Thane sat on the bunkhouse floor massaging his throat, breath wheezing in and out. Mel was still on his feet, but he was hunched forward with his hands between his knees, jaw clenched in pain.
“What the hell, Mel?” shouted Luke. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
“He took her,” gasped Mel. “The bastard took her.”
“Who took who?” asked Percy.
“Thane!” shouted Mel. “Thane took Janie! Janie’s dead.” The last words came out in a sob and Mel crumpled to his knees.
The other Hippos brothers looked at each other with shock on their faces.
“Mel,” Luke said softly. “Thane’s been here all night. He hasn’t gone anywhere.”
“Liar!” shouted Mel. “You just want to force me to ride.”
“I do want you to ride, Mel, but I’d never take Janie before her time.” Thane’s voice was still raw, but full of gentleness.
“Don’t you say her name! You have no right to say her name!” Mel began to weep. His brothers watched him with concerned eyes, but let him take his time. When his sobs had slowed, Thane spoke again.
“I’m not the only one with the power to take life, Mel. And I’m not the only one with an interest in seeing this Apocalypse move forward.” Thane didn’t raise his voice above a whisper.
Mel rolled up to his knees, and sat up on the floor. “You truly didn’t take her?” he asked.
“No, brother,” said Thane. “I didn’t take her. I wouldn’t do that to you.
Mel nodded and sighed. “This land doesn’t hold anything for me anymore.”
“It never really did,” said Luke.
“Shut up,” growled Mel. “Let’s ride.”
***
About the Author
Since I am a writer, you would think that it would be easy to write a little bit about myself. It’s what I do after all. But it isn’t all that easy. When I write a story it’s about the story, not me. Writing about me makes me feel a little bit… exposed.
I could start in the usual places, where I was born and where I grew up. But like most people, my childhood was rather unremarkable. Like most little girls, I liked horses. Like many of my generation I muddled my way through my parent’s divorce and managed to come out with minimal baggage. Like some, I was geeky and I was teased. I liked to read too much and cared about fashion too little.
I could run down the resume litany of official accomplishments. I finished my Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts degree in 1995, my Bachelor of Arts in English in 1997, and my Master of Science in Professional Writing in 2004. While working on my degrees, I’ve been a waitress, a secretary, a customer service representative, a receptionist, and a cashier. I’ve worked in the information technology sector as a technical writer and editor since 1999, and I have taught Introduction to College Composition at the local community college.
But that really doesn’t scratch the surface of who I really am, does it? It’s just the me that shows up on paper. The real me is a bit of a klutz, assumes the best in people, has an odd mix strength and fragility and absolutely no sense of direction. The real me just wants to tell stories and laugh with her friends.
Let me tell you a story….
Find out more at www.michelledsonnier.com.
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