Winner, winner chicken dinner! Yes, I won last week’s Thursday Threads. I admit that I had a bit of fun with the weekly prompt and will have more as I expand the scene. Here’s what the judge had to say: I loved the suspense and panic that Aisling brought to the tale. Who cares about what’s worse than rats, that was it time to pack the bags and go back. I loved it. The emotion was excellent and made me feel like I was standing next to them. Thank you, this was a joy to read. Color me all gooey! Are you wondering what the prompt is? It’s a short one but gave me so many ideas it took a while to pick one. Here it is: *”Just pay attention.”* This scene happens not too long after Ariel and Aisling meet and agree to…”investigate” the mysterious goings on.

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Aisling stared down the long, dark tunnel waiting for her eyes to adjust. She glanced at the man standing beside her. “Are you sure about this?”

“Just pay attention. Watch your step. And…” Ariel’s voice trailed off.

“And what?” Pleased her voice didn’t quaver, she gave him a pointed stare.

“And whatever you do, don’t freak.”At her glare, he added, “How do you feel about rats?”

Choking on the saliva suddenly filling her mouth, she managed to squeak, “Rats?”

“Yes. These tunnels are part of Rochester’s sewer system. There’s no telling what actually lives down here.”

“Rats?” Aisling asked again, her voice stronger and far more strident.

“Yes. Rats. Plus other things.” He paused, added. “That might be worse.”
Eyes wide, she took two steps back putting more space between them. “What’s worse than rats?” She all but screamed it and her last word echoed into the distance. As the sound faded away, other noises took its place—the skittering of tiny claws and high-pitched squeals.

“No-no-no-no,” she chanted, then she turned and fled.

Ariel dropped his chin to his chest and sighed. He’d known this excursion was a bad idea but Aisling insisted on being included. Then he heard her scream. Sprinting, he arrived at the entrance just in time to duck. “It’s me, Caleb,” he snarled then glowered at the woman next to Aisling.

Aisling looked panicked. “You know these people?”

Sade beat him to the introductions. “Agents Sade Marquis and Caleb Jones, FBI. And you are?”

“Aisling Goodnight. Librarian.”
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Sadly, I think I may have used that last line before. I’ll have to look for it and if I have used it, figure out the context because…frankly…I crack a smile every time I hear Aisling say that in my head. I can just see her chin jutting even as her glasses slide down her nose and she pushes them up. Never underestimate a librarian! Hope you enjoyed today’s snippet, readers. Well, you writers too. Hope you can find some inspiration in the prompt. Would you go explore tunnels under a city?