short story
The Valley
There weren’t always dragons in the valley, in fact there never were. Though many a weary traveler claimed there must be those manipulating the minds of passersby and turning them mad with savagery. Angsty and euphoric bound to strip naked and frolic through the wilderness, to never return, and boy did they. “The valley” was this special place between the top of the world and the pits of hell. A town like any other, with people who lived there and roamed its streets, jetting around to the local pub, and grocer, dirt strapped tires, a certain twang clinging to the words they spoke. Everyone knew each other, and if they didn’t, you could bet it would be their business too, after seeing you more than a time or two. Plenty of tourists went through these parts, but none really ever stayed too long, you see they had lives of their own and homes to get back too, and this place was amusing enough…for a while. They had real life ventures to take part in, business to instigate and follow through on. So the town was littered with sporadic, nomadic, venture filled fiends that raised the price of a common mole hole to far more than it should be. Clearly there was allure in these mountains that made them gather, but also, a darkness here that made them flee, it lived in the shadows of the trees and the underside of potholes, it burned down throats with the taste of whiskey, a certain kind of mania, just on the brink of reality.
By Gabrielle Rodowicz4 years ago in Earth
Past the Point of No Return
There weren't always dragons in the Valley. The cryptic remark kept sifting through Karri’s thoughts as she abandoned the council. Concluding a long and dire meeting, the elder scribe had turned to her - as she often did - and shared yet another small, indiscernible piece of a puzzling narrative that surrounded the Valley’s origins.
By Jenna Sedi4 years ago in Earth
Gaia's Grievances
I woke up in a cold sweat again. My body was half in, half out of the blankets, my nylon shorts riding up my thigh in a desperate attempt to cool my overheated skin. My shirt was glued to my back, my long blonde hair bleached with perspiration as if I had taken a shower the night before.
By Charleigh Justice4 years ago in Earth
Red Berry and the Fire Spirits
Many years ago, when the world was still young, and the land from beyond the valley had not yet filled with the many tribes of man, there was the First Tribe of man, and their story, our story, began in distance valley. Our first home.
By Charlene Moorehead4 years ago in Earth
To Be Loved By Sunshine
I could lay here blissfully for the rest of my life. The smell of dirt and grass filled my nostrils. A light breeze running through my hair. I could feel it through my eyelashes. Lifting away the hardships of the past several years. I breathed it all in, I breathed in life for the first time since I was a child. Remembering what it was that I loved about the countryside. Away from the desks and computers, the people, the constant clatter of machinery slaving away.
By Hayden N Bell4 years ago in Earth
The Woods
The olden wooden bridge echoed each step as the heel of my black leather boots tapped the slats that stretched the width of the winter river below. As I walked, my slender piano fingers glided over the splintered railing to the rhythm of the rushing water underfoot. Extended fingers searched for the smooth silvery heads of the nails amidst the weathered splintered planks. With each needle-sharp snag, my hand jumped slightly to avoid sticking myself.
By Rebecca A Hyde Gonzales4 years ago in Earth
Twilight
I watched as the beaten-up paddock Ute drove down the dusty road, carrying my Ella and our kelpie pup inside. Those same wheels that would go fetch lost sheep was now town-bound, towards safety. I wanted to go, and I knew I should have, but I couldn't lose the house, not like this.
By Estella Stepic4 years ago in Earth
How High's The Water
It was a warm and sunny afternoon in April. We knew our rainy season was approaching but it wasn’t here yet. At least, not according to the meteorologists. Florida’s rainy season is supposed to begin June first of each year and just like our hurricane season, end on November first of each year. A meteorologist will also predict our water levels.
By Margaret Brennan4 years ago in Earth
