DDDragoni's Writing Blog

I'm writing stuff. Icon by lunaryhues Comments and constructive criticism are always welcome!

[dddragoni-drabbles]

Hello! Welcome to... whatever this is! I'm putting out a bit of writing once a day, every day, for as long as I can keep it up.

As I'm typing this, I've just reached the one-month mark with this project, so I figured it might be good to have an intro of sorts to pin to the top of the blog.

Table of Contents/Calendar

Subject Compendium

Original Rationale

Main Blog

[dddragoni-drabbles]

I've been told in the past that I have a way with words. I'd like to think that's true. I certainly know a lot of words, I've read enough in my time for that to be the case. And I enjoy using words. I love telling stories, I love wordplay, I love improv and roleplay. It's endlessly fascinating to me the myriad ways that these combinations of letters can communicate endless ideas and emotions.

So why is it that when the time comes to say something important, my words fail me? Trying to comfort someone in need, or ask for help, or tell people how much I care for them. To express honest opinions or emotions. Whenever I try, it feels so... fake. Hollow. Like I'm assembling a shell in the shape of what I'm trying to express rather than saying something true and meaningful. I'm not smiling, I'm holding up a comedy mask.

I have a million words, but I can't find the right ones. So I use none of them. I like the memorial post for a loved one. I react with a hug emoji to a friend in crisis. I suffer my insecurities and fears in silence. I leave ideas unsaid, plans unproposed, for literal years.

I can weave all sorts of words into fiction, but I'm powerless when reality is involved. When there's actual weight to what I' saying, the words won't come.

You've failed me, words. Or I failed you.

Or maybe I just failed myself.

[dddragoni-drabbles]

I don't expect anyone following this blow to be in the actual target audience for this, but it's my writing so I'm putting it on my writing blog anyway. This is a fanfic for SpacePaladin15's excellent Nature of Predators series, which is a sci-fi story about humanity coming into contact with a galactic federation consisting entirely of herbivores that believes any meat-eating creature is inherently monstrous. Go check it out, cuz this fic takes place afterward and has some big spoilers.

[dddragoni-drabbles]

I don't expect anyone following this blog to be in the actual target audience for this, but it's my writing so I'm putting it on my writing blog anyway. This is a fanfic for SpacePaladin15's excellent Nature of Predators series, which is a sci-fi story about humanity coming into contact with a galactic federation consisting entirely of herbivores that believes any meat-eating creature is inherently monstrous. Go check it out, cuz this fic takes place afterward and has some big spoilers.

[dddragoni-drabbles]

Tezu watched through the viewport as the pirate starship plunged into the gas giant's atmosphere, vanishing forever beneath the clouds. He let out the breath he was holding, then looked over to his companion. "See, Nines? Told you it would work!"

JX-909 turned to face Tezu, the expression on the android's faceplate as placid as ever. "It appears you were correct," it said. "My calculations failed to consider that the pirates could possibly be even more stubborn and foolhardy than you."

Tezu cracked a wry grin. "Ah, you're just grumpy because I was right and you were wrong." He tossed a spare bolt towards Nines, which pinged off its head, then turned back to the control panel. "All right, lets head out. Sooner we get this delivery done, the sooner we can get to the show on Hino-5."

"I am afraid that we will not be making it to the show on time." Nines' eyes lit up, projecting a holographic diagram of their ship in front of Tezu. Nearly all of it was highlighted yellow, orange, or red. "The ship suffered severe damage during the pirate attack and our subsequent manuevers."

Tezu leaned forward to study the diagram. "...no kidding. We're not gonna blow up, are we?"

"No. All components are stable, though many have limited functionality." The diagram split apart, showing the damaged parts in more detail. "Of primary concern is the subspace drive. In its current state, it will be unable to sustain speeds in excess of 2.4 astroknots."

"2.4?" Tezu turned back to Nines, aghast. "That's practically nothing! Can we fix it up?"

"Negative. I had to use the last of our nanogel supply to prevent the reactor from going critical during the skirmish with the pirates." Despite its motionless faceplate, Tezu could tell Nines was glaring at him. "I told you we should have resupplied at Jericho Station."

"And the only spare parts nearby are..." Tezu looked to the gas giant and grimaced. "So I guess we just have to call for help, then."

"That is not an option either." Nines rotated the diagram, highlighting some missing instruments on the ship's underside. "Both longwave and subwave communication arrays were rendered inoperable in the fight. Our signal would not be able to reach outside of this system, and the odds of another ship passing close enough to hear it are infinitesimal."

