In the Highlands of Scotland…
Allison Tyler fingered the class ring around her neck as she gazed at Duncarragh. The castle rose up from a huge rock on the banks of the Loch Rhoswen, a silent testimony to times long gone.
A lot must have happened in and around the castle’s walls over the centuries, she supposed. But none of that interested her all that much. She only wanted to know if those silent walls had witnessed one particular event. An event that hadn’t been explained in the six years since it had happened.
If only walls could talk….
She sighed and turned away.
“Allison, dearie! Will you be wanting your breakfast now?”
She looked up to find the keeper of this funny little inn beaming at her, a spatula in one hand and a towel in the other, as usual.
She smiled. “Yes, Mrs. Murchieson. I’m coming.”
The old woman nodded approvingly and led the way into the kitchen. “What will you do now?” she asked as she laid the plates on the table.
Allison sat down and studied her toast. What should she do? Quite honestly? She didn’t know. Her only idea had failed miserably. But perhaps that wasn’t too surprising. She would never have known that Gabe had planned on visiting this place if she hadn’t found that letter last month.
“Well?”
She looked up. “Huh?”
“What will you do now?” Mrs. Murchieson repeated.
“Oh!” She hesitated. “I…uh…don’t know.”
The innkeeper helped herself to a seat at the table and a slice of toast. “How about this,” she said. “You tell me what you’re trying to do, and I’ll see if I can’t give you a few ideas.”
Allison shrugged. Why not? The inn was Gossip Central. Who knew what Mrs. Murchieson might have heard.
“Well…” she began. She took a deep breath. “I’m looking for my boyfriend.”
“Gracious, dearie! I’ve not seen you with a man, and you’ve been here four days!”
“I know.”
“You… lost him?”
Allison sighed. “No,” she said. “He disappeared.”
Mrs. Murchieson’s eyebrows rose as she heaped two spoonfuls of sugar into her tea.
“You see, he came here on a trip, six years ago, and he never returned.”
The spoon froze in midair, and Allison could have sworn that something flashed through the innkeeper’s eyes. But it was gone a moment later when she started sipping her tea.
“Interesting,” she said.
“That’s not exactly how I’ve thought of it.”
“I’m sure it isn’t, dearie. Is he an American, like you?”
Allison nodded.
“And the police couldn’t find him?”
Allison shook her head. “They gave up years ago.”
“I see.” Mrs. Murchieson put down her teacup. “Dearie, will you tell me why a young lady such as yourself is taking on this task?”
“Because everyone else has given up. And I’m not that young.”
Mrs. Murchieson’s eyebrows went up again.
“I’m twenty-four!”
The old lady’s teacup didn’t quite hide the smile that twitched the corner of her mouth . “As I said, young.”
Allison didn’t bother arguing. “So what should I do?”
Mrs. Murchieson took a gentle sip. “Give it up.”
“What? That’s all the advice you have for me?”
“’Tis good advice, dearie.”
Allison worked her fingers through the tangles in her hair. Yes, it probably was good advice. After all, she had no proof that Gabe had really come to this tiny little town…and it had been six years. If he was alive, wouldn’t he have turned up by now?
But still…
“Isn’t there anything else you can suggest?” she asked.
The old woman sat thinking for long moments. “Well…” she began. “I don’t know that I can help you too much. A precious lot of people go missing ’round these parts, but most of ‘em are found within a day or two. You might try looking through old newspapers, though. Perhaps you’ll find a story with some information.” She shrugged and rose from the table.
“That’s a thought,” Allison admitted. It wasn’t a bad one, either. Newspapers were usually eager to print even a rumor of news. Perhaps one of them had—.”
“Or…you might try asking at the castle up the way.”
She might?
Allison caught a knowing glance in the old woman’s eyes. “Up which way?” she asked.
“Up the loch,” came the quiet answer. “Duncarragh. The laird knows a thing or two.”
And suddenly, she disappeared from view.
Allison stared at the now-empty doorway and wondered. Did Mrs. Murchieson know something after all?
She rose and put her plate in the sink, then went outside again.
Duncarragh. Yes, Gabe had mentioned that name. Perhaps it was worth trying…
…
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Where would you like to see the story go from here? I plan to write the next installment next week, based on your replies!
Sooo… Do you think Allison should check newspapers? Should she go visit Duncarragh? Should I tell you more about Gabe next? Use the comments, and come back to see who agrees with you!
