Monthly Archives: September 2015

The Shape of Family – Part Ten

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It’s Tuesday and we all know by now that means we’re gonna see what some shapeshifters are up to! Today we’re back on the bandersnatch wagon, who you’ll recall is preparing a mating ritual.

<- Part Nine – Rally

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The Shape of Family

Part Ten – Visceral

by Rick Cook Jr

The creature known as the bandersnatch stared at the girl, the twin, the mirror. She was unconscious, would be until the ritual began. The other had escaped too easily. This one would not survive the birth of his brood, and it was up to him to decide which of his children received the final offering of their mother.

Which could prove him or herself in the opening moments? He relished the thought.

And yet he was not done. There were other ingredients necessary, and he had only days to prepare. He left the girl in his den, wondering if the other might come back. Continue reading →

The Shape of Family – Part Nine

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Tuesday is here! It’s time for Part Nine of The Shape of Family, where we’re gonna follow Claire and her Winged Riders a bit longer.

<- Part Eight – Betrayal

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The Shape of Family

Part Nine – Rally

by Rick Cook Jr

“How long for the Kingsguard?” Claire asked Private Hughes as she stepped out of the inn, Maggie trailing behind her, linens still clutched in her hands.

Hughes saluted. “I sent Tanner along to rouse them. We can head over now and they’ll be ready.”

“Good. Saddle the horses and bring them around.”

“Already on it,” she replied, turning to fulfill her orders.

“Wait.” She needed to do this first. She reached into the pouch at her side and drew out an insignia. “Lift your lapel.”

Hughes cocked her head at Claire but obeyed, staring at the pin. Claire fastened the small metal and smoothed the lapel down.

“You’re acting Sergeant until this is over, Hughes.” Continue reading →

The Shape of Family – Part Eight

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Tuesday is here! It’s time for Part Eight of The Shape of Family, where we’re gonna see what Claire’s been up to in Jeffrey’s absence.

<- Part Seven – Reveal

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The Shape of Family

Part Eight – Betrayal

by Rick Cook Jr

Claire and Private Hughes tended to the girl’s wounds while she was unconscious, and then put her to resting in the bed Claire had vacated this morning.  Hughes dropped into a chair, bundling up the bloody cloths and bandages.

Having removed the girl’s jacket and shirt, Claire saw two things: the new wound was not as bad as it looked through the layers of clothing, and this wasn’t Marie.

“This is Renee,” she said after the girl was settled and resting fitfully.

Hughes started. “What?” Continue reading →

The Shape of Family – Part Seven

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Tuesday is here! It’s time for Part Seven of The Shape of Family. Sadie is back under the saddle today!

<- Part Six – Den

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The Shape of Family

Part Seven – Reveal

by Rick Cook Jr

Sadie had never run so hard in her life. And they’d almost made it unscathed.

For the briefest of moments both Renee and Marie were on Sadie’s back, and then the creature, the not-bandersnatch, dragged away Marie.

And though Jeffrey Combs tended her wounds, she hadn’t recovered yet. She couldn’t even stand.

She didn’t know what exactly was happening inside the inn, since she was still lying on her side beside the door. Did they even know it was Renee?

I can tell them. You’ll put yourself in the same danger. Then Jonathan is caught and so are you.

They were facing something different, something lethal. They’d listen to her, wouldn’t they? Continue reading →

The Shape of Family – Part Six

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Tuesday is here! It’s time for Part Six of The Shape of Family. Let’s see what that old bandersnatch is up to these days..

<- Part Five – Sun-Baked

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The Shape of Family

Part Six – Den

by Rick Cook Jr

He released the mirror image from his silken, smoky grip and she clattered to the ground, scrambling away from him and babbling. He swirled with delight at his success and she watched without really seeing. He knew the look. Fear and shock.

His den was undisturbed, as it always was. No creatures dared enter the great redwood even while he was away. The mushrooms within never shied from his presence, though, and he cultivated them for their glow.

He had taken the girl deep into the hollow tree. If she attempted to flee, well, that just made the chase more exciting as she fled blindly in the maze of roots and tunnels. Continue reading →