"Rapell-ent," called a voice from above. "The word is rapellent. Actually, the word is 're-pellent'. And so are you."
The voice was clear, strong, rich and female, one that brought up unwanted memories of his mother's nagging and great-aunt's psychological manipulation.
"Get out of my head!" Brian shouted.
"Why? It's so comfy in here," she said sweetly. And she began to gnaw upon the rope.
"Goddammit. How dare you?" Brian was feeling rudely violated, and in more than a little physical danger.
"Where are your manners?"
"You stink," she said, sweetly again. Brian bounced faster. His hands burned despite the thick gloves he wore.
"I can change," he cried.
"I'd rather you not," she called. "Or, rather, I'd rather you not knot."
"What?" Brian said, not hearing the silent 'k'.
"No knots!" she called, laughing. Brian hit the ground with a stomp as the full length of rope came tumbling down the cliff like an attacking anaconda.
The laughing from above...stopped.
Brian squinted up.
"You've been repelled."
Drat.
# # #
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