Follow Snippets and Shorter Stories Every Day

  Day Nine: This incredible picture is someone's art piece. They made it entirely out of used tires. I think the juxtaposition between the smooth parts and the different tire treads gives it life. It just begs to be in a story. I created this next story with a certain Chinese concept in mind.

Night Follows Day

   People believe that the rotation of the earth brings the day and night to the planet. They are wrong. Two great beasts continuously walk the earth, clothed in dark and light. They are Karno and Ornak. Across the earth, eternally ushering in the night and day. They are always chased by and chasing each other; never meeting, continuously circling each other. They will never have any friends for mortals can't see him.  Although, now that Karno thought about it, there had been one time when he could have sworn a child, no older than two, had seen him.  She had been playing in a beautiful, grassy meadow, her blond hair in pigtails, when Karno had walked across the meadow, shadow of night following him like a blanket dragging on the ground. She had stopped playing with her dolls, looked in his direction, laughed in delight, and pointed at him. At first Karno assumed she could only see the rising shadow slowly creeping toward her, but when he had passed her, she had looked up at him and met his black eyes. Chills ran through his body. He continued walking though for the first time in thousands of years, he wished to stop for a moment. A few years later he heard tales that a child claimed to have seen a Simba Nyeusi. Black Lion. She had seen him. Karno raised his head a little higher, shook his shadowy mane, and smiled.

Snippets and Shorter Stories Changes its Tail

 Day Eight: It is a chilly, autumn day, far different from the wonderful, warm weather of summer, but don't let that discourage you. Change has always been a constant in life. From the moment we enter this world, our bodies, thoughts, wants, wishes, fears, joys, etc have been constantly changing and evolving. Sometimes it is fun to go back and see how you have changed over the years. This next snippet deals with the ever popular mermaids. However, it deals with the incredible change that occurs on an island inhabited by humans. I think quite a few people would move to this island if they could.

Mermaid Isle

My old, wrinkled hands, like dried up prunes, shook as I tried to peel potatoes for dinner. I sighed. The Mermaid Moon couldn’t come soon enough for me. Something bright caught my eyes, and I watched my granddaughter run up the front steps in her yellow sundress. Mayla burst through the front doors screaming something that was probably grandmother but sounded like a dull clang through water to my ears. I turned toward the sound to see her smiling at me, her white teeth contrast against her pale skin and sunflower dress. I tried to smile back, suddenly conscious of my lack of teeth.  Mayla scoffed at my shoddy attempt at peeling shooing me away.  I think she might have said the words: nap, last day, relax, and love. I sighed and shuffled over to the couch, cursing my stiff legs.  I paused and realized that soon I wouldn’t have legs. Smiling slightly, I laid down and was soon snoring lightly.   I woke some time later to gentle shaking.  My daughter, Shanna, peered down at me, blurry and dark in the dimming light.  I read her lips, “It’s time.” She helped me to my feet and we walked to the bedroom.  She helped me put on a light blue, shimmery, transparent dress over a white slip. She let my white hair flow free and brushed all the tangles out.  No shoes, of course. My only son, Dax, and second daughter, Farra, entered the room and greeted me. I think I might have missed some questions so I just smiled and nodded. Then Dax handed me a necklace. It was a infinity symbol with three jewels: an emerald, a  sapphire, and a ruby. Patting his hand fondly, I allowed Farra to put it around my neck.  Taking one last look around my room of ninety years, I nodded and the four of us slowly walked down to the ocean.  Lanterns and torches lit our way. The smell of burning wood and incense was strong enough even my nose could smell it. Lightening bugs and fireflies drifted in and out, randomly appearing and disappearing. The dirt below my feet had been carefully kept free of rocks and the sound of the waves crashing on the beach grew louder as we neared the edge of the island. The whole town had gathered on the sandy shores, chatting pleasantly and eating fresh fruit, mashed potatoes, and grilled fish. When they saw us they began to cheer and clap. My daughter-and-sons-in-law, plus my seven grandchildren, including Mayla, ran up to us placing flowers on our necks.  They placed only one flower necklace on me. They were deep blue with white on the tips; the Ocean Wave Flower that only grew on the sides of the cliff and was only picked for this occasion. 

