Jennifer M. Zeiger's Blog, page 42

The Watch Option Ab2: Point Out the Lawmen

This vote was close! But it swayed on the side of less risk. Let’s see how it goes when you point out the lawmen approaching behind Tuck =)

The Watch Option Ab2: Point Out the Lawmen

The pain from your leg makes thought difficult. Focusing enough to keep Tuck distracted until the lawmen can catch him by surprise is probably more than you can handle.

“You know,” you say, “You’re on your own now.” You gesture around, indicating the shot driver, the unconscious man you landed on and…you look and can’t spot the third man. Then you see him, strapped to the back of one of the lawmen’s horses. When he fell off the wagon, you’ve no idea but it doesn’t matter now.

You point to the third man, which successfully points out the approaching band of law enforcement.

Tuck spins around. He apparently isn’t worried about you moving with your leg.

“STAY BACK!” he shouts and waves the Colt in the air.

The horses slow down and come to a stop. They’re well within hearing distance and just far enough away for Tuck to feel safe.

He’s still waving the Colt. “I’ll shoot every one of you if you come closer.” He looks around but the wagon’s gone along with the horses that pulled it. The train’s not a good way out and he can’t just walk away.

It seems everything is at a stand still.

“Give it up, Tucker Frost,” the lead lawman says. “There’s no where for you to go.”

“You’re going to let me walk away,” he says and takes a step toward you like he’s going to use you as a hostage again.

There’s a boom and Tuck collapses.

You instantly look to the riffle lawman who shot the driver but he doesn’t have his riffle out. Instead, he’s holding a pistol.

Then you notice all the lawmen looking over their shoulders. You follow their gazes until you spot a man standing beside the train. He’s just lowering a riffle and you notice his shock of white hair.

The gentleman you gave your watch to. You’re sure of it.

“Old Master’s still has it,” one of the lawmen says.

“Sorry?” you ask.

“That’s Mark Masters,” responds the man. “Memory’s not all there anymore but he used to be the best sharp shooter we law enforcement had in the area. Seems he just saved your life.”

***

Sure enough, it was the old man you gave your watch to. He agrees to give your watch back once you tell him where his own watch is. He stays with you to make sure your leg is set right and then helps you while it heals.

You and he end up becoming close friends although, the older he gets, the more you have to remind him who you are, and what time it is.

The End

Yay! You survived and made a new friend =) Although the journey to get there was a bit rough, well done =)

Blessings,

Jennifer

The Watch Option Ab. Bump the Driver

Welcome back to the adventure! This vote was unanimous in favor of bumping the wagon driver in an attempt to give the lawman a shot.

Let’s see how your bold move turns out =)

The Watch Option Ab. Bump the Driver

Once the highwaymen escape the sight of the train and the lawmen, they’ll have no use for you. This brings to mind what they might do with a useless passenger. Dump you from the wagon, shoot you… all of the possibilities you come up with are not comforting.

You eye the lawman sighting down the barrel of his rifle. Hopefully he’s a good shot because he’s your best chance at the moment.

In one move, you slam your elbow into the driver of the wagon and duck away from the pistol he’s holding to your temple.

There’s a grunt but it’s drowned out immediately by the clear, deep boom of a riffle shot. Elation brings a smile to your face.

The smile disappears just as quickly as the driver slumps over and drops the reins. Then he slides off the seat and hits the horses.

They jump, neighing in panic. You grasp the seat of the wagon in your own panic at the horse’s sudden run that bounces the wagon in a teeth-jarring rattle. The reins by now have fallen off the seat. They drag by the horse’s pounding feet. You scramble over the seat to make a grab for them but someone pulls on the back of your shirt.

The pull becomes stronger and you’re forced back into the bed of the wagon.

It’s Tuck. He tries to pin you down but the wagon hits a bump and he’s thrown off balance.

You stand up but before you can attack him back, another man grabs you. The wagon jostles and you both hit the side. The man pinwheels his arms, grabs your collar in a mad grasp to stabilize himself and only manages to pull you over the side with him.

In the fall, you have a moment of relief when you see you’ll land on top of him but the relief vanishes the instant you hit.

