Afterthought (Silas, Tiffany, & Ionone)
Quote from Indy on November 15, 2019, 7:52 pmListen...
To what your ears tell you, to what they don't. You could learn in the absence of knowledge as well as with it. The dainty ends of my ears were trained forward, and I listened to the rattle of breath. I was still concerned about Tiffany, I was still concerned about our tail, I was still concerned about what other demons lurked, but in that moment I was following my grandfather's advice and only listening. Again, the breath went: In, out. In, Out. Wheeze. Something scraped, maybe cloth against stone. I didn't hear the sound of a gun clicking. Good. The longer I waited, the more the thing would occasionally shift. Maybe that meant it hadn't observed me yet.
I didn't know who it was; there was no way to tell. Smell only brought me the wood, the rot, the stone, and the water that percolated through it all. The absence of scent on what was ahead was strange. It should have brought something of its quality when it entered. I was bothered by that. Maybe I should add that to my list of things I was bothered by.
Tiffany running away... I hadn't expected her to spook like that. It was strange, it had been years since we'd last wiled the hours away together. And it was fitting the best we could manage was this lousy excuse. It should have been a sleepover. Or maybe I could have showed her around my lab. Or maybe we should have gone to the bar, like she recommended in the woods.. Or maybe our problem was we didn't know how to pass the time anymore together, not after all the years that had gone by. We were so different now. I think the girl from decades ago would have known if Tiffany would spook like that. But I was trying not to think about it, not when I didn't know enough about what would wait for me if I followed her.
Our tail. I hadn't heard a peep out of him (or it). I was starting to wonder if I'd imagined him. I should have heard something by now, if he'd stumbled on the tacks. Maybe I needed longer ends. If he was wearing thicker treads on his shoes, he might not have noticed. I added this to my mental checklist, although it served little help in the here and now.
The here and now... so distant was I from it. Suddenly the here was very now, something behind me ! I cursed myself inwardly for letting my thoughts distract me, but I did not let myself become further victim to them. In the perfect harmony of form-and-body that I thought might do my grandfather proud, I removed a blade from my satchel and made a move to strike whatever foe had arrived upon me!
.. Only to realize that at least one of those things was Tiffany. It was a good thing she liked her hand lotion, and that I'd memorized its scent well. Or else I don't think the blade in my hands would have stopped in time, maybe inches from striking her.
Listen...
To what your ears tell you, to what they don't. You could learn in the absence of knowledge as well as with it. The dainty ends of my ears were trained forward, and I listened to the rattle of breath. I was still concerned about Tiffany, I was still concerned about our tail, I was still concerned about what other demons lurked, but in that moment I was following my grandfather's advice and only listening. Again, the breath went: In, out. In, Out. Wheeze. Something scraped, maybe cloth against stone. I didn't hear the sound of a gun clicking. Good. The longer I waited, the more the thing would occasionally shift. Maybe that meant it hadn't observed me yet.
I didn't know who it was; there was no way to tell. Smell only brought me the wood, the rot, the stone, and the water that percolated through it all. The absence of scent on what was ahead was strange. It should have brought something of its quality when it entered. I was bothered by that. Maybe I should add that to my list of things I was bothered by.
Tiffany running away... I hadn't expected her to spook like that. It was strange, it had been years since we'd last wiled the hours away together. And it was fitting the best we could manage was this lousy excuse. It should have been a sleepover. Or maybe I could have showed her around my lab. Or maybe we should have gone to the bar, like she recommended in the woods.. Or maybe our problem was we didn't know how to pass the time anymore together, not after all the years that had gone by. We were so different now. I think the girl from decades ago would have known if Tiffany would spook like that. But I was trying not to think about it, not when I didn't know enough about what would wait for me if I followed her.
Our tail. I hadn't heard a peep out of him (or it). I was starting to wonder if I'd imagined him. I should have heard something by now, if he'd stumbled on the tacks. Maybe I needed longer ends. If he was wearing thicker treads on his shoes, he might not have noticed. I added this to my mental checklist, although it served little help in the here and now.
