Outsmarting the Competition

Avatar Author: Nathaniel Payne I'm just a guy that likes to write. Mainly science fiction and a little light fantasy. I also like to play video games and spend time with my awesome family. I'm currently working on a 365 challenge! I will attempt to ... Read Bio

Before Niall could even open his mouth, someone else opened his door. Abruptly, and with little regard for manners or courtesy, a small, round bon-bon of a man burst through the entrance, his breath nothing more than ragged gasps for air. His frame was not built nearly well enough for so much as a brisk walk, and yet he had just sprinted a quarter-mile.

“Niall!” the man spurted, “I just received word! It’s awful! Truly awful!”

The rotund little man had grasped the attention of the intrigued Mr Cavendish like a freshly unwrapped caramel does the attention of a portly child. Niall was silently signalling to his associate that he should cease any and all conversations of this nature around this particular individual. His efforts were, unfortunately, unsuccessful.

“It’s truly, truly awful, Niall!” he continued to bellow. “They’ve done it! They’ve done the impossible!”

“Who? What?” Niall asked, suddenly concerned.

They have!” he repeated. “They’ve discovered the ninth candy!”

Flaming hecate!

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Comments (3 so far!)

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  1. Avatar kaellinn18

    Interesting. I wonder exactly who is outsmarting whom here. Did someone else actually discover the 9th candy, or is our tubby little friend wiser than he’s made out to be?

  2. Avatar Mostly Harmless {LoA}

    Hmm. Well, I wasn’t expecting the reveal so quickly, but now that it’s here, you’ve handled it well – the messenger man was so well introduced that I really can’t complain on that count!

    Methinks I’ll have to throw the next installment out there – what a series this is turning out to be – MH :)

  3. Avatar Tsu D'nehm

    I really like this new but nameless man, the story definitely needed a character who was a little more honest and loveable. I just hope he sticks around as a bit more than a plot device!
    Spilling the beans to Cavendish was an interesting idea too – he seems just the sought of obnoxious bureaucrat to try and get a sinister slice of the pie if he can.
    Can’t wait to see where this story goes next!

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