Dance your last dance… – #writephoto

The firelight dancers singing their songs, chanting their chants, waiting, waiting, waiting.

Nothing.

The music starts up again, this time louder, the calling more frantic, more desperate… waiting, waiting, waiting.

Nothing. He still would not appear.

The head of the great circle walked to the centre. All eyes were on him. He nodded to the drummers. They lifted their arms and with a great bang, the rhythm started. He indicated to those on other instruments to join in. The music filled the air and indistinctively the others joined in the great chant, singing and wailing, the noises filling their very soul. The head indicated it all to stop. Stunned the music around him dropped out.

He gave a great scream out into the night, they waited and watched.

From behind him, a great roar, a shadow appeared and then the figure with the glowing eyes stepped forward. The head fell to his knees and crawled to the edge of the great circle once again. The drummers started drumming, the singers started singing and a great cheer broke through the crowd.

He had arrived.

No-one noticed the head collapse onto the floor. His body now a shell, his soul sacrificed to the great one.

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Written in response to Sue Vincent’s prompt – #writephoto. You can join in this weeks image or have a gander through the many interesting posts inspired by this wonderful photo by clicking here.

It’s been a long time since I took part in these challenges (or indeed have done any writing) and I am certainly feeling rusty but I enjoyed flexing those writing muscles and having a go.

KL ❤

The Watcher – #writephoto

Perched in the tree line the watcher waited.

Sometimes it took weeks, others it took days but recently the frequency had increased and the watcher sensed in the air that the time would be coming soon.

The woodland was unusually quiet as the darkness descended.

Occasionally a rabbit or a mouse would make a run for it but the watcher had no interest – there was much bigger game coming their way.

Sure enough, as the clock chimed the hour on the distant town a shadow emerged on the mound.

The shadows steps were slow, his heavy burden reducing his mobility yet the pace remained steady moving ever closer to the watcher.

Arriving at the woodland edge, the dark form moved towards the embankment and tossed the burden down it.

The servant of the night nodded to the watcher, then left, his movements now much more agile as he headed back to the village.

The watcher swooped down and tore at the meat then returned to the branches, a ring from the shredded finger placed carefully in his nest.

The watcher raised his head and let his cry carry out into the night, the woodland came alive, ready to devour their prize.

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My response to Sue’s wonderful photo prompt combined with today’s Daily Post challenge. If you want to give Sue’s prompt a go too, head over to Sue’s Page Thursday Photo Prompt – Crow – and join in the prompt. KL ❤

The Message – #Writephoto

I followed the waterline not knowing where it would take me. My mind was ignorant to the goose bumps that covered my body tortured by the cold sea breeze. I swallowed the rage, but in doing so tears brimmed, then in the wind trickled their way down my cheek. I twisted my sleeves then swiped at the wetness. The one tortured word echoing over and over… Why!

 

Blue – Image by Sue Vincent

 

Ten years. Our life together had been ten years. Ups and downs like everyone but ten years strong… or so I had thought. How could I have been treated this way? Rage flashed once more. I looked at the pebbles of the beach. Kicked at one, squatted down and picked up another launching it far into the ocean. The force caused my body to twist until I realised a little further along the coast someone stood watching. They carried a small light barely visible in the gloomy sky. I couldn’t make out the face but I had no doubt the eyes were watching me.

As I stared the stranger raised a gloved hand and beckoned me towards him. Without thinking I started to cover the distance between us. Within a few steps, the stranger had turned and walked further away. I put my head down against the wind and hurried my steps to catch up but the stranger always managed to remain a few steps ahead. Eventually, the sand gave way to a grassy embankment that the locals had put a bench atop of. The stranger seemed to be making his way towards that marker. I ran as fast as I could with the wind whipping against me, finally reaching the bench exhausted. I glanced around to see if the stranger was anywhere nearby but there was nothing.

Exhausted I threw myself down onto the bench. The wind whipped about me chasing a shiver down my spine and I turned around still searching. Looking back out towards the brilliant blue sky, something rustled against my feet. I bent down and picked it up, it was a crumpled up note. I unfolded it and inside were the words “I love you. I miss you. Come home.” Looking out at the blue my hands unconsciously followed the folds of the paper, smoothing them over and over. Then with a heave, I levered myself off the bench and headed home.

 

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My response to Sue’s wonderful photo prompt combined with Daily Posts treat challenge. If you want to give Sue’s prompt a go too, head over to Sue’s Page Thursday Photo Prompt – Blue – and join in the prompt. KL ❤

Nessie – #writephoto

She had left the house, tears streaming down her face once again. But she allowed no noise to escape. She would not feel weak, not feel helpless, allowing the noise to escape would be admitting defeat. She had held it all together, been holding it all together for months as business had got quieter and quieter. Who could blame the visitors, there had been nothing here for years. Sure it was a beautiful drive, and when the weather was hot you couldn’t help but want to be near the cool blue water of the loch.