The here and now... so distant was I from it. Suddenly the here was very now, something behind me ! I cursed myself inwardly for letting my thoughts distract me, but I did not let myself become further victim to them. In the perfect harmony of form-and-body that I thought might do my grandfather proud, I removed a blade from my satchel and made a move to strike whatever foe had arrived upon me!
.. Only to realize that at least one of those things was Tiffany. It was a good thing she liked her hand lotion, and that I'd memorized its scent well. Or else I don't think the blade in my hands would have stopped in time, maybe inches from striking her.
Quote from Mae on November 20, 2019, 1:58 pmI felt my heart pounding. I hated descending the stairs. It's one thing to walk willingly into an abyss, its quite another to be pushed. Every push he gave was gentle, but he wasn't asking for my compliance. I could smell his gun. He wasn't behind me to protect me. More likely than not, he was behind me to protect himself from what we both knew was just ahead.
I flinched as I reached the end of the stairs first and a splash of icy water jumped through my sneakers. A shiver ran up and down my spine and I felt the hair on my arms stand on end. Maybe wearing my second skin in this place wasn't such a bad idea after all... But I wasn't allowed to stop and change. We walked on. I felt a knot growing in my throat as with every step came the anticipation of running into some living thing. With every step, I felt closer to something that made the stagnant air feel a little less cold.
Then it happened. My body went rigid and my last breathe got caught in my throat with a high yip. I had my hands up to protect my face. I was frozen in place.
Its hard to describe the feeling one gets knowing they are in danger. All my senses were on high alert, but I was as blind as a worm in this level of dark. The only way I knew Ionone held a dagger to my throat was the tiny point of cold metal I could feel on my jugular vein and the familiar pattern of her breathing in front of me.
I felt my heart pounding. I hated descending the stairs. It's one thing to walk willingly into an abyss, its quite another to be pushed. Every push he gave was gentle, but he wasn't asking for my compliance. I could smell his gun. He wasn't behind me to protect me. More likely than not, he was behind me to protect himself from what we both knew was just ahead.
I flinched as I reached the end of the stairs first and a splash of icy water jumped through my sneakers. A shiver ran up and down my spine and I felt the hair on my arms stand on end. Maybe wearing my second skin in this place wasn't such a bad idea after all... But I wasn't allowed to stop and change. We walked on. I felt a knot growing in my throat as with every step came the anticipation of running into some living thing. With every step, I felt closer to something that made the stagnant air feel a little less cold.
Then it happened. My body went rigid and my last breathe got caught in my throat with a high yip. I had my hands up to protect my face. I was frozen in place.
Its hard to describe the feeling one gets knowing they are in danger. All my senses were on high alert, but I was as blind as a worm in this level of dark. The only way I knew Ionone held a dagger to my throat was the tiny point of cold metal I could feel on my jugular vein and the familiar pattern of her breathing in front of me.
Quote from Adriana on November 20, 2019, 3:50 pmI didn't know what these women know. Nor did they know what I did. I had known, since the shed, that I was being followed, and subsequently them as well. I had known since the first location that there was something being hidden. And the only thing that left to conclude was that someone was willing to protect it, even if it meant death.
Whatever was up ahead, wasn't here willingly. Who would be? If they were enemies, they would have had the lights on. The area was secluded enough that people below the law wouldn't worry about random trespassers.
And whatever - or whoever - that was, was less dangerous than what was behind us. The fact that we were being confidently followed was enough evidence to tell me the "what" at the end of this tunnel was less dangerous than he.
As soon as Tiffany yipped, I felt my own breath catch. I reached forward and grabbed Ionone's hand, and then Tiffany's, guiding their hands into each others. "Don't let her go. Get as far back as you can, stay low, watch your steps, and protect her front." I muttered to Ionone, quietly. Then I turned my face to Tiffany, "Don't freeze up. Whatever you do, don't freeze up." my breath was barely a whisper. Then I turned and withdrew my gun, making my way back up the stairs, listening for any step, breath or twitch that might indicate our followers position.
I didn't know what these women know. Nor did they know what I did. I had known, since the shed, that I was being followed, and subsequently them as well. I had known since the first location that there was something being hidden. And the only thing that left to conclude was that someone was willing to protect it, even if it meant death.