Tezu slumped back in his chair. "Shit... what can we do, then?"

"I have determined one potential course of action. By minimizing unnecessary uses of power and utilizing all available resources, the ship's life support can be kept functioning long enough to get within shortwave range of the nearest inhabited planet, even with a maximum speed of 2.4 astroknots."

Tezu's brow furrowed. "And how long is that?"

"By my current calculations, approximately 4.7 months."

"Months!?" Tezu shook his head and sighed. "Well, if that's our best option... Guess we'll be getting to know each other pretty well then, huh?"

"No. We will not." Nines shut off its diagram and started walking to the back of the ship.

"The hell do you mean, we will not?" Tezu stood and started following the android. "You just gonna ignore me for the next four-point-whatever months?"

"In order to have the greatest chance of success, my plan requires utilization of all available resources." It removed a wall panel and started manipulating the wires within. "'All available resources' includes my power core."

Tezu froze in his tracks. "You... you're joking, right?" He chuckled, lips curling into a tight smile even as his eyes went wide. "That's... really not funny, Nines."

"It is not a joke. I am powered by a Z-38 Tau core. With simple modifications, its output can be redirected to an external system." Nines flipped open a compartment on its chest and pulled more wires out, running them into the open wall panel. "Without that power, your life support will fail within three months."

"But... No, that's..." Tezu shook his head and grabbed Nines' arm. "There's gotta be some other way!"

"There is not." Unbothered by the interference, Nines continued adjusting wires with its free hand.

"You can't just leave me alone in space for months!"

"My options are to leave you alone or condemn you to starvation. It is not a difficult decision to make." Ignoring Tezu's continued protests, Nines wrenched its arm free from his grip and folded its limbs into its body. "Your course is already set. When you return to Jericho, Ms. Potera should be able to undo my modifications to the ship. Goodbye, Tezu."

The light behind Nines' faceplate flickered, then winked out, the android's head slumping forward, then falling still, leaving Tezu with nothing but silence and the cold, empty abyss of space.

[dddragoni-drabbles]

Tezu watched through the viewport as the pirate starship plunged into the gas giant's atmosphere, vanishing forever beneath the clouds. He let out the breath he was holding, then looked over to his companion. "See, Nines? Told you it would work!"

JX-909 turned to face Tezu, the expression on the android's faceplate as placid as ever. "It appears you were correct," it said. "My calculations failed to consider that the pirates could possibly be even more stubborn and foolhardy than you."

Tezu cracked a wry grin. "Ah, you're just grumpy because I was right and you were wrong." He tossed a spare bolt towards Nines, which pinged off its head, then turned back to the control panel. "All right, lets head out. Sooner we get this delivery done, the sooner we can get to the show on Hino-5."

"I am afraid that we will not be making it to the show on time." Nines' eyes lit up, projecting a holographic diagram of their ship in front of Tezu. Nearly all of it was highlighted yellow, orange, or red. "The ship suffered severe damage during the pirate attack and our subsequent manuevers."

Tezu leaned forward to study the diagram. "...no kidding. We're not gonna blow up, are we?"

"No. All components are stable, though many have limited functionality." The diagram split apart, showing the damaged parts in more detail. "Of primary concern is the subspace drive. In its current state, it will be unable to sustain speeds in excess of 2.4 astroknots."

"2.4?" Tezu turned back to Nines, aghast. "That's practically nothing! Can we fix it up?"

"Negative. I had to use the last of our nanogel supply to prevent the reactor from going critical during the skirmish with the pirates." Despite its motionless faceplate, Tezu could tell Nines was glaring at him. "I told you we should have resupplied at Jericho Station."

"And the only spare parts nearby are..." Tezu looked to the gas giant and grimaced. "So I guess we just have to call for help, then."

"That is not an option either." Nines rotated the diagram, highlighting some missing instruments on the ship's underside. "Both longwave and subwave communication arrays were rendered inoperable in the fight. Our signal would not be able to reach outside of this system, and the odds of another ship passing close enough to hear it are infinitesimal."

Tezu slumped back in his chair. "Shit... what can we do, then?"

"I have determined one potential course of action. By minimizing unnecessary uses of power and utilizing all available resources, the ship's life support can be kept functioning long enough to get within shortwave range of the nearest inhabited planet, even with a maximum speed of 2.4 astroknots."