Science. She could blame science. People no longer wanted to believe in magic, the supernatural, the unknown. When she was a child she had listened in wonder at the stories the grown-ups told, kids these days scoffed and headed to their phones to the internet, they forgot to enjoy the present. That magic could lift your heart just a little even if it wasn’t true. These days it seemed to be gone.

She lifted her legs heavily climbing up the hillside away from the loch. Away from her sleeping, snoring, drunken husband. She blamed him too. Once their little bar had been the busiest on the loch, people loved to stop in for a drink and a chat. She had loved it too, but as things grew quieter her husband’s patience had grown thin and when she could no longer offer him comfort he turned to the bottle. She’d never admit it, but that hurt her too.

She found the quiet place she was looking for and sat down, watching the slow moving fog above the loch. The sun was barely visible. What time was sunrise? She couldn’t remember, yet the darkness wasn’t carrying its usual weight, it felt fresh. The crisp cold air made her salty wet tears sting a little on her face, but she liked it. Reminded her to feel. As her eyes followed the lazy movement of the cloud a lump formed in the middle. She rubbed her eyes, certain the tears and tiredness had got to her, but when a second hump appeared she knew what she was seeing. What she always longed to see. Nessie.

She reached in her pocket and pulled out her mobile phone, her gaze never leaving the shadowed form amongst the fog. Lifting the phone high in front of her she swiped the little screen and the light of the camera came on. Drat! She knew having the flash on wouldn’t work so she pulled the little screen towards her to fumble with the setting, her heart now beating fast that the sight before her would disappear. Cautiously she clicked. Just to be certain she clicked again. Then before her very eyes, the two lumps disappeared, back down into the fog, back down into the loch, back to the legend.

She stood up and raced down the hillside, it was a sign, she knew it. A sign her struggle had been worth it. When people saw her photo they couldn’t not believe. What else could it be? Nessie.

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My response to Sue’s wonderful photo prompt. Sorry Sue, couldn’t resist with this photo, definitely something mysterious about it! I loved it. 🙂

If you want to give the prompt a go too, head over to Sue’s Page Thursday Photo Prompt – Twilight #writephoto and join in the prompt. KL ❤

Circling Above – #writephoto

The sound woke me. My head throbbed as the screeching sounds pierced my brain. What was that? I blinked. The light above me scalded my pupils in the few seconds my eyes were open to the sunlight. In fact, as I lay there with my eyes closed

I became aware that I could see the brightness through my eyelids. And the shadows moving beyond the closed veil. And the noise. The continuous noise continued to screech and echo inside my head. There was no way to block it.

I forced myself to open my eyes again. Longer this time. I had to figure out what was going on. As I looked up at the sky the black shadows moved above me, screeching, and swirling like dementors ready to suck out your soul, I had read about those in a book one time. When? I didn’t know.

With every effort I rolled over onto my stomach, the quick roll gave me a wider view of my surroundings. I was outside, on a picnic blanket, but with no picnic. Yet, I could tell I had been with someone. The fuzzy clouds in my brain parted just a little to offer me a filtered flashback of lying on our backs, looking up at the sky, talking, holding hands, did we kiss, or did I just want to kiss them? I wasn’t sure. Who? I shook my head trying to get a clearer picture of the fuzzy picture, any clue, a face, a name, but it was no use.

I forced myself to roll back over, I had to start moving but that small movement alone knocked the wind out of me and sent my head spinning again. Lying on my back I gave myself a countdown. On three I would sit up, regardless of the pain, I had to do this. I lay there and counted, watching the birds swirl above, then after the slow agonising account to 3. At that moment my world went black. Something had been placed over my head, and my arms had been pulled sharply against my back, my wrists held together buying something tight.

“Who is there?”, I asked but the only answer was the high-pitched cry from the birds. I was pulled to my feet, my arms feeling like they were being wrenched from their sockets, and an overwhelming dizziness struck me making me feel nauseous. The grip on my arm grew tighter and I was pushed forward into a walk.

“Where are you taking me I asked?” A low hollow laugh was the answer I was given as I was marched away, the echoing birdsong disappearing in the distance as I walked.

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My response to Sue’s wonderful photo prompt. The start of something intriguing but I’m not quite sure where I am going with it. 🙂

If you want to give the prompt a go too, head over to Sue’s Page Thursday Photo Prompt – Wings #writephoto and join in the prompt. KL ❤

Take the time…

So, I have been a bit quiet on WordPress recently. Channelling my creative energy in a different manner, supporting a loved one who has recently been diagnosed with a rare cancer. I won’t deny it was a shock and for a while, I didn’t write at all, but my soul aches to put pen to paper (and fingers to keyboard) and it is commonly the best method for me, for dealing with the more complicated emotions.

