Hi, blog friends! Happy Monday, if there is such a thing. Here's my flash fiction entry for the first Campaigner Challenge. Ever one to rise to the challenge, I fit in the word 'orange' as well as writing in the vein of my usual genre, urban fantasy. Enjoy!
Shadows creep across the wall. I wish I could ignore them, like a normal person would. Someone else would see simple shades of pewter or ash, long vertical stripes, maybe the shape of a tree branch. Someone else could enjoy the sparkle of dust spinning in thick bars of afternoon sun, as the horizon begins to glow like a slice of orange. Someone else. Someone not like me.
Because I see the shadows as they stretch into something more. I know what hides within them. I feel the unfurling of their sinuous bodies as they stir in their resting places, to rise when the sun sleeps. To cross over on the shadows, the door between their world and ours. The clock ticks. Darkness deepens. I feel them waiting, waiting…
But I’m waiting, too. And when they come out to play, I’ll be ready. With steel and magic, I’ll meet them in the light of the moon. I’ll make them wish they’d stayed home in their beds. This is my realm, and the night is my time. And I’m not the best at sharing. Guess they’ll have to figure that out the hard way.
I went to a kind of creepy place with that... in a weird mood today. Oh wait, that's every day :) Anyways, hope the rest of your week goes well!
Ooh, I really like this. The creepy vibe works so well! Great job!
ReplyDeleteThat's really good. I enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteBut you go to creepy places so well!
ReplyDeleteYou have such a beautiful, lyrical voice in this! And so much character, too. I love it!
ReplyDeleteI like creepy. Nicely done. :)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely on the creep-o-meter. I feel like I'm being stalked right now... *looks behind my shoulder* ;)
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this entry for the challenge. Nice and sinister.
ReplyDeleteThere's so much fun we can have with shadows and you've done just that. Love it! Good luck with the contest.
ReplyDeleteNow that's what I'm talking about! Creeptastic shadows. If this isn't what you normally write, I'm impressed. Nice one! :)
ReplyDeleteWow, enjoyable wordplay.
ReplyDeleteExcellent last paragraph especially! It has a nice rhythm to it. =)
ReplyDeleteLove the voice in this, and great vivid descriptions! Not gonna look at shadows the same way again.
ReplyDeleteP.S.: Your entry has been shortlisted and will move on to round 2 of the competition. :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Alexia, good luck!
ReplyDeleteOoh, I really like this! Especially the bit about steel and magic. Nicely done!
ReplyDeleteCool flash fiction piece, Alexia. Good job. =o)
ReplyDeleteUm, yikes! That is creepy... but a great read!
ReplyDeleteReally atmospheric. I want to read more.
ReplyDeleteGreat voice and build-up - and I'm a sucker for anything involving magic :)
ReplyDeleteI really love this Alexia. You have me hooked big time.
ReplyDeleteCreepy, in a fun way!
ReplyDelete"With steel and magic, I’ll meet them in the light of the moon." I LOVED that line. I wish you'd written more of the story! I want to know more! Great job :)
ReplyDeleteI'm entry #19
Oooh, this is really good! I loved your descriptive language! Nice work! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm #37
Thanks for visiting my blog :-) I'm not a Campaigner but I'm visiting and reading. I like where you've gone with this flash, and particularly enjoyed the last lines :-)
ReplyDeleteNicely built suspense and beautiful imagery. I loved the sentence: "This is my realm, and the night is my time." Nicely done!
ReplyDeleteI'm #36
I like creepy! And you do creepy well!! :)
ReplyDeleteIt is creepy, but well written. Loved it!
ReplyDeleteCreepy creepy is right! Great job :) Following you now!
ReplyDeleteCreepy, but in a very good way. Can't wait to see what's next!
ReplyDeleteI really, really like this one! Well done! :D
ReplyDeleteThis would be the most epic book blurb every. EVER. Amazing job!
ReplyDelete*ever hehe.
DeleteVery atmospheric, and I like the idea of shadows trying to cross over from another world. Could be expanded into something much bigger, I think. Great job!
ReplyDeleteYes, I love the voice. Very nice!
ReplyDeleteprotective! great voice!
ReplyDeleteLoved the emotion of the prose, the isolation and passion. If not from a WIP, it should be. :)
ReplyDelete"With steel and magic, I'll meet them in the light of the moon." I like that. ;)
ReplyDeleteYour second paragraph is fabulous
ReplyDeleteI'm digging the point of view on this and I love your use of well-chosen adjectives in your descriptions. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteI really liked the voice. It's very tough and fun to read. Best line: "I guess they'll find out the hard way."
ReplyDeleteI like that the night is her time. Mine is #71
ReplyDeleteAloha Alexis,
ReplyDeleteDamn gurl, that was awesome :)
Seriously, no blowing smoke over one's arse... that *rocked*
Awesome descriptors and I want to read more :)
You have a New. Follower.
Ps... add a line to the end of the post with a link and tell peeps what number you are in the Challenge... you going to get some votes, sistah, including one from me :)
Great job. Really liked enjoyed its originality. New follower too.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! Gave it a thumbs up :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat Job! Love the descriptions!
ReplyDeleteNice use of language. This is how to use sentence fragments effectively.
ReplyDeleteLee (#126 on the Campaign Challenge List)
An A to Z Co-Host
Tossing It Out
Twitter: @AprilA2Z
#atozchallenge
ooh very nice. I like how you describe through the eyes of the MC, giving us insight into the character as well as the world. Very tight, very good piece. I'm wanting to read more.
ReplyDeleteThat would be a good book blurb. Nice creating a story and world in so few words.
ReplyDeleteDark and twisty! I love it!
ReplyDeleteI love dark and creepy!! Very well done indeed. I'm a new follower and entry #96.
ReplyDeleteI loved the creepy mood and the language you used to set the mood and describe things.
ReplyDeleteI'm #123.
"With steel and magic" ... that's great!
ReplyDeleteI like that the protagonist knew she had power over the shadows. I also like the vivid imagery in your piece. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI'm intrigued by what her relationship with the shadows are and loved the last line. Great job! I'm # 61.
ReplyDeleteThis shadow prompt is giving rise to some really cool work! Great entry, Alexia!
ReplyDelete"And when they come out to play, I'll be ready." - great line!
Jai
I shall dub thee my favorite so far! :) Great job.
ReplyDeleteHi, Alexia! You've been shortlisted and you're moving on to the semi-finals. Congratulations! :)
ReplyDelete(Just a reminder: If you make it one more round to the finals, you'll get a prize. Good luck!)
Ooooh, I like this! I feel like a small story actually comes together in this one, instead of just a snippet or a beginning. Sometimes it's nice to not be left hanging!
ReplyDeleteI'm stopping by from the Fantasy group for the Campaign, by the way. Nice to meet you!
I like this. Reminds of a hunter or slayer of some sort.
ReplyDeleteThis reads like a very effective blurb on the back of a novel. I'd flip it open and start reading!
ReplyDeleteVery nice Alexia! Seems like the best stuff comes out when the mind is in that kind of weird mood.
ReplyDeleteGreat job! Very creepy...Love it!!! And you left me hanging!
ReplyDeleteI'm no. 2 if you want to read it! ;)
Great writing, I liked this :-)
ReplyDeleteCreepily wonderful! Beautiful writing!
ReplyDeleteLove this! Great piece, lady.
ReplyDeleteNew follower.
See you around the campaign trail. Go team fantasy!