Short+Stories

=My Life in 802 Words=

A cool breeze whispers through the dark forest, rustles following in its path as the leaves begin to dance. The waves of the lake swirl, creating patterns of blue and white on the surface. I stare at the village that stands on the edge of the lake at the bottom of the valley. My home. I'm not sure what number this home is though, I stopped counting after one hundred. It is time for me to move on again. I have lived in Kaymara Village for fifteen years, one of the longest I have stayed somewhere. It crosses my mind that I will have to yet again create a new name for myself. Azrah, maybe? Or have I already used that? Yes, I remember now, Sayda Town. So many different homes, so many different identities. Yes, that's right, whenever I move I create myself a new identity. I have to, just like I have to move. I have no choice. Let me tell you now: Immortality is not something you should wish for. No, I will not move to another village, town, or city. It is time to live alone. I have suffered much because of my curse and I can still feel the pain. Why should I put others through that same suffering every time I leave? I am, after all, just one individual in the world. I can easily fade to the background, disappear without a trace, leave behind those with whom I have bonded. But if I disappear for good, I can return to who I was in the beginning. I can live without the worry of someone from a past home recognising me when they come to my current one. And I might finally be able to achieve full peace. My thoughts are interrupted as I feel the first drop of rainfall hit my nose and my attention is brought to the dark clouds that have been gathering all day. Part of me says it can't hurt to stay another day, just until the rain has past. But it's a small part and it is quickly dismissed. I feel part of my heart crack, fall to the side, and land on the pile of other shards and pieces of my heart. A tear trickles unbidden down my cheek, clinging to my chin for a fraction of a second before dropping and sinking into the ground. I haven't cried since home thirty, yet now I find myself unable to stop. An overwhelming sense of sadness consumes me and my throat closes up uncomfortably, because out of all the places I have lived, Kaymara Village means the most to me. But alas, once again my immortality forces me to leave. At least now I don't have to call myself Maximillion, I can return to my birth name. That is, if I can remember what it was. I think I was named Miaso. Yes, I like the sound of that. Miaso the Immortal. It is time for Maximillion to sat goodbye to Kaymara Village and for Miaso to begin his journey to find peace within himself as he reflects on his past. I blink once and the Village disappears for a moment before reappearing. I flex my fingers, standing here in the cold, staring for so long has made my limbs stiff. The sun has sunk and now sits beneath the clouds, on the edge of the horizon. I watch as it lights the lake on fire, the dark clouds too catching alight. The colour red surrounds Kaymara Village and I know now that whenever I see a sunset like this, I will be reminded of this day. The sun dips out of existence, leaving the village in darkness as the rain pours down, giving life to the trees and plant life around it. I turn my back on the home I have lived in for the last fifteen years as a hoot rings out, signalling the awakening of the night creatures. My name is Miaso. I have lied to all those closes to me, but maybe one day they will know the truth. “Max!” The voice echoes up the valley. “Max, where are you?” A second joins the first and I know that the twins Iarich and Sazarich are looking for me. “I am sorry, my friends.” I whisper. “I am sorry for all the lies I have told, all the false stories about my past. Most of all I am sorry I have to leave. I couldn't stand the pain of watching you grow old an die while I remain unchanged. But I am glad I met you, we had many great times together, and I have learned much. Once again I say: I am sorry. And goodbye, my friends.” And so... I walk away. (It's hard to sustain a 1st person monlogue like this. You have done well. It has quite a mournful feeling to it. Mr du)

=Dawning Realisation=

The gun slipped and fell to the ground. The world seemed frozen in that one moment. I didn't have time to panic, backup would be there soon. I hid shivering behind a stack of boxes in the still-dark alleyway. I couldn't control my breathing, so I fumbled with one of the pockets on my bag, hurriedly getting out my inhaler and putting it to my trembling lips. I puffed it twice and found myself able to breathe again, I puffed again to be sure. My breathing soon calmed, but my heart wouldn't stop racing. (I like this section. Great detail. Showing not telling), Within a few moments after my breathing went back to normal I heard the sirens. A moment later the lights flashed as the two police cars came to a halt at the entrance to the ally. The doors slammed and some police men went to secure the area. "Lisa!" I heard a familiar voice call, "Lisa, where are you?!" I stood on shaky legs and stumbled back into the ally, trying not to look at the body splayed on the ground. "Gareth!" I whimpered. "Lisa!" He said as he steadied me, making me sit back down, "Are you OK?" I started having to gasp for breath again, I shook my head, eyes wide in terror. He pulled me close and started rocking me back and forth in his arms, I couldn't help but let tears stream from my eyes. "Just calm down," He said, "Just calm down." But I couldn't calm down, I pulled myself away and gripped his shoulders at arms length. The sky behind him turned red as the sun rose, and I saw realisation dawn in his eyes. The shadow of one of the other officers cast over us, the silhouette of something in his hand. I let out a wail. "I killed him!"

