Glad you could join us for the next mind-boggling episode of Elliot’s Adventures. If you’re new here, you can catch up by returning to the beginning, and reading really fast…
Barry’s powerful frog kicks launched them forward so quickly, in moments they had left the burning woods and its evil spirit behind. They streaked on in utterly dark wetness.
Elliot had no idea how far they were below the surface nor how soon — if ever — they would rise to the top. The bubble trapped in his shell gave little buoyancy under the weight that compressed his world into a compact snail-shaped hole in the river.
If I felt like this on dry land, I would break out in a cold sweat. I hope my dear Cassandra doesn’t suffer in the same way.
Would he live to find out? The gash in his tail seared like molten lava. Speckles were beginning to float before his eyes, and he feared the coming of a darker shade of black.
A brisk wind surprised his lungs, and proved the speckles to be stars when Barry broke the surface and reported, “We’ll come up twice more before we get where we’re goin’. How are youse holdin’ up?”
Her cheeks as pink with excitement as the edges of the sky were pink with the coming dawn, Cassandra’s elation sparked something moody blue in Elliot. She beamed. “It’s such a rush, isn’t it, darling?”
Certainty shone so brightly in her eyes, Elliot hadn’t the heart to disappoint her. “I can hardly wait to do it again, sweetheart,” he answered. The lie sounded like bravery, but it tasted like chicken.
Grinning all the way across his face, Barry called, “Time to go!” and inhaled a swimmer’s breath.
In the silent depths again, Elliot felt the new spark within ignite a small flame of doubt.
Will I be enough for her?
He tried not to look at it. He tried to extinguish it, but with each successive dive, he surfaced to her radiant joy, and the flame grew. Re-submersion didn’t quell it.
Will she tire of me? Will she leave me when she realizes I’m not as fearless as she is? How can I possibly deserve her?
By the time they reached Barry’s destination, finally coming up in a wide pool of berries as red as the sunrise, Elliot’s slumping spirit showed in his posture.
Cassandra began, “What is it—?” but their rescuer broke in.
“Look sharp, El,” Barry directed, pointing across the way to a large, sullen frog sitting among the fruit. “Youse’re about ta meet da King!”
Pain shot through Elliot’s tail as his raw nerves jangled.
To be continued…
Previously, on Elliot’s Adventures ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Next time . . .
Space, Time, and Raspberries 
This guy is about to die, and all he can think of is love!
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Maybe that’s the ultimate essence of a romantic. 🙂 ❤
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Just had my weekly binge read – lovin’ it! Thanks for the ‘next episode’ links, makes it much easier. Lots of good lines in there – the chicken one (as others have said) being brilliant. Despite the taste, I think Elliot is a brave little hero who can, I hope, resonate far and wide.
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Thanks, Curtis! You make me smile. I’m glad you find my solution to this WP Theme’s inconvenient links helpful. These will allow new Elliot readers to bypass any unrelated posts as well.
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Great to see a depth of character in Elliot develop in the plot…the question for me is: will Cassandra be up to his endearing personality quirks or is it only ‘brawny’ slugs for her? 😉
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Could the object of Elliot’s admiration possibly be so shallow? Has his inexperience left his character judgment so wanting? I hope not. ❤️
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I love the line about the lie tasting like chicken. Excellent. Poor Elliot needs to not be so hard on himself.
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Thank you, Susanne. That’s good advice, and I hope Elliot pays attention. Too often our harshest critic is ourself. I guess it takes a lot of experience to begin to understand your own worth.
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Oh Elliot – you are my hero on so many levels. And as is only right with hero-worship, I shall try my best to work into conversation today your most wise words “The lie sounded like bravery, but it tasted like chicken.”
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Lol! Elliot is a simple soul who strives to be honest, at least with himself. He’s humbled that you find him heroic and only wishes he were.
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Yes, that’s Elliot. He’s also nice, but Cassandra has the smarts and the spunk of the pair.
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Perhaps, as the right partner can, she will have a positive influence on his untapped potential. 🙂
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Elliott should take courage from the trials he’s endured so far…faint heart never won fair maiden! 💪
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Yes, he should, but this is his first maiden, and he’s still kind of insecure about romance.
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