Tezu's brow furrowed. "And how long is that?"

"By my current calculations, approximately 4.7 months."

"Months!?" Tezu shook his head and sighed. "Well, if that's our best option... Guess we'll be getting to know each other pretty well then, huh?"

"No. We will not." Nines shut off its diagram and started walking to the back of the ship.

"The hell do you mean, we will not?" Tezu stood and started following the android. "You just gonna ignore me for the next four-point-whatever months?"

"In order to have the greatest chance of success, my plan requires utilization of all available resources." It removed a wall panel and started manipulating the wires within. "'All available resources' includes my power core."

Tezu froze in his tracks. "You... you're joking, right?" He chuckled, lips curling into a tight smile even as his eyes went wide. "That's... really not funny, Nines."

"It is not a joke. I am powered by a Z-38 Tau core. With simple modifications, its output can be redirected to an external system." Nines flipped open a compartment on its chest and pulled more wires out, running them into the open wall panel. "Without that power, your life support will fail within three months."

"But... No, that's..." Tezu shook his head and grabbed Nines' arm. "There's gotta be some other way!"

"There is not." Unbothered by the interference, Nines continued adjusting wires with its free hand.

"You can't just leave me alone in space for months!"

"My options are to leave you alone or condemn you to starvation. It is not a difficult decision to make." Ignoring Tezu's continued protests, Nines wrenched its arm free from his grip and folded its limbs into its body. "Your course is already set. When you return to Jericho, Ms. Potera should be able to undo my modifications to the ship. Goodbye, Tezu."

The light behind Nines' faceplate flickered, then winked out, the android's head slumping forward, then falling still, leaving Tezu with nothing but silence and the cold, empty abyss of space.

[dddragoni-drabbles]

Sinister laughter echoed through the tower's antechamber as a trasparent projection of Zoris, Grand Sorceress of Darkness shimmered into being above the party. "I'm impressed, Flamewings," she said, voice dripping with condescension. "Most people would have given in to the inevitable by now, but here you are! You really are a stubborn bunch."

"Enough hiding begind projections!" Galena cried, hoisting her pike. "Get out here and face us, Zoris!"

Zoris's lip curled into an exaggerated pout. "Oh, I'd love to, but I'm just so busy these days, with the ritual and all. I simply don't have time to entertain guests!" She waved a hand, and a deep, brassy gong reverberated through the chamber. "Korik, be a dear and show our guests out, would you?"

A gate slid open at the far end of the chamber and a figure emerged from the gloom behind it. Korik was barely recognizable as human anymore. He'd swollen to a grotesque size, muscles bulging and veins popping on nearly every inch of skin. He was bent nearly double, massive arms dangling listless beneath him, knuckles dragging against the floor as he walked forward with slow, plodding steps, each one sending vibrations through the stone floor. A dull groan escaped his lips, wordless and without a hint of emotion.

Pezzik nearly dropped his staff with the shock of seeing what his son had become. "Korik... no..." He stood there for a moment, trembling, until his eyes and the tip of his staff erupted in a blazing fury. "You monster," he snarled, jabbing the staff toward Zoris's projection. "What have you done to him?"

"All I did was give him what he wanted," Zoris chuckled. "He wanted to become stronger, and look at him now! All those pesky higher brain functions were just getting in the way." She sighed and looked down at her wrist. "Now I'd love to watch you all get reacquainted, but I really do need to get going. Have fun! I know Korik will."

With one last cackle, the projection wonked out. The moment it did, Korik's gaze snapped to the Flamewings. His eyes started to glow brighter, and he let out a bellowing roar as he stood to his full height- over a dozen feet in total- and charged.

[dddragoni-drabbles]

Sinister laughter echoed through the tower's antechamber as a trasparent projection of Zoris, Grand Sorceress of Darkness shimmered into being above the party. "I'm impressed, Flamewings," she said, voice dripping with condescension. "Most people would have given in to the inevitable by now, but here you are! You really are a stubborn bunch."

"Enough hiding begind projections!" Galena cried, hoisting her pike. "Get out here and face us, Zoris!"

Zoris's lip curled into an exaggerated pout. "Oh, I'd love to, but I'm just so busy these days, with the ritual and all. I simply don't have time to entertain guests!" She waved a hand, and a deep, brassy gong reverberated through the chamber. "Korik, be a dear and show our guests out, would you?"

