LionAroundWriting46 Comments on Spectre – SHORT STORY

Spectre – SHORT STORY

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     WHEN HE WALKED the earth all living things hid and cowered. Worms burrowed deeper, birds escaped in thick treacle air on unnatural migrations, animals and humans alike retreated to dens, caves, jungles and brick homes, curtains closed, lights off, breathing quietly. Street lamps died when he came near, crashing power grids, sending hamlets, villages, towns and cities to the dark ages as if controlling an on off switch at will.

Seemingly painted with ink from black holes, taller than clouds, his ephemeral elongated form roamed the lands, footsteps crushing all beneath in rippling quakes leaving a wake of scorched lifeless terrain the same way a liner sends churning seas and waves through water.

One dark summers day, he reached up and plucked the sun from the sky like the lowest hanging apple, pulling it down in a black hand of long lines and right angles, looking at it, the same size as you’d see it in the now barren sky. Without thought he placed it in a pocket, producing a tinted glow that cast unambitious light.

As people cowered in homes – silent – a few bravely eyeing the spectre, a child, perhaps six years old made a break for it, fleeing the doorway in an energetic blur racing over to the base of the thing. As parents and neighbours shouted for him to return, they all all held their breath, terrified of the consequences. The monster had eaten children before so it was told. Adults too.

In little light only the child could know what would happen next.

Stopping, head tilted right back, he shouted to the heavens. “Put it back!”

Taken by surprise the spectre leaned forward, a wisp of eyeless blank, like a brush stroke.

“We need the sun! Put it back you bully!” A small fist was raised, shaking.

Where did a youngster acquire the heart of a warrior, the heart of a naïve lamb?

Any second the child would be eaten. The monster leaned closer, it’s rectangular head lowering from passing clouds resembling factory smoke. Miniscule, the lad stood steadfast as a long billowing arm reached down and plucked the sun from it’s pocket, forcing the child to cover its eyes with his forearm.

To a soundtrack of gasps, the sun was raised upwards above now-white clouds and resumed it’s rightful place beaming high-noon rays once more.

Wandering onwards the black monster edged towards the horizon, leaving all behind it as it was. Nobody had ever questioned it, none had pointed out the error of his ways before. And with one act of courage his form shrunk, until people began to ask “Where is he?” instead of saying “There he is!”.

Nobody saw him again after that day. The last verifiable sighting was of him entering the icy waters of the Atlantic.

 

lion around 2

46 thoughts on “Spectre – SHORT STORY”

  1. sahirmunjral September 16, 2016 — 3:26 PM

    Really nice . I wish I could write like you. I am going to follow your blog from now. I am a 10 year old boy, also trying to write short stories. Just started my blog on short stories. Come and read my first story on http://shortstories4kids.wordpress.com . And tell me what u think.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. (Post author)
      LionAroundWriting September 24, 2016 — 11:25 AM

      Thank you!
      I wish I was as proactive and blogging at 10, that’s great. Keep writing 🙂
      I’ll drop by soon.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  3. gspottedpen June 18, 2016 — 2:40 PM

    I like the feel of the story, a blend of fantasy and science fiction. The story is crafted well and renders a superb reading. Anand Bose from Kerala

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. cathleentownsend June 5, 2016 — 2:08 PM

    Very nice. The classic themes of courage and a child shall lead them. I do love tales like this. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. (Post author)
      LionAroundWriting June 5, 2016 — 2:32 PM

      Thank you cathleen, kind words ☺

      Like

      Reply
  5. Nayana Nair May 28, 2016 — 8:31 AM

    That was tooo good. Loved the story .:)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. willowdot21 May 27, 2016 — 9:30 PM

    Great story, there are real moral values in there. I loved it. xxxxx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. (Post author)
      LionAroundWriting May 28, 2016 — 12:05 AM

      Thank you very much, I’m glad you got that part of it 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  7. busymindthinking May 27, 2016 — 8:24 PM

