Monday, April 2, 2012

A to Z Challenge - B is for Beheading


I'm doing one story throughout the Challenge.
If you're just joining me now, please start with A is for Abby.


B IS FOR BEHEADING
Another coming behind you! Tawa shouted. And it's a big one!

"A little busy with the two in front." Abby hissed as she ducked under a massive set of claws as they raked through the fetid attic air. Still crouched, she spun to hamstring the first monster with one glowing sword and thrust the second blade up into the gut of the other beast. The blood was hot and black as it splattered over her, making her stomach churn.

What did you want me to do? Stare him down my my unblinking button eyes? Tawa snorted.

Abby twisted around to slash the injured monster's bulbous eyes and face the third ugly thing behind her. It was indeed a big one. Likely the original monster in the attic. She circled around it, stepping over the twitching bodies of its pack. Its gigantic fish eyes followed her every move.

"Big eyes all the better to see me with and big claws all the better to tear me apart. These guys are fast and wary. Any suggestions, boss?" Abby was panting. She had taken five down already and she didn't think they were dead. If she didn't take out this huge fellow swiftly, the others might rise and she'd be their next meal.
Take off its head. It's the only way. This one's powerful. The stuffed hippo's tone was tense. Abby grunted for want of more info. Get behind it. It can't get you with either the claws or fangs that way.

"Yeah, so easy. It's totally going to let me do that." Abby could feel her skin prickling. If she didn't make her move very soon, the monster would come at her. She wouldn't win that fight. There was no way to behead it in one smooth move either.

With the tips of her blades, she cut the straps to the carrier that held Tawa on her back. Having an unassuming second pair of eyes had saved her life several times. As the hippo slipped, Abby caught her with the flat edges of her swords and threw Tawa at the monster.

Tawa shrieked and the beast's first instinct was to catch her. As it did so, Abby leapt to one side and somersaulted to stand behind it. She rammed her swords into its neck and yanked them outwards. The monster's garbled wail rattled the single window, but she didn't hesitate in slicing one blade through the top of its spinal column and severing the behemoth's head from its body. The head hit the floor with a meaty thud.

57 comments:

  1. Interesting story, kept me interested. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thanks! Hope you're having fun with the A to Z challenge.

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  2. Great stuff! Like Cheree said, it kept the interest all the way through!

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  3. I like your descriptive writing. The part about the meaty thud was just great! Good job!

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  4. Oh lovely! I missed seeing your post yesterday, but I've caught up now. LOL, NOW what's her mother going to say? You do a good fight scene!

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  5. Good thing she got that monster! Meaty thud= ick!

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  6. Holy crap! Good thing you're doing this every day otherwise I might get withdrawals! I'm totally addicted=)

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  7. Nothing like a good beheading and a meaty thud immediately following!

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  8. I LOVED it - thank you for sharing Christine! :)

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  9. Woah, intense!!

    As a side note, I totally have that stuffed hippo, the one in the picture! My brother gave him to me for Christmas and his name is Lancelot. :) Cool!

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    1. That's so cool you have that stuffed hippo. Maybe we should introduce Lancelot and Tawa and see if they hit it off. *LOL*

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  10. I feel like I am there. Great job!

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  11. Wow! LOL. That was intense! I cringed at the end. haha. Great job!

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    1. Thank you! I cringe at the thought of that sound too.

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  12. made me think of one of my daughter's ballet teachers--has a thing for hippos--great writing!

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    1. That's funny! I wonder if it has to do with the ballerina hippos from Fantasia.

      And thank you!

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  13. you're creating quite a story here! lots of action!

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    1. Thanks! I hope to keep up that action for the month.

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  14. Such a fun story so far. Love Tawa the hippo.

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    1. Thanks! I love the hippo too. Makes me want one.

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  15. I bet Tawa isn't pleased at that tactic. I got an inkling from how the last one ended that it might be more than a stuffed toy.

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  16. What a great installment, I was totally wrapped up in it. Can't wait to see what you have planned for C.

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    1. Thank you! Here's a preview for you: C is for Cookie! Hehehe!

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  17. I liked it! Action packed, didn't let up, quick dialog. Well done!

    Shannon at The Warrior Muse, co-host of the 2012 #atozchallenge! Twitter: @AprilA2Z

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    1. Thank you! I hope to keep up the fast pace all month long.

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  18. You just ramped up the action and tension!

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  19. 'The head hit the floor with a meaty thud.' What a place to leave us...

    Until tomorrow then. Well done you.

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  20. It sounds like she's older than she was in the previous installment. I can't wait to find out what happens next--great writing! :)

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    1. Thank you! Yes, Abby is older now. A was a prologue. Now we're with adult Abby in the modern day.

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  21. Wow! Loved it! looking forward to more.

    *~MAJK~*
    Safireblade.com
    A to Z Challenge

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  22. Lots of beheading there, for sure! I just signed on to the A-Z challenge, nearly at the last minute, but I'm trying to visit every blog at least once.

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    1. Good luck with the Challenge! I'm trying to do the same thing as you. It's hard to do so with over 1500 participants, but I'm going to give it my best try. :) Thanks for stopping by.

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  23. Great stuff here. I love the characters. It's going to be a good month I think.

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  24. Ohh like where this is going... good story Christine:)

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  25. Oh wow-- that was some ending--I think I better come back tomorrow and read more-- I'm definitely interested to see what happens next!


    Cheers, Jenn
    http://www.wine-n-chat.com

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    1. Thanks! I hope I can keep you hooked for the month.

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  26. Have you seen a beheading before? It's not pleasant. Just saying.

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    1. No, it's not. It was an attention grabbing B word, though.

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  27. Oh dear... you mean the nightmare continues for Abby?
    Best wishes,
    Anna
    Anna's A-Z, the letter M

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  28. Excellent! I was on the edge of my seat the whole way through. You created the tense mood perfectly.

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