Storylines

Posted 4:11 PM by Tim
::Reader's Note
Once again, totally unrelated plotline!
::End Note

He woke up slowly. At first just noticing the jostling and bouncing of the old truck, and later the smell of the oily black smoke that poured out of the exhaust. He wasn't sure how he'd managed to fall asleep. The noise, bouncing and smell were overpowering, and had kept him awake to the point of exhaustion. Even when he had been truly tired, the jagged floor of the rusted truck bed was too uncomfortable. Attack, or the threat of attack were too prevalent most evenings as well. Somehow, though he had fallen asleep. He last remembered it being early in the day, but the sky now showed that it was closer to night.

"Pedro," he croaked, his throat dry from the dust and lack of water. He licked his lips and tried again, "Pedro!"

"Si, Lance."

"Water, please." Pedro handed him a small canteen of water. It tasted stale and rusty. He handed it back. The landscape hadn't changed much while he was asleep, which meant that they probably hadn't gone too far yet. Running supplies north across the border was tricky business, and not something that you'd try during the day. Nighttime runs weren't much better, but you took an advantage where you found one.

The cargo wasn't much different from all of the other runs. Some weapons, ammo, smokes, booze and drugs. Maybe a few medical supplies or food. Sometimes the shipment would make it across the border (less a little for bribes), and sometimes it didn't. Lance had been fortunate enough to never ride with a shipment that got caught. More often than not, the border guards would get a few minutes of target practice before incarcerating the survivors - if any.

This was his last planned run. Actually, it was the run after the last. He had stopped making runs two months ago, since he no longer needed the money, but he had been forced into making this one last run by a series of bad luck, ending with a debt owed to a loan shark. Once he was done this run, he would have repaid his debt. He wasn't planning on going back though, this time. He was going to stay.

::Reader's Note
Umm, this story is getting away from me, and I'm not sure where it's headed. Maybe I'll catch up on it later. "Lance" is a silly name though, eh?
::End Note

Posted 10:35 AM by Tim
::Reader's Note
I'm back! After 4 full months of hiatus, I'm finally back. I've got my muse, and a place for this to all go. I hope to find some time to make a real post today too. Until then, enjoy this bit of random:
::End Note

The slap had been unexpected. Nobody had ever slapped him before. Not really. A few playful pats now and then, but never a real slap. He wasn't sure what to do next. The thought of hitting her back crossed his mind. He pushed it aside. His mouth fell open like he was about to speak. It closed again. He looked at her face, all rage and anger and frustration. He turned and left her fuming.

::Reader's Note
And this:
:: End Note

"He smiled like a man unaccustomed to the action. It was fascinating to watch. It looked like he had to remember which muscles made the corners of the mouth turn upwards instead of down. It was almost more a grimace than smile, but, he was smiling."