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 165: “It is good to know your limitations,” the statue said. “Safety from those who pursue you and a safe home to call your own. It is not the grandest request to be placed before me, but obtaining it might prove difficult. What are you willing to offer in return?”
“It is good to know your limitations,” the statue said. “Safety from those who pursue you and a safe home to call your own. It is not the grandest request to be placed before me, but obtaining it might prove difficult. What are you willing to offer in return?”
“Offer,” Anya repeated. She wasn’t certain she liked the sound of that.
“Gifts do not come free,” the statue said.
“I thought that was the nature of gifts,” Anya said before she could stop herself. “Otherwise they are not gifts but bargains.”
A loud laugh rumbled through the space. It vibrated in Anya’s chest painfully shaking her bones. The longer it continued the more it hurt. Anya’s inner voice may have claimed this as a safe space, but she was certain the statue could destroy her just by laughing at her.
“This is true,” the statue said, her laughter tapering off but the amusement still staining her voice. The voice still hurt but it wasn’t as painful as the statues laughter. “I admire your spirit little one and it has been long since I have found such amusement. You are correct, and so I will gift you with safety, however if you wish for more than that, you will need to bargain. “
“Thank you,” Anya said hesitantly.
“You are welcome,” the statue replied. “And perhaps when you decide exactly what it is you want, the bargain will be more beneficial.”
“I suppose,” Anya said. “It is always good to know what you want before you bargain. At least in the market,” she added. Anya had never bargained with a statue before and couldn’t begin to know what the statue would want or what she would ask of her.
“And by your safety you will know I can uphold my end of any bargain,” the statue said. “Yes, I think that will be best.”
“I agree,” Anya said somewhat more hesitantly.
“Then return to your slumber and know that safety will come to you,” The statue said.
Before Anya could open her mouth to reply, she blinked and found herself not in the strange temple but in her bed. She woke up, looked around the room blearily and closed her eyes, sliding back into sleep.
When she next opened her eyes, there was a light glow around the vents that provided both air and light to her space. They faced the early dawn so she knew that morning was newly started. Anya sat up in the chilly room and hurriedly moved to the banked fire to stir it to life and start the water for her morning tea. The flames soon grew and she swung the kettle over the fire.
While the water came to a boil, Anya dressed for the day, washing as best as she was able in the basin of cold water at her wash stand. As she shivered, Anya thought longingly of the bath she had not been able to use. It was on mornings like this that she would have enjoyed the luxury more she suspected.
Ten til Midnight 