Monday, 17 April 2017

A-Z Challenge 2017 - N is for Nettlesby

Welcome to Day 14 of the A-Z Challenge 2017. This month I'm sharing my "Black & White Snippets" - snapshots of some of the characters, places and concepts that populate my forthcoming YA dystopian trilogy, Black & White. There won't be a lot of details or spoilers - just short scenes and vignettes that give you a hint of the world I've created. Today, it's N for Nettlesby.


Nettlesby was way out of his comfort zone. Why had he even signed up for this trip? These people were savages. Out hunting for wild animals – until recently, he’d never even seen an animal in the flesh before. He huddled in the tent with his knees up close to his chest, trying to make himself as small as possible. And it was so damn cold.


They’d heard a whistling, followed by a distinct howl of pain. Did they eat human flesh, too? Who could say? Lunkin had laughed and gone out to introduce himself. Confirmation that the man was mad.

24 comments:

Deepa said...

I wonder if he is really crazy or just acting so

A Peice Of My Life

moon said...

Oh my God! This is terrifying . Such vivid imageries .
Best wishes
Moon
https://aslifehappens60.wordpress.com

Heather R. Holden said...

Ooh, creepy. Poor Nettlesby!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Nick - oh dear poor Nettlesby ... he was in the unknown wasn't he - loved this and left so much open for us to think about ... cheers Hilary

http://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/n-is-for-notable-rare-breeds-natives.html

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

That doesn't sound like your average hunting trip.

Cathy Kennedy said...

Nettlesby needs to nab a kNife or some needle-pointed object for his protection against the wild animals or worse. I'm not sure which is the most frightening beast or man. I think I'd take my chances against the beast any day over man. Good luck to Nettlesby!

~Curious as a Cathy
Art Sketching Through the Alphabet "N" (Nightingale)

Natalie Aguirre said...

Sounds pretty scary for Nettlesby.

Darla M Sands said...

Well done invoking the imagery. Happy A-Z!

http://darlamsands.blogspot.com/

Heather M. Gardner said...

Wow! All your posts so far are fantastic! I love the names and the descriptions. Awesome job!
Heather

Laurel Garver said...

I'm intrigued to know why he signed up for the trip, too. Was is merely to see real animals in the flesh? His sensitive reaction to the environment makes me think this might be so.

Ronel Janse van Vuuren said...

I'm sure he'll be okay: he's with the guy who's acting like a mad man (people don't mess with crazy people). They'll eat their fellow hunters first... Happy A-to-Z-ing.

H. R. Sinclair said...

Nice and creepy! I agree with Alex, that's doesn't sound like a regular ol' hunting trip.

Tamara Narayan said...

Nettlesby, I feel your pain. I don't want to go camping and forget hunting (unless it's the Zombie Apocalypse). Of course, with a name like Nettlesby, you are doomed to hide and cower.

N is for Operation Northwoods

Keith's Ramblings said...

Often when I'm alone in my little tent at night I hear the sounds of creatures of the undergrowth and the occasion scary noise. All part of the fun for me. Get a grip Nettlesby!

Another day in Amble Bay!

Nilanjana Bose said...

A bit creepy if and only if they are cannibals, otherwise sounds like Nettlesby is over-reacting. This is what happens if people are cooped up in megacities and never leave them ordering eggs and milk on the net...scary to think we might get that detached from our natural surroundings!


Nilanjana
Madly-in-Verse

Shari Elder said...

Characters should always be put out of their comfort zone, that's the mark of a great scene. The mind goes in such vivid, creative, frightening places when its out of that zone. Fun snippet.

Jean Davis said...

Hopefully he's just nervous and worrying needlessly...or perhaps he should be running if he doesn't want to get eaten.
Discarded Darlings - Jean Davis, Speculative Fiction Writer, A to Z: Editing Fiction

Liz A. said...

Wild animals? Introduce himself?

Anonymous said...

O.o I'm right there next to Nettlesby.

Karnika Kapoor said...

wow! That is interesting!

Barbara In Caneyhead said...

Perhaps he happened to be at deer camp on late December?
Perspectives at Life & Faith in Caneyhead

Cynthia Rodrigues Manchekar said...

Nettlesby is alone in a tent with no weapons while outside there may be creatures that eat human flesh.

I'm just glad I'm not in old Nettlesby's shoes.

Sara C. Snider said...

Ooh, creepy. Good stuff. :D

A to Z 2017: Magical and Medicinal Herbs

JazzFeathers said...

I don't know why, it made me smile ;-)

@JazzFeathers
The Old Shelter - 1940s Film Noir