Jillian Chantal

The writers of Tuesday Tales are writing to the word prompt pitch his week. I am still in my swamp story.

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“We’re going to walk around inside to get the lay of the land and see what we can see. You’re welcome to join us or not,” Jacques said.

“Which would you rather do, Monte? Sit here alone or come with us?” I asked.

“Quite honestly, I’d like to get the car keys and drive back to New Orleans.”

“That’s not an option so I guess you’re out of luck.” Jacques swung the lantern. “Come on, Annika. Let him pitch his fit alone. Who knew he’d be such a pain?”

I couldn’t resist saying, “Is it like if he complains and there’s no one around to hear, is a sound made?”

Jacques laughed but Monte frowned. “Go ahead. Leave me all alone. You know anything could happen here and you’d regret your sarcasm if I somehow got injured while you two left me on my own.”

“Why in the ever loving hell did you agree to come in the first place? You know it was a plantation in the middle of nowhere and there was no electricity. You’re acting all surprised it’s dark at night and there are animals in the swamp. What exactly did you expect to find here?”

I could tell Jacques was losing his temper with Monte so I stepped in to try to defuse the situation. “Let’s leave him one of the lights and the whistle I packed in my backpack. If something happens, he can blow it and we can come quickly. Otherwise, we wasted an evening. Cut him some slack. That cougar did sound close but we also know sound can carry over distance and can get skewed when there’s wind and rain. No need to sacrifice a friendship over Monte’s unknown sensitivity. Now he knows this isn’t for him. It’s one night and he never has to venture out here again.”

“You seem awfully convinced I’m going to make it through the night.” Monte shuddered. “I can’t help but think about every horror movie I’ve ever seen. My skin is itching to get off me and run screaming through the swamp to safety.”

It was all I could do not to laugh at the visual of skin running and screaming but I didn’t want to alienate my friend any further so I merely nodded. “I get it, Monte. We’ll still be in the house. Not far to come if you need us. Use the whistle if you have to.”

I handed him the whistle I always kept with my gear in case I needed to scare off a dog while taking my run.

“Thank you for being nice.” Monte eyed Jacques with ill-disguised rancor.

“Come on if you’re coming, Annika.” Jacques’ glare at Monte was just as intense. He turned and walked toward the large arch at the far end of the room.

With a kind glance back at Monte and a waggle of my fingers, I followed.