Welcome to the Wakefield Doctrine (the theory of clarks, scotts and rogers)
This is the Six Sentence Story.
It is hosted by Denise.
The rules: employing the week’s prompt word, write a story of six, (and only six), sentences. Post it to her site. Go to the other Sixes, read, enjoy and comment.
This week: the most recent episode from the Ian Devereaux story, ‘the Case of the Missing Fig Leaf’. (If this is your first exposure to our serial story, click on the title.)
Given the interval between installments, allow me to offer a recap, a ‘previously in our story’, if you will. Ian Devereaux has been hired by his friend, Dr. Leanne Thunberg, to find her ex-husband, Elias. An overly-respected academic, Elias Thunberg departed Radcliffe with little warning, leaving only a cryptic note, “I am on the verge of uncovering the truth about the First Woman. Soon the world will have an understanding and appreciation of the myth of Lilith; a portrait both academically-rigorous in perspective and insightful into the female psyche.”
This week’s prompt word:
GALLERY
[Eibigen Abby
Rüdesheim am Rhein, Germany]
“I won’t ask you again, who sent you?”
The dusty-wet smell of ancient stone pushed aside the other sensory cues like a sixth grader with a five-o’clock shadow and a hormone-induced chip on his shoulder; Elias Thunberg tried to gather clues to establish the ‘where’ in what is, arguably, the most fundamental question of Man, ‘Where am I?”
There was light, pervasive but anemic, floating rather than filling the space surrounding the metal chair; however, the most primitive lobe of his brain, so old it predated language, shrieked an alarm: the dark above him was solid, as expansive as it might feel, he was certain they were well below the surface of the earth.
Like the picture forming on an ancient black-and-white television, a woman stood facing him, her back to a low stone railing running from one wall to the other, suggesting he was on the platform of a gallery, beyond, (and below), which, the dim light sank into a silent death; leaning towards Elias she whispered, “I’m the only one who thinks you’re worth…taking time on; so let me make this easy with a single question, ‘Are you going to ask about the girl?”
“What girl?”
Behind, (and below), his interrogator, came a sound that was a mix of a sigh and a curse; now standing closely enough to see individual eyelashes, the woman hardened with a reluctant straightening of joints and sinew; Dr. Elias Thunberg knew with mortal certainty his next words would define the remainder of his life.
Intense segment! Doesn’t bode well for the girl.Great 2nd sentence.
(yeah, but we were lead to believe that she, Lacy, I believe her name was, made it to the local postmaster where she sent a letter.) of course, what happened to her next…
Wowza, definitely intense–edge of your seat stuff!
Thanks, Z(s)
You’re welcome, my pleasure!! :)
The dusty wet smell of ancient stone…so vivid! Excellent.
thanks, Paul
It leaves me wondering what those next words will be.
totally agree*
*hopefully O’ll find out in time!
The things you go through for your academic career. No, really, excellent segment.
lol. ty M
This is a riveting story, and I like the interesting similes.
Thank you, Romi. It was fun to write
This segment definitely leaves us sitting on the edge of our seats! Very well written!
Thankee, Miz. Shoes
Excellent!
Thank you, Susan
I agree, this is a riveting story, especially told within the 6 sentence requirement.
ty, cg
Outstanding! The atmospherics, imagery and intrigue it generates are all superb.
Thank you, Reena
I felt as if I were present. Nicely executed… Like the music.
Thanks, Lisa
(lol sometimes the music works better than we think, this was one of those times)