How can a day be THIS long

I had nothing to do but an interview for the new nursing instructor and somehow I didn't get home to nearly 7. I got very little written because I had to pack up. I'm heading to Pittsburgh tomorrow.

Have another snippet.

Before he could protest she had no idea what might be out there, the curtain pulled back and Tanyth looked down at them. She raised an eyebrow. Her dark hair was slightly messed and there was a tear on her skirt but otherwise she seemed no worse for wear in spite of what went on outside.

"Zvon was worried." Arria squirmed out of his grasp, bouncing up.

"I'm sure he was. This wasn't an everyday sort of thing." Tanyth smiled.

"Was it really a demon?" Zvon said his voice thin as the soles of his shoes.

Tanyth nodded, beckoning them out of the sleeping bay. The train's whistle sounded loudly and the train started with a jerk. Startled, Zvon couldn't follow her for a few seconds. She was opening the curtains to the car when he managed to walk a few steps.

"I'm really leaving," he shivered, panic rising. His head swam.

Arria put a hand on his arm. "Are you all right?"

"I'm really leaving. I'm going!" Zvon's head swam again. His eyes flooded and he couldn't stop the tears this time. "I'm going."

Tanyth folded him up in her arms. She smelled of perfume and sweat from the battle she had just thought. She held him tight. "I know it's a very scary thing, young man. If you want to come back for whatever reason, I will make sure you do."

Zvon had no idea what to say to that. No sane person would want to go back to that but it was his dad, the only person he had in his life and he was leaving him. Fear shook him like a puppy with a stick. Tanyth sat him on the couch before he fell.

"Most of my other adoptees are truly orphans. They didn't have this conflict but I do understand your fear, Zvon. I wish I could promise it won't be scary or that you won't miss your father even if he hurt you. You will. But I hope what you gain with us will balance it out."

He couldn't find words so he nodded. Arria handed him a handkerchief, lacy and delicate so much so he didn't want to dirty it. He dabbed his eyes with it.

"He might not even miss me," he said finally, his voice cracking.

"He might. That's why I'm going to help you write your letter to him, like you asked." Arria plopped down next to him, hugging him. He was so sore now he couldn't help wincing but she didn't seem to notice. "Oh, you'll love Caeles. He can help you learn to read. Nobody ever has loved books more than him."

30597 / 50000 words. 61% done!

Write Every Day 21

I scheduled this early because as you're seeing this, I'm cross three states to get home for Thanksgiving to make Mom happy (I'm not into this holiday but my parents are aging so I want to spend time with them.) I'll edit in day 20's tally once I hit Pittsburgh.

Running late again. It's been a day that's a full week long I swear. I didn't get much done last night for hours until someone said word war. I am, if nothing else, competitive. I end up wiht 1775 words on my nano. Can't hate that.






Trust me, this meme is accurate for me 100%


( daily tally )

Made it to Pittsburgh

Forgot Kanda's bed. Opps. I found some old foam and wrapped it in his blanket He'll survive. Otherwise it was a good drive but I'm way behind on nanoing. I won't be updating the word count tonight but here's a snippet that should take us to they get back to the city.



"Your brother?"

"A friend."

Zvon nodded, rubbing at his eyes again. He glanced up at Tanyth. "How could you fight off a demon?"

"It was a Riwath, which isn’t' a true demon. There was a pack of them hoping to make a meal of the people on the train. It's not hard to use a little fire magic to deal with them but it takes time. I know you're probably not used to much magic here in ZZZ."

He shook his head. "I'm not sure I've seen much magic other than little things, like making something float or little light shows." Zvon gazed out the train car's window at the town slipping past them. "They were scary."

"The Riwath can be and they can certainly hurt you. They won't hurt anyone ever again."

The calm, matter of fact way Tanyth said it made him shiver again. She stroked his hair.

"You've had an emotional day. You could use some sleep but first, let me find a steward who can bring us something from the dining car," Tanyth said, slipping out the door.

Zvon stared after her, having no idea how people moved from one car to another while the train was moving. It sounded terrifying. And now that she had mentioned food, he was insanely hungry. Tanyth returned quickly and not much longer after, the steward arrived with a cart. On the small round table in the middle of the car, he set bowls of soup and plates with the fattest sandwich Zvon had ever seen. He couldn't believe his eyes.

"Some of this is for me?"

Tanyth laughed. "Of course. Have a seat."

Zvon lost his words again as he dipped the sandwich in the creamy soup, eventually using the bread to chase around the last remaining drops of the soup. He'd lick the bowl if he was alone but he didn't want Tanyth and Arria think he had no manners or class, which to be honest he had little of either.