“You’re leaving me to die?”
“You’re infected. We can’t risk including you.”
“How do you know I’m infected?”
“I’m not explaining this to you again. The shuttle is leaving in ten minutes and we aren’t taking you.”
“I don’t understand. The others transformed. I know that my leg is probably broken but I’m human.”
“This part of the complex is relatively secure. I’ll leave you a bag of supplies. There is no reason you can’t survive until the military arrives.”
“No one is going to arrive for days! We both know that! What if one of those things gets inside of the infirmary? I can’t move! How can I defend myself?”
“Play dead.”
“Can you at least leave me a weapon?”
“I only have this rifle.”
“The shuttle bay is only thirty meters away! You can practically walk to the hatch with your eyes closed. You don’t even need that rifle!”
“Okay. Fine. There isn’t much left in the magazine but that’s the last one.”
“Thank you! This makes me feel so much better about our chances.”
“Right. Well, take care of yourself. I know this seems cold but please understand. We just can’t risk contamination elsewhere.”
“I understand. I’m not happy, but I do understand your situation.”
“Good.”
“Wait! Before you go, I do have one more question.”
“Yes?”
“Do you understand your situation?”
“My situation?”
“Yes. I know you wanted to exclude me, but we so very badly wanted to include you.”
The rear door of the infirmary exploded open and the transformed burst toward their quarry.
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Author: joshuajscully
That’s my picture up there. I’m not totally sure why I look so angry. I may be thinking about how much I hated the Crypt Keeper as a child.
I grew up faithfully watching reruns of The Twilight Zone and Tales from the Crypt. Unfortunately, I missed the boat in terms of writing for either of those programs. I do consider both to have been wildly influential when I think back to my earliest thoughts about becoming an author and I’m grateful my parents let me watch those shows as a kid (although there were probably some nights early in my childhood my mother wished she hadn’t let me watch those shows). If you’re familiar with either program, then you know what genres are my focus. I thoroughly enjoy science fiction, suspense, the twist ending, and some horror or supernatural elements as well. Honestly, when I was a kid the Crypt Keeper scared the hell out of me. As an adult, I’ve really learned to embrace the puns.
Historical fiction is a favorite of mine as well, and the root of that is shared with my profession. I am an educator by trade, and I teach American History. I consider some of the best writing I’ve ever done to be within the realm of historical fiction and I really enjoy saturating my mind in the research end of those projects.
I would make the argument that storytelling is in my blood. Even my sister mulled, very briefly (about 45 minutes), launching a career as a screenwriter! My last name is one of those Irish (and, apparently, formally Manx) ones with a wonderfully researched history -“the story-teller’s descendant”. On of the first day of school each year, I do share that “my name is Mr. Scully, and that rhymes with Kelly”, just so I do not hear the myriad of mispronunciations on the first day.
Several years ago, I started a blog similar to this one to highlight my middle years as a teacher. If that aspect of my life is of any interest to you at all, you can still find that blog online. During my summers, I really have time to pursue my writing projects and this blog will highlight some of that work. My first attempts to sit down and write extensively occurred when I was 15, but only a few years ago did I make setting time aside to write a priority. I’ve also benefited wildly over the years from many willing readers among my family and friends. The direction and feedback from those individuals has been invaluable.
Outside the world of the written word, I am an educator, basketball coach, lecturer, and (very, very occasionally) a landscaper. I have only ever known Western Pennsylvania as my home.
Although I love a good novel, I am absolutely unable to resist the power of the short story. The latter is really what I hope to be remembered for one day.
View all posts by joshuajscully
A Visit to the Idea Factory 