I spent the next hour―or was it three?―shaking hands, receiving congratulations, and nibbling my last meal. Finally, though the hour had come. I moved to the water’s edge and everyone drew away. I breathed in the salty, sea air and looked back at Mermaid Isle one last time. Turning back, I took a shaky step into the oncoming wave. It was warm and as the warmth flowed up my leg I took another, more solid, step forward. Lifting up my dress and gazing up at the luminous Mermaid Moon, I smiled.

 
When the water hit my knees I looked at my hands.  Shaky, wrinkled hands were now smooth and firm. My eyesight returned along with all my other senses. The wind blew my hair and I saw that it had returned to the shimmery black it had been in my youth. The tan was gone from my skin and had become the pearly white that mermaids had. My strength returned and I filled my lungs with air for the last time. Leaping forward into the water, I splashed with my light blue tail once and disappeared into the clear deep.

Scales, Snippets, and Shorter Stories

Here we go, a fantasy picture. I love dragons. Sometimes, there is a deep ache in my heart that I know can only be filled with a creature of scales, wings, claws, and teeth. This is as close as I get unless science gets their act together. What would you name your dragon if you had one?

The Impossible Dragon

Asha tried to get through, she really did, but everyone was bigger than her, and she got pushed out of the circle. She worked her way around the throng of kids, all clambering to get the best dragon, trying to find an opening. Finally, she saw an opening on her third way around. Maybe she would get a good dragon after all! However, as she pushed her way through she realized the opening was because all the dragons were taken.

Tears sprang to her eyes, she was the only one without a dragon. Maybe she didn’t belong here after all. Some eggs must not have survived the winter. Asha sank to the ground and wrapped her arms around her knees. She wasn’t a dragon tamer. Everyone cleared away, showing off their new dragons to family and friends, boasting that theirs was the best. Headmistress Vera saw Asha sitting in the middle of the hatching field and winced, her gray eyes sorrowful as they met wet black ones.

Suddenly, Asha felt something nuzzle her leg and looked down at the fiery, crimson body of a scaly fire dragon. Horrified, Asha slid away from it. It shuffled over to her, wobbly and unsteady. She heard the headmistress gasp and shout something. Soon, all the Master dragon tamers thundered down the steps and over to her, still edging away from the unwanted creature. Muttering and whispering spread like wildfire.

“A fire dragon!”

“...Dangerous…”

“Can you believe it?”

“I thought we had successfully unbred those…”

“...Not for a hundred years…”

“...Unstable, untamable…”

As it happened, Asha eventually backed into a rock and since she had no where else to go,the scarlet dragon caught up to her. It crawled on her lap, yawned to show it was hungry, and looked her straight in the eyes.  Black met black and something sparked to life inside Asha. Fyra. Her name is Fyra. Her body felt calm and oddly whole, as if a fire had been lit in a cold hearth. Then it was gone. Rough hands grabbed her frail dragon and carried it away.

Crying out, Asha scrambled to her feet and ran after the swiftly retreating figure. “Where are you going with Fyra? Bring her back, she’s mine!”

Startled, Master Brynn turned and faced the white haired child scowling up at him. Asha snatched the tiny creature from Master Brynn’s hands and held Fyra under her belly. Asha stroked the little body from head to tail, comforting her cries. Something flashed in Master Brynn’s eyes, and, as understanding hit him, he gestured to the other masters to gather around the bonded girl and dragon. Then they escorted Asha up the worn, stone steps to the Meeting Room.

Join the 'Snippets and Shorter Stories' Pack!

      Day Six:  Still no snow. Husband and I got haircuts yesterday, along with a surprise perm for me...it is still to early to tell how I feel about it.  There has always been something so hypnotic about a pack of wolves prowling the forest. The efficient, graceful way they move as one continues to astound me. I always wondered why Little Red Riding Hood didn't join them.  Her life would have been much more interesting...right? 

Control of the Pack

Her ruby cloak turned onyx. Nails and fangs grew and sharpened into points. She crouched and howled, challenging the alpha wolf, who answered her call.  They circled each other, eyes met, never faltering.  Each step was silent and precise as if the two combatants were stalking their prey. The great, coal-black alpha mis-stepped and snapped a branch—Riding Hood leaped, claws extended!

