OK...this is an experiment...may be a bust, but worth a try...life is short! I'm writing a story, an allegory about...oops, don't want to ruin it. The story is still in my head so for fun I thought I'd share it with you as it appears in writing for the first time. I'll post it in parts as I find time to write...don't know how long it will take to finish. I hope you enjoy it.
The Dragon’s Tail
By
The clouds grew higher and higher into the darkening blue sky; playful, yet hinting of powerful forces aching to be set free. The sun was setting quickly, settling below the hazy horizon, tinting the bottoms of the clouds with fiery streaks of orange and red. Brilliant white faded to grey; the blue sky grew darker still, deepening to black overhead. A few stars peered out of the darkness but were quickly obscured by the rising clouds. The air was heavy, thick with moisture that flowed over the low hills and settled into shallow valleys, muffling the sounds of the night into eerie silence.
Danny sat on the edge of the porch, his feet dangling above the ground, staring intently at the narrowing ribbon of light on the horizon. He held his breath, counting slowly until the last rays of the sun were extinguished…21, 22, 23…then inhaled deeply, feeling the moist air filling his lungs. He lived with his mom, dad, and younger sister in a small house in the country, far from the glare of city lights. The night was black, no hint of moon or stars could penetrate the clouds, now invisible but still a tangible presence looming above his head. Danny felt vaguely uneasy, shifting his weight nervously on the rough concrete porch. A part of his mind whispered to his body…stand up, go back into the house where the glow of lights would purge the darkness…but he didn’t move, not yet. He waited, a boy’s spirit of adventure craving something new to experience, even if it scared him a little, though he didn’t know why.
A minute passed, then two, maybe three, when the first brilliant flash lit up the sky. The hot flash of lightning streaked its jagged path to the ground…far away with a long delayed rumble of muffled thunder. Then the veil of blackness dropped again, a heavy blanket that covered the sky. Again Danny waited. The second lightning bolt leapt across the sky from cloud to cloud, a messenger of light, prophesizing the arrival of the storm god’s thundering awakening. Danny jumped, eyes wide, not expecting the lightning and thunder so close, so quickly. The electricity in the air made his hair stand on end…or maybe it was just the tingly fear that crept deliciously through his body. He loved and feared the approaching storm.
Danny knew that his mother’s voice would break the spell soon, beckoning him to come into the house for the night, quenching the fear and expectation that made him feel so alive. He started to rise when the sky glowed a third time, no ragged lightning bolt this time, but a pulsing glow beneath a layer of clouds. Danny’s gaze was drawn to the strange light. He was powerless to resist its pull. It seemed alive, casting a spell that held him transfixed, like a butterfly pinned to a piece of cardboard. And so for the first time he saw the dragon, a vague outline lurking in the clouds, its eyes ablaze with purpose. Then it started to rain, large wet drops falling from the heavens, slowly at first then faster and faster. Danny turned his back to the storm, reaching for the door as his mother’s voice pierced the night. He desperately wanted to look back, but didn’t dare, as he opened the door and entered the house.
Danny’s mother let the book rest in her lap, shifted her weight to relieve the stiffness in her arms and back, and looked anxiously at her son. He looked so helpless lying in the bed, his face pale, almost as white as the brightly starched walls of his hospital room. Inanimate, uncaring machines, ticked and whirred, spewing out endless streams of data but offering no comforting warmth or peace of mind. A coma…always hope…be patient…don’t give up…the doctor’s words echoed in the depths of her mind, sometimes mocking her with their persistence. She rose slowly, walking across the room to stand by his bed, reaching to hold his cool, almost lifeless hand.
She whispered softly to him.
“I love you, Danny. You are my life, my hope…the reason for each breath I take. Don’t be afraid. I’ll be here when you wake up.”
Settling into the chair once again, she lifted the book and began to read aloud again, her soft voice drifting across the bare room to the bed, a vortex of spiritual energy, gently prodding his mind.
“The dragon rose swiftly into the night air…”
(to be continued…)
I hope you find peace and joy in your life,
Alan
What a wonderful story!
Again you have drawn me in with your words. Can't wait for the next installment!
Hugs & Blessings,
Nini
Oh, I wish I could be that talented with words. Keep going. I want to readWhat a great read!
You got some talent there............
jode
Bump...and now part 2 to follow shortly in another post...hope you enjoy the story