Community Story Challenge

Note: the following is based on a continuation of the prompt that Donna Fox offered to Vocal readers as a challenge (how could I resist adding to the whole 'Choose Your Own Adventure' vibe?). The idea is to continue the story as well as you can. Please see the link below, and my own efforts...

‘This guy looks like he should be a part of the ruins…’

Melody was trying to get me to laugh, but I ignored her. This was actually a pretty interesting school trip and we had a great guide for it. Mr. Sage – a wonderful name, I thought – was old, but he seemed pretty smart about things he needed to know. He had a lifetime of experience among the stones and statuary. And there was something else about him; something I couldn’t…

‘This spot is older than the founding of the country. Some of the first religious people to settle here were determined to make this a Christian nation, and St. Martha was the first one to be given her own…space.’

Again, something about him made me wonder. He was knowledgeable; knew all about what she was the patron saint of: homemakers, cooks, domestic workers, waiters and waitresses, and hotel employees (not students, strangely enough). And I could see that he was enthusiastic about the place.

'The sad thing is, it was not successful in the original spot. That was several miles away, nearer to the open sea and passage back to the old world. That's why so many left the spot. ''It was a sign of God's displeasure with our arrogances and this harsh land.'' You can read that in the literature about this spot.' Mr. Sage looked quite sad as he spoke, turned to face the narrow path and continued his slow walk and tap with the cane.

Melody was unimpressed.

‘So, what did you bring for lunch?’

She was starting to drive me up the walls, the way that only a good friend could.

‘Bread and water, what else?’

‘Would you two knock it off?’

‘No, we shall not.’ I really hated Marjorie, Miss Perfection; Miss Immaculate. The fact that she was Melody’s sister was a great cosmic joke.

‘Well, I’m reporting you two!’

‘Cool off, twerpette!’

Their voices were still muted, but I knew that would not last. I just wanted to continue with this tour, hopefully get to some fresh air soon (it smelt of incense, ashes, dirt, mud, and something that I would call 'rot'), and have whatever lunch my loose change could afford. They were beginning to get loud and their voices echoed near the back of the chamber.

And that was the moment when I noticed that we had passed another passage that Mr. Sage chose to ignore. I would have ignored it, too…if it wasn’t for the voice all three of us heard right then and there (a half-whisper that made us freeze and stare into that darkness):

‘Welcome.’

And you can continue here:

*

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You can find more poems, stories, and articles by Kendall Defoe on my Vocal profile. I complain, argue, provoke and create...just like everybody else.

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