1900
For The Vocal Snowy Micro Challenge
This is my 1900th Vocal story.
The music is "Snowfall" by Øneheart X Reidenshi
The Prompt
Write a 250 word microfiction that takes place in a snowy setting.
1900
The new millennium is here, Queen Victoria is on the throne and we were walking towards the South Pole to celebrate by planting the Union Jack there to celebrate her glorious Imperial Reign.
But the cold and snow has come down and the whole of our expedition has succumbed and frozen to death. I am the only survivor and though I have the ensign with me, and two dogs, there is no way that I will make it to the Pole, and it is even further back.
We are huddled together in our tent, using the little oil stove sparingly, because when the oil runs out we will be depending on each other's body heat, knowing that each time we drift into sleep might be our last time on this mortal plane.
We were all so certain that we would succeed, but the weather and landscape have defeated and destroyed us all. All hope is gone. There will be no rescue, our families will be told we are lost heroes.
The wind is howling and snow is falling on the tent, it will be our final resting place, our tomb. The dogs have been howling, but they are now quiet. Soon this tent will be dark and quiet and no one will move.
The final resting place for three bodies, the last remnants of the expedition to plant the flag for our Queen Victoria. Now that will be tasked to someone else.
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This journal entry was found with three frozen bodies ten miles from the South Pole.
About the Creator
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More stories from Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred and writers in Fiction and other communities.
The Salt in her Voice
The myth says mermaids sing to lure sailors to their death. But why? The ocean is huge. Only 5 percent has been discovered by man. Why would a creature of the sea with that much space to roam ever care about the fate of men on ships? The answer, as it turns out, is not a simple one at all. The truth about the myth is older than the tides. Long ago before the first ship ever cut across the surface, the sea made a pact with the sky. The sky would take the souls of the drowned. Anyone who died in storms or any quiet accidents of the deep would have their soul lifted upward to the Heavens while the bodies would remain below, feeding the oceans endless hunger. The greedy sea however wanted more souls than the sky would claim. So it created mermaids. It gave them beautiful voices woven from currents and moonlight. It commanded them to sing. "Bring forth the ones who float where they should sink." it instructed them. So they did. They never killed out of malice but out of obligation. They sung to summon, not to seduce. A mermaid's voice could loosen the tether between the body and soul, making any man step willingly into the water. The sea would take the body and the sky would take the soul. Balance maintained.
By Sara Wilson4 days ago in Fiction
Comments (8)
Nice historical fiction! I got to see a museum exhibition from the Shackleton expedition and it was fascinating. Congrats on your 1900th story, too! I admire your ability to be so prolific.
Well, this is, in fact, chilling.
Ooooo, I like it. Shades of Jack London.
Oh my, this was just so sad 🥺 Loved your take in the challenge! However, you might wanna remove the stuff before the beginning of your story because this is what the said in the challenge: **In order to let the expert brevity of your compelling microfiction shine, please do not include author's notes or additional text before or after your story. If you would like to share a message with your subscribers, use the comments section.** Also, congratulations on your 1900 piece!
Final will & testament: bury us at the pole.
Lovely short story!
Beautifully done Mike. A really poignant take. That last addition about the journal being recovered is heartwrenching 🤍
Nicely done, Mike.