The man cushions your body but your legs hit the rocks and a sharp, mind numbing jolt shoots up your left leg. You roll on the ground until the momentum from the fall fades and you can stop. Then you just lay there, blind with pain. The left leg’s broken, you’re sure of it, but even with the pain, you hear the satisfied chuckle behind you.

Rolling over with your teeth gritted, you find Tuck with his Colt pointed at you. In the distance behind him, you spot the dust from running horses. The lawmen. Tuck hasn’t noticed them yet.

You could keep him distracted until they can surprise him but from what you’ve seen, Tuck might be a bit trigger happy. Or you could point out the lawmen and hope he takes the gun off you in his worry over the lawmen.

Do you:

Ab1: Keep Him Distracted?

or

Ab2. Point out the Lawmen?

Blessings and see you Thursday for the end of the adventure,

Jennifer

The Watch Option A: Give Him Your Watch

Welcome back to the adventure. The vote Tuesday was close but ended up resulting in you giving the old man your watch. Let’s see where it goes now =)

The Watch Option A: Give Him Your Watch

Although your watch was a gift from your friend, you can’t value it above this man’s life. You peel your own watch off and stuff it

in his palm. Thankfully, the watch was a recent gift because you lack the obvious tan line that would have given the man away.

He gives you a watery grin.

“You next,” the highwayman points the colt at you. The watch was all you carried of value. Besides it, your bag holds a few changes of clothing and a notebook but you’ve no jewelry or coin. In fact, your friend paid for the train because he knew how badly you wanted to see your family.

You stand up so the man can see you better. “I’ve nothing,” you say and pull your pockets inside out.

“Rubbish!” the man stalks down the isle. “You can’t be traveling without at least some coin.”

You shrug and hold your arms out to the side to show him you’ve nothing to hide. This doesn’t seem to appease him. He grabs your shoulder and pulls you into the isle. The jostling bumps you into the poor gent who holds your watch like it’s a lifeline. You apologize out of reflex.

The back door of the car slams open.

“Tuck! Lawmen on the way,” shouts a second highwayman.

“How far out?” asks the first man, Tuck apparently.

“Right there,” the man points out the window.

Every head turns to see five horses approaching the train.

Tuck growls and shoves you toward his partner before grabbing the bag of valuables off the floor.

“Hostage,” he tells his partner and shoves you again so you stumble into the grasp of the second man. Before you can react, the man spins you around and pulls your arms tight behind your back where he ties them together. Your eyes meet the gaze of the older gent holding your watch. He seems to be fighting tears, so you try to give him an encouraging smile. Who knows if he actually comprehends what’s going on?

You’re spun around again and pushed out the door.

Beside the train sits the wagon you noticed earlier with three more well armed men.

They jostle you around until you’re positioned on the far side of the bench seat in full view of the arriving lawmen.

“Don’t shoot or we’ll kill this one!” Shouts the man holding you.

“Give it up,” answers back the lead lawman. “You can’t get very far.”

The highwaymen laugh in response and the wagon jerks into motion. You try to stay still, especially with the pistol against your temple, but it’s hard with the uneven ground.

One of the lawmen pulls a rifle and uses his partner’s shoulder to take aim at the retreating wagon. The highwaymen sink into the bed of the wagon and the driver continues to use you as a shield.

Do you…

Aa. Sit Still?

Or

Ab. Bump the Driver to Give the Lawman a Shot?

The Watch

It’s finally starting to feel like fall! Sorry, had to get that out.

Okay, let’s start a new adventure =)

The Watch

“Do you have the time?” the gentleman beside you asks.

You glance at your watch, a gift from your best friend. “Twelve thirty,” you say and go to look back out the window but then you do a double take.

The gent has a watch. A gold piece with fat hands clearly showing the time.

The man doesn’t seem to notice your look. He’s staring vacantly toward the front of the car while tapping his long fingers on his knee.

You shrug and go back to looking out at the passing farmland. On the other side of the train, the view’s taken up by a blasted rock face. You’re glad you managed to get the outside seat where you can see the open expanse of land. Otherwise, this ride could be boring in the extreme.

“Do you have the time?”

Your head swivels around but the gentleman’s smile is enquiring without a hint of jest.

