to be back this week and thanks for your visit! There was real urgency in this story. I loved the ease of the dialogue and the charcaters. I feel a bit disappointed that I am a ‘normal’ (rarely has that been said!) Jae
Oh Jae – I would never say that about you! You have magic in you girl! (and thank you!)
I just love your fiction, Dee. It’s always a ride when I come here. What an appropiate chant!
ha – it’s been a mantra of mine a time or two 🙂
Hi!
So this is part of a series of Seers? Interesting!
um..well, it will be?
Summer avalanche is upon us already, I see. And this is WITH a headache. You know I ducked as soon as Adelyn started slinging ordnance in the kitchen. Got us all ready to roll – another road trip.
this was after the headache LOL – the fog cleared and Adelyn was a street name on the trip to Tyler. It just rolled out.
Fun to let the road trips trigger the writing. Your Adelyn Street and my Twin Sisters Hall. They have energy, they haunt, and then they gotta come out.
Another killer post, Dee. I enjoyed the image of the man trying to mimic her as they escaped. That really brought home his dependence on her.
Thank you, Dee, for creating such a strong female protag with Adelyn. I was right with her in the kitchen (of all places for gun slinging around!) and loved her strength. Keep this well-written story going!
Man, I like this. I want to know the backstory, though. Am I missing it somewhere?
no Susan – this stands on it’s own for now 🙂