A gate slid open at the far end of the chamber and a figure emerged from the gloom behind it. Korik was barely recognizable as human anymore. He'd swollen to a grotesque size, muscles bulging and veins popping on nearly every inch of skin. He was bent nearly double, massive arms dangling listless beneath him, knuckles dragging against the floor as he walked forward with slow, plodding steps, each one sending vibrations through the stone floor. A dull groan escaped his lips, wordless and without a hint of emotion.

Pezzik nearly dropped his staff with the shock of seeing what his son had become. "Korik... no..." He stood there for a moment, trembling, until his eyes and the tip of his staff erupted in a blazing fury. "You monster," he snarled, jabbing the staff toward Zoris's projection. "What have you done to him?"

"All I did was give him what he wanted," Zoris chuckled. "He wanted to become stronger, and look at him now! All those pesky higher brain functions were just getting in the way." She sighed and looked down at her wrist. "Now I'd love to watch you all get reacquainted, but I really do need to get going. Have fun! I know Korik will."

With one last cackle, the projection wonked out. The moment it did, Korik's gaze snapped to the Flamewings. His eyes started to glow brighter, and he let out a bellowing roar as he stood to his full height- over a dozen feet in total- and charged.

[dddragoni-drabbles]

The beam of harsh yellow light illuminating the corridor ahead of me sputtered and dimmed. I swore and shook my flashlight, hoping to coax a little more juice from the failing batteries, but instead that caused the beam to wink out entirely, leaving me in inky blackness. A wave of cold fear washed over me, locking my limbs in place. The only obvious sound was my own haggard breathing, but as I stood there in the darkness I could swear I heard movement.

"Come on," I whispered to myself. "Just a few more turns. You're almost to the exit."

I blindly reached to my right, groping around until my fingers made contact with the cool steel of the wall. Taking a deep breath, I continued forward, using the wall as my guide.

Was that a- no. No. Just my own steps echoing. In an irregular rhythm. Slowly getting louder. Just an Echo.

After about 10 yards, I felt the wall turn sharply to the right, opening up into another corridor. Already? No, this was too soon. I shouldn't have been at the turn yet- but I also couldn't remember there being another path this way on my way in.

Probably just my mind playing tricks on me. It can be hard to judge distance whole backtracking in the dark. I took a deep breath, steeled my nerves, and turned down the corridor.

[dddragoni-drabbles]

"Please," the old man wheezed, clutching at Emperor Zelkov's cape. "You must stop this madness!"

Lady Ferrun stalked forward from the back of the procession, eyes blazing with fury. "Insolent cur, you dare to lay a hand on your Emperor?" She drew her sword with a harsh rasp of metal. "I'll have your head for that!"

She drew the blade back, but paused and lowered it as Zelkov raised a hand. He looked down at the old man with cold detachment. "And what is this madness of which you speak?"

"No one man can claim to rule over all of Gelura," the old man said, hands trembling. "That is the domain of the gods! To do so is to declare yourself their equal, and invite their wrath upon the world!"

"I make no claim to being an equal to the gods." Zelkov lashed out with a vicious backhand, striking the old man cleanly in the face and sending him toppling to the cobblestones with a cry of pain. "For there is no being in all of existence that is an equal to me. No man, no monster, and no god." His lip curled up in a sneer. "If you're so concerned about what the gods think, then you can tell them that yourself."

He nodded to Ferrun, who raised her blade high, then turned and continues along the procession as she brought it down.

[dddragoni-drabbles]

"Please," the old man wheezed, clutching at Emperor Zelkov's cape. "You must stop this madness!"

Lady Ferrun stalked forward from the back of the procession, eyes blazing with fury. "Insolent cur, you dare to lay a hand on your Emperor?" She drew her sword with a harsh rasp of metal. "I'll have your head for that!"

She drew the blade back, but paused and lowered it as Zelkov raised a hand. He looked down at the old man with cold detachment. "And what is this madness of which you speak?"

"No one man can claim to rule over all of Gelura," the old man said, hands trembling. "That is the domain of the gods! To do so is to declare yourself their equal, and invite their wrath upon the world!"

"I make no claim to being an equal to the gods." Zelkov lashed out with a vicious backhand, striking the old man cleanly in the face and sending him toppling to the cobblestones with a cry of pain. "For there is no being in all of existence that is an equal to me. No man, no monster, and no god." His lip curled up in a sneer. "If you're so concerned about what the gods think, then you can tell them that yourself."

He nodded to Ferrun, who raised her blade high, then turned and continues along the procession as she brought it down.

