The fifteen minute novel writing experiment is a attempt to write a complete (and very rough) draft of a novel by writing for fifteen minutes each day. I have taken a timed writing from one of the daily prompts done in 2021, cleaned it up a little and used it as my jumping off point into a story. Each day I will take the last line of the story written the day before and use it as my sentence starter and write for fifteen minutes, growing the story as the year progresses.
Day 96: “It is clear you came here with very little and it is equally clear that you can’t go back to where you came from,” she said.
“It is clear you came here with very little and it is equally clear that you can’t go back to where you came from,” she said. Marta smiled to take the sting out of the words. “So if you leave here you will need to find a position, showing examples of your work could help secure you a place. We would not take that from you.”
Anya nodded. She hadn’t realized that helping people into a new place included her. Anya followed Marta down the hall and found herself entering a smaller room that looked very much the same as the place the others took her to pick up lace making supplies. It was identical, right down to the people setting it up. The only difference was the scale. The room was smaller and the firebox to the side was already well stocked with wood.
‘I guess the smaller size is both for warmth and the fewer number of people here over the winter,’ Anya thought. As they headed back towards her rooms, they passed a few larger sitting rooms where groups gathered. Here she saw the familiar groups with needlepoint and other stitchery tasks before them. She also saw several spots in the walls where the lines indicated doors.
“Can I ask about the studies?” Anya asked.
“Eager to see what the studies would be like if you planned to stay?” Marta asked.
“No,” Anya said. “Well yes, but I was talking about the abandoned ones. I stumbled on one by accident and now I am seeing them practically everywhere.”
Anya frowned. It seemed strange that there were so many.
Marta’s brow crinkled in confusion. “You are seeing studies everywhere?” she half repeated, half asked.
“Yes,” Anya said. As they were nearing a section of wall with one of the panels, Anya stopped and pointed to it. “See,” she said. “The panels, when they open the open into studies, or at least the few I’ve looked into. I suppose some of them could be other things.”
Marta looked to the wall and frowned. “What panel? She asked.
“The one right there?” she said. Anya pointed to the line nearest her.
Marta shook her head. “I don’t see anything.”
Anya’s frown deepened. She walked to the wall and pushed. The panel shifted with a loud squawk. It opened to reveal one of the disused studies. “See?”
Marta peered intently at the space. “I just see a wall, Anya.”
Anya blinked. She looked from Marta to the half opened panel. She opened it fully and stepped inside. She turned back to find Marta’s eyes wide and her mouth hanging open in shock. Anya stepped back out of the study. “See, it opens into a study,” Anya said.
Marta looked at her opening and closing her mouth a few times. “You were there and then you were gone,” Marta said. “You stepped through the wall.”
“No,” Anya said shaking her head. “I opened the panel and stepped into the study. How could you not have seen that?”
Marta shook her head. “I still don’t see a study. Is the panel open now?” she asked.
“Yes,” Anya replied.
Marta nodded. She lifted her arms in front of her and took a slow step forwards, hands feeling for the open panel.
Ten til Midnight 