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.