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Recently, I agreed to participate in a flash-fiction event hosted by Bluebelle. I was to write a short story under 1000 words based on the prompt that she gave me:
The door creaked- which was odd, because that door never creaked.
Here is the result of that prompt! :D Enjoy!
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OUT OF TIME
My mind was
wandering... sorting out problems which could only be understood in a
world of dreams. In my minds eye, I moved through a vague and
shadowy landscape, peaceful and quiet... full of memory and musing,
fantasy and questions.
Gradually, I felt
myself returning to the world of the living... I felt a breeze blow
across my face, and a lock of my hair move across the bridge of my
nose.
My limbs felt like
lead. For a moment, I could not move. My mind was in a fog...
My eyebrows
furrowed. I parted my lips and drew in a deep breath. As soon as the
cool, sweet air touched my lungs, my body seemed to realize how
desperately it needed that air.
Suddenly, I found
that my limbs were infused with new energy from that life-giving
breath, and I pushed myself up and gasped.
My eyes were
encrusted with sleep. I rolled over onto my knees and clawed it
away, blinking rapidly as tears came to my eyes. The light streamed
down on me, filling my senses with its warmth.
I was beginning to
get my bearings. My mind was coming back to me, and I found I could
think clearly once more.
I had been
sleeping... so deeply, it felt like death. I could not remember what
had caused me to sleep in such a manner, nor for how many hours, or
days, I had remained in that spot.
Hunched on my
knees, I drew several deep breaths before I managed to lift my head.
My vision was bleary, and for a moment, my surroundings twisted and
turned as though I were looking through marbled glass. When at last
my sight cleared, I recognized my surroundings as a green woodland.
Tall, majestic trees rose high above me, stretching their graceful
limbs toward the sun.
Now I vaguely
remembered coming here. I had taken to the forest to traverse the
wild, and escape for a few precious hours from the endless monotony
of my life in that modest village I called home. But what had
transpired on that walk, I could not yet recall.
Rising unsteadily
to my feet, I rested my hand on the trunk of the beech that had
sheltered me. As the effects of my long slumber began to fade, I
realized that I was not far from my home. I could just make out the
outlines of the path that would take me to my cottage.
Judging from the
position of the sun, I knew that I must have slept all night and
woken well into the morning. I could only imagine how worried my
sister Sally, seven-year-old brother Jack must be. Sally had likely sent her
fiance John for help, and John had likely summoned the entire town.
Running my hands through my hair, I hastened back to the cottage to
set their minds at ease.
But even as I made
my way home, questions echoed loudly in my mind. What had happened
to me? What would have caused me to fall asleep so close to home? I
recalled carrying my rifle with me. What had become of that?
As I drew near the
cottage, I saw smoke rising from the chimney and smelled sausage on
the air. A sudden hunger made me vigorous, and anxiously I sprang up
the steps and onto the porch. With a bright smile that I hoped would
cool my sister's anger over my absence, I flung the door open.
“Good morning,
Sally!” I said.
As it swung open,
the door creaked loudly- which was odd, because that door never
creaked.
The young woman
leaning over the stove gave a start, and swung around to face me with
wide eyes. My greeting froze in my throat as I saw that she was not
my sister. Her blond hair and blue eyes were completely unfamiliar
to me. I could not recall seeing her in the village before.
Her mouth open wide
in surprise, she fumbled for a moment before giving a shocked outcry.
“Excuse me, sir! Who are you?”
I shook my head.
“I think I should be asking you that question. Are you a friend of
Sally's?” I said with a chuckle.
The woman's brows
lowered into a frown. “Sir, I demand to know what you are doing in
my house.”
I laughed
incredulously. “Oh come on, what's the joke? Where are Sally and
Jack? Is John in?”
“I don't know
what you're talking about, but if you don't start explaining, I will
let the dog loose on you!”
My eyes caught
sight of the large wolf-hound watching intently from the hearth.
Swallowing, I stepped back, glancing around. Suddenly, I noticed the
tall, healthy cherry tree in full blossom through the back window. I
froze. That was impossible. I'd only just planted that tree that
spring, as a present for Sally. How could it be fully grown?
“I-” I
stammered, struggling to find the words. “I'm Rip! Rippald van
Winkle? I live here with my sister Sally and my little brother
Jack...”
I swayed on my
feet, overwhelmed with the revelation of the cherry tree. The
implications... how long did I sleep?
So disoriented was
I that I barely noticed the woman calling for her husband. Her voice
was shaking, much as my own hands were trembling with confusion.
A man appeared in
the doorway. “Mary? What's wrong?” he asked his wife.
“Jack...” She
whispered, pointing in my direction.
As I looked up to
meet the eyes of this new man, I nearly fainted. I would have
thought I was looking into the mirror. His face was pale, and his
dark hair was in disarray as he beheld me in utter shock.
“Rip...?” he
whispered hoarsely. “Is it you?”
I did not hear what
he said next. My legs crumpled beneath me as I sank to the floor.
The world was going black... I was fainting... fainting...
How long did I
sleep?
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-Rayne Speryll
