Enjoy this excerpt from Arm Farm and let me know what you think!
My hands shook and I clamped one to my mouth to block the sudden bile rising from my stomach, fighting to escape. To the disapproval of my stomach, I forced it back down and brought my tweezers and test tube to the rotting arm. As I tried to be nonchalant, I saw Professor Matthews' grin out of the corner of my eye. I was already flustered enough not to worry about blushing. Taking a deep breath through my mouth, I completed my task as his husky but clear voice filled the creepy silence.
A low rumble sounded in the distance. I looked around, afraid it would rain, and felt like I was being watched. The Farm sure does play tricks on its visitors, I thought.
Lacking words, I ignored the moment of silence and quickly finished my preliminary examination. "Done." Reading from my notebook, I explained the arm owner's estimated age and race, and my personal insight on how this arm came to be rotting here. The cause of death, of course, could not be proven without the rest of the body.
I gathered my tools and followed where Professor Matthews directed. By the second arm I was breathing through my nose, not noticing the putrid smell — I was a natural.
The rest of the morning continued in much the same manner until my stomach grumbled. Third embarrassment. Professor Matthews offered to break for lunch and I eagerly accepted. Maybe too eagerly, in hindsight. As we walked back to our cars we agreed on a restaurant where we'd have lunch, and we continued our chat as he locked the gates to the Arm Farm. I gave him back the key he'd lent me for entry and we got into our separate cars. On the way, I called my friend Amanda.
"Hi Amanda, how are you? I know we had plans for today but I'll have to reschedule." I sounded nervous and she knew it. I couldn't hide anything from her, but she seemed too distracted to pry any more than she did.
"It's nothing." It didn't feel like nothing, but I tried to play things cool. I could only imagine what Amanda was thinking after I hung up the phone. She was the only one who knew how I was beginning to feel about Professor Matthews. Admittedly, I couldn't even decide how to feel, yet she was with me every step of the way — sometimes even a step ahead. But we both knew I had to move past those feelings.
The professor and I arrived at the Meet and Griddle and I drove around the parking lot, scouring for people I recognized, before pulling in to a spot. I hoped no one from school would see us together, but Professor Matthews didn't seem to mind.
While the professor and the waiter chose a table I excused myself to go to the restroom. I needed to clean up and I also used the opportunity to scan for familiar faces on my way through the restaurant. No one I recognized caught my eye. The restroom was as spotless as the restaurant alluded, and it was mortifying to realize, as I walked by the reassuringly empty stalls, how disgusting I must have smelled. I hoped I wouldn't ruin any of the other diners' appetites.
"And you've aced all the tests until now. I was at the Farm before you, you know. I watched you hesitate at the gate and saw you contemplate sitting on the ground or remain standing. I…" His voice trailed off as he saw the look of astonishment on my face.
I couldn't decide between slapping him, leaving him, or hugging him, but the smell of the arriving lunch paralyzed me into inaction. The waiter left and the tension returned.
Even the best and most observant could miss important facts. Having watched Natalie since she was a baby, I stepped up my own game when she began making decisions that could affect me. I could have been sitting at the same table, yet she wouldn't have seen me no matter how hard she tried. Within earshot I sat and worried.
I felt proud of her accomplishments but fearful of them as well.
Of course this is copyrighted, it's already in print!
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Hi there, You don't know me at all – I am writing a novel myself (110,000 words and counting…) and a friend of mine sent me the link to your page. I quite liked what you have on here.
Wow!! That's a lot of words. Congrats!! What's it about.
I'd love to keep in touch… find me on Facebook or email me from time to time.
Thanks for leaving your feedback and liking it!!
Your first two chapters of Arms Farm are very good and should draw some attention.
Left this on Facebook too.