You glance at his wrist. “Twelve thirty five.”

He glances down, sees his watch and does an “oh, imagine that.” A grin covers his face while he investigates the gold timepiece. He holds his wrist up to show you and nods. “Forgot my wife gave it to me,” he says.

You smile to be polite and turn away.

Between the train and the fields runs a road. You can’t actually see the path but a line of dust drifts into the air from a wagon. Whoever’s driving must be in quite the hurry.

You frown.

The line of dust curves. At first it ran parallel the tracks but now it’s heading on a collision course with the train. Perhaps the person wants over the tracks before the train crosses the road but, if that’s the case, the person’s cutting it close.

You grip the armrest without realizing it.

“Do you have the time?”

You open your mouth to answer by mentioning the man’s watch but your words are drowned out by the screech of the brakes. The car lurches and you catch yourself by grabbing the windowsill before you’re dumped into the seat in front of you.

The gentleman’s not so fortunate. His head hits the seat and he grunts. When he sits back, his hands shake where he holds them against his knees.

Finally, the train comes to a shuddering stop.

“Are you all right?” you ask.

He looks over with wide eyes and mouths something. No sound comes out.

“Stay in your seats!”

You both look toward the front of the car to see a man at the door. His head about brushes the ceiling and, in his hand, he carries a pistol. Strapped to his back hangs a riffle.

“It’s a colt,” the gentlemen whispers. “.45 caliber revolver with a custom grip.” He licks his lips. “Haven’t seen anyone but law enforcement carry such a weapon in these parts.”

The tall man’s clearly not law enforcement. You mention that fact.

“Clearly,” the man agrees. “They picked quite the spot for a heist. Nearest lawman’s at the next station couple hours away.”

You both fall silent as the man walks the isle of the car. He drops a bag in the center and returns to the front of the car.

“One at a time, walk to the bag and drop in your valuables. We’ll start with you.”

He points to the woman at the front of the car. She squeaks but gets up and shuffles to the bag while taking off her earrings and necklace.

“Rings too,” the man reminds her.

She whimpers but does as told. Tears stream down her cheeks.

“My watch,” the gentleman grasps his wrist.

“What about it?” you ask.

“Was a gift from my late wife,” he says, stripping the timepiece from his wrist. He stuffs the piece under the seat cushion.

“Won’t work,” you say and point to his skin. The place the watch sat is white against his tan arm.

He stares at that tell tale sign and his chin quivers.

Do you…

A. Give Him Your Watch?

Or

B. Roll His Sleeves Down?

Blessings and see you Thursday,

Jennifer

Scorpion Dragon Option Aa1: Swing for the Edge

Welcome to the end of the adventure! Let’s see if you can defeat the dragon.

Scorpion Dragon Option Aa1: Swing for the Edge

Scorpus continues to grow bigger.

You consider the dark hole you’re suspended over and shudder. You can’t see down into the darkness beyond your feet and Scorpus admitted it leads to the dungeons. Sounds like you might be jumping from the pan into the fire if you drop to get away from the dragon.

Instead, you swing for the edge. On your third swing, you land your entire palm against the sand but all you get is a handful of grains before swinging away.

Scorpus laughs and the ‘hahaha’ echoes off the rocks.

You swing again and aim for a rock. You catch it but it slides with your weight and falls into the hole.

Just as you let the rock go, you realize you could have used it as a weapon since the sword’s inaccessible at the moment. But too late, the rock disappears into the hole.

Claws close around your waist and you’re lifted into the air.

Scorpus’ red face fills your vision.

“Got quite the fight in you, I see,” he grins. “Most just drop into the dungeons.”

You struggle for the sword while he’s gloating. Strapping it to your back may have helped you crawl over the rocks but now you can barely brush the hilt with your fingertips. With a twist of your torso that makes your back pop, you grasp the hilt firmly in your hand and draw the sword.

The grin on Scorpus’ face disappears. You swing, trying to catch his shoulder so he’ll drop you, but your aim’s thrown off as the he squeezes with his claws.

The tip of the sword draws an angry line across Scorpus’ snout and he roars in your face.

Apparently he can’t breath fire. You go to swing again when his tail comes over his head and a stinger the size of your arm hits you in the chest. You can’t breath. All the strength drains from your arms and your vision swims.

