Prisca's_Writing_Area

Title: They're here
Character: Mr. Smith, Jeremiah, Kurdy Malloy
Word Count: 341
Prompt: they're here
Finished: 24.01.2023

:::

„Shit!“ Jeremiah hit the brake with full force, and the jeep started skidding. „What the hell is this shitass doing there?“

Frowning, Kurdy stared at the small figure standing in the middle of the road; the old coat, the backpack, curly, brown hair; he had already met this guy before. And all he had hoped for was never to meet him again. „Fuck,“ he murmured when the guy stepped closer to the jeep.

„I was looking for you. I have a message to deliver. They are here!“

„I couldn't care less,“ Jeremiah huffed. „Get out of the way; we have a job to do!“

Green-brown eyes rested on him, looking determined. „I can't. I have a message for you.“

„I don't even know you; why should I listen to your bullshit?“

„Kurdy knows me. He knows that it might be better to listen.“

The big guy groaned, feeling more and more uncomfortable. „Actually... we have only met once, some weeks ago.“

„Actually... I saved your life.“

„Huh?“ With growing impatience, Jeremiah turned from the guy, who was still standing in front of the jeep, preventing them from just driving away, to his partner. "What is he talking about?"

„Remember that night when you got sick,“ Kurdy answered reluctantly. „And Marcus sent me to Clayton alone? Well, there was this group of skinheads, and I got in some trouble. He...“ He paused, shaking his head thoughtfully. „He... stepped in, I guess.“

„You guess?“ Jeremiah smirked, full of disbelief. „What did he do?“

„As I said, I saved his life.“

„You did stand up against a group of skinheads? I can't even see you carrying a weapon.“

„I don't like weapons. And I don't need them. God tells me what to do, and I follow his instructions.“ Smith shrugged, to Jeremiah's surprise, suddenly smiling. „Sometimes it works. I did save Kurdy's life back then. And maybe I will save yours today. You only need to listen. God says: They are here!“

Title: The Fireplace
Character: Kurdy Malloy
Word Count: 292
Prompt: Three times
Finished: 15.12.2022

:::

Kurdy was sitting in front of the fireplace, staring into the flames. It was this time of the year again, Christmas, and even if Erin did her best to make the Mountain a colorful, happy place, and Markus was more generous with alcohol and tobacco than usual, deep inside, Kurdy knew that he would never enjoy the holidays as much as the others did.

Most of the time, he was able not to think too much about the past; it made no sense. But around Christmas, one memory always sneaked into his mind.

He had still been a toddler of three years when he was allowed to stay up longer in the evening. Sitting in front of the fireplace with his parents, listening to his mom, reading a book, taking in the sweet smell of his dad's pipe until he finally fell asleep. He had felt happy and safe, and he had been sure, that Christmas would always be like this.

But it had lasted only for two years. When he was five, he joined his father in the woods to gather firewood. „Can I light the fire this evening,“ he had asked, his heart beating wildly with excitement. „Please?“ And his father had smiled. „Next year, Kurdy, when you are going to school. Then you will be a big boy, and I will teach you to light a fire.“

The wood in the fireplace made a sizzling noise, the flames were flickering brighter for a moment. Kurdy squeezed his eyes shut, but it didn't help to escape the pictures. Only some months later, the Big Death changed everything. All adults died because of the virus. His mom did, his father did. And he had never lightened the fire on Christmas Eve.

Title: Coming home for Christmas
Character: Casey Connor, Gabe Santora
Word Count: 486
Prompt: a taxi an old enemy and Christmas day
Finished: 21.12.2022

:::

With a wide grin on his face, Casey grabbed his backpack and left the checkout. Okay, this Christmas break didn't start as hoped. Zeke had promised to pick him up, but then the GTO broke down two days ago, and because of the holiday madness, he hadn't been able to get the needed spare parts in time.

But hey, Columbus's small, usually monotonous airport was bathed in colorful lights, and Christmas carols were coming out of the loudspeaker. After four long months at college, great months, yes, he enjoyed Boston, had a friendly roommate, and MIT still felt like the biggest adventure of his life, but finally, he was at home again. He had missed Herrington, and his parents, and Zeke, of course.

Nothing would ruin his good mood today, not even the crowded airport. He stepped out of the door, a cold wind hit his face; it was snowing. Casey pulled his scarf tighter, looking around for a taxi without much hope. There, at the corner! A young couple had just left the cab, and the driver was waiting for new passengers. Casey chuckled to himself; what a lucky fellow he was.

But when he stepped closer, he noticed him. Gabe Santora. His smile vanished; for sure the last one he wanted to run into. Even if the bullying at school had died away after the alien incident; he had always stayed the geek and the jocks... Well, they had never been friends.

He watched Gabe opening the taxi's door, bending forward while he talked with the driver. And Casey huffed slightly; okay, he would have to wait for the next cab to show up. Which could take some time. Maybe he should go back inside for a hot coffee if he didn't want to turn into an ice block?

„Hey, Casey!“

The voice made him jump instinctively.

„Going home for Christmas?“

„Hm... yes.“

„Looking for a Taxi? Guess we could share one.“

Casey frowned, not knowing what to think about this. „It's okay; I can wait.“

„ Understand. But hey, we are not at Highschool anymore. No need to worry.“

„What do you want, Gabe?“

„Maybe... saying sorry?“ The boy shrugged. „I know, it was not okay, what happened. But Highschool is hell; if you don't play along, you are the loser. And I always wanted to belong to the winner. At least at school.“

He paused for a moment before continuing. „My dad left my mom when I was still a baby. She never got over it, drank too much, blamed me for her miserable life. I knew I had to fight, or I would end like her.“

Casey blinked. „Okay. I didn't know that,“ he murmured.

„I never told anyone before.“ A slight smile appeared on Gabe's face while he grabbed Casey's backpack. „C'mon, let's head home. Guess your mom is already waiting for you.“