Whatever was up ahead, wasn't here willingly. Who would be? If they were enemies, they would have had the lights on. The area was secluded enough that people below the law wouldn't worry about random trespassers.
And whatever - or whoever - that was, was less dangerous than what was behind us. The fact that we were being confidently followed was enough evidence to tell me the "what" at the end of this tunnel was less dangerous than he.
As soon as Tiffany yipped, I felt my own breath catch. I reached forward and grabbed Ionone's hand, and then Tiffany's, guiding their hands into each others. "Don't let her go. Get as far back as you can, stay low, watch your steps, and protect her front." I muttered to Ionone, quietly. Then I turned my face to Tiffany, "Don't freeze up. Whatever you do, don't freeze up." my breath was barely a whisper. Then I turned and withdrew my gun, making my way back up the stairs, listening for any step, breath or twitch that might indicate our followers position.
Quote from Mae on November 20, 2019, 4:22 pmThe tunnel up ahead was silent as the grave. There were no shadows without light. All that must be deduced must be done in the dark... in the unknown of the grave beneath the mountain.
POW!
The gunshot rang from the exit with a spark of fire! The echo reverberated with deafening power!
The tunnel up ahead was silent as the grave. There were no shadows without light. All that must be deduced must be done in the dark... in the unknown of the grave beneath the mountain.
POW!
The gunshot rang from the exit with a spark of fire! The echo reverberated with deafening power!
Quote from Adriana on November 20, 2019, 5:28 pmHe took a shot in the dark and missed.
He was at the disadvantage. It was pitch black. I was a quiet step. I could now smell the gunpowder distinctly, trace it's location. My ears were ringing, but it would subside, and the location of the gunfire was evident.
I kept going forward. Then, pressing myself against the wall, I held the gun out away from my body and at an angle, pressing a button on the side. The laser pointer turned on and I aimed it where I expected the pursuer to be. It provided little light, but enough that I could differentiate a man from a solid wall of stone.... then I held my finger to the trigger.
With us being in close proximity, the chance of him missing had decreased significantly, even at random fire. Ricochet was another variable to consider as well. I had to see him and shoot first.
He took a shot in the dark and missed.
He was at the disadvantage. It was pitch black. I was a quiet step. I could now smell the gunpowder distinctly, trace it's location. My ears were ringing, but it would subside, and the location of the gunfire was evident.
I kept going forward. Then, pressing myself against the wall, I held the gun out away from my body and at an angle, pressing a button on the side. The laser pointer turned on and I aimed it where I expected the pursuer to be. It provided little light, but enough that I could differentiate a man from a solid wall of stone.... then I held my finger to the trigger.
With us being in close proximity, the chance of him missing had decreased significantly, even at random fire. Ricochet was another variable to consider as well. I had to see him and shoot first.
Quote from Indy on November 20, 2019, 7:04 pmI heard his low voice in the dark and instantly it were as if a weight had dropped off of me. There were so many unknown elements in the dark cave, that at least eliminating one of them brought me relief. Two, as soon as my fingers twisted tightly around Tiffany -- although briefly I let go to put the knife away, and reach for her again.
It's strange how the world works in opposites. In a moment of perfect silence, the cavern exploded in sound. In a moment of dark chaos, I suddenly suddenly drew great clarity. We'd all been followed... I didn't know how long, although I thought of the shed and the strange car. For the first time, I wondered on the details of this case. Tiffany had neglected to share them, and I neglected to ask. But the world was a place of opposites -- in a time when you needed to speak the most, you could not, in fear of being discovered.
I drew Tiffany behind me, away from the gunfire, closer to the rasping sound. Then with the fine tips of my claws, I gently nudged her to go up the steps. We'd already trapped ourselves in this dark pit, and may die for it. We at least owed ourselves the answer.
Suddenly the rasping stopped. Instead something equally as unsettling called out.
"H-h-hello?" came an unfamiliar, shaky whisper, dancing in the air.
