This year I am working on a story called Bob vs. The Alien Slug Monsters. Instead of an outline I have a basic list of plot points I want to cover between meeting Bob and sending him off to fight the king of the slugs. There is more of a cast of characters than an actual outline, so we will see how the story develops. And with that intro we continue with Bob Versus the Alien Slug Monsters…
Day 35: It was however her collection that let him know for certain he was standing in Lucille’s cottage.
It was however her collection that let him know for certain he was standing in Lucille’s cottage. Lucille collected salt and pepper shakers. They were novelty salt and pepper shakers and no two sets were alike. There were fat little penguins and dancing bears. There were ears of corn and bunches of grapes. There were kissing Eskimo sets and gamboling clowns. There were salty Victorian ladies with their peppery top had gentlemen.
The collection lined shelves set into every wall. There were several hundred if he remembered correctly. ‘Or there were last time I visited with Lucille.’
Bob had to admit he hadn’t seen Lucille since his Aunt Margaret died and as he edged into the room he fervently hoped he wasn’t about to see her now. The creature splayed along the threshold had knocked down several shelves. While the small sofa and television on it’s stand were both knocked askew it was the sight of several crushed sets of salt and pepper shakers that bothered him.
Bob always considered the collection slightly mad and found sitting in a room filled with rows upon rows of salt and pepper shakers a little off putting, especially as his seat, when visiting was usually across from the Victorian couple. He always thought the smirk on the man’s face was slightly menacing. However seeing part of it destroyed made him feel a strange combination of sad and angry. Lucille was quite proud of her collection. She spent a life time collecting it, often bringing home a set from her travels. He hated seeing it destroyed.
As the slug was not moving, Bob decided to check the other rooms first. From the living space he could see the kitchenette and knew it was clear. That left the bedroom and bathroom. ‘Please don’t be there,’ he thought as he walked across the room to the bedroom door. Even though it wasn’t moving he kept an eye on the slug as he moved.
The bedroom and bath were a quick search and to his relief, Lucille was not there. The bed was un made and Lucille’s robe was tossed on tope of the sheets as though she decided to dress before making her bed but hadn’t gotten to the bed making part. ‘I hope she got to the dressed part,’ Bob thought.
He didn’t investigate further, feeling as though he pried into her personal space enough to be certain she wasn’t here and needing help. Bob returned to the living room. Now that all the houses were clear, there was only the slug. Bob eased forward. As part of the slug was half dissolved and it hadn’t moved since he first spotted it, Bob wasn’t too worried about him. He was worried about someone returning for their fallen comrade.
Bob made sure to keep out of the direct sight of the door, standing to the side of it. He could see out, but he didn’t think anyone could see in. Looking at the slug and the wreckage around it, Bob thought it looked like several of the salt and pepper shakers looked like they were thrown at the slug monster. His mind flashed on an image of Lucille defending herself with her collection and found his anger growing at the thought.
Ten til Midnight 