Sunday Snippet: Urban Grit

Welcome July! Themonth that my doggos hate with the intensity of a thousand suns. And weactually got an early start on the fireworks this year … about mid-June or atleast the last two weekends. Personally, I love a good fireworks show. The dogsreally don't. They get antsy and want to go outside but hate it outside becauseof the loud crackle and booms. It's exhausting.

Had a good week withwork. Finished up two projects and made way to get started on a new one. I'm hopingto slide in some extra freelance work this month because I'm in between twodevelopmental edits at the moment and could use something to keep my busy.

Also had a bit of ascare with my dad. He ended up in the hospital for a few days but he's doingwell.

Not a bad week fortelevision. I'm really angry I didn't get to watch Grease: Rise of the PinkLadies before Paramount yanked it. It angers me that studios can pull whateverthey want to write off for tax purposes. I'd love to be able to do that on apersonal level.

I finished up theninth season of Brokenwood Mysteries. Actually loved the episode. Thisis such a comfort watch for me. Looking forward to starting Cannes Confidentialthis week, especially since one of my favorite actors is involved.

Caught another episodeof Madame Blanc Mysteries and enjoyed the mystery. Not sure I'm excitedabout having the creepy woman back but I'll reserve judgment on that one. I lovethe cast of characters in this show.

Finished up the secondpart of Silent Witness and the episode definitely took a turn I didn'texpect. I like it when that happens!

Enjoyed anotherepisode of Death in Paradise. I'd seen most of this one before and I'mglad I got to watch the whole episode. I'm loving this show.

Continued myrewatch of Battlestar Galactica with "Flight of the Phoenix."This one had so much going on and it was all spectacular. The pilot interactionended up being my favorite thing, as usual. But lots of good stuff overall.

Started the secondseason of Fantasy Island. I'm about halfway through the episode andenjoying it so far. I'm definitely here for Raphael and Elena interactions!

That's pretty muchit for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Urban Grit, anovella about a couple that drags their friends into a dangerous situation thenhave to solve the problem.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Keeley Fitz and Holt Matterworth produce and star in thereality docu-style web drama, Urban Grit. They shamelessly drag their friendsalong on their adventures where they try to bust and debunk urban myths … exceptthey quickly learn most legends all have a basis in truth.

And a preview snippet…

Holt stopped the SUV by the maingate and waited for Dean to get inside before pulling up the property assessmentsfor the house and acreage. "This covers everything listed on thedeed." He made the map go full screen on the tablet.

Keeley leaned closer. "So, thehouse is pretty much centrally located on the plotted area. What's this sectionbehind the summer kitchen?" The small structure sat directly behind the house.

Holt glanced at the key in thelower portion of the monitor. "Looks like a cemetery, according to the symbolshere." He pointed to a square going around the bordered off area."It's surrounded by shrubbery and has an iron gate if this picture is accurate."The image had a date about ten years old on it.

Dean frowned. "There are twomore outbuildings on the east side of the property and three in the northwestcorner. That's a lot of ground to cover."

Holt gave a nod. "We shouldmaybe start here." He pointed to the far side of the grounds that buttedup against the neighbor's boundary line.

Dean cocked his head. "Why notgo through the main gate?" He fidgeted, his impatience rolling off him inwaves.

Holt countered. "The houndmight be guarding the entrance. And we can't see it, so I'd rather start fromthe back and work through those areas first." He didn't like not having aclue about where to begin.

Dean grunted. "Good point.Rear of the property we go." He started to pop the door open.

Keeley put up a hand. "Holdup. Let's start with the cemetery. It's out in the open and we'll have moreroom to maneuver." She dug through the duffel bag at her feet and broughtout three bags of salt. "If we get trapped or chased, the salt shouldneutralize the hellhound and keep him from coming after us." She handed twoof the bags over and kept one for herself.

Holt didn't roll his eyes, but hedoubted the salt would offer much in the way of protection. "Look, there'sa lane that goes along the east side of the property. Let's drive as far as wecan then cut through the trees toward the cemetery on foot."

Keeley and Dean settled back, andHolt started the engine again. He carefully maneuvered the SUV over the juttedtrack and finally came to a stop about two-thirds of the way down the trail. Afallen tree blocked the rest of the path.

Dean scrambled out of the vehicle."This might be good. According to the assessor's marks, if we cut throughhere, the cemetery should be in our sights." He started toward the treeline.

Keeley met Holt's gaze. "Lethim take the lead. We'll back him up." She started forward, hefting thebag of salt under one arm.

"Hey! I see someone. It'sgotta be Joanie." Dean started off a run.

Keeley quickly caught him."Slow down. I know you want to find out if it's her, but if you run andthe hound isn't at the front gate, it'll give chase." She sent Holt apleading glance.

Holt lifted his chin. "She'sright. Let's take our time and listen for anything prowling around on the way.If it's Joanie, she needs us to get there in one piece."

Dean huffed out a breath."Fine. You're right. Let's go." He started forward again at a slowerpace.

Holt kept his ears tuned to any oddsounds. When they approached the hedge line, the gnarled branches were soovergrown he didn't think they'd get through. But Keeley found a small openingand motioned for them.

She held some branches back. "Weshould fit through here. You guys go first and I'll hold the branchesback." She made a bigger hole.

Dean ducked through and Holtquickly followed. Keeley turned and backed through then let go of the swath sheheld. Turning, her eyes went wide, and she nodded toward the figure wavingtheir hands up and down.

Dean's lips curved. "It's her!I'd recognize that monstrosity of a coat anywhere." He started forward butpaused. "Go slow. Don't run."

Keeley nudged Holt with hershoulder. "He's getting it." She followed behind.

Holt brought up the rear stilllistening for the sounds of growling or running footsteps … or paws as the casemight be.

Joanie called out when they gotcloser. "You're okay. The hound is prowling outside the gate overthere." She pointed to the rusted barrier.

Dean swept her up. "Are youokay? Did it hurt you?" He set her down and started checking her over.

Joanie shook her head. "No,once it tore the door off the freezer, I kind of held my ground while itcircled me. It came toward me, snarling and snapping but stopped when I put myhands down." She shuddered a little. "Then it got behind me andnudged me out of the freezer and kept pushing me until we got here. I startedfor the house, but it growled and started butting its head against me againuntil I finally figured out where it wanted me to go." She held up herphone. "There's a lot of information about hellhounds on the web. I'mpretty sure it won't let me leave the property. But I do think we might be ableto get to the house."

Holt shook his head. "That's aterrible idea. We should get the hell out of Dodge and as far away from her aswe can." He raked a hand over his head. "There has to be somethingbetter than going back to the house."

Dean whirled around. "Toughshit. We're going there. I won't put Joanie in any more danger." Hewrapped an arm around her.

Holt frowned. "Look, there's acabin about ten miles away that's secluded and should be safe." He didn'tthink sticking around with a ravaging beast would be a good plan.

Joanie gave a quick shake of herhead. "I'd rather not chance having the hellhound follow us there and hurtinnocent people." She tucked her injured hand in her pocket.

Keeley agreed. "They're right,Holt. We can at least poke around in the house and set up for a few days tofigure things out. We've got our gear and we can take turns making runs forsupplies if we need them."

Holt made a low growl. "Fine.But this is a shit plan." He tore the bag of salt open. "Get yourbags open, put Joanie between you two, and let's make a break for it." Heled the group, pouring a trail of the white crystals on the way.

Longer than usual peekbut I'm happy with how this turned out.

 

That's it for thisweek.

Cheers!

Skye