Remember back in November and December I participated in the Chuck Wendig challenge or round robin story telling? Here’s my first 200 words: http://wp.me/p2AyuM-fg
I finished that story on my own here: http://wp.me/p2AyuM-fu
However, another person picked it up in round 2, here it is. It never made it past round 2 so I’m going to finish it the direction Ken Crump at http://brickhousepiggy.wordpress.com/2013/12/04/terribleminds-com-flash-fiction-challenge-200-words-at-a-time-part-two/ took it. I’ll mark his section then I’ll finish the last 600 words. When you get a minute, take a look at Ken’s site. Great wordsmithing going on there.
It’s now called Special Gift.
My first 200 words
Ewan Gilroy backed out of the library stack in a hurry. He peeked around the corner. Oh no.
He crept along the next row to watch the co-ed over the books. Ewan sweated as she checked the paper in her hand. She’s looking for something specific. Can’t be my book, no one’s checked it out in three years. She ran her finger along the titles. He froze as she pulled a book from the shelf. That book has the stolen code. I can’t finish this hack without it!
At the check-out Ewan walked up behind her with a random book.
“Nice to see you again, Brooke,” the librarian smiled. “Science of Computer MetaPhysics and Interdimensional Theory,” she stamped the lending card and her record book and handed the book to Brooke. “Research?”
“From Professor Ingles’ additional reading list for my final paper.” She tucked the book under her arm. “It looks like heavy reading.”
“You’ll do fine. Have a good day.”
“Thanks, you too.” Brooke left.
“May I help you?” the librarian asked.
“Uh, no, changed my mind, thanks.” Ewan dropped his book on the counter and hurried after Brooke. He’d follow her and with luck, get the book back.
Ken Crump’s part
Ewan’s day had been a disaster from the start. First, he woke up late to the sound of the bus idling in front of his house. Crap! Then his stupid sister used all the hot water for her interminable shower ritual, which meant not only was he running to school in the rain, but he was running to school in the rain after a cold shower. Double crap! But the worst of it came on his iPhone. He sat ignoring his gelatinous oatmeal (Mom makes breakfast once, and on time), and checked his email on his phone. [email protected] had sent another cryptic note.
“Ingles list 7 pg 333 line 12 middle. done by 10 or shes gone.”
Suddenly Ewan wished Mom wouldn’t tell people about his “special abilities”. That’s what she calls it. She nods and smiles knowingly, saying, “Yes, Ewan has special abilities.” It’s the same in every town they move to. How much easier would it be if she just talked about the weather or knitting or his stupid sister? Maybe we wouldn’t have to move so much.
Ewan tore the syllabus from his backpack and ran a finger down the page. Ingles’ class. The seventh book on the list. “Science of Computer MetaPhysics and Interdimensional Theory”.
Now since no one else picked up the story, I want to finish it. Ken put a great twist in there and I can’t let it just languish.
It was fifteen til nine. Not much time left. He followed Brooke to the Computer Science building and into the nine a.m. class, sliding into the seat behind her. Her tote bag was on the floor. He peeked; he could see the cover of his book. He pushed his bag onto the floor with a bang. She turned around. “Everything OK?”
“Just dropped my bag.” He slid out of the seat and pulled the book out of her bag and slid it into his. “Oh,” he grabbed his stomach.
She turned again.
“I don’t feel well,” he groaned, then rushed down the aisle and out of the room.
Outside the building he flipped the book open to page 333 and found line 12 middle. The phrase “interdimensional vortex” jumped out at him. A vision immediately formed of a large mirror on its own legs, the surface shimmering and a woman in front of it. He blinked. Was that his mother?
It was 9:05am. Now what? His phone vibrated. Santana6 with another text. “127 Willow Lane.”
With 6 dollars in his pocket he hailed a cab and gave the driver the address. Once there he eyed the well-kept Victorian. Hugh oak trees in the front corners of the yard. Chrysanthemums lined the front walk. It seemed pretty domestic for such dramatic texts.
At the door, he turned the old fashioned doorbell. A young man opened it. “Right on time. Come on back.”
He left Ewan standing in the door and headed down the polished wood-floored hallway leading to the back of the house. Ewan followed.
“Hey,” Ewan caught up. “You Santana6?”
“Yep. Everything will be explained.” He led Ewan down a flight of stairs to the basement. It was more clean and light than he expected.
He noticed the mirror then his mother. “Mom?” She sat at a wooden table with the woman from his vision.
“Hello, Ewan.” The woman stood and offered her hand. “I’m your Aunt Rachel.”
He stared at his mother. “You have a sister?”
She stood. “I knew you’d meet when you were ready. Now’s the time.”
“For what, Mom?”
“Time for you to take your rightful place in the Order, Ewan,” his new aunt told him.
” You have abilities, dear, it’s time they were put to use.” His mother took his bag.
Rachel motioned to the young man. “This is your cousin, Samuel. He’ll be helping you.”
“Wait.” Ewan raised a hand. What Order? What place?”
“You’ll be our newest seer, dear.” His mother patted him on the shoulder and gently moved him in front of the mirror. “Your sister and Samuel will be your agents.”
“What?” he turned to confront his mother. A motion in the mirror caught his eye. It was like watching TV. A group of men pulled on masks and checked semi-automatic weapons. The picture changed to the outside of the building they were in, the building number plainly visible. “Wait, what’s going on?” The scene changed once more, to the Federal Building downtown, again the building address plain to see.”
“Do you see this?” He pointed at the mirror.
“No dear. That’s your ability. What did you see?”
He explained. Samuel ran off. The mirror went dark.
“The mirror is the Metaphysical Interdimensional vortex. Professor Ingles is one of us.” Rachel led him to the table and sat down with him.
His mother gave him tea. “Welcome to the Order.”
The End
989 Words
Find more of the Forward Motion Flash Friday Group here: http://www.fmwriters.com/flash.html