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 102: While she doubted it would do anything in the apartment, Penelope liked the thought of a little extra protection when she went out.
While she doubted it would do anything in the apartment, Penelope liked the thought of a little extra protection when she went out. The phone rang, and Penelope looked at the screen. ‘Its almost as though he heard me thinking of going out,’ Penelope thought seeing Michaelson’s name and number on her screen. She was glad she took a moment to add the number before her overly long nap the night before.
“Hello?” she answered hesitantly not entirely certain she wanted news from Michaelson.
“Ms. Douglas, good afternoon,” he said. As thought to emphasize that it was indeed afternoon, her stomach rumbled. Penelope climbed off the bed and walked towards the kitchen as she talked with Agent Michaelson.
“Good afternoon,” Penelope said. She knew it would be a bit rude to eat while talking to him but thought she could get away with making a sandwich. “Has something happened?”
“I just wanted to touch base with you about your car,” he said. “We had it examined. The brake line has indeed been cut and I have reviewed your mothers file. The damage looks the same. I wanted to ask you if you knew of any enemies your mother or family in general might have had or if you know anyone who might know that.”
Penelope put the phone on speaker and set it on the counter as she opened the bag of sliced bread. “I don’t know of any enemies,” Penelope said. “I was kind of young at the time. A woman dropped by saying she was friends with mom and she might know more.”
Penelope gave him Mrs. Merriweather’s name and contact information.
“I will be in touch with her. We will be keeping your car a little longer so that repairs can be done. Security cameras are also going to be installed in the parking garage you use.”
“I see,” Penelope said. “I thought they had cameras.”
“They have them on the entrance and exits,” he said. “These will be a bit more focused.”
Penelope wasn’t entirely sure how she felt about cameras watching her car, but couldn’t find a way to logically complain. She didn’t like being watched but someone had cut her car’s brake line. ‘Maybe it will be temporary.’
“Oh,” Penelope said. She opened the jar of peanut butter and dipped a knife into the creamy spread.
“I should also tell you that the investigation into your accounts has begun. It…it may cause you some family drama.”
Penelope thought about the last phone call from Jeanette. “I’m sure it will.”
“I don’t know how close you ae, but it might be best to maintain distance for a bit while this is sorted.”
“I’ll do my best,” Penelope said. After that Michaelson promised to keep her appraised of any developments. The call ended and she suspected that she would only be apprised of certain developments. She thought of Mrs. Merriweather and stabbed the butter knife into the peanut butter jar, leaving it there. She then dialed Mrs. Merriweather. She picked up on the second ring.
“Penelope how delightful to hear from you,” she said into the phone.
“I wanted to warn you that you may get a call from Agent Michaelson,” Penelope started. She quickly explained the situation.
“Just like your mother,” the lady gasped. “Intolerable.”
Penelope smiled at the indignant tone.
Ten til Midnight 