The ABC Affair- Stonehenge. Chapter 14 Letter N

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

As Glennagirl put it, it's been tough finding the writing mojo, but I'm still plugging along...

The prompts: Neolithic, northeast

Mark, Napoleon, Illya and the others watched, albeit nervously, as April and Ellery headed towards the Neolithic site. Once arriving the two women surveyed the bodies that were still arranged as they had been.

There was no new corpse that they could see. Perhaps the lack of availability of live victims within the sphere of Stonehenge’s influence had indeed interrupted these grisly rituals.

As to whether that was a good thing remained to be seen.

The women turned their attention northeast, specifically to where the Sun-stone was located.

Once arriving, they circled around it, shining the lantern light up and down its lichen covered surface as Ellery examined it for clues.

“Look,” April pointed to a darkened section towards the top of the stone.That looks like blood.”

Ellery drew a cotton swab from her lab coat pocket and dabbed it against that part of the stone.  It came back damp, and as the doctor touched her finger to the swab, she sniffed it and nodded her head.

“Oh this is definitely fresh blood, it has a metallic odor. Blood contains iron atoms and humans can smell iron which can be interpreted as a sense for the smell of blood. It’s different from the scent of say...menstrual blood which can sometimes smell rather unpleasant due to the possible presence of bacteria. Your period can produce an odor, which may even be different month to month. Some women report that their period smells like death, though this isn’t necessarily a cause for concern.”

“Doctor,” April tried to interrupt, but it didn’t work.

Ellery continued talking,” The strong smell is likely due to the blood and tissues exiting the vagina along with bacteria. It’s normal for the vagina to have bacteria, though the amount can fluctuate.”

“Doctor, Ellery!”April cringed ever so slightly,”I’d rather not have this discussion, if you don’t mind. I think we should get back to the others.”

“Oh sorry. I do tend to prattle on when it comes to facts.”

“I’m sort of used to that, being around a certain Russian,” April smiled.” I don’t mind hearing facts, it’s just being where we are that has me a bit concerned, considering what’s been going on.”

“Why yes of course, I under ...oomph!”

Literally out of nowhere, a pair of hands grabbed the Doctor and pulled her into ...oblivion.

April immediately had her gun drawn and charged forward to where Ellery had just been standing.  She reached out, her hand cutting through the air. There was nothing, nothing at all.

No sign of Ellery or her abductor. It was if the woman had never been there.

April ran back to the others, not bothering to use her communicator. She was completely winded as she neared and frankly, she was scared.

Napoleon, Mark and Illya, upon seeing Dancer alone and staggering, rushed to meet her.

Napoleon wrapped his arms around her, as did Mark; both men supporting her as they helped her to one of the cars.

“April luv, what happened?” Slate asked.

She was as pale as a ghost, most likely in shock.  Once she caught her breath, Solo drew a flask from his breast pocket, offering it to her.

April held up her hand, declining it, though she was still trembling.

“Ellery...she, she just vanished!”

The other men looked at each other in confusion.

“What do you mean ‘vanished?” Illya asked. “Is she lost? Did she walk away from you?”

“No, you don’t understand. She literally vanished into thin air. I saw a pair of hands grab her by the shoulders and pull her into ...nothingness. Ellery was speaking to me and suddenly she was gone in mid-sentence.”

The agents immediately drew their weapons and were ready to head out in search of the woman.

“No, don’t do it!” April shouted. I think it’s a trap! I think they need another male for their sacrifice.  There was no new body in the henge...they’re still short another victim.  You all going near it will be giving them what they want. Please don’t go?”

“April, we have to. We can’t abandon her?” Napoleon said.

“I know. Well if you’re going...I’m going as well.” She had regained her composure and rose from her seat in the rear of the car.

“Safety in numbers?” Mark shrugged.

“Everyone stick to a partner,” Napoleon ordered. “Once we get near the Sun-stone, I want everyone to stand back to back. Keep your eyes peeled, though if these people can appear and disappear, well that’s going to make it all the more difficult.

The sun was beginning to peek above the horizon, bringing them closer to the solstice. They had two more days to solve this bizarre situation.

Luckily the local constabulary had already been called in to keep the tourists away, along with the wanna be druids.  If any of them got past the blockade, their lives would be in danger as it was presumed there were two more victims needed before the fateful sunrise arrived.

Just as they arrived at the henge the telltale mist appeared, and in the sky above them the mysterious comet seemed to hover.

“Circle the wagons,” Napoleon barked. “Everyone remains back to back!”

They moved like a human wheel, turning and moving continuously as the mist thickened.

Hands suddenly appeared reaching for Solo, and immediately he and the others fired their guns.

The mist, as quickly as it appeared, dissipated. The comet was gone as well, just as the sun appeared.

On the ground at Solo’s feet was a body, clothed in a white robe.

“Wonder if this one’s going to disappear like the other one did,” he said.

He knelt, flipping back the hood of the garment with the barrel of his Special to reveal a familiar face...