A Little Something I Wrote...

Here are two very short scenes I made up and wrote for fun. I don't know if I'll eventually write them into a whole story, but the idea is out there. Enjoy!

Charlotte opened up the case and picked up the clear cylinder with the red liquid inside to get a good look at it. It had all been so easy. Almost too easy, and her suspicions were aroused. Steele did not seem like the type to give the crimtonium away just like that. Charlotte looked held it up to the sunlight and looked at the liquid closely. She then frowned and peered harder, a look of panic flashing over her face.

“Well?” Rearden asked, noticing the look on Charlotte’s face.

Charlotte slowly lowered the cylinder and turned to face Rearden and Natasha, who were looking up anxiously at her. Pure rage and defeat were written all over her beet-red face. Then, without warning, she raised the cylinder containing the crimtonium and smashed it on the floor, the red liquid spilling everywhere.

“That cheeky devil! That villainous snake! That no good…lying…two-faced villain!” Charlotte shouted, completely enraged.

Rearden and Natasha jumped out of their seats. “Why, what is it?”

“WE’VE BEEN HOODWINKED!” Charlotte cried, trying to hold back the tears of frustration that threatened to overwhelm her.

Heather looked down at the red liquid all over the floor. She realized Charlotte was right. They were tricked. Steele had not given them the real crimtonium. This liquid was just water with red dye in it, craftily made. Real crimtonium had faint, dark swirls in it and had a crystal-like look.

Despite the situation, Rearden looked at Charlotte with a slight twinkle of amusement in her brown eyes. She had never seen her this angry, and it was slightly amusing. Natasha looked utterly flabbergasted and was actually speechless for a moment.

Charlotte continued on with her rant, stomping around the small room. “Steele’s going to pay for this! That no good, lying, two-faced serpent!”

“Charlotte,” said Natasha quietly. “Hurling insults at him is not going to change anything.”

“How could I have been so stupid! I should have known he couldn’t be trusted!” Charlotte cried, her face flushed and tears of frustration streaming down her cheeks. She sat down heavily on the small couch and put her head in her hands, grabbing and pulling on her hair.

Rearden slammed on the brakes of the large ambulance and the vehicle skidded to a halt in the dark alleyway. “Why on earth did Charlotte get herself caught? Doesn’t she know we can’t afford this?” she whispered, irritated, to Natasha who was in the passenger seat. They both climbed out of the ambulance quickly and Rearden shut the door.

“Rearden, that’s not fair. Charlotte didn’t mean to get herself caught. I don’t think this is her fault,” Natasha said kindly yet sternly.

“I know, I know,” said Rearden, calming a little. “But this entire mission could be totally blown already.”

“We can’t worry about that now. All we have to do is to get Charlotte to safety,” said Natasha. “You head straight to Steele’s bookshop and I’ll go around.” And with that, Natasha turned and ran down the cobblestone street.

Rearden turned and faced Steele’s bookshop. She inwardly groaned and raced across the street, stopping right at the front door. The shop was dark and looked completely deserted. Rearden grabbed a broom that was leaning against the shop, thinking it might come in handy if she needed to whack anybody. Gripping the broom in one hand, she slowly turned the doorknob and carefully opened the door.

The bell tinkled, nearly causing Rearden to jump out of her skin with surprise. How could she have forgotten about that bell above the door that rang whenever the door was opened? She froze, senses completely alert. The only sound that could be heard was her racing heart. She didn’t dare breathe. After what seemed like an eternity, she breathed again. No one was coming, so maybe no one heard. Rearden took a cautious step forward, and suddenly, a hand reached out and grabbed her shoulder.

“Don’t you know trespassing is illegal, young lady?” a deep and unmistakable voice said.

Rearden spun around and brandished her broom, holding it high and ready to strike. Steele chuckled and stepped forward. Then, without warning, he lunged for her. Rearden yelped and jumped aside in the nick of time, rolling to the floor. Steele jumped after her, and Rearden scrambled to her feet and ran down a long aisle with bookshelves lining the sides, Steele in hot pursuit. She suddenly turned a corner, and, just as Steele came into view, brought the handle of the broom crashing down on his head.

Rearden gasped as Steele fell to the floor, unconscious. She dropped the broom with a loud clatter and ran off. “Charlotte? Where are you?”