It’s almost tax day in the US. Guess who still hasn’t done hers? Yup. Every year, I say I’m going to do them as soon as I get all the paperwork, and every year, I do them the day before.
But today, it’s time for another SFF Saturday Snippet! What’s SFF Saturday? It’s a group of authors who post snippets of SFF prose and poetry for comment. You can check out other SFF Saturday posts, too.
For the next couple of weeks, I’ll be giving you snippets from a short story I wrote called Old Wounds. This is the sixth part. You can find the other parts here.
When we left Master Sorne, her mysterious guest was holding a gun to Sorne’s apprentice’s head.
“Don’t move,” he said.
She did not know the dark-haired man. His voice held traces of a coastal accent, his bearing sure, and the hand holding the pistol fine and steady. He had money; his fingers were not those of a laborer. She held her place—and her tongue.
“Now move to your right and place the knife on the counter.”
He also had a brain. Careful to keep her movements slow and her hands visible, she laid the palmed blade on the table. At the end of the stranger’s pistol Dilan stood silently, but his whole body shook like a new leaf in a spring breeze.
“And any other blades you have on you, if you’d please.”
Any guess as to what Sorne’s very next thought is?
Ann Laurel Kopchik 
“You son-of-a…” At least, that’s what I would think.
I complete my tax return in early February every year. You would be surprised how quickly you get the refund back when you do it then. I get mine direct-deposited into my account within two weeks.
I know I should do them earlier… I can always use the cash. I think this goes back to when I had to *pay* the feds every year. Then I bought a house…
It’s been interesting to see what folks have her think… 🙂
“I hope he doesn’t search me”? 🙂
Fun snippet.
Thanks!
Our mystery guest knows better than to get within arms reach of Sorne. She might not know who he is, but he knows who she is…and was.
What does he want?
She’s like to know that, too!
I wonder how many blades she has….
That’s what he’s thinking…. 🙂
The tension is skyrocketing. And it’s fun to read. As far as next thoughts: time to take him out? 🙂
🙂
We shall see. There are very few reasons she’s jeopardize Dilan’s life, though…
Ooh! Nice. I love how you capture the scene so well through Sorne’s eyes. Both the personality and the details come screaming through. I wanna’ read the rest.
🙂 Thanks!
I like her analysis of him and then he seems to know she has more blades on her. Quite intriguing! Nice snippet!
And Patrick is right. Doing your taxes that early, I got mine direct deposited within three weeks. 🙂 I remember checking my account and I was like, “OOOOOOHHHH!” lol
She’s rather well known, mostly from her previous career… so he’s got a jump on her.
I would guess her next thought would be “I’ll give you a blade…right between the eyes.” Great character and I like how she sums up the situation. Great tension.
Thanks!