Iâve decided to try a Thing where I write everyday, even if itâs for 10 min and itâs just a recap/thoughts of my day. Today was day 1 and I wrote a stream of consciousness story. This is the result. Thanks to @delicatesidesweep for telling me to post it here. Itâs just over 550 words so not long! Thanks for taking the time to read it, let me know what yâall think!
The day was peaceful, if a little cold and foggy. The clouds rolled in late last night, putting a chill into the summer air. The sun had started to go down, even if it couldnât be seen through the clouds. Green pine trees reached high into the sky, disappearing into the fog; bright purple, yellow, and white wildflowers filled the grass next to the dirt path. It was silent except for a stream that flowed quietly through the forest. A lone figure stood next in the path. Looking up at the trees in the fog. They wore dark blue jeans, black hiking shoes, and a dark green sweatshirt. They stood still, watching the fog, like they were waiting for something.
Rustling trees. Rain hitting the ground. Footsteps.
The figure does not move. The rain soaks them. The footsteps get louder.
A large shadow appears through the fog on the other side of the stream.
The voice is a deep whisper, barely reaching above the sound of the rain.
âYes, I didnât know where else to go.â
The lone person whispers back, tentative, unsure. Theyâre still looking up at the fog, eyes closed against the rain.
âWhat assistance do you need now?â
The person shrugs⊠They are slowly getting soaked in the rain.
âI⊠Iâm not sureâŠâ
The person looks down from the rain and looks at the shadow in the trees. They seem to take a tentative step forward before hesitating.
Now the shadow sounds confused.
âI just, it doesnât feel right.â
The person drops their head to look down as they shove their hands in their hoodie pocket.
âWere you not satisfied with the outcome?â
âNo.. I was, I mean I am, but I just donât feel like itâs enough.â
âNot satisfied? You got everything you asked for. What more could you need?â
The person finally looks up at the shadow in the trees, water is streaming down their face but is it from the rain or from their tears?
The shadow figure seems to hesitate, before it turns around and starts to retreat into the trees.
âThat is beyond my power.â
The person moves toward the shadow before it disappears from view.
âWait! Please! I donât know what to do!â
âYou cannot bring them back. You can honor them and remember them. Do not let them fade into the shadows. Do not let them become like me.â
The shadow moves into the trees and fog, out of sight.
The person watches helplessly as the figure disappears.
They wait, hoping it will return. The rain continues to come down.
Eventually the person turns, and walks down the trail, a clearing with headstones come into view. Shadows lurk in the outskirts of the clearing, not breaking the tree line.
The person walks until they reach the last two headstones. They fall to their knees in front of them, their head in their hands. Their shoulders shake with sobs.
They kneel there for what seems like hours, the rain soaking into them.
Two shadows begin to form in the trees in front of them.
Then they reach into their hoodie pocket, and pull out two wild flowers from the forest. One is laid on each headstone.
âI wonât forget you.â They whisper.
The two shadows fade away.
yousharknotpass
2087
gracieabrams
origamiaround
