Girdliz

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

Photo credit: Chris89

Randall returned to the rock chamber where he’d first met General Hai and agreed to free Duggla the Crone from King Arnie’s jail in Bog, so the General would give his son back. An old Stinger blocked the opening and snapped his pinchers at Randall. “Whatchoo want?” he grumped.

“I’m looking for General Hai,” Randall twittered from a distance.

The Stinger arched his tail. “That lot’s gone back to The Arids.”

So to the Arids Randall trekked.

Leaving his dappled green homeland, he crossed into the dusty sunshine’s unrelenting, barren brown burn. His head ached from the glare. Each step sizzled his tender soles. Only his resolve to save his son kept him moving.

As he passed a jagged boulder, it opened its eyes.

“Oh, my heart,” his gasp tickled the air, “you near scared me to death!”

A scaly golden face blinked its onyx eyes. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you.” His voice was soft and fuzzy.

“It’s all right,” the frog jittered. The deep breaths he took to calm his pounding pulse only dried out his lungs. “My name’s Randall.”

“I’m Girdliz.” The creature stared at him. “You’re not from here, are you?”

“No. I’m not.” His voice cracked like dried mud. “But I need some help, if you’re able.”

“What do you need? Water? I can show you where to find water.”

“Thank you, you’re very kind. I would appreciate that, but first I need something else.”

“How can I help you?”

“I’m looking for the General.”

“Can’t help you!” Girdliz exclaimed just before he bit his own tail and rolled off the boulder. The ring he became hit the ground, bounced up a puff of dirt, snapped open, and scrambled across the desert, kicking up a trail of dust that settled slowly through the hovering dryness.

Heat rose in trembling waves to swallow the receding reptile. Randall stood, stupefied, his hope evaporating with his sweat.

Photo credit: Anja Mulder

To be continued. . .

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

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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...

8 thoughts on “Girdliz”

  1. Pingback: Edith – Space, Time, and Raspberries
  2. Pingback: Sheela – Space, Time, and Raspberries

    1. It’s called an armadillo girdled lizard, but it’s not really an armadillo of any kind. They’re native to the desert areas along the western coast of South Africa. It’s true — Google and I have become good friends. lol!

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    1. Discovering creatures I’ve never heard of has been one of my joys while writing Elliot’s Adventures. Turns out, the world is even more amazing than I’d imagined, Laura. I’m glad they surprise you, too!

      Liked by 1 person

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