#FallWriting Frenzy 2022

October 1, 2022

Now or Never

Photo by Daniele Colucci on Unsplash

The alley looked empty enough, but with her heart thrashing furiously, throttling her ears, she couldn’t hear a thing; wouldn’t notice the lightest scuff on the rain slick-concrete, or the smallest rasp of breath that might betray a location or offer her a split second advantage. 

She had relied on that split second more times than she could count.  She needed to take control now.  Needed to slip out of sight and slow her heartbeat.  If she couldn’t do that soon, the softness of early dawn, and the fiery pink glancing off the jutting stone facades would give way to proper daylight, and every advance she’d made these past two weeks would be lost. 

Where was he?  She should be able to feel him, even if she couldn’t hear him.  Her fingers moved to the hidden pocket on her vest and she poked at a small lump tucked near the seam.  “Be ready,” she whispered, and in answer the lump shifted and settled.  She’d only use Jumeaux if she had to.  Her Anima Socium- an iridescent green scarab- could be her eyes and ears if she needed him.  But to risk it here…no.

Just two minutes to slow her heart.