Drabble #153: Wreck

[redwolf]

...we had a nice response to the drabble prompt of Drabble 152, with entries by redwolf and comments by jalenstrix and redwolf.

For this prompt, we continue with our one-word/phrase drabble roots:

Wreck

Tell us all about it. Labyfic-style, of course.

Given our entries from recent months, let's continue with the suggested limit of 500 words. Though remember that shorter pieces are most definitely welcome!

Your entry should take the following format, posted as a comment on this entry:

Word count: # of words
$your_beautiful_drabble

I'll be running weekly challenges in the space around jalenstrix's monthly challenges.

You can see our current collected suggestions here.

Remember: Feedback is LOVE. So do reply to your fellow labyficcers' drabbles if so inclined. (Though be careful of concrit unless specifically okayed by the author beforehand. Authors generally write for love.)

Comments

Debris

[redwolf]

Word count: 500

Rook was sprawled across Erich’s lap and, from the way he held her tight in his arms with his face buried in her neck, Sarah suspected she’d soon be in possession of a fine collection of finger shaped bruises and an impressive beard burn.

With an elaborate hand gesture, Jareth summoned a pot pie from the kitchen and bade Rook to eat. As she reached for it, she winced in pain and grabbed at her thigh. With a hiss she pulled a large fragment from the wound, causing a trickle of fresh blood and traded whatever it was for the plate Jareth held out. He materialised a bowl of water and sundry supplies, leaving Bishop to start cleaning the dried blood from her leg.

Sarah’s brows drew down in confusion as Jareth held up the bloody object between gloved fingers. “A bone fragment,” he explained and Sarah covered her mouth, fighting back her rising gorge. “The bullet shattered her femur and, while she managed to change forms to heal the bulk of the damage, she’ll be dealing with the nasty side effects for a while.”

With a swallow, Sarah nodded in understanding, realising that the demands of repairing such a catastrophic injury was the reason for Rook’s dramatic weight loss. She was under no illusions that this would likely have been a fatal injury if Rook had been human, with the best outcome being the loss of the limb. “Who did this?”

Jareth’s grin was all sharp teeth and did not bode well for whoever was on the receiving end. “Some frightfully shouty little oik who is currently cooling his heels in one of our less salubrious oubliettes.” A crystal appeared in his hand showing a forgettable man notable only for wildly flailing arms and a dull expression even in the throes of temper. “Unfortunately, he seems to be more invested in continuing to blame others, rather than mulling the error of his ways.”

“How can I help?” Sarah had no qualms about leaving their guest to marinate in the oubliette.

Jareth produced another crystal and passed it to Sarah. “Talk to Grae. He’ll be digging through the man’s background as he manages the fallout from the incident Above.”

“I’m assuming this wasn’t accidental.” As Rook was still sporting brightly polychromatic hair and wearing a neon orange construction vest over her coat, it was difficult to believe this was a case of not having seen the woman.

“He attempted to grab my arse when I ignored his puerile misogyny.” Rook’s breathing still sounded laboured as she softened her accent for Sarah’s benefit. “I dissuaded him of the notion and informed him that he would lose a hand if he tried again.”

“I take it he doesn’t recognise women as anything other than chattel.” Rook gave Sarah a lopsided smile of understanding.

“I’ll not be surprised when Grae finds a history of offences a mile wide.”

Sarah settled herself into a wingback armchair as she prepared to contact Rook’s partner Above.