Once the memory fades, he finds himself face to face with the Deer Woman - the one who has shown him to this attic space in this present time.

He slowly rises to his feet, staring at the Deer Woman, who stands before him, her expression calm and implacable. He hasn't seen a look like that since his time in the military, he realizes.

"Who are you?" he demands.

The Deer Woman speaks slowly and deliberately. "I am the Abbott's assistant."

"Where are my wife and daughter?"

Something like the shadow of a smile passes over the Deer Woman's face. A smile of infinite sadness, steeped in blood both old and fresh, flowing and still. There is a river of time passing continuously between the two of them within the attic. He sees in her eyes the blood washed afresh, hatred burned clean and through.

"Only you know the answer to that question..." she whispers.

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This has been the Eighteenth Chapter of Act Two for my ongoing #freewrite serial story.

ACT TWO CHAPTERS

Chapter One *** Chapter Two *** Chapter Three

Chapter Four*** Chapter Five*** Chapter Six

Chapter Seven*** Chapter Eight*** Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten*** Chapter Eleven*** Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen*** Chapter Fourteen*** Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen*** Chapter Seventeen

Here is Chapter Nineteen.

And here is the ACT ONE Chapter List, with all of the links for Act One.

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Written in five minutes from the writing prompts, "The Military" as part of the #freewrite exercise. Image is by me as well. You can view the prompt here. Be sure to sign up with some of the other freewrites for a minimum five year commitment. Thanks to @mariannewest for creating and running this challenge where they write more before 9 am than most people write all day

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Writing and images by Greg McCann, the author of this post and owner of this Steemit Channel. To view more of my work, please visit www.fireawaymarmot.com.