With Friday here again and the weekend just around the corner, it’s time for me to share another snippet of my writing. This particular snippet comes from Chapter Thirteen of Werewolf’s Lair, which was written today!
Keep in mind that it hasn’t undergone edits, so it’s still a rough draft. Despite that, I hope you enjoy reading it!
“That’s circumstantial, at best. We gave you our reason for missing the hunt.”
Maddy’s play. The thought floated to the front of her mind and throbbed hard, in time with the thumps of her heart. Something didn’t fit. Something in that theory, that reasoning, fooled her into believing it. She shouldn’t believe it. No one should.
Paige’s eyes widened and she glanced from Matt to Luke, before focusing on Paul once more. “A play,” she began. “Tell me, Paul… Since when is a child’s play more important than a monthly hunt? Since when is a child’s play at school more important than a hunt with a rival, but friendly pack, meant to enhance the relationship between the two packs?”
The words sank in and she let them. His expression morphed, twisting between horror and disbelief. His mouth opened, then closed, as if he reconsidered his words. A frown plastered onto his face and he said nothing, attention directed at her.
“Tell me, Paul… If it was your choice, would you go to a school play, or maintain and even enhance a relationship with a fellow pack?”
He groaned in irritation and kicked a rock unfortunate enough to be close to him. “The pack. I would choose the pack.”
“Then why didn’t your parents?”
Around them, the downpour faded to a drizzle as if nature sensed the hostility lessen between them. Nature gave her blessing, accepted that peace would reign again. For how long?
She watched the struggle in his eyes, the fight to make sense of the situation and find a way to prove his parents’ innocence. His lips thinned to a line and he shook his head to banish his thoughts. Finally, his shoulders slumped. The small difference spoke wonders and he heaved a sigh, looking straight at her.
“I don’t know.”
Have a great weekend, everyone!
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August 24, 2012 at 3:27 pm
I like how the tension between the characters pushes and pulls through this. Back and forth between resolution and hopeless, bringing the hidden agendas of both sides to the surface without actually revealing them.
A good amount of mystery and tension for just a snippet! 🙂
August 24, 2012 at 3:33 pm
Thank you! I appreciate it. 🙂
I do quite like focusing on the tension, and I did my best to pick a snippet that wouldn’t be too spoilerific.
August 24, 2012 at 4:14 pm
I loved the way that the conflict is mirrored in the description of the setting and weather. The personification of Nature was a nice touch, as well. I really want to know about the set up to this. I liked the stilted nature of Paige’s speech. It made it feel like she was really biting her tongue and choosing her words carefully. Great job.
August 24, 2012 at 4:41 pm
Thank you!
In a way, she really was choosing her words carefully. Things could go wrong very fast in the situation they were in. The tiniest mistake would essentially start a war.
August 24, 2012 at 4:27 pm
Excellent use of setting and body language to convey conflict in this exchange. Such a gorgeous snippet! 🙂
August 24, 2012 at 4:40 pm
Thank you so much! 😀
August 24, 2012 at 7:07 pm
I love this paragraph;
Around them, the downpour faded to a drizzle as if nature sensed the hostility lessen between them. Nature gave her blessing, accepted that peace would reign again. For how long?
It’s a very good image and personification as Clare also mentioned 🙂
August 24, 2012 at 7:20 pm
It means a lot to me to hear that! That’s actually a paragraph I added after finishing the chapter. I wanted the downpour to become less, so I searched for a place to add that, that wouldn’t ruin the flow. That’s how that paragraph came into existence. =)
Thank you! 🙂
August 24, 2012 at 7:26 pm
You’re welcome! 🙂
August 25, 2012 at 4:06 am
I found this snippet intriguing. You gave us a glimpse of the dynamics between pack members and the way their society works. It felt like eavesdropping from behind a bush and I would have loved to hear some more 🙂
August 25, 2012 at 8:11 am
Thank you for your comment! I’m glad you found it intriguing. With any luck, you’ll read a lot more of it in the near future. 🙂