Tuesday Tales - Simple

 

Welcome to Tuesday Tales! This week's word prompt is “simple”. We are back with Dani in my Sci-Fi story. 

Be sure to check out the other Tuesday Tales by clicking here!

The alien’s head drooped a little. “It is not that simple, I am afraid.”

Dani shook her head. The disbelief flooded through her. “I don’t get it. Why couldn’t it get you home?”

He gave her a small, cat-like smile. “One, it is information meant for the Vigvuth. It may tell them how to get to their home planet. It may say nothing about how to get to mine.”

Her confusion slipped away like a fog breaking apart as the rays of sun pierced it. “That is true.”

“Also, even if there was something that may help me, it is not as easy as making it happen.”

She cocked her head as she studied him. “What happened, Bobo?”

“I told you I was a prince, did I not?”

“You did.”

Bobo gathered his robes to himself then scuttled across her bedroom until he settled on her bed. Like the monarch he was, he smoothed out his flowing garment around him before he continued his tale. “Grarkiel took me from my home because he panicked. Their attack on my planet started to fail and he made a rash decision. On the way back to their own ship, he made a detour to the residence of the palace. My father was with his advisors looking for a way to get rid of the Vigvuth. My mother was with her maids in hiding. They thought I was safe locked away in my room with my tutors. However, when your enemy is cloud-like, there are very few places to stay secluded.”

“That sounds terrifying.”

Bobo huffed. “It was. The Vigvuth barely got off the surface before my father’s pilots were following. I was implanted with a beacon of sorts when I was a babe. When my parents realized I was taken, they activated. Grarkiel discovered this quickly as well. He beat me over and over again until it was apparent that he destroyed it. It took me weeks to recover from the assault.”

Tuesday Tales - Lively

 

Welcome to Tuesday Tales! This week's word prompt is “lively”. We are back with Dani in my Sci-Fi story. 

Be sure to check out the other Tuesday Tales by clicking here!

She hurried down the hallway to her bedroom and threw open the closet door. She eyed her slate colored hard shell suitcase carefully. There were a crazy amount of parcels in the living room. However, she noticed each of them only held a garment or two. If that theory held true for all of them, everything would fit. 

She hoped at least. She couldn’t imagine what Julian would say if something got left home. 

She was so engrossed in her thoughts she missed the sound of heavy fabric sweeping across her faux hardwood floor tiles. She jolted at least an inch into the air at the sound of Bobo’s voice. Her heartbeat picked up to a lively pace. 

“I do not trust him,” the alien murmured.

Dani frowned as she turned to him. “Who? Julian? Ezra?”

Bobo gave her one firm nod. “Yes.”

“Bobo…”

“I despise the human male at the library, the one that Grarkiel possesses. I lived in his head. I am aware he is suffering at the hands of the Vigvuth. His body was still my prison and he made no attempt to help me escape.”

“Did he know you were there?” Dani countered. 

Bobo’s eyes widened. Clearly he never considered if Ezra knew he existed. He continued. “I agree with him. I do not trust this professor. I do not like the way he treats you. He gives you gifts you are not comfortable with. It is apparent they are for his benefit, not yours. He demeans you. He threatens you. Why would you journey with someone who thinks so little of you.”

Dani pursed her lips together for a moment before she spoke. “If we go with him and see this site, can you read what is written on the wall? I mean the words written by the Vigvuth, not the hieroglyphics.”

“Yes, of course.”

“And what they say? Won’t that help get you home?”

Tuesday Tales - Ghost

 

Welcome to Tuesday Tales! This week's word prompt is “ghost”. We are back with Dani in my Sci-Fi story. 

Be sure to check out the other Tuesday Tales by clicking here!

There were shopping bags everywhere. They littered the floor, the tiny kitchen table in the corner, the coffee table, the sofa, and the chairs. There was even one plopped on Bobo’s lap. The alien’s cat eyes looked almost offended by the intrusion in his space. 

The purchases Dani made were in the brown paper sack at her feet. The rest were delivered by an out-of-breath delivery boy. Cargo pants. Tank tops. Boots. A couple of lightweight jackets. 

