Death's ribcage for a bassinet

Mostly moss. That's what I remember when I went Through. Softer than you could believe, older than you could imagine.

The trees danced me, step by step, along the secret path. I've no doubt they wanted me. Wanted her.

it's ok, they murmured, all will be well.

As if I teetered on a cliff edge, I wouldn't look down. At the goo still darkening her hair, crispy at the temples. She turned her face into me, looking for milk, and I almost turned back.

Another step; her fate was sealed.

Tears should've tracked my cheeks. I should've been sad. Maybe I was, but I watched me from the outside. Like a dream. Another part of me wept blood instead.

I think my heart broke again. Hard to be sure. When the splinters get needle-fine. When every path seems like the wrong one, and the wrong one seems like the only one. Madness is all I can claim.

They sang. Beautiful. Soft, like moss. Snuck up. Wrapped me snug, like a spider does her dinner. Spinning footsteps out of me. Each one another layer of the spell we wove together. My feet dancing to their tune.

Felt like being drugged, or drunk. They released me at the Edge, where the Earth changed. I staggered, then flinched back as if stung.

I clutched her close. She knew I loved her, right? Even when I thought myself empty, my heart beat for her. Every cell of me had been re-stitched to love her, even as I thought all was hopeless.

The Elders stood at peace, stark branches still. Malevolence leaked out, but they tried to stem it. As if I were a horse, like to bolt. And they, the man making himself small, unthreatening. Muffling his spurs.

I laid her on that dead, black ground. I still didn't break. The irresistible threads of their lullaby held me together. The echoes of them resonated, because I was an echo too, was I not?

The Elders let me leave. Did they tip their boughs to me, a nod of deference? Or thanks?

I couldn't bear to watch the earth swallow her. Legs like lead, I walked away. Arms empty, eyes blurred.

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Word count: 366

(NB. This excludes the title, subtitle, and author's note.)

Submitted on Friday 8th November

Quick Author's Note

The story behind the story: I wondered if I could condense my sentient forest story (Whispering woods challenge) into a micro... I was working on it until very late, but I concluded the answer is No. It is impossible! This is my best effort. I chose to explore the baby's bio mum's perspective for this one. I will link the stories at the bottom if you're interested.

A Year of Stories: I'm writing (and submitting, here) a story every day this year. This continues my 313 (!!!) daily micro-fiction story streak since 1st January.

ONLY FIFTY-FOUR DAYS TO GO!

Please consider lending your support to the other creators on this madcap "a story every day" adventure. They're putting out excellent content every day! Rachel Deeming Gerard DiLeo

Thank you

Especially if you are one of the wonderful people who has been staunchly reading these daily scribbles since the start of the year. I see you, and I am extremely grateful for your ongoing support.

Thank you to those who leave feedback/comments.

I am still plodding away, catching up on reads. Where I'm already up to date with all someone's stories, I read someone else's in lieu!

If you enjoyed this one, the very best compliment you can give me is to share it, or read another!

My Whispering Woods entries can be found here:

Here's my latest dollar challenge. I think you might love it:

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