I heard his low voice in the dark and instantly it were as if a weight had dropped off of me. There were so many unknown elements in the dark cave, that at least eliminating one of them brought me relief. Two, as soon as my fingers twisted tightly around Tiffany -- although briefly I let go to put the knife away, and reach for her again.
It's strange how the world works in opposites. In a moment of perfect silence, the cavern exploded in sound. In a moment of dark chaos, I suddenly suddenly drew great clarity. We'd all been followed... I didn't know how long, although I thought of the shed and the strange car. For the first time, I wondered on the details of this case. Tiffany had neglected to share them, and I neglected to ask. But the world was a place of opposites -- in a time when you needed to speak the most, you could not, in fear of being discovered.
I drew Tiffany behind me, away from the gunfire, closer to the rasping sound. Then with the fine tips of my claws, I gently nudged her to go up the steps. We'd already trapped ourselves in this dark pit, and may die for it. We at least owed ourselves the answer.
Suddenly the rasping stopped. Instead something equally as unsettling called out.
"H-h-hello?" came an unfamiliar, shaky whisper, dancing in the air.
Quote from Mae on November 20, 2019, 9:23 pmThe little red light danced like a fairy of death in the dark. It played on the stones and through the cracks, ever searching but never finding a victim. It vanished for a moment up the dark stone steps, then returned and darted into a yawning black hole, out again, and into another. Its brief journey revealed what was a moment ago unknown; Silas was standing in a junction. The tunnel lined with wood was the only descending path. The other path, a rough uncut floor curled upward, while the last tunnel continued straight. The smell of gunfire lingered by the ascending stone steps.
*******
I'm tired of being pushed around. Everyone seems to have an idea of where they want me to be tonight and I've had it. I'm going to see that I live through this and get to spend the rest of the night at the pub. - Ah, isn't that such a happy thought? Maybe I will live through this after all.
I heard the whisper in the dark and took a bit of courage. Its not like it was a surprise he was there - we'd heard him breathing for awhile now, - but he was weak and I was strong. I could face a - …. skeleton in the dark?
I swallowed hard.
My stupid, stupid imagination... I wonder how shrunk this guy is. Maybe he's a withered corpse with a face. I hate, hate, hate the dark.
"Who are you? How long you been down here?"
The little red light danced like a fairy of death in the dark. It played on the stones and through the cracks, ever searching but never finding a victim. It vanished for a moment up the dark stone steps, then returned and darted into a yawning black hole, out again, and into another. Its brief journey revealed what was a moment ago unknown; Silas was standing in a junction. The tunnel lined with wood was the only descending path. The other path, a rough uncut floor curled upward, while the last tunnel continued straight. The smell of gunfire lingered by the ascending stone steps.
*******
I'm tired of being pushed around. Everyone seems to have an idea of where they want me to be tonight and I've had it. I'm going to see that I live through this and get to spend the rest of the night at the pub. - Ah, isn't that such a happy thought? Maybe I will live through this after all.
I heard the whisper in the dark and took a bit of courage. Its not like it was a surprise he was there - we'd heard him breathing for awhile now, - but he was weak and I was strong. I could face a - …. skeleton in the dark?
I swallowed hard.
My stupid, stupid imagination... I wonder how shrunk this guy is. Maybe he's a withered corpse with a face. I hate, hate, hate the dark.
"Who are you? How long you been down here?"
Quote from Adriana on November 20, 2019, 10:18 pmNow there were variables.
I had to keep my head.
It suddenly dawned on me that I was at the wrong table, playing the wrong game. I always had the upper hand-literally. I usually had the higher ground and could see my targets, in most instances. But this wasn't poker, or Middlecrest. This was chess in the wilderness, and if I took the wrong step, I could die, and the Queens in turn.
All game metaphors aside.
I focused on scent. I knew here the smell of gunpowder was. It was on the stone steps leading back up and out. He might have fired the shot to draw me into this chamber rather than trying to hit anyone - and from there, he may have either expected me to go up the newly discovered path, and meet me at the other side of it, or he'd come in from outside and follow me in from behind... or he expected me to go outside, and he could make his way further down and overtake the women. Did he know there were three of us? He might have been smarter than I had originally anticipated, or less than. And still I had to assume he was smarter.