I have long been a follower of Sue’s marvellous blog and love her #writephoto prompts – so inspiring. This week I want to offer something a little less creative as my entry. The prompt reminded me of this quote.

“But more wonderful than the lore of old men and the lore of books is the secret lore of ocean. Blue, green, grey, white, or black; smooth, ruffled, or mountainous; that ocean is not silent. Ocean is more ancient than the mountains, and freighted with the memories and the dreams of Time.”

~H.P. Lovecraft

Dealing with these types of illness can be hard. Yet, for some reason, the strangest of things can bring solace. For some reason staring at the ocean waves as they roll in is one of those things. I want to take my relative, who is suffering to his beach to watch the waves roll in. We can both sit and watch the waves for hours, without talking, and it was a terrific way to spend time together. No forced words, no difficult subjects, just relaxation and time, staring at a random, repetitive scene of the sea. The motion of the waves, never quite the same but similar, is mesmerising. Somehow this seems good for the soul. It may be with others, it may be just for yourself but take the time to just stop and watch… you might be surprised by the effect.

Much Love,

KL ❤

Spring #writephoto

“Not only the thirsty seek the water, the water as well seeks the thirsty.” – Rumi

As I came across the small stream of water, my aching body looked up to the sky with thanks. Falling to my hands and knees I scooped the water into my mouth with a ferocious desperation that surprised me. I scooped and drank and scooped and drank until my belly ached then fell to the side of the spring. It had seemed to rise out of nowhere knowing the exact moment that I would need it.

I had never expected to find myself along this mountain trail but when I had heard that Elena had been moved I just knew I had to follow her. I had faced many dangers along the pathway travelling on my own as I was but the near desperation of thirst had far out-weighed all my fears. Just when I felt weakest I had stumbled upon the spring. As I lay on my back looking up at the sky I gave thanks, for this spring was surely a sign the gods were on my side and championing my quest to find her.

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My response to Sue’s wonderful photo prompt. I’m not sure where I am going with this one this week but thought I’d give it a try anyway :). Maybe an opening for an adventure tale?

If you want to give the prompt a go too, head over to Sue’s Page Thursday Photo Prompt – Spring #writephoto and join in the prompt.KL

A Stranger might just change your life – #Writephoto.

I slumped in my chair, the ale in front of me looked less than appetising, but what else could I do. It looked like there was no way into the castle. It was strong and secure, surrounded by ditches and moats and heavily guarded by skilled archers. It was useless. My love had been taken from me and there was no way to retrieve her.

“What’s wrong with your face?” an elderly woman slumped down next to me. I ignored her. “You’ll turn that ale off, face like that.” I pulled my collar hiding my face a little and hopefully providing the hint that I didn’t want company.

“Must be a girl then?” She took a final gargled slurp of her drink. “Although not that many girls around here. Except for that bonnie new girl up at the castle, of course.” I couldn’t help but turn a little back to face her.

“Ah, so I’m right. It is a girl.” She smiled triumphantly. I sighed.

“Well, what of it? It’s no use now, she has been locked away in that fortress. Promised to another.” I took a sip of my drink hoping to disguise my raspy vocals as thirst.

“Love you, does she?”

“Well, she told me she did. I guess I’ll never know now.” The old woman nodded.

“What if I told you there was a way to find out?”

“There is no way, she is locked in that stronghold until she is wed,” I said exasperatedly. Frustratingly the old woman nodded slowly at me again.

“Well, what if I told you there was a way, a secret way, into the castle?” Her eyes shimmered and she licked her lips.

“Really?”

“Most definitely.”

“Where? Tell me where. I need to go at once.” I made to stand but she pulled me back to my seat.

“Hold yourself, young man. Patience is the skill.” She shook her empty glass at me. I understood the meaning. It could be a trap but I had to risk it, I called to the barman and pointed to her empty glass. Within seconds she had her drink. After she took a slow agonising drink of it, she turned to me and licked her lips once more, now satisfied.

“Under the arches of the drawbridge, there is a secret door. You can only get to it when the water lies low. But it has been dry for many weeks so I would think tonight you would make it. It will take you into the very walls of the castle but it would be a way inside no-one would know of. Once inside you will need to use every skill you have. Especially patience and listening. It will be the only way to avoid the guards and find your love.”

I stood up and threw money down on the table. “Thank you. Thank you so kindly.” She nodded her nod once again.