There was also an envelope in the final package. When Dani opened it, she found a postcard from the university. On the back was scrawled a message. Now you are ready to go. Be packed and prepared for the car I am sending at 5:30 am on Thursday. You’re late, you stay home. Julian.

Dani stepped over the bag in front of her then reached inside one of the half dozen resting on the coffee table. She dropped the white tank the second she set eyes on it. She didn’t have to try it on to tell how snug it would be on her. 

She glanced at the mirror that hung in her living room and took in her long skirt and cardigan. She didn’t wear tight shirts. It just wasn’t her style. Did Julian really expect her to wear this stuff in Egypt? What was he trying to get at?

“You did not like it?” Bobo queried as he cocked his head at her. 

“Not a fan, no,” Dani answered. “I’m guessing bringing my ghost pajama bottoms with me is out.”

“Were you planning to dig in sleep pants? Did the professor provide garments to rest in?”

Dani’s eyes went wide. With everything else she found, she was a little wary that he did buy her lingerie. “I’m going to see if my suitcases will fit all this.”

Tuesday Tales - Squash

 

Welcome back to Tuesday Tales! This week's word prompt is “squash”. We are back with Dani in my new Sci-Fi story. 

Be sure to check out the other Tuesday Tales by clicking here!

“I appreciate that.”

Nancy gave her a solid, final nod as if it sealed the deal. “Good. As soon as you have the dates, let me know. We will miss you being here but I look forward to hearing about your trip.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“Sure thing.”

Dani forced a smile on her face as she backed out of the office and closed the door behind her. She wound her way out of the administration space the same way she came in. She didn’t stop her stride until she was back at the information desk beside Elsie. It was then that she finally let go of the breath that made her chest and ribs ache.

She noticed Elsie take her in from head to toe. “So, how did it go?”

Dani took a moment to discover her voice again. “Nancy gave me the time off.”

Elise’s eyes widened and her mouth popped open for a moment. Clearly the news was a shock to her. “Really? I didn’t expect that.”

Dani shrugged. “I have to give a presentation on my expedition when I get back.”

“Oh. I should have figured it came with strings attached.”

Dani felt her anxiety creep back like a thousand fire ants on her skin. “I don’t know how I’m going to do it. You know me. I’m an introvert.”

“It looks like you’re going to squash your shyness before you come back. Or scrap the trip. I guess the choice is yours.”

Dani watched the library visitors come and go through the expansive room. Her gaze locked on a familiar figure in a black hooded sweatshirt shuffling away towards the exit. Did she have a choice? Not really. If she called Julian and cancelled their trip, Ezra would continue to suffer. Grarkiel would continue to torture him without any end. There was only one answer. She was going to Egypt.

Tuesday Tales - Trot

 

Welcome to Tuesday Tales! This week's word prompt is “trot”. We are back with Dani in my new Sci-Fi story. 

Be sure to check out the other Tuesday Tales by clicking here!

“No, no,” Dani assured. “Everything is okay at home.”

Nancy’s scowl deepened. “Then why do you need the time off?”

Dani could feel her heart hammering against her ribs. Her hands were getting clammy. She felt lightheaded. Maybe she would pass out and not have to ask? If only she could be so lucky. “I have the opportunity to go on an archeological dig in Egypt. It would be a couple of weeks, I think. I’m not exactly sure when I will be back.”

Nancy pressed her lips into a thin line as she crossed her arms over her chest. It felt like her stare was burning through Dani. Finally she spoke. “I didn’t know you were into archeology.”

Dani gave her a half shrug. She couldn’t tell her boss the truth. “It’s a hidden passion of mine. I never mentioned it because I never thought an experience like this could happen.”

Nancy glared at her for a moment longer then threw her hands up like she gave up. “I should have known. That’s fine. Just keep in touch, okay?

Dani gaped at Nancy as her skin stopped feeling like it was trying to crawl away as much as it had before. “Are you sure?”

“Do you think you’re the first new hire who trotted into my office to ask me if they can go on an exhibition?” Nancy countered.

“I’m not?”

“It happens more often than you would think. I’m going to make the same demand of you as I did of them.”

