Yule, Ohio (Now-Before)

Chapter 3 of a dark, dreamy winter's tale about a magical place called Yule...Ohio.

Blake, Rhea, and Liv…who they are now…but before returning to Yule.

“Blake, I’m trying! This video won’t play. Let me call you back, ok?” Rhea said over the speaker function of Blake’s iPhone.

“Fine. Let me know as soon as you watch it! We NEED to do something,” came the reply from the figure seated in the shadows of the corner apartment on the Upper East Side.

Blake ended the call and sighed as the light of his smartphone faded, leaving only the light of his MacBook Pro. The light spilled over his hoodie and barely illuminated his face under the shroud, several sizes too big for his frame.

“What am I going to do while I wait,” he muttered to himself. The shrill meow of a feline answered from somewhere in the dark room, the heavy curtains pulled tight.

“Oh don’t you start with me Bartleby, I know. I KNOW!”

Blake flicked his thumb and pinkie finger across the laptop’s keys, switching away from the video platform and back to the manuscript he had been working on before the notification came across his social media. The few words in the title line seemed to call out to him.

Draft: New Story (Dark Tone, Escapist Fantasy, RomCom)

The flashing cursor beckoned him encouragingly, but no words came. Somedays the Muse just does not want to work. Even in a dark apartment, on a brand-new laptop.

The furnishings in the room were sparse. A futon that doubled as the only bed was resting against the wall, facing a small door, almost too narrow for adults to use. A comfy bean bag chair, large enough for two, was in the corner near the window where the heavy curtains were drawn. Atop it sat Blake and his deadline, a computer too. Two suitcases lay on the floor near him, one open with a pile of messy clothes spilling out. The other was shut and locked, its outside covered in travel stickers, it was worn out and showed its many miles of travel. And the false care of baggage handlers everywhere.

“Right. Ok. New story. Two friends get lost on their way to a retreat, looking for love…and…what?” Blake muttered as his hands softly punched out ideas and words in a bullet-point fashion. The screen capturing a few more words then he spoke.

“Dammit, I’m hungry.” Blake spoke out loud and the orange tabby howled in agreement. The laptop was shut and Blake moved to exit the room, seeking the adoration of the small kitchen that the apartment contained, just on the other side of the door.

The cat raced to the door and waited as it was opened. The pair exited, leaving behind the deadline, and the smartphone as it began to vibrate wildly.

UNKNOWN CALLER displayed on the screen.