=Nightmare=

It's red eyes stared at me, warning me not to run. My feet were frozen in place. Shivers ran up and down my spine. My heart raced and terror set in my bones as I lifted my hands to the sky, surrendering like you would surrender to police. I could hear its heavy breathing as its red eyes continued to glare at me. I had surrendered, but it wasn't moving. My muscles tensed and my hear hammered against my ribs as I realised it could be staring at something behind me. I turned slowly and looked over my shoulder. Nothing... Just the black sky and the thick mist. The mist was the only thing that moved, swirling silently around my feet. I turned back around... And screamed. It was right in front of me, the black silhouette of its body framing its blood red eyes. I started to hyperventilate, nothing could move without making a sound! Its gleaming eyes bored into me. A breeze chilled my soul, “Get out of here...” The eiry wind seemed to whisper, “Go home... Never come back!” The beast took a step forward, the moon broke out of the blackness covering the sky and I saw it clearly for the first time. It reared in front of me and another scream escaped my lips. My eyes snapped open and I jerked upright, my heart still pounded against my chest, the sound of my scream still echoing in my ears. I hugged my knees and shivered under the blankets, telling myself it was just a dream. It wasn't a dream. It was a Nightmare.

=Floating on the Wind=

Taupo faded into nothing as the years flew by and darkness enveloped the Earth. The ruins of buildings still stand around the lakeside like misplaced rocks. The remains of the once sturdy walls are covered in vines where the surviving plant life found shelter from the ice-cold winds that blast through the trees. I sit upon my favourite hill, gazing at the large lake below me, as I write this. The lake ripples as another wind chills the air, it's blue surface reflecting the sky that looks so full of life. I remember the day the lake turned red. People said it was Armageddon, and they were almost right. It had sparkled red as the sun met it's fate. In the last hours of that day, Taupo had watched it's beautiful lake shimmer for what they had thought to be the last time. They were wrong. For even though the sun's life force ran out and the sun died, they were still alive. I am still alive. I may be thin, as food is scarce, I may be dehydrated as the fresh-water rivers are still frozen and the lake's water is not safe to drink. But the worst thing, is coping with the solitude. Everyone else gave up hope when the light disappeared and darkness shrouded everything, but I never stopped hoping. It has been a long time since the Day of Dying Sun, by the look of myself in the reflection of the lake, roughly twenty years. Warmth floods my chest when I think of what has been bestowed upon me. Light shines once more on the Earth. I shed a tear for those who gave up hope and died in the darkness. I will give this note to the Wind, so that if there are others who survived, they might read this as it blows across the world. So to those who find this, now is the time to change our ways so that we may lengthen our planet's life and not kill it with pollution. To those who find this, I will wait. *~* My name is Alviss. You are right, now that the sun has been reborn we must change our ways. I, too, will give this message to the Wind to that any others who are left may know that I will travel across the seas and wait with the sender of this message. Together we will await your arrival. *~* My name is Sarah. I agree with both of you, Alviss and the unnamed sender of this message. I will travel across the sky to join you both, leaving this message with the Winds once more. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: 17px;">Now that our new sun has shed warmth once more on our planet, it is time to converge and start out world anew. <span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman',serif; text-align: center;">*~* <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: 17px;">Their names are Eliza and Victoria. I am Amy. My younger sisters and I, along with our mother, Victoria, are on our way to join Alviss, Sarah, and the writer of this message. We believe that the Elements, and the Earth, want us to start life from scratch, because the Wind has carried this message far to reach us. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: 17px;">Hope brings us together. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: 17px;">And Fate binds us. <span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman',serif; text-align: center;">*~* <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: 17px;">I am Ben. My friend Tyler and I have nothing much to say, except that we are also on our way. We urge any others to join us and those who have already received this message so that we may live like we used to. <span style="display: block; font-family: 'times new roman',serif; text-align: center;">*~* <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: 20px;">I must write for my son, Zach, as his handwriting is not very legible. My son is leaving as I write. I, unfortunately, will not be able to follow him as I am in no state to travel, but I send my wishes and hope you are all fortunate enough to arrive in Taupo safely to join the sender of this message in creating a new future for our planet. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: 20px;">My name is Alison, and I wish you all well.

