For those just tuning in, this challenge is about taking a story idea from bare bones idea into a fully fledged story by writing consistently every week day for fifteen minutes. The sentence I end with on one day, is the sentence I start with on the following. Part one was Bob’s story and has nothing whatsoever to do with the story below. Part Two follows a character named Penelope. I have a few basic sentences to act as road marks on her journey. I am loosely calling that an outline. We will see where she ends up by the time the story is done. For now, we start Part two of the 2025 Fifteen Minute Writing Challenge.
Day 86: His voice was calm and even.
His voice was calm and even. Penelope nodded.
“Yes, I was lied to. Even beyond paying for whatever else there as, there is still money in that account. It didn’t run dry from my tuition.” She snorted. “It just seems like they wanted me to use less of it.”
Michaelson stayed silent and Penelope looked over to him. He shrugged. “It does seem that way on first glance,” he told her. “I will be digging deeper. Perhaps there will be a better explanation, perhaps not.”
“Will you tell me what you find?” she asked. She wasn’t sure how an imperial investigation worked. She assumed the information gathered would be put in a report and sent up to the emperor or whoever he detailed to look at such reports. She didn’t know if she would have access even if it was about her.
“Once my investigation is through there will be a meeting as well as a report to my higher ups.”
“A meeting?” Penelope asked.
Michaelson sighed. “Magic can be either an asset or a detriment to the empire as a whole. It is in everyone’s best interest that those with magic become assets. This is why this matter is being investigated by an imperial agent. Once the investigation is complete there will be a meeting to go through all the findings and determine next steps. It is not in our best inters to stand by and let someone take advantage of you.”
“Because I am more likely to help the empire if I am not annoyed that no one stopped them from pilfering my educational fund?” Penelope asked.
Michaelson nodded but kept his eyes on the road. “Like it or not you are no longer a general citizen.”
“I am someone to be monitored,” Penelope said.
“You are someone with extra protections,” Michaelson corrected. Penelope stared at him and he risked a glance towards her as they came up to a stop light. He slowed the car and stopped, waiting for the light to change.
“You are now considered important to the empire,” Michaelson said. “You have been assigned an agent in case there is trouble. As I am that agent for the foreseeable future I can tell you I have no interest in your daily details. Generally speaking I am the agent for over a dozen people. Most only call me when there are problems. You seemed to have stepped into a problem.” He turned back to face the windshield as the light turned green.
“Actually it might be your mother that stepped into the problem. You might have inherited it, or at least part of it. Once it is sorted you probably won’t see me unless you call or there is a specific task you might be hired to take care of. Should you choose to be put on the roster of those the emperor can call upon. Some don‘t. I have no intention of following you anywhere.”
“What if I leave,” Penelope asked. She decided she could figure out how she felt about having her own designated imperial agent later.
“Planning a trip?” he asked.
“Not exactly,” She said. “I inherited a house in the country.”
“And you planned to go there for a while?”
“Well I thought I should see if anything needs doing since it is now technically mine to look after, but I thought the library might be useful.”
Michaelson nodded thoughtfully.
Ten til Midnight 