WHEN HE WALKED the earth all living things hid and cowered. Worms burrowed deeper, birds escaped in thick treacle air on unnatural migrations, animals and humans alike retreated to dens, caves, jungles and brick homes, curtains closed, lights off, breathing quietly. Street lamps died when he came near, crashing power grids, sending hamlets, villages, towns and cities to the dark ages as if controlling an on off switch at will.
Seemingly painted with ink from black holes, taller than clouds, his ephemeral elongated form roamed the lands, footsteps crushing all beneath in rippling quakes leaving a wake of scorched lifeless terrain the same way a liner sends churning seas and waves through water.
One dark summers day, he reached up and plucked the sun from the sky like the lowest hanging apple, pulling it down in a black hand of long lines and right angles, looking at it, the same size as you’d see it in the now barren sky. Without thought he placed it in a pocket, producing a tinted glow that cast unambitious light.
As people cowered in homes – silent – a few bravely eyeing the spectre, a child, perhaps six years old made a break for it, fleeing the doorway in an energetic blur racing over to the base of the thing. As parents and neighbours shouted for him to return, they all all held their breath, terrified of the consequences. The monster had eaten children before so it was told. Adults too.
In little light only the child could know what would happen next.
Stopping, head tilted right back, he shouted to the heavens. “Put it back!”
Taken by surprise the spectre leaned forward, a wisp of eyeless blank, like a brush stroke.
“We need the sun! Put it back you bully!” A small fist was raised, shaking.
Where did a youngster acquire the heart of a warrior, the heart of a naïve lamb?
Any second the child would be eaten. The monster leaned closer, it’s rectangular head lowering from passing clouds resembling factory smoke. Miniscule, the lad stood steadfast as a long billowing arm reached down and plucked the sun from it’s pocket, forcing the child to cover its eyes with his forearm.
To a soundtrack of gasps, the sun was raised upwards above now-white clouds and resumed it’s rightful place beaming high-noon rays once more.
Wandering onwards the black monster edged towards the horizon, leaving all behind it as it was. Nobody had ever questioned it, none had pointed out the error of his ways before. And with one act of courage his form shrunk, until people began to ask “Where is he?” instead of saying “There he is!”.
Nobody saw him again after that day. The last verifiable sighting was of him entering the icy waters of the Atlantic.
Really nice . I wish I could write like you. I am going to follow your blog from now. I am a 10 year old boy, also trying to write short stories. Just started my blog on short stories. Come and read my first story on http://shortstories4kids.wordpress.com . And tell me what u think.
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Thank you!
I wish I was as proactive and blogging at 10, that’s great. Keep writing 🙂
I’ll drop by soon.
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Reblogged this on A Story and Coffee.
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I like the feel of the story, a blend of fantasy and science fiction. The story is crafted well and renders a superb reading. Anand Bose from Kerala
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Thanks for your kind words ☺
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Very nice. The classic themes of courage and a child shall lead them. I do love tales like this. 🙂
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Thank you cathleen, kind words ☺
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That was tooo good. Loved the story .:)
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Thank you Nayana 🙂
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Great story, there are real moral values in there. I loved it. xxxxx
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Thank you very much, I’m glad you got that part of it 🙂
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Reblogged this on Busy Mind Thinking and commented:
Lion writes the most amazing short stories!! If you haven’t met, scoot on over, grin.
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Many thanks busymind, very kind 🙂 😀
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Smiles and hugs, Lion, you’re most welcome. 🙂
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Good story, Lion. I enjoyed reading. 🙂
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Cheers Mary. 🙂
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🙂
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Liking your new gravatar btw ☺
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Thanks, Lion. I decided to try classy for a while. 😊
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😀
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Loved it, as usual! Just as everyone else has said, fantastic imagery!
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Many thanks Lisa 🙂
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Wow! The imagery and flow is amazing, as always! Do I even need to tell that! 😉
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Thanking you Syeda 🙂
And it’s nice to hear it 😀
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I need to keep it in copy – paste format now! Your work is always amazing! Could learn so much from you…interested in taking classes? 😁😋
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😀 thank you.
As for classes…hmm you never know.
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birds escaped in thick treacle air on unnatural migration
Brilliant imagery. Loved the twist!
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Thank you Kim, appreciated 🙂
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Loved the opening description of the spectre. A wonderful weaving of words! I had in mind that the spectre is a manifestation of night-time, who steals the sun and plunges the world into darkness. Great work ☺
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I like your interpretation. Thanks for the feedback 🙂
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Loved this! Beautiful imagery. A+++
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Thank you Jamie much appreciated 🙂
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Great descriptions. I particularly liked the ending. Brave kid.
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Thanks very much Patrick.
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The images were perfect. Also enjoyed the way you ended this. And again, as in most of your short stories you are excellent at setting the mood/tone.
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Thanks andrew.
Appreciating the feedback, gives me an idea on whats good and what needs work ☺
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You are great at setting the mood. I need to work more on that.
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I disagree. The time travelling stories and the one in the asylum plus the recent one are all great, straight into the stories 🙂
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Thank you for saying that. I am honored.
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Great story!
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Thank you for reading ☺
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It was a pleasure!
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I read this with only one eye open.. vivid imagery is your forte!
Dajena 🙂
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Many thanks Dajena 🙂
Is your other eye ok? 😉
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i think so.. maybe next time I should close both.. 😉
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🙂
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