Scorpus plucks the sword from your limp fingers and tosses it. A moment later, there’s a far away splash.

In your fuzzy mind, you can’t get the thought out of your head that, somehow, the sword’s going to return to your mother.

Scorpus laughs again and you see his maw open wide. Blessedly, your blurry vision goes dark.

***

I’m sorry to say the dragon Scorpus ate you but the history books change, with out anyone knowing how, to mention the scar left on his snout by the brave soul who dared defy him.

The End

Sorry this ending did not go your way. =( I promise, this adventure will happen again so you can find a happier ending but for now, have a wonderful weekend!

Blessings,

Jennifer

Scorpion Dragon Option Aa: Accept His Help

Welcome back to the next part of the adventure. Let’s see if the scorpion turns out to be a friend or foe!

Scorpion Dragon Option Aa: Accept His Help

“All right,” you say, “show me this easier way.”

The scorpion jumps in glee and you flinch back, away from his wildly swinging tail.

“Oops,” he covers his face with a claw, “sorry about that.”

You just shoo him with your hands.

“Right then. This way,” he turns and leads you along the top of several boulders that, thankfully, don’t turn under your weight.

On the fifth such boulder, the scorpion uses a small vine to scamper across and you jump the gap. Your foot touches down and the boulder shifts. You throw your arms wide but there’s nothing you can catch yourself on as everything tilts.

You try to roll when you hit the ground below but the sand sinks, sucking you downward. Your stomach hits your throat. Then the downward sensation stops and you’re hanging with sand still moving downward.

Sand continues to fall but you’re suspended by the sword strapped to your back like a pig over a roasting pit. You take stock and see the sword caught the edges of the hole you almost fell through. Now that the sand’s slowed to a trickle, you make out the trap door and a dark hole below. A chill wind rushes up from that hole, bringing with it the smell of mold and sweat.

“Well, that’s just awkward,” says the scorpion.

“Easier way?” you growl at him.

He shrugs. “It gets you into the castle. I never said how.”

“And where does it put me in the castle?” You watch him scamper off the rocks to circle the trap. He makes his way to the hilt of the sword and gives the end an experimental shove with a claw. Your weight holds the sword in place and his shove only pushes him backwards.

“The dungeons,” the scorpion admits, testing the hilt of the sword again with more vigor. It doesn’t budge.

You sigh in relief. You can’t reach the edges of the hole from where you hang, suspended directly above the center of the open trap door, but at least the scorpion can’t push you in either.

“That just won’t do,” the scorpion says. His words deepen toward the end and you look over in surprise. He used to be only an inch and a half long but, right before your eyes, his body starts to thicken and his tail grows.

He grins at the shock on your face.

“Scorpus,” you realize, the dragon.

He’s still growing bigger. In no time he’ll be large enough to pick you up and drop you in the trap door like a tiny doll…or pick you up and eat you. You sway your weight to see if you can touch the edge of the hole with a little help. Your fingers brush the sandy edge.

Scorpus snaps his claws experimentally. They make a snapping sound similar to the clap of two boards thrown together.

Do you…

Aa1: Swing for the edge?

Or

Aa2: Drop into the trap?

Blessings,

Jennifer

Scorpion Dragon Option A: Explore Inland

We’re back, exploring Scorpion Island to see if we can find the Castle with Princess Maya.

Scorpion Dragon Option A: Explore Inland

The beach lays barren around you except for the occasional rock that breaks up the smooth, dark sand. But before you, toward the center of the island, the rocks grow bigger until you’re pretty sure they turn into cliffs. It’s hard to tell for sure because of how the rocks break up the skyline, but if a castle’s hidden here, you figure it’d be back where it’s hard to get to.

So you strap the sword around your waist and sling your pack over your shoulder and head inland.

Almost immediately the slap of the sword against your leg makes you stumble. You hold it with your hand but that hinders you climbing over the rocks. Sitting down, you take the sword off and use the belt to attach it to your pack. Satisfied, you slip the pack back on and head over the rocks again.

Not two steps in, you realize the sword wasn’t your only problem. The rocks, although they appear stable, move beneath your feet like each one sits on a pivot similar to a teeter-totter.

