Excerpt: November Elf

It’s November again, so an appropriate time for an excerpt of my story, November Elf, published in November 1012 at Hogglepot. The story begins as follows:

I paused between the office and the parking lot to appreciate the feel and smell of the glistening, rain-washed city. The towers of glass and marble, framed by now-cloudless skies, sparkled in the low afternoon sun. In that instant I was not an aging attorney forgetting deadlines, phone numbers and birthdays. I was a creature, alone and at one with a glorious all.

I drew a deep breath, steeling for a tense drive. I spun and stepped smack into another suited pedestrian. He tumbled spectacularly forward. I scrambled to help, but he was up in a flash.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

He jumped like a short-coat Chihauhua.

“I’m sorry,” I blurted. “It was my fault.” I reached for my glasses. They were bent and scratched.

“I’m fine,” he snapped, brushing himself. “Thank you for your concern.”

His voice was musical. I stepped closer and touched his arm. “Are you sure? That was quite a fall.”

He regarded me, now more composed. “Yes. I am fine. Thanks again.”

His arm retracted. Then I noticed his eyes. They were … gold, flecked with deep red. And the shape—not just almonds—they were large and observant, unlike anything … I blinked.

“Why . . . you look like an Elf!”

His eyes darted. Pedestrian’s passed without interest. He relaxed and returned his gaze to me.

“How do you mean?” he asked in his wind-chime voice.

I noticed more and laughed at the absurdity of the question. He seemed young, but his hair was pure white. His ears were delicate and long, and pointed, top and bottom!

“You are an Elf,” I said.

He shrugged. Then tried to step away, but instead collapsed, hurt…

The story from here answers the question, “what if I met an Elf in the modern world?” and can be read online at Hogglepot.

Also don’t miss the e-zine’s other fine stories, with new stories appearing each week. Hogglepot is edited by Brooke Johnson, author of The Clockwork Giant and Le Theatre Mecanique.

In an age of science, even the most unlikely engineer can change the world.

Both works are available at many outlets. Says Brooke Johnson of her books:

“My geeky obsession with mechanical science and history is the driving force behind my writing, flavoring my steampunk with scientific accuracy and my fantasy with the rich cultures of ancient civilizations.”