short story
Barn Owl
I was stuck. In between a rock and a ridged place. I was prey to great eyes that scanned my environment. Writhing to peel myself away from my plight. Lungs burning from exertion. Above, she lurked. I could hear the scratching on the beam about me as she paced. Those eyes. I knew those huge dark eyes would be watching. I knew she would be listening for my breath, for my squirm.
By Rohann Chas Coffey4 years ago in Earth
The Lair of the Baobhan Sith
There isn't much of the supernatural in the Scottish Highlands, but for the baobhan sith. Much like a banshee and vampire mixed, but is actually a dark fae, the baobhan sith is always a woman. She makes her home in the moors and swamps, drifting near enough to civilization to eat at night, calling out to those who taste of blood. Her hooves crunch the bones of the devoured, wayward souls that litter the Highland moors. On April 15, 1743, the trees fade into open grassland as the sun sinks below the horizon. A white and brown barn owl flies overhead, searching for it's dinner.
By DarkRandall4 years ago in Earth
The Light of Civilization (and the Shadows it Stole)
Before you, my life made sense. It was natural to hunt at night. A flash of feathers and razor-sharp talons. A single swift blow, an all-encompassing pain, and then the calming invitation of joining the stillness of a cold, dead night. I was a pale-white reaper cloaked in darkness, unseen until the fate of my prey is sealed.
By Zoe Becker4 years ago in Earth
Bird, Rattlesnake, and Rain
I miss the shortgrass prairie. I miss the landscape falling apart into broken red rocks, in a blaze in early September. I miss the scorching sunlight, gusts of wind and low-flying hawks, and chirps from prairie dog towns. I miss abrupt, stony cascades, where no water ever does cascade, except in flash floods.
By Sarah Dendy4 years ago in Earth
Legend of Today
There was a legend, from a long time ago. When the sun and the moon touched, and the mighty rivers flowed into each other. Time would not be mentioned, except by the movement of the clouds, and the fruit on the trees. The humming bird would sing its tune, so merry and bright, yet swaying from the bees in the dead of night. Coyotes would howl, trying to find their pack, yet the wind chimed to the glory of a smoke stack.
By Doreena Starr 4 years ago in Earth
The Zerulian Society
THE ZERULIAN SOCIETY By CynthiaTravis It was my last day of Fall and Winter was already creeping its coldness into the routine. The trees had shed the last of their leaves a week ago, but snow would still need time before falling from the sky. The wind had a bitter sting that would come and go, reminding the landscape to always grow its strong roots first. Thomas moved deer into these woods a few years ago, after society labeled him “DELUSIONAL” “PLASTIC!” The voice within him said, “Our Mother earth will not tolerate mass production forever.” Thomas chuckled. Before society weaseled their doubts of surviving existence into his head, Thomas was a simple man. He labored his time and body away working for a manufacturing company located 7 miles outside of town. Mom and Dad passed away some years ago and other family members moved to different states in all different directions. The trailer his parents left him was falling apart and options for Tom were running out. All but one friend left his side, due to his “Delusional Babble”, who has teetered with the idea of following suit like the rest. “Why can’t anyone see that eventually we will be living on a layer of trash? We buy, throw away and repeat this over and over and over again. TRASH! TRASH! TRASH!” Johnny merely shrugged. “You think I’m crazy too, huh?” Thomas asked “Thomas, it seems this idea of “trash Earth”, has consumed your mind. I mean, think about it. You believe the Earth will one day have a new layer over its crust, made of plastic trash.”, Johnny replied “Earth, Mother Earth will take action before it reaches that point!” “But yes, Johnny, don’t you see how mass production of items we re-use is doing this?” “Do not get me started on milk jugs, you forget those were once glass, right?” Thomas barked with a sneer across his face. “Landfills will not be able to hide this phenomenon forever!” “Hey look”, Johnny gasped, “I’m going home, you're delusional. Next you’re going to say there are too many different types and upgrades of cell phones.” “There are!” There is no need to constantly upgrade hardware. Software maybe, but we are creating more options for no reason that leads to different chargers into a kitchen drawer, where do all those cords end up Johnny?” Thomas asked. “To the trash!” Johnny moaned with a force sense of enthusiasm. “NO, to the landfill!” Thomas erupted with spittle misting the air. Johnny wiped the spray off his face as he headed to his minivan, no longer being able to deal with his delusional babble that seethed itself into every interaction, Johnny decided to end their friendship, this would be the last time he would see Tommy. While raking the leaves off his driveway, Thomas pondered over the conversation he just had with his friend. “What does it take for one’s behavior too sway radical in conclusions? He thought to himself. Thomas’s childhood home, his parent’s trailer, was within looking distance on the counties landfill. Cities outsourced their garbage from surrounding states to Thomas’s hometown. The smell, the site, the thought of a mountain growing full of trash boggled his mind. How high can they pile the trash before it is unbearable to the citizens nearby. How many landfills and how much faster with the increase, with the rise in human population? Every night, Thomas watched the landfill with awe and fumbled through thoughts littered in his mind. Until it happened.
By Erin Cynthia4 years ago in Earth