[dddragoni-drabbles]

Jenna hauled herself out of the water, coughing and sputtering as she collapsed on the riverbank. She couldn't hear any shouting, so it didn't seem like anyone had seen her leap from the castle wall- that was a silver lining, at least.

It was supposed to have been a straightforward mission- slip into the castle while everyone was distracted with the coronation, sabotage the control mechanism for Lord Cordion's automatons, and get out. But the castle hadn't been nearly as deserted as they'd expected, and she'd veen forced to make her exit in a rather dramatic fashion. Just her luck.

Still, at least the job was done. She lay there for a minute or two catch her breath, then started to stand. She had to get back to Fendale, let the Prince know that-

As soon as Jenna put weight on her left leg, a white-hot lance of pain shot through her body, the leg buckled beneath her, and she slapped a hand over her mouth to muffle the instinctive scream that rose from within her. She fell back into the mud, only now noticing the deep red stain seeping into her trousers. The adrenaline must have preventing her from noticing it, but she'd definitely hit something beneath the water's surface.

Once the pain faded from debilitating to merely agonizing, she gently prodded at the leg. She wasn't sure if it was broken, fractured, or what, but one thing was certain- it definitely wasn't going to support her weight. And with only one working leg, there was no way she'd be able to make it back to Fendale undetected. She was stranded in the heart of the enemy's stronghold.

Holding the injured leg gingerly in the air, she reached out with trembling arms and started slowly dragging herself away from the walls. If her memory was any good, there should be a small smugglers den nearby, nestled under a gully on the river. It would be long abandoned, but would be a better place to hole up than the mud.

All she could do now was wait. She wasn't much of a religious woman, but she closed her eyes and muttered a prayer anyway- a wish that the Pince would notice Cordion's automatons go down, that he'd march on the capital and reclaim his birthright. And hopefully soon- she didn't see a way she was getting out of this otherwise.

[dddragoni-drabbles]

Jenna hauled herself out of the water, coughing and sputtering as she collapsed on the riverbank. She couldn't hear any shouting, so it didn't seem like anyone had seen her leap from the castle wall- that was a silver lining, at least.

It was supposed to have been a straightforward mission- slip into the castle while everyone was distracted with the coronation, sabotage the control mechanism for Lord Cordion's automatons, and get out. But the castle hadn't been nearly as deserted as they'd expected, and she'd veen forced to make her exit in a rather dramatic fashion. Just her luck.

Still, at least the job was done. She lay there for a minute or two catch her breath, then started to stand. She had to get back to Fendale, let the Prince know that-

As soon as Jenna put weight on her left leg, a white-hot lance of pain shot through her body, the leg buckled beneath her, and she slapped a hand over her mouth to muffle the instinctive scream that rose from within her. She fell back into the mud, only now noticing the deep red stain seeping into her trousers. The adrenaline must have preventing her from noticing it, but she'd definitely hit something beneath the water's surface.

Once the pain faded from debilitating to merely agonizing, she gently prodded at the leg. She wasn't sure if it was broken, fractured, or what, but one thing was certain- it definitely wasn't going to support her weight. And with only one working leg, there was no way she'd be able to make it back to Fendale undetected. She was stranded in the heart of the enemy's stronghold.

Holding the injured leg gingerly in the air, she reached out with trembling arms and started slowly dragging herself away from the walls. If her memory was any good, there should be a small smugglers den nearby, nestled under a gully on the river. It would be long abandoned, but would be a better place to hole up than the mud.

All she could do now was wait. She wasn't much of a religious woman, but she closed her eyes and muttered a prayer anyway- a wish that the Pince would notice Cordion's automatons go down, that he'd march on the capital and reclaim his birthright. And hopefully soon- she didn't see a way she was getting out of this otherwise.

[dddragoni-drabbles]

The man in black nodded, then wrote something down on his clipboard. "Just a few more questions, Mr. Jameson, then we'll let you get on with your day."

Conrad sighed. "Come on, I already told you I don't know anything about this guy you're looking for. Can't we just be done with this already."

"It's just protocol, Mr. Jameson. I need to go through all of the questions to make sure nothing was overlooked. Now, walk me through your activities last night."

"Like I told the last guy, I got off work, drove out to Haley's place, hung out there for a while, then drove home. Nothing special."

The man in black made another note on the clipboard. "Tell me about the drive home. In as much detail as you can."

