Jillian Chantal

This week, the writers of Tuesday Tales are writing to the word prompt smart. I’m still working on my swamp story.

Check out the other tales here

Jacques and I crept across the floor toward the staircase, stepping carefully over wood surface. The rain was loud and rattling the roof, but, so far, it was cozy inside. Well, as cozy as it could be in the low temperatures with no leaks in the ceiling. The gaps in the siding of the house allowed the wind to whistle sporadically through the rooms. But at least we’re dry.

The stairs creaked as Jacques headed up them ahead of me. “Hang back a second while I test the strength of them. If they can hold me, they sure can hold you.”

Great. Something else to worry about. Him falling through a dilapidated step and breaking his leg. Just what I need. A whiny baby on the first floor and a professor stuck halfway to the second floor with a broken leg or pelvis.

I pulled the bottle of smart water™ out of the side pocket of my backpack and took a swig while I waited to see if Jacques would have success or I’d be calling for an ambulance.

Another bolt of lightning lit up the windows. It was followed immediately by a thunderous boom and a faint yelp.

“I guess Monte is still bewailing the choices he made this evening,” Jacques called down to me. “That noise sounded like him squealing.”

“Yeah. Who knew he’d be such a big baby? I guess you never really know someone until you spend some time in the swamp with them.”

“Since he’s so sure he’s going to die tonight, we could use that for his epitaph.” Jacques waved his arm. “Come on up. It’s safe.”

I tucked the water back in the mesh section and took the first step up. The stair wobbled and for a moment, I thought it might give way. I grabbed the banister and held on for a second before moving on. Don’t let me be the one with the broken leg.

“Watch the fourth and fifth ones. They each have a hole on the edge. Opposite edges, that is.”

Great. Lovely. I’m a klutz on the best of days and now here I am in the midst of a storm in the partial darkness with a rotting staircase. What could possibly go wrong?