I haven't died, I promise...

But life has been changing quite a lot.  The new job is humming along nicely (nothing life changing, and it's not what I want to be when I grow up, but it pays the bills.

The biggest change is this little one:

Yup, that's right.  The Bear Monk and I are expecting a little one around the end of this year.  We've already found out that we're having a girl (because God has a sense of humor) and things are going really well so far.

Maybe it has something to do with knowing I'll be responsible for a new life, or maybe it has something to do with all the great people I follow on twitter, or even that I've gotten over the urge to really impress people at my job, but I've really started to feel the urge to write again.

With that new urge, I'm going to start trying to blog more regularly and even start writing on the several in progress projects I have going on at the moment.

I plan on blogging at least Tuesday through Thursday, with a few extra posts here and there along the way.  Right now, look for the following pattern to emerge:

Geeky Girl Tuesday
What was once just Gamer Girl Tuesday is being expanded into a wider range of my geeky pursuits.  Expect TV reviews, comic rants, and yes even the occasional game review.

Word Slinging
Tips on becoming better at "the craft." Sometimes from my own experience and others from folks with more expertise (and also hopefully the occasional interview.  Let me know if you're interested).

Prize in the Serial
If you've been following the blog for a while, you may remember my serial story "Taking Liberty."  I'm going to finish the story (I promise!) using the help of Three Word Wednesday.  I'll be posting  on Thursdays to give myself a little extra time.  After I finish "Taking Liberty," I plan on continuing the serial format with other story ideas. Keep an eye out for exciting announcements along the way.

Thanks for those of you that have stuck it out with me.  I hope this is the start of something fun and exciting for all involved.

3WW-Taking Liberty Part 10

Click here for 3WW

Sorry it's been a while since my latest installment.  I hope I haven't lost whatever momentum (and readers) I've gained over the last few weeks.

If you're new or (like me) you may have forgotten some of the things that have gone down with Liberty and Elizabeth's story, you can check out my Taking Liberty page and refresh your memory.

Thank you again for sticking around with me on this ride.  I still don't know where it's going or how long it will last!  Hope you enjoy the ride!

Liberty's mother wrapped her arms around me, squeezing with surprising strength.  The smell of alcohol made my stomach turn.  I kept waiting for Liberty to come to the forefront, take over, and as her mother led me into the trailer, I was ready to hand over the reigns.

But Liberty stayed quiet, wrapped in the safety of my subconscious.  I felt that she was watching and waiting.

I was pulled to a worn out and cracked leather sofa and almost pushed into a seat.  Liberty's mom sat down beside me and took my hand.

"I knew you'd come back to me one day.  The cops came and told me you were gone, but I knew they were wrong. Could feel it in here." She placed a palm on my chest where my heart was.  Her hand was cold and it sent a shiver through my body.

I gently took her hand and moved it.  "I'm sorry, but you're mistaken.  My name's Elizabeth, I was friends with Liberty." The words felt awkward in my mouth, and I could sense Liberty's slight resentment at my choice of words. "I just wanted to check on you."

She stared at me, her eyes turning into barely visible slits of concentration.  Leaning back in her seat she crossed her arms and then burst into a hoarse laugh. "You think I can't judge my daughter when I see her? I know Liberty's there with you. Aren't you, sugar?"

She leaned toward me until our faces were almost touching.  My eyes were watering from the fume of her breath.

"Aren't you?" She whispered.

***

I opened my eyes, confused and lost.  It was pitch black, and the windows were all dark.  It must be past nightfall.  I pushed myself up and banged my elbow and a table.  My eyes were starting to adjust to the dark, and I saw that I was on the floor of the trailer.

Standing up, I tried to work my way to the wall so I could find a light switch.  Something wasn't right, and I could feel the unease building.  I heard a noise behind me and turned.  

For a moment, I saw a ghostly shape standing before me.  It rushed toward me, and I instinctively flinched back.  It wasn't until it overcame me that I realized for a few brief moments I had been alone in my head.  Liberty had left.

But now she was back.

"Just leave." She said softly inside my mind.

"What just happened?" I asked her.

"Just get in the car and take us away from here."

I turned and started walking out.  When I reached the front door, I could see the switch next to it and reached out my hand. I could feel Liberty fighting the motion and trying to keep us moving forward.  Slowly I was able to touch the switch and turn on the lights.  

Liberty gave up the fight and I stumbled with the strain I had been using.  Turning around I looked at the room.

In the corner as if she had been trying to reach the next room was a woman.  It was Liberty's mother.  I took a hesitant step forward, thinking she must have drunk herself into a stupor.

Then I saw the blood.

Hope you enjoyed this dark turn. I don't think this surprised me; the mother was doomed from the start.  Did it come as a shock to any of you?