Wednesday Writings # 22 - Formulating a Plan

My "Wednesday Writing" posts were initially created as a writing exercise for me to try and keep myself motivated and on track by making sure that I spend at least 30-60 minutes each week (with the follow-up goal to turn it into a daily writing practice).

Over the past few weeks, I've been continuing the same story with a single post each week. To help you catch up with this serialized story, you can use the following table of contents:

1. Morning Machinations
2. Communication Between Friends
3. Daydreaming Decisions
4. Off to the Park
5. Driven
6. Coming Home
7. Revealing Photographs
8. Just a Dream?
9. At the Tower
10. Caught
11. Revelations
12. Lunchtime
13. The Watch
14. Visions
15. Escape
16. Evan (part 1)
17. Evan (part 2)
18. Evan (part 3)

I'm just getting back from vacation and still trying to get things in order...so I apologize that this post is shorter and not progressing the plot as much as might be hoped. Still, I hope you enjoy it. :)

Critiques, suggestions, comments, etc. always welcome.

Enjoy.

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Formulating a Plan

Even with the helmet visor, the wind rushed against Gabby's face, making it nearly impossible to talk with Evan. After a few attempts, she decided it was probably for the best. She needed some time to sort through what was going on. He hadn't explained where they were going and she hadn't been able to hear his answer when she asked him. Instead, she anxiously watched as they sped down the highway away from Dalton's house. Away from saving Julie. She bit her lip to fight down the frustration she felt. Around her, the world, and her life, was spinning out of control. Everytime it felt like there was a chance for some sort of stabalization. Some chance at regaining control, something else swept in and sent her whirling again.

She closed her eyes and leaned her head against Evan's back. Part of her still didn't know what to make of him. She couldn't decide if she should believe him or try to have him commited. But what she did know was that she felt safe around him. With her arms wrapped around his chest, she pulled herself closer against him and nuzzled softly into his back. He felt so right. She felt so right with him. Something deep inside of her told her that she could trust him. That he would keep her safe. That she belonged with him. And he belonged with her. It all sounded so crazy. But it all felt so right. So real.

And yet, she barely knew him. Was she willing to risk Julie's life by putting her trust in a complete stranger? True, he claimed to be her husband. But should that make her trust him more or be even more anxious? How must trust should she put in a man who claimed what Evan claimed? Regardless of how much was true, she knew Dalton was crazy. He told much the same story Evan had, but at least Dalton was forthright in the bargain he suggested. If she brought Evan and the box to Dalton, then Dalton would let Julie go. That suggestion was at least a guarantee. What guarantee could Evan provide? She didn't know what he had in mind, but she felt sure that whatever it was, there was a chance of putting Julie and all of them in even more danger.

Gabby opened her eyes and watched the freeway zip past. She heard Evan shout something over his shoulder but she couldn't tell what he was saying. She nodded softly into his back. Even if she disagreed with whatever he suggested, she was in no position to do anything about it. She felt them veer off slightly and begin to slow. Looking up, she watched them work their way down the offramp and into town. She recognized the tall smokestack from the refinery on the west side. Further down the road loomed Evan's hotel. If she was going to come up with any plan of her own, she needed to do it fast.

She tried to think through the consequences of turning Evan and the box over to Dalton. He seemed crazy, violently so. After all, he'd made her shoot his own henchman. And yet, he had proposed a plan. And he had shown her visions of the future in the box. A future where Julie was dead. And a future where her mom was alive. Her mom! She missed her so much.

These people may be crazy and she didn't really want to trust any of them. But what if this time travel thing was real? In that case, the visions Dalton was showing her were real. Once again, Dalton had given her assurances that Evan hadn't been able to give her. She hadn't even talked with Evan about her mother. He hadn't even brought it up. If he really loved and cared about her as much as he supposedly did, then why had he neglected to bring up this huge disconnect in her life? In the wedding album Evan had given her, the photos showed Gabby's mother right there with them. Evan surely knew she was a big part of Gabby's life. He had to know that her death would devastate her. And yet he hadn't even taken the time to comment on it.

Gabby fumed as she struggled with her decision. Evan was right here and he was offering to help. But Dalton had Julie. He had given her a very simple bargain to get her friend back. And even more, Dalton had shown that he could bring her mother back. She suddenly hated Evan for neglecting her emotions. For failing to reassure Gabby and suggest a plan that would save both her mother and Julie.

As the motorcycle bounced into the hotel parking lot and circled over to a spot near a back entrance, Gabby made her decision. If Evan could truly fix the machine, she would have him show her how it works. Once she knew for herself that the box worked, and more importantly HOW it worked, she would call Dalton and save both Julie and her mom.

Evan parked the bike and helped her off.

"How was the ride? I seem to remember you hadn't ridden on a motorcycle much before I met you."

Gabby smiled simply and nodded without saying anything. Evan's broad smile and bright eyes were so reassuring.

"You're doing the right thing." Gabby said to herself, trying to expand her own smile, but sure it looked more like a strained grimace. Evan's own smile sank slightly. He crooked his head to the side, a mix of confusion and worry flashing briefly across his brow, then vanishing. Smiling broadly again, he held open the hotel door and led her inside.