Sunday Snippet: Hot Rocks

Our temperaturewarmed up again but didn't get super-hot, so the week ended up being very nice.The leaves are starting to turn and are already falling to the ground. I'm sadthe colors aren't nearly as bright as they used to be.

Had a busy work weekwith lots of potential new projects. I also had some extra time to finish up a fallholiday short story, which makes me so happy! I ended up getting a good chunkof writing done and hope that continues this week.

Ended up with a decentweek of viewing television. I got a little distracted with writing so about onefull round of my current lineup. Not bad all things considered.

Watched twoepisodes of My Life Is Murder. So far, I'm enjoying the series. I feellike I might get a little annoyed with Alexa, but it's early days yet and that mightchange. I do love the supporting characters and how Alexa's backstory isunfolding at a slow drip.

Got almost two episodesof Agatha Raisin watched. I'll be finishing the second one up latertoday. Another show where I love the supporting characters so much. And Agathais a lot of fun.

Finished up thesecond half of Silent Witness, which finished out season twenty-two. Ithoroughly enjoyed Nikki knowing in her gut she hadn't made a mistake and thenfollowing that through to prove it. I was kind of bummed the assistant ended upbeing the reason for the problems. Also loved the additional case of the drug-trialtesting and how that one played out.

Started seasonthree of Death in Paradise. I've watched the episode before, but it's agreat example of how to bring in a new character while giving the original aproper send-off. Looking forward to Humphrey's tenure.

Finished up FantasyIsland's second season. I ended up being fairly pleased with the lack ofextended angst between Elena and Javier. So nice to see Ruby's daughter andfollow that story. The wives' club fantasy ended up being pretty great also. Ifand when the writer and actor strike is over, I'll look forward to a seasonthree if the show is renewed.

Caught anotherepisode of The Batman and it's one I'd forgotten. I like having somedifferent or lesser-known rogue characters. And the Alfred and Bruce interactionsare fun in this series.

Watched a double-headerof Battlestar Galactica with "Lay Down Your Burden," the seasontwo finale episodes. So much to love and so much to not love about these twoepisodes. And I'm still completely amazed with how prescient this series endedup being. It's freaky sometimes.

Enjoyed an episodeof Classic Rugrats, which ended season five and ushered in the firstmovie and baby Dil. I'd completely forgotten about Charles's parents being inthis one. Kind of cool to see them.

Also caught anotherepisode of VIP. It's one I remember from way back in the day and a funone, where Tasha actually give Val kudos. This is an over-the-top wild show butso much fun to watch.

That's pretty muchit for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Hot Rocks, anovella that brings two characters together under horrible circumstances butalso gets them to face their issues.

Here's the miniblurb:

Ava and Walt are taken by the enemy and subjected totorture. They won't find a better time to examine their long and storied past,right?

And a sneaky peek…

Walt closed his eyes. Bythe cosmos, I didn't miss her sassy mouth. Okay, maybe he did a little.

Walt grimaced. "Asif existing didn't piss him off already?"

Ava's knack for keepinghim on his toes—by questioning everything—might have prevented his headlongrush into attempting too many crazy stunts during the war and counted as themain reason he lived to help rebuild the galaxy. Dammit. She would haveto be the one Woggins caught.

Ava snorted. "Can'targue that point." She hissed out a breath. "Dammit, this metalburns." She shifted her position, which brought his forearms into contactwith the searing metal.

He winced but kept agrunt of pain behind his lips.

He hoped but couldn'tbe certain he got a signal blast out. If he did, he prayed one of their formerplatoon members bothered to check. But … since he had no way of being sure,he'd give the news to Ava straight-up with no chaser.

He shook his head. "No,I'm not stupid. If I keep his focus on me, you might have a chance." Ifthey didn't scorch to death first.

Ava made a rude sound."Right. Because Woggins will suddenly grow half a brain and understand theconcept of mercy." She rattled the frame. "You're not stupid. You'redelusional."

Walt didn't doubt hemight be. "Maybe, but there's a chance—a slight one—and I won't give up untilI know it's a bust. I used an old relay signal and might have got a codedmessage out." And … if only one of their former attack squad got thesignal, they'd come.

Hopefully withreinforcements.

Ava huffed out an angrybreath. "Care to share what's going on in your overly optimisticbrain?" Her lack of faith came through loud and clear.

Before he could reply,Woggins strolled back in.

Walt lowered his voice."Just follow my lead." He might be able to buy some time. "Now,Ava, you know Dim Shade Hollow wasn't our first battle campaign. We were onRotten Ridge, remember? That crazy-narrow ledge on the side of Mount Waller."Getting a platoon with forty soldiers set up and ready for battle on thatnightmare of a cliffside challenged all of them.

Walt would never forgethis first look at Ava, dragging a rail cannon into position then unleashing avolley of explosive rounds on the Axis forces trying to get through themountain passage below. Their squads eventually merged at the end of thecampaign … mainly due to casualties.

Ava made a noise ofacknowledgment. "Ah, yeah. That's right." She paused a moment."First time we kicked the enemy's balls up to their teeth." Shestruck with a verbal barb. "Didn't we, Woggins?" Her head snappedback when Vince slapped her.

He snarled. "Sheerluck gave you red dogs the edge there. It sure as shit wasn't skill." Herattled the frame, making it tilt wildly.

Walt grabbed the hotsteel, wincing against the burning pain. Ava's fingertips grazed his hands,then nudged them off the rack. He flexed his palms, trying to ease thediscomfort.

Vince made a slowcircle around them. "Enough strolling down memory lane. Time to get downto business." He jerked his head toward his two henchmen.

They made quick work ofunhooking Ava and dragging her from the alcove.

Walt closed his eyes."Fuck. So much for buying time."

I'm not completelysure where this story is going. Actually, I know where it's going but how itgets there is the part that's slowly coming together. I'm pretty happy with thedirection so far.


 

That's it for thisweek. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye

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Published on September 24, 2023 11:03
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