Midweek. It always sneaks up on me for some reason. The good news is, while I didn’t win last week’s flash challenge, I did have a bit of a break-through with this week’s Wednesday Words. The timeline–and all my random snippets–is coming into clearer focus and as a result, there are new words, jostling of snppets into place, and real progress made. Yippee! Here’s the prompt: *“No one paid much attention.”*

Aisling hovered on the back fringe of the crowd. No one paid much attention. Everyone was far too invested in what was happening. Spectators lined the sidewalk, all of them attempting to peer over the bridge rail to the river below. She was curious too, but not bold enough to push her way forward so she could see.

“A body,” someone closer to the front said.

“Not another one.” This voice was female, and dismayed.

“How many does that make now?”

“Why aren’t the police doing something?”

The mood changed, becoming something darker, angrier, fearful. The emotions rasped across her skin, abrasive and raising goosebumps. She edged back and sideways and yelped as a strong hand gripped her arm and pulled her along faster. Ready to dig in her heels, she glanced up. It was the man from the library. The one on the elevator.

“You shouldn’t be here,” he said, his tone of voice holding a quiet urgency.

Unsure why, Aisling quite resisting and went with him. “We’ve met before,” she blurted as they cleared the last of the onlookers. “I’m sure of it.”

Ariel muttered, “In my dreams.” Louder, he said. “I do not believe so. I’m…” He stopped speaking. Names had power. His brain shifted and he continued, “Errol Denny.” It was the name on his hotel registration after all.

“Aisling Goodnight.”

He did not say I know. Instead, he gave the polite, “Nice to meet you.” In his head, he wondered, But who are you really?

This scene happens very soon after what I’m currently writing. So…once again, YIPPEE! Writers, you have your prompt should it inspire you. Readers, what are you not paying attention to these days? Yeah, yeah. Lame question. Whatever.