The pessimistic side of you grumbles with each step. The optimistic side delights in the fact that, the more secure the island is, the more likely it’s that way be design and you might actually be in the right place.

You’re trying to focus on that brighter side when a tiny giggle catches your attention. Rocks and sand meet your confused glance. The place seems dead of other life. You scour the area one more time before attacking the next obstacle, a larger rock, a boulder really, that requires you to climb over it.

Stuck half way up and scrambling for a hold on the top of the boulder, the giggle sounds again, a tiny chirping like a cat with the hiccups. You give a desperate shove with your feet, catch the top of the rock and haul yourself up by scrapping your belly on the rough surface.

You roll over and lay on your back to catch your breath. The giggle comes again.

“Could’ve helped me there,” you accuse aloud.

“No, I really couldn’t have,” whistles a soft voice.

“Why not?” you ask. By this time, your patience is limited.

“Well, look and see.”

You roll your head to the right and find a red creature with a stinger in its tail. A scorpion.

You keep from giving a cry and rolling away only because the tail’s raised, ready to strike and you’re not sure you’re fast enough.

“Oh, sorry,” the scorpion says, lowering his tail.

Now that you’ve relaxed, you see the creature’s only about an inch and a half long.

“I couldn’t help you, see, because I’m not big enough. But I can show you an easier way.”

“Easier way to what?” you ask, still eyeing the tail.

“The castle, of course. What else?”

“Why would you help me?” Your mother’s words, the ones about none of your family returning home, ring loud in your mind. This island’s full of pitfalls. This scorpion could be helpful…or he could be out to get you.

“Scorpus likes to eat us for fun.” If a scorpion could look morose, this one would have. As it is, his shoulders slump and his tail hangs near his head. “And showing you the castle’s my little way of getting back at him.”

Do you…

Aa. Accept his help?

Or

Ab. Decline his help?

Blessings and see you Tuesday!

Jennifer

Scorpion Dragon

Welcome to the adventure. This story’s bones came from the amazing imaginations of some very creative nieces and nephews I know. When lacking inspiration, they’re an awesome source of fuel for the muse. =) Hope you enjoy.

Scorpion Dragon

“It costs a King’s ransom, though,” the doc warns you.

“But a cure exists?” you ask again.

He nods and lays a sympathetic hand on your shoulder before leaving your one room cabin. The dirt under your feet and the paper over the windows just accentuates what the doc meant. You’ve no money.

You take a steadying breath before heading into the lean-to off the back of the cabin. The lean-to, and the only private part of your home, belongs to your mother. You built it for her when she fell ill in hopes she’d sleep better. But no amount of sleep will cure her.

You’re mother smiles at you when you look at her. You stop, taken a back. The haunted look in her eyes from moments before when the doc told her she had only a few weeks left has been replaced with a gentle sort of peace.

“Mom, are you all right?”

Instead of answering you, she points to a book on the table. It’s the history book she taught you from when you were younger.

“Flip to the back section on regional myths,” she says.

You sit on the three-legged stool beside her bed and do as she asked. She never covered this section in your education, so you’re unfamiliar with the picture of a large dragon that graces the top of the page. The picture’s colored in red and highlights the dragon’s tail that hangs like a scorpion’s over its head. Even the end of the tail has a stinger but clearly the rest of the creature represents the fire-breathing drake.

“Read there,” you mother taps the page.

 

The island of Scorpus sits far off the coast, and looks like nothing but a pile of rock and sand to passersby. But myth claims it the home of the scorpion dragon who sank Princess Maya’s ship in 1102, capturing her gold and keeping her prisoner. According to the myth, Maya is kept in a castle in the cliffs of the island and is forced by Scorpus to polish his red scales daily.

 

You frown at your mother. Perhaps the disease already took her mind, but she’s looking at you with such hope. You shrug, not getting why she showed you this.

She points again at the page.

“Look,” she says, pointing to the bottom of the page at another picture.

It’s a detailed sketch of a sword. You pull the book closer and then glance from the lean-to into the main room of the cabin. The only thing of value the family owns hangs over the fireplace mantle. A family heirloom, a sword with bluish steel.

