Clifton

Glad you could join us for the next sneaky episode of Elliot’s Adventures. If you’re new here, you can catch up by returning to the beginning, and reading really fast…

“What’s our Hero been doing all this time?” I’m glad you asked.

Elliot hadn’t eaten or slept since Cassandra disappeared more than two days ago. His infinite pacing traced a twisted, shiny slime path across the bower’s floor.

No one had heard from Vernon. His replacement, a pleasant enough nephew of Queen Lilian, unmotivated by anything except the promise of his next meal, apparently thought this new assignment was a vacation.

“Hey, Elliot, give the floor a break. Let’s go get a drink. It’s almost dinner time — wouldn’t it be nice to prime our taste buds with a little nectar first?”

“You go ahead, Clifton. I’m not really thirsty.”

“Aw c’m on, El — nobody drinks nectar just ’cause they’re thirsty.”

“No, really. Thanks, but you go.”

“You know I’m not supposed to go without you. I’d be in big trouble with Auntie Lil if anything happened to you.”

“What can possibly happen if I stay right here?”

“You have a point. Okay, I’ll only have one and then I’ll be right back. Maybe you’ll be hungry by then and we can get something to eat.”

Watching his tubby little companion buzz off, Elliot felt just the tiniest twinge of remorse. Sorry, Clif, he thought, I hope she won’t be too hard on you, but nothing will happen if I stay right here. Sliding from one shadow to the next, Elliot took off in the opposite direction.

It didn’t take long to realize he had no idea which direction he should go. His rush to get back to the Hive after losing Cassandra had been a blur of worry, fear, and whatever drug had knocked him out. Nothing looked familiar. He turned in a slow circle, went back, moved on, and finally stopped, confused and frustrated.

“Hello, my wandering friend!” called a lilting voice from above him. “Will you be needing help this fine day?”

To be continued. . .

Previously, on Elliot’s Adventures ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Next time . . .

Author: Sue Ranscht

Having survived valve repair surgery and an experimental cardiac bypass at age 5, three years before it was an accepted medical procedure, Susan grew into the size of her overworked and enlarged heart. Maybe she thought she had enough to give it away -- twice. Both times, she had to retrieve the shattered pieces and puzzle them back together. She thanks her Dad for the only advice of his she ever followed to the letter: "Never get married. Learn to take care of yourself." So of course she is a writer. Susan has co-written a YA SciFi novel, and has three more novels in various stages of evolution. She's had several short stories published in other people's anthologies, some of which were contest-related. Let her tell you a story... View all posts by Sue Ranscht