Snowy Day for Snippets and Shorter Stories

Day 5: Every morning when I wake up, I check to make sure there isn't snow on the ground. There is something wonderful about a fresh blanket of snow that evens out the world. It covers everything, providing tantalizing hints at what is hidden beneath the frozen water. Snow can make the ugly, beautiful. The tiny glints, like millions of diamonds, make the world seem a very rich place. You can see where you have come from and where children have played. Don't you just love it?

The Father of Time and Space

     It was time to see if the legends were true. Terreth set the twelve candles around her in a circle as delicate snowflakes fell from the sky. Then she lit them and chanted the ancient words passed down to her by her Great, Great Grandfather the Seer. She felt a warm breeze spiral up her body, making her look up into the swirling clouds. Then it was gone and when Terreth dropped her gaze, a great black wolf with tan legs stood before her, its ears up and focused on her. 

At first, Terreth was disappointed, then she looked a bit closer. He looked old. Old down to his very bones though only the tip of his muzzle was white. His fur shone from the melted snowflakes falling like feathers.

     And his eyes. Oh, his coal-black eyes. They saw what was hidden or secret. Terreth could see the future, past, present of people and worlds ticking gently by. The beginnings and endings of objects, empires, and galaxies intertwined with Time, at times as strong as the thickest chain and other times as frail as a puff of smoke. Her call had been answered. The Father of Time and Space had come to answer all the deepest questions of her soul. Terreth breathed in sharply through her tears and opened her mouth to ask the most important question of all.

Snippets and Shorter Stories in the Early Morning

I am so proud of myself. I woke up early so that I could post this before my classes start. I didn't want to make you wait any longer. The time change is still messing with my mind, making me think it is earlier or later than it is.  Ah, well. Here is Snippet and Shorter Stories number five.  Oh, and don't forget to vote!

Dark Tattoo

Witch they called her. Unholy. Demon. Sorceress. Necromancer. Evil.  Alanya hugged her body tighter causing the ink trees to rustle. She knew it was the ever-changing tattoos on her body that made people fear her. But, just because she had powers of darkness didn’t make her evil. Just because people could walk in the daytime didn’t make them good. Right?

Alanya stared at the huts of the village that scorned her. She longed to join their community and feel the love of another person. But she knew it would never be. Another tiny crack appeared on her blackened heart as she turned away. Alanya breathed deeply of the crisp, night air.  She could smell the sun rising and reluctantly trudged back to her empty home in the Onyx Forest.

She could hear the bats screeching above and feel the silent owls piercing the night with their luminous eyes. A hungry hedgehog crossed her path, searching for small bugs to eat.  She picked him up and stroked his short quills. A wolf howled in the distance and Alanya decided she wasn’t alone.  Not when she was surrounded by other night creatures like her. And they weren't evil either. The barest half-smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she placed the inquisitive hedgehog near a rotting log, full of insect life and crossed over the Coal River.

Back to the sea for Day Four of Snippets and Shorter Stories

This next one is another snippet that shows how depressing I apparently seem to be. Enjoy the pretty picture and day four of my writing journal! Again, any comments, feedback, stories, etc, will always be welcome.

The Lonely Journey

We made it! 3,000 miles of choking dust and scorching heat melted away as Roona launched himself into the salty, cerulean sea. He turned and trumpeted to his family to join him before he remembered what had happened. He was the only living thing he could see. The water gently lapped against his body, erasing his physical pains but couldn't reach the emotional ones.

Snippets and Shorter Stories, Day Three Blows In

 Day Three is already here. I really enjoyed writing this one. The picture was beautiful and I hope you can feel the emotion in my writing. I woke up this morning and it is raining. It smells wonderful!

 Waves on the Sand

The sky thundered and blew above her; the sea raged and tossed before her. Only the gritty sand beneath her and the calm city behind her remained the same.  He was gone. He had decided he didn’t want to be her dad anymore so he’d packed his bags and left. Now all she had was her mother.  

     As the dark sea rolled and crashed onto the beach, Eva's tears made small puddles on the sand before they were absorbed into the unquenchable sand. The wind blew, filling the air with brine and fresh rain, and threatened to rip away her red and white umbrella.

     Hours passed.

