![\"Camp](\"http:\/\/dakotafrost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Camp-Nano-2017-07-17-a.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
As usual, it takes me some time to get back into a book, especially if I’ve spent the first few days of the month distracted by something like, uh, I dunno, scouting locations for the book.<\/p>\n
![\"IMG_20170704_150803.jpg\"](\"http:\/\/dakotafrost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/IMG_20170704_150803.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
But, now, after about a week of concerted work, I’m getting my legs under me. Blood remains in the water, but it is receding.<\/p>\n
\n![\"Camp](\"http:\/\/dakotafrost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Camp-Nano-2017-07-17-b.png\")
<\/p>\n
Should I include an excerpt? Ah, sure. Raw stuff, still needs more research, but, here you go:<\/p>\n
\n“Hey, hey, hey,” I said. “Why would you want me to use the isolation tank?”<\/p>\n
“Because Carrington got infected after a spirit journey she took here,” Heinz said. “A journey which just might have taken her into faerie, given our current theory. And since I have the magical affinity of a wet noodle, and wouldn’t know a faerie from a star on Broadway—”<\/p>\n
“Troglodyte,” I muttered, glaring at him. “Fine, fine, fine, I’m the best suited for this … this suicide mission—”<\/p>\n
“No!” Wilz said. “If you really think this will hurt you, no go. I don’t need the liability.”<\/p>\n
I sighed, then stared at Heinz.<\/p>\n
“In my professional judgment,” Heinz said, “if this was a normal infection, one of the hundreds of people who’ve used this isolation tank would already have been infected. If this was a magical infection, you would already have been infected by your prior exposure. And if there’s magic here at all … you’re the most likely one to find it.”<\/p>\n
“Fine.” I said. “Fine—”<\/p>\n
“I … will show you to the showers,” Wilz said.<\/p>\n
Ten minutes later, I returned from a quick splashdown, holding tight to my body a big, warm, white fuzzy robe provided by Wilz, as Heinz looked at me with quite the smirk. I glared at him, then turned the glare on Wilz, who recoiled in a mix of surprise and curiosity.<\/p>\n
“No commentary!” I said, peeling off the robe quickly, bare to my metal bikini. “Zipit!”<\/p>\n
Wilz took the robe, then drew his hand across his mouth, glancing at Heinz.<\/p>\n
“Okay,” Wilz said. “We’d rather not have to flush this water after each use, so—”<\/p>\n
“Don’t say don’t pee in it,” I said, pointing at him. “I know that already! I’m an adult!”<\/p>\n
“Yeah, well,” Heinz began.<\/p>\n
“And you’re not!” I shot back.<\/p>\n
“I didn’t personally put Doctor Orleans in the tank,” Wilz said. “I don’t know what was said, so I don’t know how to recreate the conditions that she, er, he, experienced while in there. All I can tell you is to lie down, to relax … and to keep your head above water.”<\/p>\n
“I hope there’s a headrest,” I muttered.<\/p>\n
“There is,” Wilz said. “Let me help you in—”<\/p>\n
The Epsom salt laden water of the tank was warm, thick, almost tacky as I went in. The tank made soft booming noises as I moved, strangely muffled by the outer padding. Wilz helped me straighten out to level, then guided my head down to a horseshoe-shaped rest.<\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
The door of the tank closed … and I was left in darkness.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Onward!<\/p>\n
-the Centaur<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
As usual, it takes me some time to get back into a book, especially if I’ve spent the first few days of the month distracted by something like, uh, I dunno, scouting locations for the book. But, now, after about … Continue reading