You glance between the sword and the picture several times but there’s no mistake. The sword’s distinctive engraved handle is perfectly depicted in the picture. Below the drawing is the caption “The only weapon known to hurt the scorpion dragon.”

“I never showed you this because everyone in our family dies looking,” your mother admits, “but if the sword exists, so might the island and the princess’ treasure.” She flips the page to show you a poorly drawn map. “Find the island for me?”

“How do we still have the sword?” You ask. Surely someone thought to take it with them.

“They all took the sword. It finds its way back, they do not,” she shrugs, clearly hurt at the memory. “Find the island for me?” she asks again.

***

The hope in your mother’s eyes when you said yes lends you strength as you row toward the island. This is the third such island you’ve checked out but this one just feels right. And if any island simply looks like a pile of rock and sand, this is the epitome of rock and sand islands.

You row one more time and your boat hits the sand. Far out in the water you can still see the Wind Born. The captain agreed to wait for two days while you explore. If you’re not back, he’ll chalk the rowboat up as a loss and leave you behind.

You heave the rowboat onto the beach and retrieve the sword and your pack from inside. All you brought were food and water. Wasn’t like you owned anything else to prepare you for this trip.

The book stated the castle of Princess Maya is hidden in cliffs but it doesn’t say if the cliffs are inland or on the beach.

Do you…

A. Explore inland?

Or

B. Explore the beach?

Story continues on Thursday!

Blessings,

Jennifer

Jace Option Aa2: Wait

Welcome to the end of the adventure. The discussions this week on people’s choices have been awesome! Thanks for participating. =)

Jace Option Aa2: Wait until Jace is alone with his dad

The argument above echoes over the cliff without any indication of slackening. You meet Jace’s gaze and give him the ‘shhh’ sign again while you consider your options. He giggles and slaps a hand over his mouth.

To the left there’s a tree line that meets the sloping edge of the cliff but it’s a good distance away. Jace would have to be either nonchalant about getting there or sneaky like a spy. He’s neither so you decide to wait until only Jace’s father is left.

You wedge yourself a bit tighter into the crack to wait out the argument. Eventually, Jace get’s bored of staring at you and he disappears. You hope he doesn’t say anything.

The arguing stops and you hear heavy footsteps leaving. Perhaps the slavers have gone but you wait a little longer until you hear Jace’s father call to him before you move to finish climbing the cliff.

By the time you haul yourself over the edge, you catch the sight of Jace and his father following a path into the tree line on the left. Although you’re huffing for breath and covered in sweat, you push to your feet and take off after them.

They’re much taller than you, though, and their strides take them down the path at a rate that has you almost running to keep them in sight.

Then you brake to a rapid stop. It’s the offshoot of the river that the slavers must have used to get Jace to the cliff. On it sits a sleek boat with several more men sitting inside. They give Jace a hand as he climbs aboard and deferentially step back to allow his dad to climb in on his own.

“To the compound,” his dad says and the men start rowing.

Your stomach rolls like you want to throw up. There are too many men for you to get Jace back on your own.

You walk down to the very edge of the river and watch them rowing away. Something catches your eye, another boat. A tiny rowboat left on the riverbank farther up.

You might not be able to save Jace by yourself, but you might be able to follow them to see where they take him.

You climb aboard the tiny vessel and put your back into rowing. It’s tough work to keep the sleeker boat in sight but, determined, you keep going until the sun’s gone and it’s the lights of the ‘compound’ that tell you you’ve made it to their destination.

The compound’s a house a top a hill with a wall surrounding it. On the wall walk sentries.

Definitely too much for you to save Jace alone. You watch them take Jace inside the gates and then slip away to head home.

***

A part of you always regrets not getting Jace back alone but the logical side of you admits you wouldn’t have succeeded. As it is, the village spends several months figuring out weaknesses in the compound before they’re able to sneak inside and steal Jace back.

Turns out, Jace’s dad wanted to pass along the family business of drug running. Since Jace was his only son, his dad spent hours with him trying to instill the details of the business even though Jace, who loved simple things, wasn’t interested and didn’t really understand the gravity.

