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 145: She thought of the burnt-out shell his car became.
She thought of the burnt-out shell his car became. “or what was on your car.” She added.
“No,” Michaelson said. He frowned. “There was no protection on the car I was driving. It was just from the general pool. It is why we are waiting here. A car with actual protections to prevent mechanical tampering by magic has been added. Also should anyone try manually tampering with the vehicle they will get the shock of their lives.”
He ran a hand through his hair and Penelope realized that while he was hiding it well, the explosion rattled him. It made her feel a little bit better about her still shaky insides. “I actually wouldn’t mind seeing that if I am being honest.”
Penelope smiled. “I wouldn’t mind much myself,” she replied. “Do you think it was magical instead of mechanical?”
“Well, I don’t think anyone rolled under the car and attached it as soon as we were at the stoplight,’ he said.
“Well, no but it could have been on some sort of timer, maybe in conjunction with when you used the breaks?” She asked.
Michaelson studied her with some surprise.
“Everything else has been tied to the breaks,” she explained with a shrug. “Why not this since someone is clearly familiar with the area.”
Michaelson’s surprise cleared and he nodded. “Possible I suppose,” he said. “And something that will be checked out. The wreckage is being brought in for study.”
“It would be nice to know if it was a timer or magic,” Penelope said. “If I have an enemy I would like to know if they have magic or not at least.”
“It would be helpful to know I suppose,” Michaelson said. He took a deep breath and looked at Penelope. “You mentioned the greenhouse, the one off of 18th?”
“Yes,” Penelope said. “Unless you know of another one.”
“No that one is fine,” he assured her. “Were there any other errands you needed to run today?”
Penelope shook her head. “I’m still stocked with groceries and I mostly need to start going through the house. I don’t like not knowing what’s inside and maybe I will call Mrs. Merriweather.” Penelope shrugged. “The greenhouse was the only place I planned to visit. Why?”
“Well due to…I think that just for today I may shadow you. I will stay out of your way and you don’t need to look around for me, but I know the house has protections. Until we figure out who is after you, I would like to make sure you get back to a protected space.”
Penelope nodded. She could still feel the echoes of the inner order to run and the reaction to her near death moment. “I am okay with that,” Penelope said. “As long as you didn’t need to camp out on my door step. I think my neighbors might object to that.”
“And we wouldn’t want to anger your neighbors.”
Penelope made a face before she could help herself.
Ten til Midnight 