A Better Life (Conclusion)

Published on by thelonelyauthorblog

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A Better Life  (Conclusion)

A flash of light as overwhelming as a thunderbolt ignited the room.

Dressed in jeans, sneakers, dark blouse with her sleeves rolled up, Josephine crossed through the time portal.

Knotting her long black hair behind her, she raced down the hallway. The eeriness of parading through a school she hadn’t seen in decades chilled her spine.

Dashing down the corridor, she stopped in her tracks. Using the red hammer, she broke the glass. Not a dangerous weapon as the shooter’s, but a fire extinguisher would have to do.

Two loud bangs in the distance startled her.

The shooter reached the security desk.

Less than ninety seconds before he shoots Jack.

Josephine scooted down the hallway, ducking into the empty classroom.

Several loud pops advised her two teachers just died. The killer would turn the corner in seconds.

She bit her lips in hopes of containing her breath. She swore the killer would hear her maddening heartbeat.

A loud gunshot appeared to explode in her ear.

She leaned forward to see the gunman shoot the fallen principal.

Within seconds Jack would turn the corner.

She darted out of the room. Swinging the extinguisher, she missed his head and struck a shoulder.

Killer spun around. The crazed look in his eyes shook her with fear.

Josephine sprayed foam into the gunman’s face as he fired two quick shots.

The first one struck a door.

The second hit her chest sending her crashing against the wall.

She watched Jack reach the shooter and knock him to the ground, disarming him in the process.

“Josephine, what are you doing here?” Jack ran to her. “Come on.”

Lifted off the ground, she held onto Jack as he carried her into the empty classroom.

He pressed the button on her wristband. They embraced and entered the light, collapsing on the ground in the familiar lab.

“Why did you risk your life like that?” He cried out.

Still dazed she could barely speak.

“Scott, call for an ambulance.”

Jack ripped her blouse open. Buttons flew in every direction. The priceless look of relief on his face when he found the Kevlar vest made her smile.  “Are you okay?”

“I will be when you promise to leave the past alone.” Grabbing her husband by the collar, she lowered him until their lips locked. “I love my time traveling fool.”

 

Thanks to everyone who followed my time traveling love story. I will be posting something tomorrow asking questions and seeking suggestions. Thank you.

146 thoughts on “A Better Life (Conclusion)”

      1. Yes, you should expand this to a novel. My one concern was that it moved too fast but now I see why you began with a short story version. You’ve suggested many elements to expand in a longer format, and you’ll have room to write in secondary characters and a more complex, read, dangerous, plot. There’s much here to develop, the concept is engaging, even thrilling, and it will be a terrific novel. Yes, for sure!

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        1. Exactly. This has screenplay written all over it. Novel will be trickier. But once I start layering things like you suggest it will slow the story down. Hey, blogging provided the perfect test audience. Thanks for your support.

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      1. Hahaha!! Yup you might have just walked into a serious firestorm. It was a good read and after being on pins and needles wondering how it was going to end, I’m happy to say that my heartbeat has now returned to normal.

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    1. Thank you so much. Coming from you that means quite a bit. I am currently fleshing out the characters and story. Hoping to turn it into a screenplay over the summer. Hopefully by years end I can start the novel. Blogworld does provide a nice little test audience. Thanks for reading.

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  19. Phew!!! Oh thank god that the woman was smart and saved the day! I am so happy that they are together and alive…. there are too many unhappy endings already in the world, so I love this happy ending! 🙂

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      1. I know – I don’t think I have ever written, (or had) a happy ending. Haha. But, they are needed sometimes, or it all gets too heavy for us, poor humans. (I do not know if you are at all familiar with a Swedish author, he was very famous back in the day, his name is Strindberg (August Strindberg). Anyway, he had a quote: “Human beings are to be pitied!” 🙂 So, we do need happy endings, sometimes! I hope you and your wife had a great brthday celebration!!

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    1. You just made mine. Smiling so hard. Thank you for saying that. You have been so supportive. I am so happy blogging because it gave me a chance to meet wonderful people like you who bring so much light and hope into my life. Thank you for being the amazing person that you are. Love you.

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      1. I owe your daughter a bouquet of flowers for encouraging you to write here. It has changed my life too. Meeting amazing people like you, has filled my life with such joy and knowledge. I absolutely can’t wait to see what you have for us next. Love you too, Sweetheart.
        XOXOXO

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      1. The real hero here is you. Your mind and those fingers did the magic on the keyboard that brought this to life. I’m glad I could play my cameo. Look forward to reading more of such wonderful posts from you. 🙂

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  26. The whole series was packed with suspense and action — and the conclusion didn’t disappoint. I like that Josephine went back to save him. Much better than those old fairy tales with only men doing the saving. And leave it to a woman to be smart and wear a bullet-proof vest. That might need to be on the list of essential equipment for time travelers 🙂

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  31. Andrew! This was a great story!! I loved it! So glad it turned out well in the end! 😊 True love! You did an awesome job! You should be very proud of your writing! 😀

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  32. I am happy to have them back where they belong, safe and sound.
    I enjoyed how the woman thought about high school for a moment before she figured out her weapon. Fire extinguisher is an original one, I think!! Nicely told and I see no problems, Andrew! 🙂

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  35. Pingback: FEATURED: A Better Life ( Screenplay in Four Parts ) by The Lonely Author | Ace Sales & Authors News

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