    Reblogged this on Busy Mind Thinking and commented:
    Lion writes the most amazing short stories!! If you haven’t met, scoot on over, grin.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. (Post author)
      LionAroundWriting May 28, 2016 — 12:06 AM

      Many thanks busymind, very kind 🙂 😀

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. busymindthinking May 28, 2016 — 12:08 AM

        Smiles and hugs, Lion, you’re most welcome. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Mary Cathleen Clark May 27, 2016 — 3:46 AM

    Good story, Lion. I enjoyed reading. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
      2. (Post author)
        LionAroundWriting May 28, 2016 — 4:16 AM

        Liking your new gravatar btw ☺

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Mary Cathleen Clark May 28, 2016 — 5:00 AM

        Thanks, Lion. I decided to try classy for a while. 😊

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Lisa Lancaster May 27, 2016 — 12:37 AM

    Loved it, as usual! Just as everyone else has said, fantastic imagery!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  10. SyedaFR May 26, 2016 — 6:12 PM

    Wow! The imagery and flow is amazing, as always! Do I even need to tell that! 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. (Post author)
      LionAroundWriting May 26, 2016 — 6:15 PM

      Thanking you Syeda 🙂
      And it’s nice to hear it 😀

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. SyedaFR May 26, 2016 — 6:30 PM

        I need to keep it in copy – paste format now! Your work is always amazing! Could learn so much from you…interested in taking classes? 😁😋

        Liked by 1 person

      2. (Post author)
        LionAroundWriting May 26, 2016 — 7:53 PM

        😀 thank you.
        As for classes…hmm you never know.

        Liked by 1 person

  11. Kim Magennis May 26, 2016 — 11:40 AM

    birds escaped in thick treacle air on unnatural migration

    Brilliant imagery. Loved the twist!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  12. AJ.Dixon May 26, 2016 — 11:08 AM

    Loved the opening description of the spectre. A wonderful weaving of words! I had in mind that the spectre is a manifestation of night-time, who steals the sun and plunges the world into darkness. Great work ☺

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. (Post author)
      LionAroundWriting May 26, 2016 — 6:05 PM

      I like your interpretation. Thanks for the feedback 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  13. jamiemarierose May 26, 2016 — 3:36 AM

    Loved this! Beautiful imagery. A+++

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. (Post author)
      LionAroundWriting May 26, 2016 — 4:29 AM

      Thank you Jamie much appreciated 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  14. Patrick Rain May 26, 2016 — 1:43 AM

    Great descriptions. I particularly liked the ending. Brave kid.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  15. thelonelyauthorblog May 25, 2016 — 11:18 PM

    The images were perfect. Also enjoyed the way you ended this. And again, as in most of your short stories you are excellent at setting the mood/tone.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. (Post author)
      LionAroundWriting May 25, 2016 — 11:24 PM

      Thanks andrew.
      Appreciating the feedback, gives me an idea on whats good and what needs work ☺

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. thelonelyauthorblog May 26, 2016 — 12:39 AM

        You are great at setting the mood. I need to work more on that.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. (Post author)
        LionAroundWriting May 26, 2016 — 2:49 AM

        I disagree. The time travelling stories and the one in the asylum plus the recent one are all great, straight into the stories 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      3. thelonelyauthorblog May 26, 2016 — 3:13 PM

        Thank you for saying that. I am honored.

        Liked by 1 person

      1. jlfatgcs May 26, 2016 — 1:25 AM

        It was a pleasure!

        Liked by 1 person

  17. moonskittles May 25, 2016 — 10:17 PM

    I read this with only one eye open.. vivid imagery is your forte!
    Dajena 🙂

    Like

    Reply
    1. (Post author)
      LionAroundWriting May 25, 2016 — 10:24 PM

      Many thanks Dajena 🙂
      Is your other eye ok? 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. moonskittles May 25, 2016 — 10:25 PM

        i think so.. maybe next time I should close both.. 😉

        Liked by 1 person

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