     Finally, the storm abated leaving behind no sign it had ever been so violent. Taking a final deep breath, the storm inside of Eva forgave the man who should have been her bedrock. Turning from the calming sea, Eva felt a pull on her red dress to turn back.  

     She didn't.

One final angry wave swept across the smooth beach, wiping away Eva's footprints, before retreating back into the salty sea.

'Snippets and Shorter Stories' Continues to Entertain

Day Two of my Snippets and Shorter Stories 30 day challenge. I'm sure you all had a wonderful Halloween with family and friends. Let me know if you enjoy any of these snippets and shorter stories. This next one is also slightly creepy...I'm starting to wonder what kind of person I am. Feel free to share this with any of your friends who like to write. The vast concept that is imagination speaks differently to us all. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Down in the Deep

Fluorescent shapes and

colors of blue, yellow, and

orange rise from the blackness,

ramming the small deep

sea pod. The two men

inside stare in shock and

disbelief at the crack in the

thick, protective glass.

The giant squid floats

level with the doomed

pod and stares at them

with deep blue and black

eyes, patiently waiting for

their inevitable deaths.

No sense wasting energy

with another attack.

The men breathe once more

and the pod crumples in

on itself, creating a small

tear between worlds.

Hundreds of the 

fluorescent,

alien creatures

squeeze

into our

world

and

search

for

their

next

meal.

The Beginning: Snippets and Shorter Stories

A while back, I created a Pinterest board where I could pin cool/interesting pictures to help me with inspiration for future stories.  Shortly after that, my sister, who liked my idea, created her own board to give me more inspiration. After they slowly gathered Internet dust, I decided to dust them off to help me in my never-ending quest of daily writing.
How, you ask? Well, let me tell you. First, I will pick a picture or random topic and, second, write at least one sentence (and no more than a page or two) on whatever comes to mind. Additionally, I’m hopeful that some of these shorter stories will evolve into larger ones and perhaps even novels!  

Ideally, this will accomplish several things for me.  One, I will develop the habit of writing everyday; because, even if I don't work on my novel, I will take 15 mins and write a snippet. Two, it will stretch my creativity muscle and strengthen my ability to think and imagine. Three, it will put me in the mind set to write as a type of exercise, as well as, encourage me to write further in my novel.  Four, it will be a fun way to dabble in many genres and lead to future novels and short stories.

I would love for you to join me if you feel so inclined. Everyday (for the next month), I am going to post a picture with my snippet or shorter story. Then you can post either your addition to my piece, your own story, or both! I would also appreciate feedback; what did you think? do you want more on a certain snippet? etc.

Here is my first one that I thought really worked with Halloween. Happy reading while you eat your well-deserved candy!

The Metal Heart

4:00 am. Four missed calls. Four tubes left to connect. I ignore my burning eyes, my aching back, and my scratched and frozen hands, as I painstakingly make sure everything is perfect. The cold metal bites my skin and four drops of blood fall, splattering across its' surface.  I connect the final tube, turn the pump on, and sit back in my chair. I wait, holding my breath. One minute. Two minutes. Three minutes. Four. Then the heart thumps to life, matching the rhythm of my own. After four months of long nights, I had finally finished it.

     My daughter, Mary, would live.

     Now my wife, Elizabeth, would understand why I couldn’t visit her in the hospital, and why I’d had to quit work. I’d needed to make Mary an unbreakable heart so that she could come home.  

     My phone vibrates and lights up, casting eerie shadows across the beating metal organ. I answer it, eager to tell Elizabeth that I have saved our daughters' life. “Frank, why didn’t you answer my phone calls? I’ve been trying for hours.” Her voice is scratchy and full of emotion.

     “I finished it.”

     “Finished what, Frank?”

     “Mary’s mechanical heart.”

     “You built her a heart?”

     “Yes, I did, and now, she can come home. Elizabeth?”

     There was a long pause. “Frank, she already is. Mary...she died four minutes ago. We are bringing her home for the funeral." Elizabeth takes a deep breath. "Before she died, I heard her whisper, ‘Daddy, why are you doing this to me?’ What is she talking about? What did you do, Frank? Does it have to do with that metal heart you said you’ve been building? Why won’t you answer...”

     The phone drops from my hands, smashing apart. And over my screams of horror and anguish I hear the steady thump-thump, thump-thump.