Conrad rolled his eyes. "You want detail? Fine. I opened the car door. I sat down. I closed the door. I put the key in the ignition. I turned it. I put the car in drive. I pushed down the gas pedal. I drove down North Street. I turned left onto Broad. Then..." He trailed off, brow furrowing.

The man in black's cool gaze never faltered. "And then, Mr. Jameson?"

"And then... then I was home." He shook his head. "The hell? Broad's not even halfway home, why can't I remember the rest?"

The man in black set the clipboard down, then rose from the chair. "Thank you. That's all the information we needed."

"Wait, wait, you can't just go now, you have to tell me what's going on!" Conrad stood, halfway in a panic. "That's why you're really here, right? Because of whatever happened inbetween? Is this some X-Files shit?"

"Very astute, Mr. Jameson." The man in black looked behind him nodded, and another man stepped into the room, raised a pistol, and fired a dart into Conrad's neck. His eyes went wide, then drooped as he slumped to the floor.

The man in black looked down at the sleeping man dispassionately. "Get him back to the lab. Tell Dr. Stiegler to run all the tests she can. We can't afford to let another Replicant sneak through."

[dddragoni-drabbles]

Even through my suit, I could still feel the blistering heat of the inferno around me. It was heat resistant, they'd drilled into me during training, not heat proof. If I was in here too long, I'd get cooked. At least the goggles and oxygen mask made the smoke less of an issue.

Based on what the parents had said, I should have been getting close to where the kid's room was, although there was no telling if he was still in there or if he'd tried to escape already. "Joey!" I called out. "Yell if you can hear me!"

I strained my ears to hear over the rushing flames and creaking of weakening wood. There- a voice, weak and faint, but present.

"Stay calm, I'll be right there!" I rushed towards where I'd heard him, and quickly found a hallway blocked by burning debris- it looked like one of the house's support beams had collapsed. That explained why Joey hadn't been able to get out on his own. I'd need to move the beam to get to him, but that was a huge risk- there was no telling whether or not it was still supporting anything. Moving it could bring the entire house down.

I didn't hesitate. I didn't become a firefighter to not risk my life to save someone.

Wedging my shoulder under the section of wood that seemed most solid, I heaved upwards with all the force I could muster, doing my best to ignore the stinging pain of the flames. Inch by inch, the beam lifted, my leg and back muscles screaming, until I felt something give way and the pressure lifted. A chunk of the ceiling collapsed, but not as much as I'd feared. I'd gotten lucky this time.

I tossed the beam aside, feeling a twinge in my back- I was definitely going to be sore tomorrow- and vaulted over the remaining debris. "Joey!" No response. I'd just have to search.

I found him in the third room I checked- a bathroom. He was curled up on the tile in front of the bathtub, shirt pulled up over his mouth and nose. Smart kid. He hadn't responded when I slammed the door open, so I knelt down to take a look at his face. His eyes were dull and unfocused, face covered in soot and small burns, but he was breathing. Shallow, rasping breaths, but breaths nonetheless. I had to resist the urge to give him my O2 mask, if I wanted to get him out of here safe it was better for me to be at peak performance.

I slipped an arm beneath his shoulders and another under his legs, then lifted him into a bridal carry. He hung limp in my arms. "Come on, Joey," I said, more to myself than to the kid. "We're getting you out of here."

[dddragoni-drabbles]

"You're... joking, right?" Bella's stared incredulously at the man behind the desk, a befuddled smile playing on her lips. "You have to be joking."

"I am entirely serious, Mrs. Vander." Moran reached below his desk and produced a briefcase, which he slid towards her. "It's a simple proposition. You cut off your left hand, and I will fund your husband's operation."

Incredulous, Bella opened the briefcase. Inside was a contract, a pen, a set of towels, some bandages- and a machete. Her jaw dropped. She reached out a tentative finger and touched the edge of the blade- it was sharp. Very sharp. She looked back up at Moran, at a complete loss for words.

"The blade is sterile, I assure you," he said, disturbingly nonchalantly. "No need to worry about any infections. And my assistant here is medically trained, so you won't be losing too much blood."

Bella's mind reeled. "But... why? That's... I don't even know what to say! What do you even get out of having my hand?"

"Oh, nothing at all. You see, Mrs. Vander, it's not about what I gain. It's about what you lose." A wicked grin spread across his face. "I'm your husband's only chance. I want to see just how desperate you are. It's time to choose, Mrs. Vander. What will it be?"

[dddragoni-drabbles]

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