Charts and optimal dates and preferential temperatures. One line or two. As if she could summon whatever it is that makes up the human soul as easily as she could a cab on a busy New York avenue.
And yet, that is exactly what she was hired to do. Joan sighed. She would not have taken this job, but an old acquaintance had called in a favor.
“It’s the last one, angel,” he promised.
She meant to refuse. She cursed his dark eyes and his charm. As usual, it did not help. So she took the bezoar and the woman’s cell number.
That woman sat across from her now, fidgeting with the tablecloth. She looked everywhere but at Joan, who had not been human for a long time.
“I’ll just take a bit of hair, then,” said Joan.
This post was written in response to Trifecta Writing’s Anniversary Challenge, and is co-sponsored by Velvet Verbosity! The editors paired up willing writers and gave them this assignment:
Start with these 38 words:
Charts and optimal dates and preferential temperatures. One line or two. As if she could summon whatever it is that makes up the human soul as easily as she could a cab on a busy New York avenue.
Team Member A (that’s me!) writes 33-100 words to continue the story, and posts it to Trifecta’s website. Team Member B then writes 33-100 words to finish it up.
I was lucky enough to be paired up with one of my favorite writers on the web right now: Jessie Powell, also known as Jester Queen. If you haven’t read her stuff, you should. If you haven’t voted for her to be America’s Next Author, you should. Seriously – she’s fantastic, and I can’t wait to see what she does with my 100 words.
Updated: Jessie posted her conclusion – if you can call it that. It’s more of a continuation, actually. Go visit her page to read the rest.
Christine Hanolsy 
I enjoyed this quite a bit–definitely a unique take on the prompt. Your entry is much creepier the second read-through, after having googled “bezoar”!
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The bit of hair is what sold me, too. A really different take on the prompt. I really enjoyed it. Thanks so much for helping Trifecta celebrate. You’ve been a big part of the past year, and we appreciate your support!
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So excited you’re working together! Off to read the conclusion!
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Finally up! So sorry. Will e-mail
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Intriguing opener! Looking forward to the rest.
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Oh, now I’m so curious to see where this one goes. Taking a bit of hair then…that leaves questions I’d love answered 🙂
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Ahh…Dark eyes and charm.. Who could say no?
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Can’t wait to see what Jessie does with this. Great part one.
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This is already a great mystery in 100 words. Can’t wait to see Jessie’s.
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You are SO awesome. I can’t wait to see where I land with this one.
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Me neither!! I am totally on tenterhooks.
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I’m in love with “I’ll just take a bit of hair, then,” This is so smart and clever and can go a million ways. The hand off to Jessie is just perfect!
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This is my favorite so far! I can’t wait to see what happens here.
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Segues in easily and then goes way out there! Ta chan ta chan.
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Really want to know how this turns out now…!!
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