Detected

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

Picking out a path past rocky outcrops and over mossy stones, Elliot worked his way around the base of the tower until he found a passage that disappeared into darkness beneath an overhang that almost hid its opening.

This can’t possibly be the main entrance, he assured himself. It must be a vent or a back way nobody uses. But because it was the only way in that he’d found, he approached with caution.

“Hello?” His timid call couldn’t have carried beyond the bend in the tunnel.

“Hello?” he called again, his voice bolder than he felt. “Is anybody here? May I come in?”

Still no answer.

Just before the bend, he saw light coming from somewhere further back, maybe around another corner. A wispy, scratching sound echoed off the walls. An angled shadow jolted and spread toward him.

Maybe I should try to find my way back to the Hive, he suggested to himself, backing up a little.

As the shadow grew and the noise came closer, Elliot stumbled on something behind him, and turned his head for just a second to avoid falling over whatever it was. The scratching stopped right in front of him.

I don’t want to die running, he thought. Better to face the danger. Straightening, he turned toward the shadow that was no longer faceless.

“Stop where you are!” its hollow voice commanded. “Who are you and what’s your business here?”

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