literature

Untitled Project: Chapter One

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Literature Text

"What are you watchin' on the tube, bud?" Roderick asked his son, Charlie.

"Xerox-Bots, dad. Zoron is getting ready to make his attack upon the heroes of Kylesa!" exclaimed Charlie with a hint of satisfaction, "he's gonna smash the little heroes to pieces!"

"Aren't you meant to be rootin' for the good guys?" enquired the vaguely concerned father.

"Nah! They always win. Plus, what's with all the bright colours? Girly if you ask me!" replied the boy with a slight grin crossing his freckly face. A thin trail of milk flowed down Charlie's chin; it was quickly wiped away with the back of his sleeve.

"Sometimes bud, you worry me" laughed Roderick playfully.

"Parents are 'spose to worry dad!" Charlie remarked matter-of-factly.

He is witty and wise beyond his age, thought the father.

Roderick stared at Charlie in fascination, the boy was only nine years old but had already excelled at his studies that he was placed within a highly regarded academic learning institution, Rock Hills Academy.
Charlie had wisdom that shone out of his bright hazel eyes, the eyes that also belonged to his late mother. His hair was a different story, slightly long and scruffy it gave him an almost elfish appearance, Charlie had been bestowed with Roderick's unkempt mane of hair. Neither of his parents had the burden of having freckles smeared across their face.

"Hurry up and finish eating your cereal, I'm going to get dressed for work and when I'm ready you had better be as well" Roderick said while walking upstairs to his bedroom.




Once in the bedroom, Roderick turned on the bedside radio which also served as his alarm clock. The radio was tuned to the local news station on an A.M frequency.

Them aliens! These funny little critters in leather and studs up and climbed outta that there flyin' saucer, sir! They tried their damned hardest to grab a hold of me but I gotsa way…

"Crazy locals are at it again" thought Roderick, listening to the insane recollection of a homeless man being interviewed, live on air. Clearly the station has nothing better to report on, what's new about that…
The eyes of Roderick drifted over a portrait of Ellie, his recently-deceased wife, she looked so docile and at peace in the photo. That was very much the way that the family lived their lives together. He tried to avert his gaze away from the photograph but found his eyes wandering back for another glance. It was painful to think about Ellie.

* * *

Ellie was talking to Roderick on the Bluetooth of her cell phone. It was a dreary winter evening as the wife of Roderick was driving her way home from work. Complaining about the long hours that she had to put in at the hospital were making it difficult for her to complete the Christmas shopping, Ellie was unaware of the upcoming sharp corner on the road ahead. The roads were slippery with ice and the tires were worn out and in desperate need of changing.

"Has Charlie got the new Xerox-Monsters dolls yet?" Ellie enquired.

"Xerox-Bots and they aren't dolls, they are action-figures. Don't let Charlie hear you call them dolls."

"Well has he?"

"All of them except Zoron, look for the guy with the golden sword and gigantic biceps" joked Roderick with a chuckle at the end.

"I have no true idea about what you're on about, but okay." Ellie replied.

Roderick laughed at this and couldn't help shake his head in mock disapproval before realising that his wife could not see the gesture. This embarrassed him slightly.

Ellie's shout brought Roderick out of his thoughts.

"What the…?"

"Elle?"

"Rod, you there?"

"Yeah, I'm here babe. You okay?"

"I can't brake…"

"What?!"
"Rod! The brakes aren't working! Shit! Oh God! Rod! The brakes!"

"Ellie! Try harder! Push down as hard as you can on the pedal!"

By this point Roderick's face and neck were drenched with perspiration, his grip on his cell phone loosened as his hands clammed up with sweat.

"Rod, I love you!" whimpered Ellie, with that the cell phone cut out.


* * *

When Roderick snapped back to reality, he was covered in cold sweat.

"Dad?", Charlie was now standing in the door of his father's bedroom with a concerned expression upon his face, "are you okay?"

"Yeah bud, why wouldn't I be?"

"… 'cause you were screaming…" the boy now had tears streaking down his face.

"Charlie, don't cry. I'm okay" Roderick grabbed his son and pulled him in close to his chest, "I promise that I'm fine. I was just thinking about your mum, kiddo. Now go get finish getting ready for school, I'll be downstairs in a few."
The prototype first chapter of my untitled science fiction story.
More chapters are coming as soon as a collaborator jumps on board.
© 2012 - 2024 Bentley-Epsom
Comments14
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Jodie-Woodall's avatar
Your writing's really brilliant, just slow the pace a little and maybe let the readers wait to find out how his wife died. Suspense is key, but I love your style. This is really great stuff, I'd love to read more :)