I crossed the junction to the side with the uncut path, pressing my back against the wall nearest to it. I checked the exits again- I'd know if he'd crossed the distance to to the Northern most hall, the wood lined one that led to the girls. It'd be impossible not to hear him. So he was in one of two places, and had got there under the cover of the gunshot. He was outside or up the ascending tunnel. I kept my laser on the Southern exit to the cavern, my ears open, and waited for a moment.... breathing, listening, feeling. Sometimes, patience was my most valued tool.
Now there were variables.
I had to keep my head.
It suddenly dawned on me that I was at the wrong table, playing the wrong game. I always had the upper hand-literally. I usually had the higher ground and could see my targets, in most instances. But this wasn't poker, or Middlecrest. This was chess in the wilderness, and if I took the wrong step, I could die, and the Queens in turn.
All game metaphors aside.
I focused on scent. I knew here the smell of gunpowder was. It was on the stone steps leading back up and out. He might have fired the shot to draw me into this chamber rather than trying to hit anyone - and from there, he may have either expected me to go up the newly discovered path, and meet me at the other side of it, or he'd come in from outside and follow me in from behind... or he expected me to go outside, and he could make his way further down and overtake the women. Did he know there were three of us? He might have been smarter than I had originally anticipated, or less than. And still I had to assume he was smarter.
I crossed the junction to the side with the uncut path, pressing my back against the wall nearest to it. I checked the exits again- I'd know if he'd crossed the distance to to the Northern most hall, the wood lined one that led to the girls. It'd be impossible not to hear him. So he was in one of two places, and had got there under the cover of the gunshot. He was outside or up the ascending tunnel. I kept my laser on the Southern exit to the cavern, my ears open, and waited for a moment.... breathing, listening, feeling. Sometimes, patience was my most valued tool.
Quote from Indy on November 20, 2019, 11:08 pmThere was a pause at the top of the stairs, as if their breath was caught. Finally, after another moment, the snaky little voice came again.
"I don't know," the voice said quietly.
"Are you.... real?" it asked timidly, a man's voice I thought, scarcely cloaking his fear. He inhaled slowly. I could imagine him sitting at the top of the stairwell. I wondered what kept him there. Was he restrained, or was it fear alone that chained him? Or what if he wasn't a prisoner at all.
There was a pause at the top of the stairs, as if their breath was caught. Finally, after another moment, the snaky little voice came again.
"I don't know," the voice said quietly.
"Are you.... real?" it asked timidly, a man's voice I thought, scarcely cloaking his fear. He inhaled slowly. I could imagine him sitting at the top of the stairwell. I wondered what kept him there. Was he restrained, or was it fear alone that chained him? Or what if he wasn't a prisoner at all.
Quote from Mae on November 20, 2019, 11:31 pmI could breathe again at least. This guy was human, he had to be. He couldn't possibly be werewolf, I wasn't picking up that kind of a scent. Nothing to be afraid of.
I braved the next step into the dark and carefully, quietly, crept up the stairs. This time, I was on my hands and feet. I didn't have my second skin on, but any one of us could go as easily on fours in the first skin as in the second... it just didn't look quite as natural is all. It's how I scared off my brother's hairbrained friends as a kid - well, that, and a few convincing acrobatics.
Now was the unnerving part.
"You have a hand to give to me, sugar? Reach out here."*******
The tunnels were silent... except for the wind down the main exit, and a dull clicking up the uncut route.
I could breathe again at least. This guy was human, he had to be. He couldn't possibly be werewolf, I wasn't picking up that kind of a scent. Nothing to be afraid of.
I braved the next step into the dark and carefully, quietly, crept up the stairs. This time, I was on my hands and feet. I didn't have my second skin on, but any one of us could go as easily on fours in the first skin as in the second... it just didn't look quite as natural is all. It's how I scared off my brother's hairbrained friends as a kid - well, that, and a few convincing acrobatics.
Now was the unnerving part.
"You have a hand to give to me, sugar? Reach out here."
*******
The tunnels were silent... except for the wind down the main exit, and a dull clicking up the uncut route.
