For the A to Z challenge, I present Murder Most Fowl, an unedited serial story from the unpublished Cera Chronicles. Please excuse the grammar mistakes. This hasn’t been critiqued yet.
At times, alternate worlds could be seriously foul. Or was that fowl? The unnerving screech of my feathered stalker raised the hair on my arms. I could’ve sworn he was waiting for me to keel over and die.
I cupped a hand and shielded my eyes from the glaring sun. Not far until I reached the next town. Heat waves distorted the dilapidated wooden buildings. They rose and fell like broken teeth between sneering sagebrush lips.
Please don’t eat me.
The heel of my right pump caught in the former home of a dislodged rock. It snapped, and I pitched forward, flailing my arms. “Frigging pain in the…” Not my custom-made heels! They’d been handcrafted on the last world by one of those midget-elves in pink tutus. Never had I owned a better pair.
I hopped on one foot–the one with the broken shoe. Right. Heels and desert didn’t mix. I would’ve changed into my spare pair of boots, but those were in my bag. And my bag was with my guardian—who wasn’t here.
Stupid world. It’d separated me from my companions upon arrival. It also locked down the power I typically used to locate them.
If I was lucky, my traveling companions would be in this next town, waiting for me.
Yeah right.
A scraggly creature—some form of bald scavenging bird—scampered out from it’s earthly dwelling and… “Hey!” It frigging stole my broken heel!
It disappeared into a hole with the priceless piece of fashion accessory.
“Yeah, well, I hope you choke on it.”
Choking sounds came from the hole. I frowned.
“And then I hope you bring back my heel.” I waited. No such luck. I almost felt bad. Klepto-bird hadn’t been the one stalking me. The remaining feathered bird glowered at me. I pointed a threatening finger at its beak. “You’re next, buddy.”
I snapped the heel off my still-intact shoe and started walking the rest of the compacted dirt road in my stylish new flats. Better than scorching my soles.
Cacti greeted my entrance into the new town. Men stood on wooden boardwalks, staring at the two people—a man with a badge and a girl—facing off in the middle of the main road. I studied the feminine backside of the young girl, clad in a ruched skirt and bolero. Her fingers twitched at her belt.
Hands whipped to holsters. Guns flared and cracked.
“Ow!” Had someone just…? I glanced down. Red bloomed in the center of my abdomen. “Dammit. Not my blouse too…”
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Shame about those shoes! Loved the 1st post, though. Will be back tomorrow to read more, most definitely. 🙂
Glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Fun idea for the A to Z! I love reading fiction for this blog hop. And oh those darn heels…and now her blouse too! Never mind the gunshot wound!!! Gotta look good, always! ~ Angela, A to Z participant from Web Writing Advice and Whole Foods Living
Always!
Really dig the sense of humor! She might have more to worry about than her blouse though…
Ha! Maybe. 😉
Not fair! It’s still unpublished… *sob* I was looking for the “buy” link. A most foul trick you’ve played here, giving me the scoop on the fowl stalker, then snatching him away after a tease.
River Fairchild – A to Z Challenge, a Jeremy’s Angels Co-Host Minion
Seasoned With Words
I wrote Murder Most Fowl for the A to Z Challenge, but hopefully Volume 1 of the Cera Chronicles, This World Bites, will be published later this year. *crosses fingers*
I am a midget-elf in a pink tutu! I loved that image!!
And, you’re quite right, heels and desert, not the best mix!
Can’t wait to read more!
Cristina from Filling my Prayer Closet
The pink tutu imagery came from my husband. (Best not to ask…)
ohh wow I am hooked to the story…Quite a fashionista she is 🙂 Waiting for more…
Too bad about the shoes though. 🙂
A “bird” story is right up my alley. Nice start for A to Z.
Lee
Wrote By Rote
An A to Z Co-host blog
Thanks!
Loved this “Fowl” little story you whipped up. It was great fun. Thanks for taking us on a romp with you. I enjoyed it!
You’ve inspired me to do some more fiction for the challenge as well as my silly rhymes and photos.
Glad to jog the creative juices! I’d love to see what you cook up. 🙂
Loni a delightful read, waiting for the rest and love the midget in pink tutus image 🙂
I’m glad you like it. 🙂
Hooked! A fashionista’s tragic tale…look forward to more….
Glad I could hook you!
The heel hurt more than the wound. Are you planning on editing it. Happy #atozchallenge
Reflex Reactions
I hope to do some editing, at the very least copy-editing. We’ll see by the end if I need to make more changes.
What a great start! Looking forward to more of this story.
Thanks, Julie!
Totall intrigued and totally loving Cera’s voice. I have NO idea what she’s doing yet, but that’s OK, because I really, really want to find out. More please!!!
Glad you like Cera’s voice! I hear her all the time in my head. (Did I just to admit to hearing voices in my head?)
I’m ready for the next installment. Great imagination you’ve got. I can’t wait to see what you have for B. Keep it coming.
Best,
Deb@ http://debioneille.blogspot.com
My imagination sometimes gets the better of me.
Hah! That was epic. Oh my goodness! Love the personality in her voice. So strong. I busted up at the klepto bird.
I’m glad you like the personality! I try to get a lot in there.
This is fantastic, Loni. Complete with heel-eating monsters and all! 😉
The poor shoes never stood a chance.
this is pretty cool. good work.
Thanks for stopping by!
Excellent start and you stopped at the right point and made my curiosity level go insanely high!!! 🙂 🙂
I’m happy you’re curious!
This is awesome…a serial story…this one began with quite an adventure…will look out for this one 🙂
This is the first time I’ve written a serial story. I wasn’t sure how it’d turn out, but so far so good. 😀
Really good start to the story. Poor shoes…..feel for her.
Love the hint of super natural.
See ya for B.
Poor shoes indeed. They were the best pair she’d ever owned. 🙂
Great imagery. I like how you described the buildings as teeth. Also, it’s great how you included so much ambiguity in this first section. I look forward to reading on.
Hi Loni! Love this excerpt and I ADORE your voice!! Sounds like the beginning of a great story! 🙂
Love how she is more worried about her blouse than the bullet in her stomach!
“And then I hope you bring back my heel.” I waited. – Made me laugh. That she would try that out, your heroine. She must have experience of multiple worlds, some where something like this might happen. Great establishing post here, Loni. I will read on.