Monday, April 30, 2012

Creepy Hollow Fae: Zapper


Year of study: second
Assignment type: group (with mentor)





“First question,” says Milton-The-New-Mentor. “What’s the zapper’s real name?”

“Zoochimera.”

“Zofolofel?”

“Zany-monkey?”

Milton raises an eyebrow. “No, no, and definitely no.”

We’re standing in a supermarket aisle between bags of flour and packets of dried fruit. In the next few minutes a woman is supposedly going to come down this aisle and find herself accosted by a zapper. The four of us, guided by the newest mentor at the Guild, are supposed to save her.

“What’s wrong with zoochimera?” I demand. Offering up an incorrect answer is not something I’m used to. “The zapper’s composed of parts of different creatures, so that makes it like a chimera, right?”

“Zoochimera is a stupid name,” says Rush.

“Oh, like Zany-monkey isn’t?”

“Zany-monkey is awesome—”

“Stop being an idiot, Rush,” says Honey.

“Okay,” Milton says above all of us. “You’re all going to be looking that up for homework. Including Dale, who decided not to answer at all.”

“Hey,” I say, pointing behind Milton to where a woman has just turned her trolley into our aisle. “Do you think that’s her?” Packets of raisins suddenly explode into the air, and a zapper jumps off a shelf and onto the woman’s trolley.

It has wings like a sprite, a body like a goblin, and the hideous head of an urisk. Its tail ends in a sharp barb, which is how it earned itself the nickname ‘zapper’. It also appears to be concealing itself with a glamour, because the only thing the woman seems to find weird about this whole situation is the flying raisin phenomenon.

The zapper straightens, its tail curling up and over its shoulder, getting ready to ... well, zap.

“Okay, guys,” whispers Milton. “Just like we discussed.”

~  ~  ~

Like this flash fiction? Find out more about the Creepy Hollow series.
If you'd like to know more about my A to Z flash fiction pieces, read my A to Z Challenge Theme for 2012 post.


12 comments:

Cherie Reich said...

I kinda like Zany-monkey too. Hehe!

I've loved your theme and really can't wait to read more about Vi.

Libby said...

Way to leave us hanging! I for one enjoy Zany-monkey...

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Zany-Monkey!
Hope you had fun with the Challenge.

Allison said...

Way to finish the challenge strong! I admire you for writing flash fiction for every day. Now hopefully you can let your mind rest for a little bit :)

Allison (Geek Banter)

Elise Fallson said...

Zany-Monkey FTW! :D
and Congrats on finishing A-Z!
I've got Creepy Hollow on my to read list, I can't wait!!!! (:

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

Great flash fiction piece. Congrats on finishing A to Z.

Krista McLaughlin said...

Congrats on finishing A-Z! It feels good to be done.

Trisha said...

I don't know how they get any work done with all the fun they have in training! hehe

Fairview said...

I love the exploding raisin packets. Funny, these things never happen to me when I go to the grocer.

Great job!

Anonymous said...

Hi Rachel! Wonderful last post! Actually, I've liked reading all your 26 posts in the challenge. Great sense of humour in them, I've laughed out loud too many times to count.

And YAY! We did it, we survived April!!! *doing happy jiggle at home*

Annalisa Crawford said...

I haven't stopped by as often as I hoped to - blogs. visiting, commenting... it all took its toll!

I've really enjoyed all of the posts I've read though!

Congratulations on finishing the challenge!

Anonymous said...

I vote Zany-Monkey, too.