Willing to Die

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

Beneath the unexpected flapping, Clifton bemoaned his deficient night vision as he  searched the obscurity overhead for any movement greater than the fluttering leaves. Only moments earlier, they had been so thankful for the moon-eclipsing clouds, and now he just wished for some light. A cringing fear crawled up his back as he recognized the strangely solitary sound.

“Barry,” he hissed, “get down from there!”

“I’m tryin’ ta see what it is!”

The Knights around the rock drew their weapons, ready to defend their Prince and each other, but Barry continued to sit, listening, swiveling his head back and forth till his nose pointed directly into the approaching wingbeats.

“Sir Barry,” Elliot’s calm teetered on the edge of a cliff, “come down. Now.”

A wind none of them felt split the curtain of clouds loosing a narrow moonbeam that flashed on a mouthful of jagged needle teeth diving toward the Prince. Knight Barry tensed his legs and yelled, “Here! Here, youse blood-sucking demon! Come git me!”

Twisting on an instant, the maw aimed for the bold, foolhardy taunt.

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