20 Comments
Great idea, Katie!
Ummmm…. no, keep Gabe and what happened to him in the dark for awhile. And if Allison were me
I would definitely go to Duncarragh first. My two cents!
Fun idea, Katie.
Keep what happened to Gabe a mystery. I think she should check the newspapers first but find very vague, dark hint. Maybe not even specifically about Gabe, but about other disappearances.
And when she does disappear (I assume she will) , make it accidentally – so she will be surprised when she finds Gabe. Ooh, and of course she shouldn’t recognize him right away when she does.
Two votes for keeping what happened to Gabe in the dark.
One vote for going straight to Duncarragh, one vote for checking newspapers.
Who else?
I agree with the others about keeping Gabe’s disapperance a secret but I also think she should find a cryptic message in the newspapers before she actually heads to the castle. Maybe at Duncarragh she can meet with some resistance, but someone whose been the eyes and ears of the Castle for years can tell her about an old Legend or something to that affect! Very cool idea Kathleen, your writing is superb!!!
Andrea :O)
CHRW
I agree–keep Gabe in the dark. Go see the Laird!
This is a cool idea, Katie. Well, if she checks the newspaper that can’t be a loose end or a filler; there will have to be something of significance on file that sends her scooting to the castle. And I definitely vote for keeping Gabe’s secret for quite a while. Otherwise, what will you have for a plot?
I say have her go to the castle!!! Can’t wait to read more!
Trinity
Definitely go to the castle!!! The Castle, definitely. LOL! She’ll find him there, I bet… maybe she will find a portal that will lead her to Gabe in another century…
Okay… you write the story. Can’t wait to see the next installment.
Castles are always good. I like castles.
With the innkeeper vanishing after that cryptic comment, I’m with the rest; off to the castle!
Leave Gabe a mystery. She might recall his excitement about the trip or even the reason he went (family roots?) which could make the “why” of it work better when the time comes, or the little things lovers do (to flesh out the “why” of her search after six years) but other than that, leave him in shadow.
Have fun!
Wonderful idea Katie, mind if I spread it around a little…lol!
I’m torn, I like the idea of finding something in the newspaper, but of course the castle is a definite. I was also thinking about maybe the laird being Gabe…lol! So many directions to take.
OKay seriously I want to see what happens when she goes to the castle!! Maybe she can think a little about Gabe on the way, but man you sure did leave us in suspense! Can’t wait until next week, this is so much fun!!!
Definitely check out the castle! It’s just too mysterious! I think that we should learn more about Gabe gradually, through flashbacks maybe so he’s fleshed out before Allison finds him (asssuming that she does find him, which I’m sure she will!).
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I have to say, this is even more fun than I thought it would be! I LOVE seeing the ideas that go through readers’ minds, and what they’re hoping happens!
Sooo… right now, going straight to Duncarragh is definitely winning the votes. You all are pretty much agreed on keeping what happened to Gabe in suspense for a while, which is what I hoping for. Well… I want you to want to know about him, but I’m glad you don’t want it all up front!
I’m going to let this settle for the weekend and a little while next week while I work on the next installment. In the meantime, more votes are welcome!
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Kathleen, you could have her stumble across some clue in an old newspaper that takes her to Duncarragh in search of her boyfriend, but it doesn’t need to be that simple. Maybe when there she could overhear someone comment on how they’d lied to her when she asked quesions ?? Very good start to a story!
Kathleen, lots of great suggestions from pools of talent.
I shall be checking in to see what transpires! I enjoyed the writing and you definitely have me hooked.
The only thing that seemed absent was emotion. Without that, I felt a little like and outsider looking through a window … nothing like a tear or two to pull me in, wanting to comfort, identify. Too soon? I am sure the emotion is on its way!
Marion
Have her go to the castle and meet with the Laird. You might also let the reader know WHY Gabe was there in the area in the first place.
Okay, you’ve got me hooked. I can’t wait to read more! She definitely needs to go to the castle. Checking newspapers would be very intriguing. What will she find there? hmmmm.
She should go to the castle! I would think whatever she finds in a newspaper the police would already know about. If she does find something in a newspaper, that would take her to the police. I want her to go to the castle!
good work, i like it so far, both first and second, i would like either way, have her enter private property, i love anything.