LUCI: Rhoades to Recovery Daily Lines 10-26-2020

Once again, a few paragraphs from the first draft of my current work in progress, LUCI: Rhoades to Recovery.

Keep in mind that these may change or be removed entirely before the novel is published in the first quarter of 2021.

I look forward to your feedback.

“Are you expecting me to reveal myself to you, Hector?” The young man’s expression wasn’t quite friendly in that moment.

Hector wondered if he had overstepped his limits in voicing what he was certain was true and sought to reassure his new acquaintance.

“Not if you don’t want to, Terry. That’s absolutely up to you.”

The young man cocked his head at Hector, curiosity replacing the tension that had colored it only a moment earlier. Hector relaxed a little.

“You mean it, Hector, you really do mean it,” his amazed disbelief was evident.

“Of course, I do, Terry,” Hector said. “It’s entirely your decision. Keep your secrets, whatever they might be, if that’s what makes you feel more comfortable. If you decide to share it with me at some later time, I promise not to become hysterical.”

“You promise. That’s a pretty high bar, Hector.”

“Terry, I’ve seen Luci’s true form and didn’t scream or run away. If I could sanely survive that, I think I can survive anything.”

Terry shook his head, his utter disbelief evident.

“Her true form? I haven’t even seen that Hector. All I know is that I really wouldn’t ever want to see it.”

“I hope you never have to, Terry. It’s a bit shocking. Think Lovecraftian, but on steroids.”

“As vivid a description as I believe I would ever care to have, Hector, and tell me more than I might need to know.”

“Probably the best analogy I could find.”

“Without a doubt,” Terry replied. “Lovecraft was more than a little disturbed, and that’s as kind a description I can use for the man.”

Terry sighed, face pensive.

“Everything okay?”

“I find myself wishing I had made your acquaintance longer ago than at just this moment, Hector Rhoades,” he replied. “I think we could have already had many enjoyable conversations.”

“I don’t think I’m that rare a creature,” Hector protested mildly.

“You have no idea. Humans tend to be a hysterical bunch when push comes to shove. You, however, seem far less prone to such insensible vapors.”

Hector said nothing. Whatever the man’s story, and he had just unconsciously erased the term “young” from his mental description of Terry, he would share it or not if and when the time came. Whenever that time did come, he truly looked forward to hearing all about it, warts, and all.