A to Z Challenge 2013 - S is for Soothing

We're on the last full week. I love the posts I've been reading this year.

We can do it! We will survive the 2013 A to Z Challenge!

I'm posting snippets from a story this year.

If you'd like to read the whole tale, please start with A.

S IS FOR SOOTHING

Danielle dropped her iPhone on the couch beside her. She kicked at the air with both feet before flopping back. "Erik ditched me tonight. I can't believe he cancelled."

Did he give a reason? Fenn inquired.

"Just that he was tired." Danielle scoffed and leaned sideways letting gravity take her over onto the pillow so she could bury her face in it. The noise from the television was muffled and the faint scent of Lavender Febreze tickled her nose. It wasn't the least bit soothing.

At least he didn't say he had a headache.

Startling a bit, Danielle raised her head and stared at the little dog. "Did you just make a joke?"

No. Clearly I did not. Fenn said in a monotone. You're not laughing.

"I know that I'm truly pathetic when you make a joke to try to cheer me up." She groaned and smashed her face against the pillow again.

A to Z Challenge - S is for Swallowed

This is part of an ongoing story throughout the Challenge.

If you're just joining me now, please start with A is for Abby.

S IS FOR SWALLOWED

Go to the attic. That's where most of the characters are killed in Burrows' book. Tawa informed them. It's also where Jessica tells Matt that she kissed his best friend, but he still protected her and got eaten.

"What else does the book say?" Abby followed Demetrius up the stairs. Her steps were careful and silent. Her heart was still pounding and her lips still tingling. "Seems kind of soap opera-ishy for a kids' book."

Matt was the older brother of the protagonist. His death helped motivate her. Not soap opera-ishy. I just have a mature appreciation for the story, Tawa said. The attic is through the door at the far end of the hall.

Abby reached the top of the stairs and stood beside Demetrius. She could feel the heat of his body and had to battle the temptation to touch him. She silently chastised herself, demanding focus. There were five doors between them and the closed one at the end of the hall. All five doors opened slowly and green glowing cat's eyes locked onto their prey.

"Of course," Abby groaned. "At the end of a hall filled with monsters."

"I'll clear the way." Demetrius tapped his club on the floor and crooked a finger at the beasts. "Come here, kitty, kitty, kitty."

The answering growls didn't sound feline at all, but the monsters had a big cat's grace as they padded out of the rooms and fell into a synchronized prowl. Demetrius raised his club and roared, barreling down the hall at them. He smashed two against the wall as a third bit into his forearm. A fourth jumped high into the air over the others going for his head.

Abby threw her blade with her right hand. It twirled in the air leaving a pale blue contrail and hit its mark.

The monster fell motionless to the ground, but there were still four. Demetrius snarled and slammed the beast attached to his arm onto the floor. The position allowed him to headbutt another as it charged him as Abby moved forward to join him.

Abby! Tawa screamed.

Turning around, but not quick enough, Abby faced another green eyed beast that had come from a linen closet. It had snatched Tawa from her backpack and, with a technique like an alligator, it swallowed the stuffed hippo with two hungry gulps.