“NaNoWriMo 2020 Pt. 30”

Author’s Note: This is a Take Ten to Write story and has not been proofread for errors. If I feel inspired or if there’s interest in the story, I’ll post a revised, edited, and extended version at a later date. Happy reading!

Additional note: In honour of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), all 30 stories written in the month of November will (hopefully) create a single multi-part story that will reach its conclusion by the end of the month. Stay tuned for a new story part every day!

Read the compiled NaNoWriMo TTtW story here!

Prompt: “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” –Edward Everett Hale

MASON’S POV

I can’t move. I literally cannot move a muscle. I just stare at my… brother… No, that’s just too weird to say. Plus, it’s impossible. My brother died. He’s dead. Not breathing. Not moving. Ripped to shreds.

Yet, he’s standing here in front of me. Alive. Breathing. Moving. Very much in one piece.

Maybe it’s a Frankenstein-type situation? Even that seems like a bit of a stretch. But it’s the apocalypse, so I guess anything’s really possible…

“Mason?”

Even though he’s speaking, I still can’t figure out how to get my body to respond.

A smile breaks out on Garrett’s face. “Mason! It is you!”

He rushes forward to give me a hug, but my arms refuse to squeeze him back.

He finally releases me and steps back with a frown. “What’s wrong?”

Finally, finally, my brain lets me move my mouth. Somewhat successfully. Okay, so not super successfully, but I’m able to get my message across.

“You… DEAD!… saw… ripped… monster!!”

Yeah, yeah, I get it, I sound like an idiot. But I already said that, so let’s just move on.

Garrett’s smile falters. “Yeah, I guess we should talk about that.”

He leads me back to the couch and sits down. “A lot has happened since I last saw you,” he says softly. “It’ll take a moment to explain.”

I frown and shake my head. “Just… just tell me how. How are you alive? I saw you die!”

His eyes drop to the ground. “I know. I know you did. I thought I died too. But somehow I woke up here at the Garden in one piece. Winston can tell you more.”

My skin tingles at the mention of Winston’s name. There’s just something about him that I don’t like.

Garrett puts a hand on my shoulder. “I know that Winston can be a bit of a strong personality, but just give him a chance. He saved my life.”

I sigh. Well, I guess since he saved Garrett… “Fine,” I mutter. “I’ll give him a chance.”

“Thank you,” Garrett says with a smile. Then he stands up. “Come on, I’ve got a surprise for you.”

“What, other than the fact that you’re alive?” I mutter.

Garrett smirks. “Trust me, this is much better.”

Final Comments: So obviously, the story isn’t done yet. But I am planning on continuing it into December and as long as it takes to finish!

Overall Rating: 🤨