Note From Anita- I went over the word count-sorry!

Marla, from Marla’s World, has created a writing challenge. The challenge is for multiple authors to write a single story. She will choose a story that she has written, or that another author has submitted for this challenge, and she will nominate the next person to continue writing it. Once that person has added their section, they will nominate the next author. It will continue like this until the story is complete.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
Link to this post to add in your addition.

 

Here is Marla’s start

They were sitting in his car, windows rolled up, air conditioning blowing low. The conversation had been flowing smoothly, as it always did between them.

He was telling her about the most recent date he had been on, and how the woman was very odd, trying to cut his steak up for him while they ate. At the mention of meat, she suddenly became extremely hungry. Her attention went from his words to her cramping, growling stomach.

She was vaguely aware he had stopped speaking, and she became very self-conscious. In the silence of the Tesla, she knew that if she even winced at the discomfort, he would hear her. She focused on staying as quiet as possible, but she was sooooo hungry!

Sweeter Than Nothing part

Her gaze drifted from his mouth to the pulse at his neck and her stomach growled again painfully.

“So about that steak?” She blurted out, trying to disguise the noise of her hunger, but she only managed to make it worse, the thought of that steaming hunk of meat, blood pooling beneath it.

“Well, the steak was delicious, the date not so much, you know she actually licked her napkin and wiped the steak juices from my chin,” he continued as if nothing else were the matter.

And just like that her stomach was at it again.

Steak. Blood. Hunger. Pain.

“I’m so sorry, I… I….” Without thinking of an excuse, she dashed from the car.

Sadje’s part

She had gone only a few steps that he heard him call her name. “Mindy!!! I know your secret! Did you think that being friends with you for so long, I wouldn’t know it?”

Mindy turned, reluctantly, slowly…. “You do? But how? Who told you?” She was firing questions rapidly not giving Charlie a chance to respond.

“I suspected that something wasn’t right when every month, on the night of full moon, you’d disappear for a couple of days. And then when I’d meet you, you’d be lethargic and pale. I did some research and I came to the conclusion…..”

Jim’s part

Charlie continued talking and he said, “We both have inner conflicts and there is no reason for us to fight with each other, but if we do, only one of us is going to survive and that is the one who gets fed the most. When you accepted my invitation to enjoy a steak dinner with me in my car, I knew right away that you were the same as me. After you devoured that 72-ounce ribeye steak in 10 minutes and never touched your salad or the baked potato, I knew for sure that we are kindred spirits. We were cut from the same cloth which sounds oddly strange, but you run in my veins. I breathe what is yours, and you breathe what is mine. I have your scent, I’m on the hunt, and I’m after you. My mouth is alive, with juices like wine all running inside and I’m hungry like the wolf. We can hunt together, or you can follow me, as I will always be the leader of the pack.”

Mindy chimed in, “I really like your electric car, and this is the first time that I have eaten more than just a hamburger in one, so I must thank you for the scrumptious meal. I feel that salad is rabbit food, but I always enjoy a nice rabbit. I have been a lone wolf for a very long time, and I am highly aware of your potential, but I need my own space. I may succeed or fail, but when I get a setback, I will try again, and I will be happy to say that I did it my way. I enjoy thinking for myself and approaching issues from my own angle. I know what I want in a relationship, and I am not looking for romance, but I also understand your needs. I have a preference for solitude, and I don’t care for chitchat or do I have any desire for social engagements. If we do hookup, you should know that I am going to be the dominate one and if I find out that you are the kiss and tell type of guy, you will never see me again.”

Fandango’s part

Charlie rubbed his eyes and said, “Mindy, did you say something? Mindy? Mindy?” But Mindy didn’t move. Charlie reached over and shook her. “Mindy?”

Mindy opened her eyes, stretched, and said, “Oh Charlie, I’m so sorry, I must have fallen asleep. That pot we smoked before must have really knocked me out. I do remember having a strange dream where you were a werewolf or something like that. It was so vivid.” Then she paused and said, “Wow, I’m famished. Can we get outta here and get something to eat?”

“Sure,” Charlie said, putting the Tesla in gear and pulling away. Just a dream. Right! Charlie thought, a broad smile on his face.

Anita’s Part

Mindy fluffed her hair up just a bit, she checked the corner of her mouth for drool and smeared lipstick. She adjusted her little jacket that had ridden up her back. She looked over and smiled at Charlie. ” Sorry about that, I must have dozed off. That’s pretty rude of me, I’m sorry. ”

Charlie’s smile was bright and enthusiastic.

” Almost there, ” he told her  ” go on roll the window down a little. I’ll bet you can smell Mrs. Beenettle’s from here. ”

Mindy rolled her window down. ” Oh Charlie- that’s – wow -delicious!”

Charlie took a  right by an Elm tree, further down  he took a left  at an Oak and then they were on  a gravel road. His car whispered it’s way  to front of a Cottage with a hand painted sign at the driveway entrance that read:

” Welcome To Mrs. Beenettle’s Garden! Side Parking to your right. “

The sign was trimmed with butterflies and tulips.

” Is this a Nursery? I thought it was a restaurant. It smells like a restaurant. ” Mindy said hopefully.

Charlie beamed another smile at side of Mindy’s face and then he found a parking spot- which was easy because they were in the little side lot alone, and there at the gate to the Garden was Mrs. Beenettle.

” Good evening!” Mrs Beenettle trilled at them  as they pulled up ” And how are we this evening? ”

Mindy tried to not throw herself out of the car before it had stopped and was almost successful. ” Hungry- I must say Mrs Beenettle, I followed my nose all the way here!”

Mrs. Beenettle’s smile said, ‘ of course  you did ‘ but her lips remained shut.

Mindy pointed to the path next to the cottage and Mrs. Beenettle nodded.

After Charlie shut his car off and locked it,  Mrs Beenettle was there next to him.  They watched Mindy scurry down the path. ” Door Dash would have been faster ” Mrs Beenettle said crisply.

” But would your delivery have been as fresh? ” Charlie replied with his bright, bright smile.

The strolled side by side to Mrs Beenettle’s Garden in the back where she grew her orchard of  purple and red Corpse Flowers.

Each flower stood a small distance from the other Corpse Flowers  and each Purple and Pink prehistoric looking plant was surround by finely crushed white gravel.

The flower Mrs Beenettle and  Charlie were now standing   directly in front  of was twice as tall as all of the others. Placed directly in front of  ther rancid smelling flower was a little white wrought iron table  and two chairs  and on top of  the table,  slightly crumpled and covered with soft gray pollen,

was Mindy’s jacket.