#RainbowSnippets: Rise of the Alpha Squirrel
Don’t forget to check out the other marvellous snippets at our Facebook group!
Today’s snippet is courtesy of MC Hana, who told me a story of an encounter she had with a hummingbird, which was subsequently adapted into this story.
“Shhhh. You’ll scare him,” Vince whispered, without taking his eyes off the coffee cup.
“Him? Who?” Nathan looked again, and only then did he notice the tiny green bird sitting on the edge, his long beak buried in the mess of melted cream at the top of the cup.
Nathan leaned forward to get a better look. The hummingbird stopped drinking and turned its head to one side to look back at him, all cocky, as if it was daring him to try to take his coffee back. It fluffed its feathers and shifted on the cup’s rim, like it was making itself comfortable for a long stay. Like it was laying claim to Nathan’s treat.
The amused look in its eyes was familiar. With growing horror, he realized he knew that hummingbird… Oh, no!
24 comments to “#RainbowSnippets: Rise of the Alpha Squirrel”
P.T. Wyant - January 30, 2016
Oh, this is going to be fun!
Kate Lowell - January 30, 2016
Charlie is an experience, that’s for sure.
Heloise West - January 30, 2016
I’m so jealous of your snowflakes!
Kate Lowell - January 30, 2016
It’s just a plugin, but you have to be self-hosted to use them. I’d love to find an evergreen garland one for next year–the Christmas lights were funny, but not really pretty.
Rian - January 30, 2016
Oh, no, you didn’t! I adore hummingbirds! The guy seems to be in for even more interesting times 😀
Kate Lowell - January 30, 2016
Vince is going to get his world-view turned upside down over the next book or two. 😀
Louise Lyons - January 30, 2016
Love the hummingbird, I sense an amusing story there.
Kate Lowell - January 30, 2016
I hope it will be. Nuts About You is going to be a hard act to follow.
Cheryl - January 30, 2016
Oooh I am so intrigued by this one. I was entranced when you were describing the hummingbird, then the last line totally captured my attention. Sounds like trouble brewing
Kate Lowell - January 30, 2016
There. It showed up here finally. WordPress must have had a hiccup. There’s definitely more to come, and it’s not just Charlie we have to worry about. Actually, he’s kind of the least of our worries.
JL Merrow - January 30, 2016
I LOL’d at that last line! Classic! 🙂
Kate Lowell - January 30, 2016
Imagine how awkward it would be to have a friend who could turn into a hummingbird? They’re so small, you’d never notice them spying on you. Or setting you up for a prank.
Jana Denardo - January 31, 2016
He knew that hummingbird, that sounds hilariously ominous. I’m loving it.
Kate Lowell - January 31, 2016
Thank you! Yes, indeed, Nathan and Charlie have a long history.
Julie Bozza - January 31, 2016
LOL! I know it’s simply a matter of personal taste, but I have to admit I never felt very interested in shifter stories – until I started seeing some rather unexpected animals involved. Hamsters, squirrels, hummingbirds, oh my… I might just have to give them a try sometime!
Kate Lowell - January 31, 2016
Sometimes, you just need something a little different, right? Nathan worries sometimes about Vince getting interested in another shifter, but not wolves. Wolves are jerks. (Okay, that’s not how Nathan describes them, but you get the drift.)
Rebecca Cohen - January 31, 2016
Don’t think I’ve come across a hummingbird shifter before 🙂
Kate Lowell - January 31, 2016
According to the shifters I’ve spoken too, they’re supposed to keep low profile. 😛 I don’t think you were supposed to know about him.
Oops.
A E Ryecart - January 31, 2016
I sense trouble ahead…..
Kate Lowell - January 31, 2016
So much trouble…
Amy Rae Durreson - January 31, 2016
That last line was a great contrast to the rest of the passage–the perfect note of humour.
Kate Lowell - January 31, 2016
Thank you!
Charley Descoteaux - February 4, 2016
Love it! It’s unexpected to look into a hummingbird’s eyes and see someone you know.:D
Kate Lowell - February 4, 2016
Lol!