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: 17px;">The writing ended there. I folded the note and slipped it into my pocket, heading back toward the hut my sister and I lived in. I opened the door and threw my jacket on the coat-hanger for the next time I'd need it, my wind-tussled, blond-brown hair shivered as I took off my cap and shook my head. “<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: 17px;">Veronica!” I called into the hut, “Look what I found!” “<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: 17px;">Come show me, I'm in the kitchen!” My sister shouted back. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: 17px;">OK, so I lied when I said we lived in a hut, it was more like a small cottage. I walked along the small hall that ran through the centre of the cottage, walked through an open door and into the kitchen. I found my brown haired sister slaving over the oven, she paused to wipe her hands and mop her brow before turning to me. “<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: 17px;">What did you find this time?” Veronica asked, it wasn't unusual for me to bring this and that home when I found something interesting. “<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: 17px;">A piece of paper that was being blown around by the wind.” I told her, she raised an eyebrow questioningly, “Listen to this.” I read what was on the paper to her then continued, “I think we should join them and their society.” “<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: 17px;">Jack.” Veronica said, “May I see that?” “<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: 17px;">Sure.” I handed her the note and went on, “I know it would be hard to get there, but if we work hard on repairing one of the old boats, I'm sure we could do it.” “<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: 17px;">Jack.” I heard my sister's doubtful tone, but ploughed on regardless. “<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: 17px;">Don't you think it would be good to talk with someone other than ourselves for once, and-” “<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: 17px;">Jack!” Veronica cut in, “That's not going to happen.” “<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: 17px;">But what if we wrote our own message, they might come and-” “<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: 17px;">Just listen to me, will you?!” She cut in again, sounding irritated, “By the state of the paper, the faded writing, what they're talking about, and how they're speaking...” She paused and looked me in the eye. “//This was written thirty years ago.//”

The Line
"Don't cross the Line!" Said Effile. I froze, for the tone of urgency in her voice alarmed me. I looked down and realised there was a thick red line beneath the toe of my boot. Slowly I edged backward, fear creeping into my heart, so great that I couldn't breathe. I felt like my chest was about to burst open and my heart run off at a mile a minute. It was pounding hard against my ribcage, as though it were a crazed bear attempting to break free of its cage. "Stop!" Effie hissed, and I froze once ore, I'd never heard her sound so serious. And then I saw the reason why. A bulky man stood on the other side of the line, red lines painted all over his face. He wore tattered clothes and had his tribal spear poised to throw. "Don't make any sudden movements." Effie warned me. I continued to creep back toward her, terrified as my eyes were locked onto the tribal man. I was almost back by her side, I was going to make it! Then I stumbled on a root protruding from the forest floor Effie grabbed my arm and hauled me to my feet, "Run! Get out of here, Ebony! RUN!" And that was the last I ever heard or saw of my sister Effie, because I turned tail and ran. Because I was afraid for my life. Because I wasn't brave enough to stay and fight. So I warn you now, if someone says not to cross the Line... Don't cross it.

Turning to Dust
The Old One sat in his velvet chair, gazing at the sun as it set on the other side of the stained-glass windows. The room was still warm from the heat of the day but the carers' would soon come to light the logs that were sitting in the hearth like obediant dogs. The room was small and plain, with a single bed, a small desk, and the velvet chair. The Old One never really slept in the bed though, he prefered the velvet chair and its cushions. The beam of coloured light that lay over the Old One like a blanket slowly drifted down to the floor and back toward the window as the sun edged closer to the horizon. The door opened and a yound lady walked in. Her hair was brown and she wore a maid's uniform. Her glasses were jammed up her thin nose and she carried some matches that she used to light the candle on the Old One's desk. The candle cast enough light for her to be able to see what she was doing as she knelt beside the hearth and lit the fire. "Mr. Rondrick, are you comfortable enough?" She asked, "Would you like me to get you a blanket?" The Old One did not reply, still staring out of the window. "Mr. Rondrick?" The carer asked. Afer pausing and still not getting an answer she decided that if she held his hand he might come out of his trance. "Mr. Rondrick?" She asked again as she reached out and took the Old One's hand. It was cold. Ice cold. The carer's eyes widened and she closed them briefly, a lump forming in her throat. She stroked his hair into place and pulled the curtains closed before exiting the room. She returned shortly after with a tall woman and two sturdy men in tow. "James, Barry, do you think you'll be able to carry Mr. Rondrick down?" The tall woman asked. "Yes, Miss." The two men nodded. They each took an arm and lifted the Old One from his chair, suporting him by wrapping his arms around their shoulders. James and Barry exited the room, the wonam and the carer following behind. They walked in silence down the corridor and out the front door of the castle. The final rays of the sun were vanishing as they made their way down the stone pathway and toward a large dark silouhette. The carer caried a candle to light the way. It did not take them long to reach the mound. The golden glow of the candle flickered as Barry and James lay the old one on the three foot tall pile of logs that had been doused in oil. The two men joined the woman and the carer stepped forward. "Goodbye, Mr. Rondrick," She said as a tear flowed down her cheek, "May you rest in peace." She touched the flame on the wick of the candle to the oil and the wood went up in flames. The Old One was burning. Burning to ashes. The Old One was turning to Dust.