Sunday Snippet: Yellow Fang

Man, I can't believe August is almost over. It's been a chaotic month between work, unexpected challenges, and other factors crowding each other out for attention. Geez. Between the road construction everywhere, my car needing a new alternator, and the dogs needing their check-ups but unable to go because of the car issue … yeah, wild week.

I did have a solid work week. I finished up some projects and started new ones. I got a surprise turnaround that happened a lot sooner than I expected. I'm filling September and some of October, which is great.

Had a pretty good viewing week. I made it through my regular shows and finished up one of my back burners. I get to start the second season this week!

Watched an episode of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries and enjoyed the rewatch. Again, this show is such a comfort view for me.

Enjoyed another episode of Madame Blanc Mysteries. I've got a weird feeling all isn't great between Dom and Jean, and that makes me a little sad. I loved the split mysteries even if Gloria's dad irritates the crap out of me. So much fun watching the team take down the con artists.

Caught the holiday episode for season fourteen of Death in Paradise. Not sure if I like the new guy, especially since he, like the actor who played Neville, has already been featured on the show. We'll see how it goes.

Watched another episode of Poirot and ended up enjoying more than I thought I would. It's fun to see Hastings get a moment to shine.

Elementary had a very fun episode. Thoroughly enjoyed Sherlock going head-to-head with the imposter. Also quite liked Joan and her stepdad's interactions.

Caught another Batman Beyond and it's one I didn't remember much, but I ended up enjoying.

Enjoyed another episode of Lower Decks. One thing I absolutely love about the show is the theme song. I know. Weird. But it's actually perfect for the show.

Finally, I watched the season one finale of Reacher, and it did not disappoint. I'm very satisfied with the season overall. I'm thrilled Picard ended up being part of the counterfeiting ring because there's no other explanation for how Charlie and Roscoe were found. Also loved that Paul ended up not being dead. Basically, the first season rocked. And … great to finally see adult Joe, but I didn't quite get the whole brothers looking so much alike thing as grown-ups. The flashbacks to their childhood, I definitely saw how they could be mixed up. I would really, really like to find out why the brothers hadn't talked much. Who knows, maybe season two will have more on that.

That's pretty much if for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Yellow Fang, a novella about a couple that gets reunited after one has been in enemy hands.

Here's the miniblurb:

Yancy the Yellow is Palmer Gump's only childhood friend—a stuffed toy from her dad. Missing and presumed killed in action, an auction is held for Palmer's personal items. When she returns, she gets everything back … except for Yancy, which leaves her feeling a little lost and unsettled, until it finds its way back to her via Dannon Bennett.

And a sneaky peek…

"Aw, fuck. Of course reinforcements showed up."

Dannon typed an order into his arm unit. "Contingency plan is a go." He waited for the five seconds it took for his teams to respond then pulled out the first IED to set and arm.

The backup plan—blow everything to hell and send up a flare beacon—meant he'd still get as many people out as possible. The evacuees could escape through the chaos with the secondary unit. But his team would likely go down.

Bravo team, a six-person squad, would hold off as many incoming assailants as possible. Alpha team, another six-person, including him, squad started a room-by-room search and planted the explosive devices. So far, they were clearing the area in good time.

He met his group at the end of the building. "We have to finish the last corridor of this wing and then blow everything." He got nods from everyone and they fanned out.

He moved halfway down the hall and kicked open the door to the room. A wild tangle of limbs came flying in his direction, snarling and slicing at him with a scalpel.

"Die, you son of a bitch. Die!"

Palmer's voice.

Shock filled him, but he grabbed hold of his assailant and gave her a hard shake. "Palmer! Stop. It's Dannon." Sure enough, the woman who'd haunted his dreams fought against him.

Her gaze, wild and frenzied, flew to his. And immediately filled with relief when she recognized him.

She collapsed against his chest. "Thank whatever rules the universe." She dragged in several deep breaths then put her head on his shoulder. "It's good to see you."

Overwhelmed with having her in his arms, Dannon blinked and shook his head. She's alive. I have her back.

His hand cupped her face. "We thought you were dead. I thought you were dead." He stepped back, noting her bruised cheekbone.

The smeared blood on her face.

The ragged gash along her hairline.

And the red liquid dripping from her fingertips.

Fuck. She's hurt. "You're injured." He unwound the tactical scarf from his neck and used his teeth to tear it into two strips.

Palmer looked down and swayed on her feet. She had never liked the sight of her own blood.

He grasped her shoulder and steadied her. "Easy there." Wrapping an arm around her, he lowered her to the floor. "Let's get this dressed and clear out." He started wiping away the blood and bound the wound. "Clock's ticking."

Really damned fast.

I'm kind of happy with how this scene came together. This is a high and low kind of story and I love the challenge of writing both.

 

That's it for this week. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye