So, this one is a little unusual. I was give the words Poke, Secret and Sympathetic. That first word reminded of the idea of poking somebody online, and I had been listening to a podcast about epistolary stories and it got me wondering what a modern take on an epistolary story might look like (the answer is, at least partly, difficult to format!). Anne We had the best time last night Julie Really? He seemed so… You know Anne Yeah, I know. He seemed REALLY dull at first. Hard to say no though, right? Julie He was sweet, with the whole song thing Anne Exactly! Julie Sounds like it was worth it though? Anne Yep! He really opened up over dinner and turns out he’s really interesting And he’s rich! Julie Really? How rich? Anne Proper rich Julie And how interesting? Tell me more! Anne Like, he works in computers, and sold something for millions rich All sorts of stuff He’s travelled Speaks like six languages Surprise – very outdoorsy Julie Wow! What was it? Sounds perfect Anne I’m not sure. Wasn’t really listening to that bit Julie Find out for me? Anne Sure – I’m seeing him again tonight Don’t tell anyone though, k? His family won’t want us dating Secret, k? Julie Course Anne Anyway – I gotta get to class Speak to you later? Julie Probably. I’m going to the movies with Paul and Sarah, so might not be able to answer quickly Anne np ttfn Paul Hey – I’m so sorry, but I can’t make the movie tonight. I’ve already got the ticket though. You wanna see if Anne wants to join you. Have a girl’s night? Julie I don’t think she’s free tonight Sarah Ergh. Girl’s night? So cliché… Paul Really? What’s she doing? Julie I’m not supposed to say Paul You can tell us. We’re all friends, right? Julie No – she asked me to keep it secret Sarah Spill it, Red. You’ve got some gossip. Julie No Paul Go on. Sarah Go on. Paul Go on. Sarah Go on. Julie Really? Double teaming me? Sarah Go on. Paul Go on. Go on. Go on. Julie Fine – she’s got a date with Daniel Paul Daniel? Sarah Dull Daniel? Julie Yes – they went out last night and had a good time, so they’re doing it again tonight. Paul Don’t worry – we won’t tell. Sarah Who’d care anyway? Julie Err? You guys? Julie Poke! Anne Morning Julie Well? Anne Well what? Oh yeah – how was the movie? Julie Ha ha. Very funny How was your date? Anne Disaster Julie Oh no! What happened? Anne We were at dinner Just opened the wine Appetisers were amazing! Then he gets a phone call And he answers it! Julie That doesn’t sound so bad. We’ve had whole conversations while you’ve been on a date. Anne Yeah, but then he gets up and leaves!!!! Julie What? Anne Quick apology, but he’s gone!!! Julie Did he say why? Anne Leaving me with dinner for two sat alone No. Didn’t say anything but have to go Julie I’m so sorry What could have made him run off like that? Anne I don’t know I don’t care Julie What a jerk Did he at least pay? Anne Yeah Left his ccard with the waiter Julie That’s something at least Anne I guess Oh – I asked him that question for you You know – about what he made and sold Julie Oh, yeah? What was it? Anne Something called Macrodine Never heard of it Julie Me neither. Weird Anne Anyway See you l8r Getting ice cream for breakfast Cos I’m a grownup Julie Hugs Love you Julie Hey. Got a sec? William Shoot. Julie Have you ever heard of Macrodine? William Don’t think so. Is that an IT thing? Julie I think so, but I’ve never heard of it either, and nothing’s coming up from a search William Give me a few seconds. Julie K William No – nothing coming up. I don’t think that’s a real thing. Microdine is real. Macrodyn is real. Can’t find Macrodine. Julie K Thanks William What’s this about? Julie Nothing. Don’t worry about it. Thanks. Daniel Hey Julie Daniel? How did you get my contact? Daniel Paul. Don’t be mad. Need to talk to you. Julie No you don’t. Not after how you treated Anne the other night. Daniel I know. I treated her bad. I want to make it up to her. Julie So, why are you talking to me? Daniel She won’t return my calls. Julie And you’re surprised? Daniel No, but I need to get in touch with her somehow. I really like her. Julie You’re going to need to give me more than that. I’m not feeling very sympathetic towards you right now. Why should I help you get another chance to hurt my friend? Daniel Look – I know I screwed up. Julie Understatement. Daniel But I need to apologise to her. Julie Who was the phone call from? Daniel My parents. Somehow they heard that I was dating Anne, and they freaked. They don’t like me dating. Julie Dude – you’re an adult. Who cares what your parents think? Daniel You wouldn’t say that if you had my parents. Julie Incidentally, what’s Macrodine? Daniel Macrodine? Why? Julie Just wondering. Anne mentioned it, and I didn’t know what it was. I figured you’d be able to tell me. Daniel Right. It’s an app. Searches menus of local restaurants and takeaways for the best place to order from. You know – if you’re in a group, and one person wants pizza, and one wants curry, and so on – it finds the best place to go to get all of those. Julie So why couldn’t I find it? Daniel I don’t think it’s been released yet. And they’ll probably change the name to something more user-friendly when they do. Something with a bit of zazz to it. Julie Fair enough. You promise to be good to Anne if I ask her to get back in touch with you? Daniel Absolutely! Julie OK – I’ll talk to her. No promises mind – decision is for her to make. Daniel I understand. Thanks. Julie Poke. Anne Hey you Julie Weirdest thing happened. Anne What? Julie Daniel contacted me. Anne What? Why? Julie He said he’s been trying to get in touch with you to apologise about the other night. Anne Yeah. So? Julie Well, I kind of felt bad, so I told him I’d talk to you and try to get you to respond. Anne Why? Julie Well, he said the call was from his parents and it made him freak. Anne So Why do you feel bad? Julie I’m sorry. I know you said it was a secret, but Paul and Sarah were bugging me, so I told them. I guess I’m worried that they gossiped and that’s how his parents found out about the two of you. Anne Julie! I said secret! Julie I know – like I said, I’m sorry. You know how those two can be. Anne Yeah I suppose Julie Anyway – he said that he really wants to apologise and make it up to you. Anne I dunno Julie He said he really likes you. Anne Fine. One more dinner We’ll see how it goes Julie Let me know! Anne Sure Anne Julie! Are you there? Julie Of course. What’s up? How’s the date going? Anne Amazing! You know how guys like totally don’t know how to apologise? Julie Yeah. Anne Well he just upped and apologised in the best way! Julie And you’re talking to me? What did he do? Anne He’s in the bathroom Get this To make it up to me, he wants to take me on a business trip He needs to go to Cuba And he wants me to come! Julie Wow. Cuba? But, are you sure that’s a good idea? Anne Why wouldn’t it be? Julie I don’t know. Perhaps because a couple of days ago you never wanted to see him again. Anne Yeah well Julie Anne – you there? Anne Sorry – yeah Some guy walked past our table and dropped his briefcase Accidentally picked up Daniel’s instead but I put him right Julie That seems a bit weird Anne This stuff happens ALL THE TIME when I’m with him Same when we first went out Anyway I’m here because you told me to And its Cuba! Julie I don’t know. It doesn’t seem a good idea to me. Anne Nothing funny going on We’ll have separate rooms and everything Not that we’ll need them if he takes me to Cuba Julie Slut Anne Cuba! He’s back Got to go Julie Poke Poke Poke Poke Anne – are you there? Anne – please answer. Poke Anne So Funny story Julie Oh god – you’re ok. I was so worried. Anne Yeah, I’m fine We’re both fine Julie Where were you? Why weren’t you replying? Anne Cuba Julie Slut Anne Actually its more than that Keep a secret? Julie Of course Anne Proper secret this time? Even from Paul and Sarah? Julie I said I was sorry! Anne Turns out that Daniel is actually a spy! The trip to Cuba was a cover while he did a mission! Julie? You still there? Julie Yes I’m still here. What? Anne Yeah – he’s totally a spy That story about his parents was rubbish He was being sent on a mission Julie To Cuba? Anne No That was to Paris Julie Paris? Anne Yeah. We were totally at dinner in Cuba And people started shooting guns at us So we ran away and he pulled me behind a table and got his own gun out Then he started shooting and we ran some more Julie Oh my god! Anne Then we broke into someones car and got in a car chase Ikr? Anyway, turns out I was a good partner He’s taking me to Istanbul in a couple of days Julie ??? Anne So like don’t worry or anything Turns out we’re good at it I’ll let you know when we get back We should do lunch Julie Uh huh Anne
And remember Proper secret this time
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Daniel ran. It was all that he could do. He didn’t want to – no, he wanted to go back and fight, but he couldn’t.
The noise and the fire of the battle was behind him. He knew that he was betraying all of the men and women that he had trained with, that he had sworn to defend, but he could do nothing else. He was afraid. No – this was no simple fear, to be confronted and controlled. This was true terror, such as he had never before experienced. Such terror that he could do only one thing, which was to move away from the source of it as quickly as he could. He was terrified. Around him, a part of Daniel saw that others were running, just as he had. They had thrown their swords to the ground, just as he had. They still gripped their shields, as if they would offer any protection, just as he did. He wasn’t alone, and he hated himself a little less. But still he ran. The further he managed to get from the battle, the more his mind caught up with what had happened. They had been fighting together, just another border skirmish. He was in his line with the other shield carriers. Behind him a spearman, and behind them the archers. Scattered amongst them, the mages, masters of magic that was far beyond his own understanding. He had to admit, he was a little afraid of them, but he was glad to have them on his side. It had often been said that the only defence against magic was more magic. It had even been going well. They were pushing the enemy forces back. Their flanks were advancing steadily, and they were on the verge of boxing the other army in. The sergeants had shouted to hold – to leave the enemy an avenue of withdrawal. Never make your enemy too desperate, they had said. But some on the flanks didn’t listen, didn’t heed the warning. They kept advancing, at which point their fellows advanced with them. Always keep the line. Daniel had been able to see the enemy magic users over the shield wall before him. Their enemy was now few in number, and the magi had come together. He squeezed his eyes shut as he ran. He didn’t want to see it again. It didn’t help. Even in the dark of his own mind, the vision played out. The enemy magi had been chanting and moving in some kind of rhythm, like a mad dance. Suddenly, the order changed. They were to advance. No – they were to charge. They had to break through. They had to reach those magi and stop whatever they were doing. Daniel stepped forward with the rest of the line and started stabbing and chopping, working with the people to left and right to find openings and take advantage of them. It was almost over. The battle almost won. Then an arrow flew overhead and struck one of the enemy magi directly in the chest. The others screamed, as if it were they that felt the pain and the fallen man started to burn. There was no reason for it – the arrow had not been on fire, but the man burned from the inside. First his body, and then his robes. A part of Daniel felt sorry for the man – this was no way to die. The stench soon overwhelmed their front lines and they fought not to gag, fought to keep their concentration on the fight. The heat was also growing, far stronger that Daniel would have expected. The man’s hair had burned away, and he now seemed as if he had been bald. And still the other magi screamed, as if they felt the pain of the burning. The horns called for a retreat, but why? The dance had stopped, the magi were screaming and writhing in pain, rather than casting anything. The battle was all but won. The soldiers ignored the sounds and the orders. Then the screams of the magi became roars, instead of pain they now made a sound of fury and of victory hard won. The burning man stood again, his skin charred and black, and he seemed to grow. He still gave off the stench of the fire and smoke rose from him. His chest split open, spraying parts of him over his own front ranks. And something crawled out. It was naked, and its skin was red and blistered, just as the mage’s had been. It was almost human, but wrong, the limbs out of proportion, and the head too large. It had tusks, and horns. And it was growing. There was more of it emerging from the body than could have possibly been contained by it. It was soon taller than any man, and soon after that taller than any two, with breadth to match. It looked strong, and it roared its defiance, its success at having been born. And it had been that roar that brought the terror into them. That roar that had filled their minds with the horrors of what it might do to them. Daniel tripped and hit the ground, the shock sending his eyes open. The terror had lessened. He could stop. He could go back. He could find his sword and return to his fellows. He saw the same reactions, the same thought processes in those that had run with him. They slowed, some of them turned. As one though, they kept moving away from the battle. Now not out of primitive instinct, but out of intellect. There was nothing they could do to that thing. The forest was close now. Daniel knew that if he could reach the forest, he could be safe. He could lose himself in the wooded glades, and the ancient pathways. The forest was said to be haunted by something, and that those that entered did not always return. Even those that did return spoke of strange things, and it seemed that they had spent days there when they had been missing for years. That, however, was stories. It wasn’t the truth of the burning monster that might decide to follow them. The forest, whatever tales were told, was a safer prospect than that creature. And Daniel saw that many of the others fleeing felt the same way. They were starting to come together. And come together they did. They looked at each other, and saw their own feelings etched on the other faces. Looking back, they could see the creature, still growing. It was too late to turn back now – any that hadn’t fled would, by now, be dead. The only hope now was to find their way home and to warn their superiors of what had happened. Perhaps something could still be worked out, and a plan formed to destroy that thing. As one, they entered the forest. Immediately, the noise of the battle was gone, and the trees hid the fire. The canopy was high enough that they couldn’t even see the fire of the creature through them. A small stream ran past them, and they all stopped to drink. Even being close to that thing had parched them, and the run hadn’t helped. They continued on, staring at the life all around them. Birds sang in the trees, and Daniel spotted a family of deer through a break in the trees. Other creatures crawled and leapt around them, and the trees themselves almost seemed to be whispering to each other as the wind blew through their leaves. Everywhere they looked, there was life. They kept moving through the trees, unsure where they were or how deep they had gone. They knew that they needed to get through the forest, but none of them knew the way. They tried to go in as straight a line as they could, but that quickly proved impossible due to dense undergrowth. They forded streams, and climbed over fallen trees, continuing ever on. They didn’t speak – to speak would be to break the spell that the forest was casting over them, and to remind each other of that which they were fleeing. Then they turned a corner and saw stairs leading to a higher level of the woodland. Standing at the base of those steps was a woman dressed in a long, flowing dress and hood of green. She was barefoot, and her arms were likewise uncovered, and he held in her hands a bow, nocked with an arrow. The string and shaft alike glowed with a vibrant green energy. The woman tilted her head, causing her hood to drop and her blonde hair to cascade down over her shoulders. She stared at them, and they stared back. She was the first to speak, and her voice was as soft as the wind that moved through the trees, but with the hint that it could be as fierce as the storm that that same wind might become. “Why have you come to the forest, soldiers?” Daniel looked around to his fellows. None of them were officers, and none seemed inclined to speak up. They all simply looked at each other, each hoping somebody else would answer. “We mean no harm, ma’am,” Daniel eventually said after it became clear that nobody else was going to. “We were involved in a battle outside, and we came here seeking safety.” She nodded slowly as she took them all in. She relaxed the bow in her hands, and the green energy evaporated. “I cannot promise you safety,” she said. “The forest does as the forest wills. However, harm none and it will likely not harm you. Why do you come here? Surely, you have heard the stories of what this forest can do to folk?” Daniel nodded emphatically. “Yes, ma’am. We’ve heard. But, begging your pardon, ma’am, what was outside was worse than any story.” She raised an eyebrow. “And what awaits you outside?” At this they all spoke, all trying to explain to her what had happened. They spoke over each other, everybody trying to tell the story in a different order. She let them speak and, after a few moments, held up a hand to stop them. “They called forth a demon,” she said. “They must have been desperate. Very well – the forest will grant you sanctuary, though I cannot promise you will depart as you have arrived.” She moved to walk past them. “Where are you going?” asked Daniel, surprising himself. She looked over her shoulder as she left, heading back the way they had come. “That demon will not be permitted entry. I am Keeper of this forest and the task of ensuring that falls to me.” She drew her bow again, the green energy reigniting upon it. Then, resolute as the trees that surrounded her, she strode into the forest to hunt, and to do battle.
The sound of the crowd roared in Lenore’s head as she ran towards her opponent, moving swiftly and gracefully over the already blood-soaked ground. It had been a long day already, with many defeated enemies and what seemed like an ocean of blood, but she wasn’t tired. Her heart sang strongly at the thought of more battle. One more chance to live or die. One more chance to dance with the dragon.
She saw her opponent coming towards her – a marked contrast. She was athletic and wore only light clothing so as not to restrict herself, wielding two waved blades with scarlet hair flapping in the wind from their pommels. Her opponent had sword and shield and enough armour that she couldn’t tell how built he was, though he must have been fairly strong to be carrying everything that he was. Lenore laughed – this battle was already won. He clearly cared too much about his survival. She simply trusted that she would win, and therefore survive. The best way to survive was to win. She felt like the lion head embossed on her belt roared for her, and so she joined it in roaring at her foe. She could see that he feared her – and he was right to. She displayed her complete disregard for him and his chances of hurting her. Her hair hung down behind her, almost reaching her waist, and one side of her body was covered in the dragon tattoo that represented her patron – the great dragon of battle. The fact that it was visible, that she trusted to her skin alone to protect her, would strike fear into him. They clashed, and she laughed again as they did. One of her blades struck his shield, and she effortlessly deflected his sword with her other. She kicked him back, making a little distance, and she gave him a wicked grin. She saw him move back with a start, and she leapt at him. He raised his shield, desperately trying to fend her off and she ran up it, jumping again when she reached the top and turning in the air to land behind him. She plunged her blades into his less protected back and, not waiting to make sure he was down, started to look for another opponent. They were chanting her name. “Lenore! Lenore! Lenore!” The crowds always loved her. They didn’t like watching people be too careful, never committing to an attack. She just attacked, and they loved her for it. Two were coming this time – both still armoured, but with different weapons. One held a spear and a net, and the other twin blades much as she had. She set off running again. The numbers didn’t matter. The choice of weapons didn’t matter. They still, clearly, feared her, and so she would win. The dragon roared in her mind. As Lenore moved, she angled herself towards the man with the net – he was the greater threat. She effortlessly dodged his clumsy spear thrust, jumping again and landing on the wood. Her weight brought it down to the ground, and it snapped beneath her feet. She gave him a grin, and then began running to him again. He desperately tried to bring his net before him, to throw it onto her before she reached him, but it was fruitless. The dragon roared as she plunged one sword into his chest, stabbing through the armour with momentum-granted ease. She saw two more heading her way, but they were still distant and unimportant. She turned to the man with the twin blades. He was nervous – not attacking her. He was waiting for the others to join the fray. He wouldn’t live that long. The roar was constant now – she couldn’t tell where one ended and the next started. She moved again, running lightly over the ground, jumping over the bodies already there. She danced with the dragon. Blade met blade in the air. This man had some skill, able to match her attacks with his parries and deflections, but she didn’t care. He was defending, rather than attacking. He was playing for time, which meant he knew that he couldn’t win alone. She could. She increased her speed, attacking faster and faster. He glanced over her shoulder, checking to see how long he needed to hold out. That was her chance, and she attacked both high and low. He tried to parry, but he had seen the attack a moment too late, and only managed to deflect one of her blades. She pushed him off with her foot and turned again. The two men had been joined by another two. How many more would they send? The crowd still roared her name. The dragon roared in her head. She roared at her enemies. It didn’t matter. As long as she knew she would win, they couldn’t, and so they would die. She flicked blood from her blades, tossed her hair in the wind, and ran once more. The gods and the dragon would decide her fate. Arrows thudded to the ground around her. Archers too? Well – she would get to them. She started to weave as she ran, never being in the spot they might have expected her to be. The arrows landed, but none struck home. A part of her wondered at the fairness of throwing archers into the mix as well. The crowd would love it – they always cheered to see her overcome adversity – but four enemies along with archers was pushing it. She heard a roar, and it wasn’t one from inside her head. She glanced round as she ran. Lions. They’d let two lions in. She dismissed those thoughts. She couldn’t afford to think them. The roar of the dragon crowded them out. She would just keep fighting until she had beaten everybody. What other choice did she have? She was the dragon. Lenore continued to weave as she moved and leapt as high as she could when she reached the line of enemies with their weapons lined up. They turned as she flew, her movement obvious, but at least it kept them between her and the archers. And the lions. Landing lightly, facing them again after twisting in the air, she attacked. No clever tricks this time – against so many she simply had to hope that they would be too cautious, too reluctant to potentially harm their friends. For a few precious moments, it worked. She attacked and she wove through them. She saw blade fall, and spears stab, and she avoided every single one of them. She recognised that she was defending too much, but against these odds she couldn’t find the opportunity to attack. She shifted her focus – if she could take one of them out, that would be enough to make the difference. They couldn’t possibly send more against her after this. Could they? She knelt, allowing attacks to sail over her head, and lashed out with her twin blades. She struck flesh and heard a cry of pain. She roared in defiance. Her enemies had moved back slightly, not wanting to trample their injured comrade. Now was her chance. She gave her feral grin and lunged forwards. She was surprised when the spear appeared in front of her, coming out of her chest. They had… hit her? Who had done it? It didn’t matter. She could still win. She tried to roar, to match the noise in her ears, but her breath was gone. The men around her started to stab down with their weapons. They would want to kill her quickly. The roar in her head didn’t go away. If anything, it grew louder. The roar of the crowd echoed it. “Lenore! Lenore! Lenore!” Her tattoos started to glow. Her patron, her lover, her saviour. The dragon rose from her, lifting from her skin, and giving its own roar, now audible to everyone. Her own body faded as it rose from the ground, lashing out at her old enemies, sending them running. They would have heard the stories – everybody had heard the stories – but they wouldn’t have believed. Who would have? She flew now – no leap, but actual flight, beating her wings. She filled the sky and looked down with surprise. No gladiatorial arena this, but a battleground. Where was the crowd that chanted her name? Where was the Emperor, watching on and waiting for her to win? No crowds here but armies. No Emperor, but there was a general who had unleashed her against his enemies. No matter. The fight was all that mattered. She descended back to the ground, in front of her own forces. The image of the dragon faded and then, somehow, was Lenore again. Unharmed, ink on her skin fading until it was only tattoos again. And she looked towards her enemy. The sound of the crowd roared in Lenore’s head as she ran towards her opponents, moving swiftly and gracefully over the already blood-soaked ground. It had been a long day already, with many defeated enemies and what seemed like an ocean of blood, but she wasn’t tired. Her heart sang strongly at the thought of more battle. One more chance to live or die. Once more chance to dance with the dragon. Though a part of her wondered if it would ever end. A new story based on the words Starlight, Stare and Superfluous. “Star light, star bright…”
Amy knelt before the window with her cuddly tiger clutched in her arms. Her hands were gripped together below her chin, and she stared up at the stars, even though a part of her knew that she should be keeping her eyes down. She whispered as she knelt, knowing that she was supposed to be in bed. Her parents had already been and said goodnight, and after that she wasn’t supposed to leave her bed unless it was important. “First star I see tonight…” What her parents didn’t understand, of course, was that this was important. More important than anything else she did during the day. School was important. Playing was important. Reading was important. There were lots of important things in her day, but this was the most important. Somehow, they never seemed to understand. “I wish I may, I wish I might…” Friends were important too, and they at least agreed that the nightly wish on the wishing star was important. They understood, in ways her parents never could. Somehow, she thought that her parents didn’t believe it would help. It seemed like they’d stopped wishing for things a long time ago. Amy thought that was sad. She thought that everybody should have wishes. “Have this wish I wish tonight.” And if you were big enough to pull the curtains back and see the wishing star, that was even better. That meant that your wish would definitely come true. Maybe not soon, but one day it would. Everybody knew that – any wish made on a wishing star, if you said the wishing rhyme, would come true one day. “I wish…” Well – there were other rules as well, but they weren’t a problem. The wish mustn’t be a selfish one, but that wasn’t a problem that Amy had ever had. Of course, like all little girls, she was sometimes naughty, and sometimes she forgot to think about other people. But never when she was making a wish. Wishes were important. Besides, she didn’t need to make selfish wishes. She had everything she could want. She had a mummy and a daddy that loved her and told her so every day. She had lovely toys – admittedly, some of them were old, and they’d been loved by other children first, but they were still very fun. They had food, and she always had enough – though she was small, and that wasn’t too hard. She sometimes wondered if her parents had enough – they were much bigger than her. No – any wish for herself would be completely superfluous. She’d heard that word at school, and when she asked what it meant, the teacher had told that it described something that you didn’t need, because you already had enough. No – there was no need for selfish wishes. “I wish that mummy and daddy could find their happiness again.” She was pretty sure she wasn’t supposed to know that they weren’t happy – they always tried to hide it from her, but she’d heard them crying sometimes at night, when she woke up and needed something. She always sorted herself out, because she knew that they didn’t want her to know. Daddy was always around the house these days, which was lovely. But it seemed to make him sad. And daddy being sad made mummy sad. But they always smiled when they saw her, and she was always sure to smile back. She was pretty sure that if you didn’t talk about the sad, it couldn’t get you. And so, they didn’t. But still, every night, she wished that they could be happy again. And as the starlight shone down on her, she smiled to herself because she knew that someday they would. And then they’d all be happy. Maybe then she would tell them that she had wished for it every night. Maybe. She pulled the curtains closed and got into bed, still hugging the tiger tightly. It wasn’t long before the memory of the starlight sent her off to sleep. This story is based on an image by Yvan Feusi. As soon as I was shown it, I was hit with so many different possibilities for what this could be, and I love the description that the artist gives it on the DeviantArt page. I wanted to go somewhere a little different with it though, so came up with this. There was a place, far to the north, where there was a barrier. Nobody knew how it had gotten there, or who might have constructed it, but none could deny its presence. A vast mirror that stretched from coast to coast, and climbed higher than any could reach – at least, nobody had been able to find the top.
To most, it reflected them and the snowy landscape around them. It was an oddity, that everybody wanted to see once, but most then put out of their mind. There were stories about it – myths about its creation, but nobody remembered if any were true, or just fancies of the mind and history. Some said that it was a gift from the gods – others followed this up by asking what it was supposed to achieve. Some said it was simply a freak of nature, that here such a thing existed. In truth, nobody knew and most didn’t care, or concern themselves with the Mirror. Elizabeth was different. Not in her level of knowledge – like everybody else, she had no idea where the Mirror had come from. She didn’t know if it had come from the gods, or if it had just appeared from nowhere. Her personal theory was that it had been some great act of magic in a bygone age that none could remember. It didn’t really matter where it had come from. She had visited it more than once, always feeling pulled to it. She didn’t know why, or if there was anybody else that felt the same kinship with it that she did. She travelled north at moments in her life when she felt lost, that she didn’t know what to do, or how to react. She went to the Mirror or, more precisely, to her reflection. Elizabeth didn’t see the same things in the Mirror that others saw. Where they saw themselves reflected, she saw a reflection of herself. To her, the reflection she saw was her, but also not. The cold of the snowy landscape, similarly, was fire and ash in the reflection. Her pale skin was dark and burned when viewed in the Mirror and, if she touched it, she could speak with the other her. This reflection of her had its own life, its own friends, its own problems. And yet, somehow, whenever she needed to speak to her, she was there with a problem of her own that she wanted to discuss. The two of them had shared stories, secrets, and advice. They were, in a strange way, each other’s best friend and closest confidante. Even though they could only speak in that one place. As she approached the Mirror, she saw the Ashlands in it, and her other self approaching the Mirror from the other side. As always, when one of them needed to speak, the other found within herself that same need. They each sat on their own side, she on the snow and the other on the ash. They reached out to touch it and the air stilled, as the two halves of the world, the two halves of herself, made contact. “It’s good to see you,” said Elizabeth. “I love you what you’ve done with your hair.” It seemed silly to complement something that was simply a reflection of herself and her own stylistic choices, but she could never be completely sure which of them was a reflection of the other. Ash-Elizabeth smiled at her and moved a hand up to her long hair, running her fingers through it. “You really think so? I think it’s too long – keeps getting in my way. I tell you, long hair is a serious fire hazard when you walk around volcanoes.” Elizabeth chuckled. Probably her decision in this case. “How are things on your side?” She didn’t want to get straight into her problems. It wouldn’t be very friendly to make it look like she only came to talk when she needed help. It was true, but it wasn’t friendly to make it obvious. Ash-Elizabeth shrugged, dropping her hair. “Oh, you know. Hot. Dusty. I’m pretty sure my boyfriend is trying to kill me. So, same old thing.” Elizabeth raised one hand to her mouth, being sure to always keep one on the Mirror, one always in contact with the other her. “Jason is trying to kill you? What makes you think that?” “Beat’s me,” Ash-Elizabeth replied, idly scratching at her leg. “You know how it is – you just sometimes get that feeling?” “No,” said Elizabeth, “I’ve never had that feeling.” “Oh, yeah – of course not. Well, it’s just a feeling. I’ve learned to trust them though. Guess I’ll have to ditch him. Or, you know, kill him first. If he’s already angry about something, dumping him might just make him more determined. You know?” Elizabeth shook her head, despairing. If she knew her Ash-self, she was pretty sure that she would have done something to cause this. She didn’t actually doubt it was true – her other self’s instincts were good, and she’d relied on them before, and her side of the world was a much harsher one than her own but still… “Are you sure you haven’t done anything to upset him? He always sounded so nice. I mean, not nice in a really nice way, but nice for your side.” “Oh, you know. Drama. He thinks I slept with his brother.” Ash-Elizabeth sounded bored, but Elizabeth knew hew well enough to know that this was just how she was. She was actually seeking advice – just as they always went to each other for help. “Did you?” “Technically.” “Technically?” Elizabeth’s voice was incredulous. “Well, it didn’t last very long. I don’t think it should count.” Elizabeth smiled at her other self and picked up a handful of snow. She threw it at the Mirror, know it wouldn’t get any further than that, but the sentiment was what counted. “Talk to him. Don’t kill him, and don’t ditch him. Well, not for this, anyway. Ditch him if you don’t want to be with him anymore, but not for this.” “So, you think this is my fault?” “I didn’t say that. It’s up to you who you sleep with, however long it might take. But surely even you can see how it might have upset Jason? I mean, he shouldn’t be trying to kill you – he should be talking to you too.” “People don’t really talk about this kind of thing on my side.” Elizabeth gave a wry smile. “They don’t on this one either, not as much as they should. We don’t go around killing each other though.” Ash-Elizabeth took on a resigned expression. “Alright – I’ll try it. Now – what’s up with you?” “Work is getting me down. I got passed over for promotion again.” “Again?” Ash-Elizabeth’s expression was clearly showing anger now, on her other self’s behalf. Elizabeth had always been much slower to reach such emotions. “Who this time?” “Amanda. Mike picked Amanda. And I know I’m better than her – she only got it because she’s sleeping with him.” Ash-Elizabeth smiled. “Easy answer then. Sleep with Mike.” Elizabeth shuddered. “I can’t do that?” Ash-Elizabeth took on a sympathetic expression – it looked somehow wrong on her. “Does he really look that bad? Ok – just kill Amanda then.” Elizabeth sighed. “I can’t do that either. We don’t just kill people here. And it’s nothing to do with his looks, or who he is. He’s quite nice really. But if I do that, and I get the promotion, I’ll never know if I really deserved it.” Ash-Elizabeth threw up her free hand. “So?” Elizabeth sighed. It always went like this. Her other-self was good as a sounding board, rather than an advice giver, but something useful usually came out eventually. “So, that’s important to me. I want to know I’ve earned it.” Ash-Elizabeth lowered her hand in a placating gesture. “OK – so you can’t kill Amanda. You can’t sleep with Mike. I assume you can’t kill Mike either?” She actually waited for Elizabeth to indicate that the assumption was correct. “Well, then – there’s only one answer left.” “What’s that?” Elizabeth asked, dreading what might be coming next. “You won’t like it.” “It can’t be worse advice than killing everybody.” “You’ll need to talk to him.” Ash-Elizabeth gave a wide smile and Elizabeth realised that she’d been building to this all along. All of the talk about killing and so forth had just been preamble. “You’ll need to make yourself look your best – probably best to cut the hair much shorter, just saying – and be as confident as you can be and then march into his office, tell him that you deserve that promotion more than Amanda does and insist that he give it to you, or you’ll leave.” Elizabeth’s mouth opened. “I can’t do that. What if he doesn’t give it to me?” Ash-Elizabeth laughed. “If you are half as good as you tell me you are, he’ll not want to lose you – he’ll give you the promotion.” The two of them were quite for long moments as Elizabeth let the idea sink in. Her other half was right – she was good. She did deserve it. She had to insist on it. She looked up and smiled into the Mirror. “Thanks,” she said, and the other Elizabeth said it at the same time. “Until next time?” asked Ash-Elizabeth. Elizabeth nodded. “Until next time.” They both smiled at each other as, at the same time, they dropped their hands from the Mirror’s edge, losing contact with each other, and stood to walk away. Elizabeth never looked back to see the moment where Ash-Elizabeth would disappear, and she assumed that the other shared that reluctance. But they would always be there for each other. Elizabeth smiled as the snow fell – just as she always did after speaking with herself. A new story, inspired by the words Water, Send, and Timely. The sun was almost blinding as it reflected on the water – the water that stretched as far as the eye could see. Alys had sailed for days away from New London now – the floating city was a long way behind her now, but she would need to turn back soon. She had become accustomed to reading the weather patterns, and she could sense that a storm was coming – the wind was strong, the clouds were broiling ahead of her and there was a static to the air. However, she didn’t want to return empty-handed.
Her eyes alternated between the skyline and the depths, looking just as earnestly at both. The clear skyline was a relief because it showed she was alone. The empty depths were less so, as it meant she hadn’t found anywhere worth diving yet. Despite the potential of the storm, she would need to keep going. She turned her sail a little to catch the wind and alter her heading. Just because she needed to keep searching, didn’t mean she had to get further away from New London. Still, she kept her eyes moving. She knew that she wouldn’t be the only hunter under the sky, and many wouldn’t be looking for places to dive – they would be looking for diver’s boats, already laden with treasures. Much easier to steal from others than it was find the old places that still held valuables. The diving was dangerous – all sorts of damage had been caused by the floods, and swimming through ancient buildings wasn’t safe. Far easier to let others take those risks, and to then relieve them of their haul. That approach wasn’t for Alys though – she saw her role out on the water as life-giving, not taking. She, amongst others, hunted so that New London could survive. She knew that some of her fellows had taken to the easier way and she hoped that they would keep their eyes outwards, rather than looking to steal from people like herself. She understood why they had changed. She didn’t agree with it, but she understood it. Was that a glistening from below? The light seemed to strike the water slightly differently and she steered her boat over and looked down. Yes – old solar panels! She looked at the sky – she could now see the storm, but it was distant. She looked at the horizon – she saw other sails, though who could know if they would be friendly, rivals, or outright murderous. Alys thought that the storm would move to intercept them before they reached her – timely indeed. However, she still couldn’t dawdle. She dropped her anchor and quickly pulled off her shoes. Once the boat was steady, she strapped on her rebreather and, sitting on the edge, dropped backwards over the side. She swam down to see what she could find. She always loved this part of her job – the eeriness, and the quiet of the world that was. The now flooded and empty streets, the old signs of a life long ago ended. The light tied to her shirt was the only illumination once you descended far enough, but it was enough to make out some detail. Much had been lost, and it fascinated her to visit, and to imagine what it must have been like. There, an old pub, or perhaps a bar – she’d never really understood the distinction. What was once a travel agent – the pictures of far away places were lost to the water now, but the metallic cut-outs of airplanes still told a story. Supermarkets, electronics stores, restaurants. There was so much that had been lost. Today, however, she had struck gold. She spent valuable minutes looking at the options. The supermarket still had masses of tinned food in storage – the labels long since lost, but everybody likes surprises. Old televisions and computers – no longer functioning, but the components, once dried out, could be useful. Masses and masses of plastic which could be put to new use. She could never bring it all home in one trip. In fact, for this she would need to return with several boats, and several divers. She pulled a bag from a pocket and started to fill it. For now, she grabbed a variety – a dozen tins, a few boxes of electronics and she thought had once been smartphones, some old toys that would make a few children very happy. Just a few examples of what could be found here. She would be paid for what she could bring back, but if she could convince the Ministry that it was worth it to send a full expedition, she would be entitled to a percentage of everything hauled up. She tied the bag to her belt and began to swim back towards her boat. As she surfaced and pulled herself back aboard, she saw that she had been right. The storm had moved to cover the space between her and the other boats – she wouldn’t find out who they were this day, and that was probably for the best. She pulled up the anchor and set her sail to head back to New London. She was cold and wet now that she was out of the water, but she couldn’t take the time to change now – better to set sail first. The storm that might have saved her would still kill her if it got the chance. |
Flash FictionSome shorter fiction, usually based on some kind of challenge. Archives
October 2021
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