“And that is?”

Nancy’s scowl turned to a smile. A devious smile. There was the anxiety again. She leaned on the desk towards Dani. “When you get back, we will schedule a presentation for our patrons. You can tell everyone about what you saw while you were gone.”

Tuesday Tales - Scarlet

 

Welcome to Tuesday Tales! This week's word prompt is “scarlet”. We are back with Dani in my new Sci-Fi story. 

Be sure to check out the other Tuesday Tales by clicking here!

“Thank you but that will not be necessary. Just let me talk to them. I promise I will get back to you today.”

She thought she could hear Julian snarl through the speaker of her phone. “You better. I will talk to you this afternoon.” With no warning, the call went dead. Dani stared at her home screen of her cell with a sigh. Maybe Ezra was right. Maybe this was a bad idea. Nevertheless, it was time to go find Nancy and have an awkward conversation about her employment.

She scurried from between the shelving units and hurried towards the offices of the library. It was a distinct difference from the rest of the building. While the rest of the facility was filled with neatly lined bookshelves full of tomes, this space was crowded with cubicles. She never knew it took so many office folks to keep this place running. 

She skimmed the perimeter of the office in the direction of the back corner. That was were Nancy sat. Before Dani got there, she spotted a scarlet suitcoat worn by a woman with more gray than blond hair. Other than that, Nancy could have been mistaken for someone Dani’s age. 

“Nancy,” Dani called out. 

Nancy spun on her toe to search the area for the voice that summoned her. When she saw Dani, she smiled. She pointed back to her office then redirected her steps to it. 

You may not be grinning for long, Dani thought to herself. She quickened her pace so she could meet Nancy at the door. 

Nancy motioned her inside then followed her. “What can I help you with, Dani?”

Dani sucked in a deep breath. “I know I haven’t been here long but I need to take some time off. I can do it unpaid.”

Like Dani guessed, Nancy’s countenance darkened at the request. “Has something happened? Do you need to go home?”

Tuesday Tales - Feather

 

Welcome to Tuesday Tales! This week's word prompt is “feather”. We are back with Dani in my new Sci-Fi story. 

Be sure to check out the other Tuesday Tales by clicking here!

Dani stared at the empty space for a long moment, oblivious to the ringing phone in her hand. It stopped shaking against her palm. She felt like someone could have knocked her over with a feather. Why did Ezra walking away from her hurt so much?

Her aching heart was snapped back to reality as her cell shimmied again against her fingers. The tone echoed off the shelves and tomes that rested there. She swiped against the glass to answer it. “Hello?”

“What took you so long to answer?” Julian demanded. “I had to call you twice.”

“I’m sorry. I missed the first one,” Dani fibbed.

“Well, I expect you to respond promptly when I call. What I have to tell you may be urgent. Have you spoken to your manager yet?”

“I was just about to talk to her.”

“Do it soon. We leave a week from tomorrow. I was able to get in contact with a colleague of mine. They are deep in the tomb of one of the pharaohs. Plenty of hieroglyphics for you to study.”

“Next week?” Dani’s mouth gaped open. She struggled to get control of it. “That is so soon. I am not sure if they will let me go with such little notice.”

“So you are telling me you don’t want to go now?”

“I didn’t say that?”

“If they protest, quit your job. I am sure I can find you a suitable position at the university. It will probably pay better and provide more opportunities for advancement.”

Dani shook her head emphatically even though she knew the professor couldn’t see her. It was crucial for her to go on this journey. She knew that. However, she wasn’t giving up her dream job for it. Being a librarian certainly wasn’t an important job to him. It definitely was to her. 

Tuesday Tales - Complicated

 

Welcome to Tuesday Tales! This week's word prompt is “complicated”. We are back with Dani in my new Sci-Fi story. 

Be sure to check out the other Tuesday Tales by clicking here!

Dani gaped at him for a moment. It took a second to plaster a sugary sweet smile on her face. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

He glanced around himself as he scuffed the toe of his shoe on the floor. Clearly, this whole thing flustered him. What made it even more complicated was that they couldn’t speak their mind. It was evident that he didn’t want to say what was in his heart. He was that frightened of what Grarkiel and his mercenaries could do. 