I waited in the woodlands until darkness. Then just as the woman said made my way down to the water. Crossing it carefully I stood underneath the archway. I could not believe my luck. Hidden in the darkness was a doorway, so many would miss it, but there it was, exactly as she had said. I started climbing the steps up to it, preparing myself for the challenge ahead. As I reached the top step behind me I heard the heavens open. I glanced back at the moat, wondering just how long it would take to fill, just how long I would have. It didn’t matter, no matter what I had to try.

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My response to Sue’s wonderful photo prompt. A bit of an adventure this week. 🙂

If you want to give the prompt a go too, head over to Sue’s Page Thursday Photo Prompt – Bridge #writephoto and join in the prompt.KL

A Trysting Place -#writephoto

Every year they met here.

Three long days together, no job, no kids, and no mortgage to worry about.

All the worries are forgotten at the doorstep.

Just the two of them wrapped in each other’s arms, soaking up the positive energy that draped over them in this magical place.

They actually spoke to each other. For hours and hours, they talked, sipping wine and laughing together.

Most importantly they listened to each other.

To all the little things, the sorrows and triumphs.

They reminisced all their cherished memories.

At the end of the three days, they stood in silence looking out at the rising sun.

Soon they would depart, back to their lives and their problems.

As they stood under the canopy she gave him a secretive smile, he lowered his head and kissed her lightly on the lips, before leaning in further and sweeping his large comforting arms around her.

A year seemed a lifetime in this moment.

As they lifted their bags and locked the door, the smile returned to both of their faces, they would soon be back and the wait would be worth it.

Their secret to a lasting marriage – time.

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My response to Sue’s wonderful photo prompt. Maybe it’s all the valentine’s romance couples were sharing over the last week but I felt my story needed a happy ending. I think as everyday life often gets in the way it’s easy for a couple to forget what is magical and special about each other. This is my little tribute to the couple’s that manage to carve out a little time for themselves even if it is once a year, a precious meal, a stolen moment, it’s often hard to capture but it’s worth it.

If you want to give the prompt a go too, head over to Sue’s Page Thursday Photo Prompt – Tryst #writephoto and join in the prompt.KL

Flames – #Writephoto

She swallowed the concoction, trying not to wretch as it burned its way down her throat. It was the only way, the way to see what had come before and what would come next, her spirit journey her grandmother had called it. Sure it had settled within her she closed her eyes sending a silent prayer to her grandmother, then opened them and gazed into the burning flame. The dancing embers relaxed and calmed her and soon her mind emptied of all thoughts just focussed on the glowing gambolling flickers of light. Soon they merged as one and a face reflected in the flames, at first she didn’t recognise it but soon she realised it was her own aged features that were looking back at her as the realisation hit her the journey took over.

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Flinching at the light she blinked wildly. Where was she? The harsh white room didn’t look like anywhere she had been and the smell was so invasive. It was a hospital, a modern hospital. But why? Her people did not attend hospitals, they had no need, they had years of medical knowledge that had been lost or ignored by so many of today’s world.

“Hello?” she shouted but no-one answered. She looked at the machines but they made no sense. Giving up she tugged on the thing that was linked into her arm. It hurt but she thought she would get it loose, she gave another sharp tug and it came out. She rifled through the drawers in her cabinet and came across her clothes and a head scarf, that would do. She quickly got changed then wrapped her headscarf around her arm where the hospital thing had been.

Slowly she emerged from the room and out into the corridors. Everything seemed so quiet. Walking to the closest doorway she peered inside. Gasping at the sight, it was Merriam, the group elder, everything bandaged except her face. She tried to open the door but it wouldn’t move. She moved on slowly, guilt already consuming her at the thought of leaving Merriam behind. At the next door, she could see four beds in the room, two people were turned away from her but the two people closest she could see clearly, Abel and John. Again they were both fully bandaged but their faces were exposed, their bodies asleep. She tried the door but again it wouldn’t open. She turned to move down the corridor again but as she looked down her feet were bare, the clothes she had put on had vanished and she found herself once again in the hospital gown. She tried to move forward but her feet rebelled and she found herself returning back to her room and climbing into the bed. As she glanced once more at her scarf covered arm it had vanished and the thing had reappeared back in her arm. Despite her will to stay awake, her body refused and down her eyelids closed.

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When she awoke the flames had died down and the cold that surrounded her bit into her skin. Ignoring it she pulled a blanket and rose to her feet. She had to go warn Merriam of what she had seen. Something bad was about to happen to her people, she knew it and she had to stop it. She prayed Merriam would listen.

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I love this image, so intriguing. If you want to give it a go too, head over to Sue’s Page Thursday Photo Prompt – Flames #writephoto and join in the prompt.KL