April's Showers

Her bare feet slapped against the jagged pavement, desperation to be free driving her every stride. A fog had settled in around the valley. It didn’t match the season, but she knew where it began. “Eramae” she breathed as she slowed to a walk. Rose had come to love the girl like a sister in their time together. She held her arms straight out to her sides and smiled at the fog before her, whispering her thanks. Eramae was in the fog after all. What might have been a chill seeping through her clothes and skin, gave her strength. Sheer energy to continue on. A soft roar rose from the fine mist until Rose recognized what sounded like an approaching car. She spun to meet the headlights approaching. She raced for the coming vehicle waving her arms to be seen. Sending up a silent prayer that her white clothing wouldn’t meld in with the fog. She’d covered her face in a moment of terror while the car came to a screeching halt inches before hitting her. “Are you crazy lady?” shou...

“So what now?” she muttered, hoping her voice carried to the cell beside her. “Will the council intervene and get us out of here?” He sighed, the weight of which chilled her through the wall. “The Council has no intention of assisting us. We’re on our own love.” Her eyes scanned what she could see in the dim light. The dirt and straw strewn across the floor, did nothing to disguise the smell of the cramped place. She leaned her head back on the wall, hope slowly vanishing. “So how do we get out of here?. . . And don’t say in boxes or else I’ll break your legs.” Another sigh. “I’m hoping it doesn’t come to that. I’m still trying to figure it out myself. . . If you want to break my legs, perhaps you can get us both out before you confine me to a wheelchair.” It should have been funny that he was offering to let her break his legs, but there was not a hint of humor in his voice. It was too breathy. Straw rustled and slid across the floor on the other side of the wall. He...

We’d been strangers once. I, the eldest daughter of a mercenary, and she the child of a baker and his wife. Now we sat together as sisters. We’d both lost everything in the fire that consumed our town and with nowhere else to go, we were determined to gain passage on a ship to anywhere; Or rather, I was determined to gain passage. Lillibell wanted to be by my side no matter where I went. She would not bathe alone, nor sleep alone. Not that I minded. Her small frame curled in my arms helped to abate the demons that lurked near the edges of my dreams. Lillibell would whimper in her sleep. No doubt re-living that awful night when all was undone. There we sat, two ragged orphans with nowhere to go, and no coin to purchase our fare with. Three captains had turned me down on account of Lillibell. Seeing her as a liability at my side. They’d no idea how calm and quiet she could be in the most dire of circumstances. She hadn’t even cried out in the fire. I had found her whimp...

I can honestly say that I felt I'd be further along in my rewrite than I am by this point. Though what I didn't see in my goals was the closing of schools and quarantine, as well as my job being deemed essential. So, I've made progress. I have finished the rewrite of chapter 12 and am almost finished with 13.  I have introduced the main male character's little sister and can feel the situation gaining traction. From here on, the plot will begin moving much faster. Writing wise at least. With the plot mapped and written out, the only real change is the depth that the characters are adding to their narratives. Thus far I am continuing the trend of cutting chunks from the chapters but still find myself adding more to the chapter in the character's thoughts and viewpoints. The amazing thing is how much these characters have to say on the subject of their experience. I know other authors who have mentioned that their characters would likely hate them for the pain th...

With all of he panic and terror going on in the world, I thought it might be nice to share a spot of good news.  A short piece of Flash Fiction that I wrote has been accepted into Havok Magazine.  Needless to say I am excited.  I'd like to announce that my short story "The Divide" will be appearing in Havok magazine  on June 19th!!  I'm very proud to have this piece selected by magazine editors, going to the more competitive day I'd not expected to appear on.  I'm excited to share this piece with you which is it's own stand alone. Hoping all of you are staying safe wherever you are! April Fellows