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 45: ‘There is an arena across town,’ he thought.
‘There is an arena across town,’ he thought. While he wasn’t certain how many seats the arena had, he figured each of the stretchers would cover at least three seats. ‘Maybe four.’ He didn’t know if the arena would be capable of holding everyone on stretchers.
Gradually he became aware of the whining drone of the disks. Bob again looked for a place to hunker down and remain hidden. Shadows were lengthening so there was more concealment. There was no dumpster where he was, but he did see as small loading bay. Bob scrambled up the back stairs onto the concrete pad by the door. The concrete area and door had an awning over it that provided extra shadows. Still Bob moved towared the door. It was set back in the wall. While it didn’t cover him completely he thought if he stayed still he might be less noticeable.
Bob stayed still. He was getting better at listening to the changes in the droning of the disks and Bob recognized their approach.
‘Maybe it is also because I know where they were before.’ He waited. The disks got louder and while listening Bob realized he could see more of the street from this angle. He was behind the furniture store and it as on a corner. He realized he might actually get a better sense of where the slugs were going. They could take a left towards the Arena or go straight and continue into the old town. He would at least be able to get a better direction.
Bob waited. The slugs got louder and louder as they approached. Then Bob saw movement. They flew past his hiding spot. None of them even glanced in his direction. They were moving in a long line. Bob waited until the line passed and then quickly moved off of the loading dock. While still staying hidden in the shadows, Bob moved as close to the end of the alley as he dared, wanting to see more of the slugs course.
He watched the end of the line. They continued straight in a long line towards the old town. Watching Bob could see other groups of slugs now. They were coming from other side streets and joining the line he was watching.
‘Other work crews,’ Bob thought noticing the streets they were using lead to other damaged parts of town.
‘So they are repairing things,’ he thought. Bob blinked. “Maybe. From here he couldn’t see the damaged roads or buildings. He thought it made sense though. ‘As much as anything does.’ He blinked and wondering if he was having a particularly vivid dream. While his eyes followed the progress of the slugs, Bob pinched himself. The pinch hurt.
‘I guess I am not sleeping,’ he thought. ‘Pity.’
The slugs disappeared and none of the other slugs seemed to be joining the main group. Bob kept to the shadows as he moved forward, following the slugs into the old town. As evening was progressing the shadows were deeper and none of the slugs appeared to be looking backwards. He was as cautious as he could be but he needed to find out where they were going.
Bob slipped a hand to his bag and gripped the container of salt. It would be better not to have to use it. Using it meant he had been spotted. ‘And I doubt I have enough salt for all of them.’
Bob thought about the small amount of salt it took to destroy the other slug.
Ten til Midnight 