Prompt Winner: Renee L. Tennis-McKinley
Happy Monday!
So week 4 of Gloria’s story saw a bit of a hiccup in participation, so I extended it another week (people are busy and sometimes that’s all we need). And with the extra week came Renee’s awesome response to the prompt! Hurrah! The intrigue deepens and we get a little hint of what it is Gloria’s workplace does, which I think is pretty cool. I absolutely love this piece! Thank you Renee for being so awesome!
Be sure to check out parts one, two, and three before reading part four below!
Gloria crept down the hallway in the direction the two intruders had gone. She’d been thrilled to find the invisibility shawl still folded in its original plastic packing. Once beneath its cover she noticed the light was a bit dimmer, and the sound of her footsteps seemed muffled. She hoped that effect would help her get close enough to her quarry to perform the spells she’d decided on.
Working her way through the maze of hallways, Gloria checked each door she passed. So far all had been locked. She had a pretty good idea where the men had been headed. The main security office; it handled the incoming calls as well as keeping the non-witch personnel from accidentally stumbling upon the work that went on after hours. If people found out exactly how the city’s infrastructure was really kept together…well, it would not be good.
Gloria rounded the next corner and nearly ran into the pair of scoundrels she’d been hunting.
“Come on Tom! We won’t have all night.” The deep voice came from a tall, dark haired man wearing a long, black cloak. He wielded an ivory wand carved with symbols that made Gloria’s stomach heave.
The other man was a foot and a half shorter and dressed in faded jeans and a dirty pocket t-shirt. “This is an art Manny, if you’re in a hurry just use that twig you’re waving around instead.” He never looked up from the knob he was working with a lock pick.
Manny just scowled at the other man’s back. Gloria knew he couldn’t use the wand to force the door without causing several alarm wards to sound. The designers hadn’t counted on a simple thieves’ trick in this part of the building.
Under the cover of the shawl, Gloria lit a yellow candle and pulled one of the packets and a small marble bowl from her pocket. After measuring the proper amount for a stasis spell she drew a breath and opened her mouth to recite the paralysis incantation.
But, when she formed the words, no sound came from her throat. Not only was she hidden visibly, she evidently couldn’t be heard either. And if she couldn’t recite the spell, her wand, the candle and powder were useless.
Gloria silently cursed herself for not reading the packaging completely. She hadn’t grabbed an invisibility shawl, she was wearing a solitude shield.
Invisibility shawl, solitude shield – it’s an easy mistake! Wonder what it’ll cost Gloria in the long-term. Can’t wait to see the exciting conclusion next week 🙂
Also, check out her neat blogs! You can find some of her other writing – lots of great stuff to read 🙂
Feedback, comments, questions? Check out the rules and/or drop me a line. I’m always looking to make the contest better and I’m open to any suggestions you guys may have.
As always, think happy thoughts!
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