Finally Ezra stilled and sucked in a deep breath. “If you are indeed going on this journey for a once in a lifetime archaeological expedition, then I hope you have the time of your life. I would love to see pictures of your adventure.”

He took a step towards her. Lifting his hand, he tucked a wayward lock of hair behind her ear that she didn’t realize escaped her bun. “If this has anything to do with what is in the books you borrowed, the same ones that I checked out, then stay. I beg you. Stay.”

Dani opened her mouth but nothing came out. Her flabbers were just gasted. Had anyone pleaded with her like this before? None came to mind at the moment. “I…I…”

What words she could muster were cut off by the ringtone on her phone. She blinked herself back to her sense then scooped her hand into the pocket of her skirt to get it. She stared at the screen. “It’s Julian.”

Ezra’s countenance darkened at her words. “Who is Julian?”

“Doctor Julian Miles. He is leading the expedition to Egypt.”

“What does he want?”

“I’m guessing he has information on our trip.”

Ezra let go a heavy sigh. His shoulders slumped as she shoved his fists into the pockets of his jeans. “I guess you better take it.”

“Ezra.”

He gave her one last glance before he shuffled away and disappeared behind a bookshelf.

Tuesday Tales - Sour

 

Welcome to Tuesday Tales! This week's word prompt is “sour”. We are back with Dani in my new Sci-Fi story. 

Be sure to check out the other Tuesday Tales by clicking here!

Dani didn’t notice that Elise had slid up beside her until her friend spoke. “What made him so sour all of the sudden?”

Dani shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe he is just concerned for a friend.”

“Friend? Yeah, right.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Like I told you when you started, it takes at least six months to get him to talk to new people. He talked to you right off the bat.”

Dani scowled at Elise. She gestured down to her cardigan and ankle length skirt. “Do you see how I dress? I probably remind him of his grandma.”

“You can change that, you know? I’m not a fashionista but I could give you some pointers.”

Dani shook her head, exasperated. “I’m going to go shelve books.”

She stepped out from behind the circulation desk before Elise could say another work. She wove through the patrons and shelves to the back room where the big machine sorted the returned books. Gripping the handles of the cart, she glanced at the location home of the items on the cart then hurried off to get to work. 

Keeping busy kept her mind off what Elise said. She couldn’t focus on her feelings for Ezra. They were mixed at best. It was a challenge to fall for someone who wanted to kill her. Well, part of him wanted to exterminate her. It was a part he couldn’t control. 

She was so engrossed in her task that she missed where she was until she dodged a body camped out on the floor. Her eyes met Ezra’s gaze. 

“Can we talk?” he queried.

“Of course,” she answered as she slid a book into place. 

He climbed to his feet then jammed his hands into his jeans pockets. “I don’t think you should go.”

“It’s a once in a lifetime experience,” Dani defended as she shelved the last book on her cart. 

He lowered his voice to almost a whisper. “We both know why you are going. It’s going to get you killed.”

Tuesday Tales - Berries

 

Welcome to Tuesday Tales! This week's word prompt is “berries”. We are back with Dani in my new Sci-Fi story. 

Be sure to check out the other Tuesday Tales by clicking here!

Dani blinked at him for a few moments. “Hey, Ezra. What’s up?”

“Not much,” he answered. He nodded to the box on the counter. “You got doughnuts? I like the ones with berries in them. You know, the jam filled ones?”

Elise nudged the container to him. “There might be one in there. Help yourself.”

“Thanks.” He pulled his hand from his neck then nudged the lid open. He plucked a purple and pink frosted bismarck from the others. The two women watched as he took a bite and chewed. 

Once he swallowed, he spoke again. “So who is leaving for a few weeks?”

Dani glanced at Elise then back to Ezra. He wasn’t the only one who could hear what she had to say. Grarkiel could also. “I’ve been invited to go on an archeology dig with a friend of one of my college professors.”

He cocked his head to the side. “Where to?”

Dani paused. “Egypt.”

“Why Egypt?”

“I’ve always had an interest in it.”

“Always? Or just recently?”

She stared into his eyes. She didn’t see the icy cold that normally accompanied them when Grarkiel took Ezra over. She saw him. Did she note an expression of concern there?

“I’m looking for answers,” she told him.

“I’d rather you not.”

Dani planted her fists on her hips. “And why not?”

“It’s dangerous,” Ezra insisted. “Why would you put yourself in danger like this?”

Dani bit back the answer she wanted to give him. She was going to Egypt to get answers for him. She was doing all of this for him. She cleared her throat as she took a second to think. “It’s important to me to get as much information as I can. It could be useful.”

He let out a huge sigh. “I hope so. I got to go. Thanks for the doughnut.”

“You’re welcome.”

Tuesday Tales - Sugar

 

Welcome to Tuesday Tales! This week's word prompt is “sugar”. We are back with Dani in my new Sci-Fi story. 

Be sure to check out the other Tuesday Tales by clicking here!

Dani hoped she wasn’t late to work. After everything that happened the night before, she felt she owed her friend something sweet. She tried to leave early to stop at the bakery down the street from the library to get a box of doughnuts.

However, the bus system wasn’t privy of her plan. Each transit she rode was late, giving her only minutes to pick up the sugar filled breakfast treats. 

The clock clicked eight as she skidded to a stop at the information desk. She quickly logged in and clocked into work. With a smile she set the box of breakfast treats in front of Elise before she tucked her purse beneath the counter. 

“What is this?” Elise questioned before giving a confused glance to Dani.

“An apology. Or maybe something to cheer you up.” Dani shrugged. “I’m going to guess it was a long night.”

“Do you mean “I didn’t get any sleep? You are right.” Elise gave her a little smile. “But this wasn’t necessary. I do appreciate it but you didn’t need to.”

“Well, maybe not. I dragged you into something you didn’t want to be part of. I opened up a terrifying world to you.”

“True.” Elise nudged her a little. “You know I can’t eat a dozen of them, right?”

“I was hoping I could sneak one from you.”

“You could give one to Nancy. That might grease the wheels a little when you have to tell her you will be gone for a few weeks.”

“Who will be gone for a few weeks?”

Both women glanced up to find Ezra standing there, watching them. His hand was cupped behind his neck. He had a strange smile on his lips. It wasn’t evil by any means. It was more like he discovered his first taste of freedom, a sensation that he must have thought he could never have. 

Tuesday Tales - Birth

 

Welcome to Tuesday Tales! This week's word prompt is “birth. We are back with Dani in my new Sci-Fi story. 

Be sure to check out the other Tuesday Tales by clicking here!

“I suppose you’re right,” Dani agreed. She left Elise to look at the laser sword as she took her mug to the kitchen. She brushed the wayward dust from the tea bags into her hands then rubbed her palms over the sink. She picked up a sponge and dripped dish soap onto it. Wiping out the mug, she rinsed it and set it in the dish rack. She put the boxes of tea back into the cupboard. Taking one last look at the kitchen, she gave herself a nod and returned to the living room. 

Elise was still studying Dani’s invention. Bobo was entertaining himself by bopping the tag from Elise’s tea bag as it dangled from her cup. He let out an alien giggle as it swung back and forth. 

“Are you ready to go home?” Dani asked him. “I’m tired and you know it’s going to take a couple buses to get home.”

The little balloon figure nodded to her. Bobo hopped to his balloon knot feet then bounced to her. He climbed to her shoulder like she was a rock climbing wall. She felt the all too familiar pressure in her ear canal as he made himself comfortable in her skull once again. 

“That was sort of disturbing to watch,” Elise admitted. “It was like witnessing a birth in reverse but in your…” She gestured to Dani’s head. 

Dani shook her head a bit. “It’s still hard to experience. I hate to leave you like this.”

Elise waved her off then stood. She gave Dani an awkward hug. “It’s okay. I’m not sure I’m going to sleep but I will be alright.”

“If you need me, please call,” Dani offered.

“I will.”

Dani picked up her laser weapon and dropped it back into her bag. She waved goodbye to Elise as she opened the door of the apartment and slipped outside.