What’s harder on you is it takes Jace another year to trust you again. Something about letting him go to spend time with his dad just didn’t sit right with him. You consider explaining to him that it wasn’t your idea but, in the end, it’s just easier to let him relearn to trust you.

The End

Blessings,

Jennifer

Jace Option Aa: Climb the Cliffs

We’re headed up the cliffs to reach Jace. Let’s see how good a climber you are =)

Jace Option Aa: Climb the Cliffs

Jace is in your sights again and the thought of losing sight of him just about makes you sick. Heading back up the river to go around would be the safer way to go, less likely to be seen, but by the time you reach the top of the cliffs, the men and Jace may be gone. That’s not acceptable.

You head into the thick forest at the base of the cliffs, moving as fast as you can so Jace is out of your sight for only a few moments. The sun’s already warming the air and sweat glistens your skin within seconds.

Beneath the foliage, you realize how small you are in comparison to the towering trunks and mossy hides of the trees. They vibrate with life and dozens of shades of green that mix together to form the scope of tree, brush, moss and flower.

Insects buzz in your ears.

Then, you’re at the base of the cliffs. You’d hoped to still be able to see the men above but rocks fill your vision. Faint sound carries to you, voices. They’re still up there.

You rub your palms against your pants to dry them and reach for your first hold.

Even on the rock, away from the foliage, the humidity in the air slickens your skin. The rock turns slick as ice in your grip and your right foot slides off the tiny nub you were standing on.

In a desperate grab, you push off with your left foot just before it slides off too and reach upward for the small ridge above your head.

Your fingers hit the ridge and sink into the slight bowl rain carved out there. Your fall stops with a sudden jerk and you swing on your right arm. Relief almost makes you dizzy as your grip remains firm and you’re able to pull yourself into the rock where you find two solid spots for your feet.

Your arm throbs from taking your weight so suddenly. You swap hands and let it hang free for a second to rest. Sweat drips from your nose and your breath rasps in and out of your throat but over the harsh sound you still pick out the faint mutter of voices.

You listen but it doesn’t sound like your fall alerted them to your presence. Shaking your hand one last time to make sure you’ve got full feeling in your fingers, you look up and make your goal the crack that’s three feet above you. You make it there and you can sink your body into the crack far enough to rest.

More sweat drips from your face. You scrub your hands one at a time on your pants to dry them and keep moving.

Finally, you reach the crack in the rock and slide into it sideways, using your hips to wedge yourself in place. With both hands free, you shake them to relieve the tension in your forearms. They’re tight enough now that you can barely close your fingers.

As you take a moment to recover, the voices above drift to you. After a moment of listening, you realize you understand what they’re saying.

“…pay or you get nothing,” one deep male voice insists.

“That’s not what we agreed,” another responds. This second one seems angry, more so than the first, which surprises you as it sounds like the first is the slaver and the second the buyer.

“You never mentioned he’d be an idiot the whole way. We get paid for our trouble!”

“You get nothing but my silence. Now give me my boy.” Such command. You shiver despite the heat.

“Hey.” It takes you a moment to realize this last word isn’t part of the conversation. It’s quiet, like someone whispering. You look up to find Jace looking down at you from the top of the cliff. He grins as he lays there on his stomach. “Hey,” he says again.

“Shhhh,” you lay a finger to your lips and he grins even wider. It’s a game you’ve played with him many times. Hide and Seek. He loves it but giggles while hiding. You always lay your finger across your lips to remind him he’s got to keep the giggles silent.

He copies your move, letting you know he understands.

“It’s my dad,” he whispers, almost too quiet for you to make out the words.

“See, he’s an idiot!” Shouts the deep voice above. “Hanging over the cliff like he’s going to tumble off. I’ve known life long slaves with more sense.”

“His brain’s none of your business. Now go. I won’t say a word about your business in the area.”

There’s grumbling and then the men break out into an all out shouting match in which you can’t make out what each is saying.

Did Jace’s dad hire the slavers to kidnap his son? It certainly sounds like it. Everyone knows in the village that Jace’s mother keeps a close eye out for his dad because the man’s rather unscrupulous.

Do you…

Aa1: Have Jace Sneak Away?

Or

Aa2: Wait until Jace is alone with his dad?

Blessings,

Jennifer