Zach Needs Help
You know the drill. No red pens…
The girl looked at Zach, her head just tipped to the left.
“So, um, you’re from…where?”
“Outside.”
Her eyebrows furrowed as she thought about this.
“Outside?”
“Yeah. Outside.”
Then she spotted his hand as it slipped from behind his back. She shifted her weight to her back foot. “Oh. Um…”
The rot was bad right now, and Zach swore under his breath as he slid his hand behind his back again. “It’s not what you think. Really. Please. I need your help.”
“Look, I don’t think you’re supposed to be here. How did you get in here? You can’t be here.” Her eyes locked on his arm.
“No, really. I’m not going to hurt you. I won’t touch you. It doesn’t spread. I don’t eat brains. None of us do. You gotta believe me. I’m just trying to find out how this happened, and how I can stop it. I know there’s a Book here in the City. Can you please help me? Please?”
She finally looked up at his face.
“What about everything else? You’re not supposed to be here. It’s not safe for us. Are there more of you? You’re not supposed to be here….”
Zach knew this was his only chance at finding a helper inside the City. “Please. I know I’m not supposed to be here. I know that you think we’re dangerous, that we will hurt you, infect you, but we won’t. We’re not what you think. Sure there are a few whose brains have rotted, who’ve gone a little crazy, who cat really think right anymore. But we keep them contained. We’re not dangerous. We just need a little bit of help to find the cure and then I promise we’ll leave you alone. No one will ever even know we were here. Please. We’re not what you think. Please??”
* * *
What is the girl afraid of? What does Zach need to do to convince her? Let me know in the comments…
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About Christine
I am a writer, a project manager, and a corporate refugee with a heart for orphans around the world. My two daughters were adopted from Ukraine at ages 12 and 14. I post about writing, chasing dreams, and making a difference in the world, and sometimes I share fun snippets of fiction in-progress.
I am intrigued! What happens next???
you’ll have to wait until next Friday!
I don’t think I can’t stand the wait!
Hey Christine! Love your story, and like Kristen, I’m very intrigued. Can’t wait til next Friday to read more.
In answer to your questions, I think the girl is afraid of getting in trouble. But she’s not afraid of Zach. She wants to help him, but maybe isn’t sure how and doesn’t want to face the consequences of doing so. I’m not sure how he convinces her, though. That’s a tough one.
Can I steal your “Fiction Friday” idea? (You know, according to Jeff Goins, great writers steal other artists’ ideas!) I have 2 blogs, a personal one but also one called Totally Fiction (http://totallyfiction.blogspot.com) My best friend, husband, and I are writing a book & on that blog we are sharing pieces of the book and the journey we’re on as we write together. I’d love to use your idea & share pieces of our book on “Fiction Friday.”
This is great, Denise! You’re welcome to “steal” Fiction Friday, although I’m not entirely sure I can lay claim to it. It popped into my head as if I had heard it somewhere else before…Can’t wait to see what you do with it!