Adventure
Escape
Asia walked as far as the pond a mile from her home and stood at the edge, watching her breath swirl in a mist before dissolving into the frigid air. She knew that back home her family was beginning their day, blissfully unaware of her absence. They wouldn’t notice she was gone for at least another hour when her mother would, in a huff of parental irritation, knock on her door and tell her empty bed that her breakfast was getting cold. She wasn’t sure she could stand the temperature that long and knew she’d have to go back sooner than later. Her eagerness to escape the monotony of her life caused her to forget that she was walking out into one of the coldest days of the year woefully unprepared. She had worn canvas sneakers which did nothing to stop the snow from biting her ankles and toes. Still in her pajamas, which were hardly thick enough to protect her skin from the wind, she had put on her winter coat and run out the door. As she walked through the wooded hills, she remained slightly warm, her racing heart pumping hot blood through her veins, but as she stood and stared at the pond, she began to shiver. She knew she had to move, but she wasn’t ready to go home yet. She needed more time alone. Away from the watchful eye of her mother, who was going to have a fit when she realized her daughter had taken leave of the comfort that she worked so hard to provide the family. Away from her father, the man of the house, who busied himself with propositions and acquisitions so as not to have to deal with the family. Away from her baby sister who, with her curls and bright eyes, was the focus of the family. Before she could even think she stepped forward. Her friend told her once that the ice on the pond was solid this time of year and if you didn’t hesitate you could walk clear across without even a crack. I’m not that brave, she said to herself as she took another step. She looked down at her wet sneakers and at the ice beneath her feet and watched, like it was someone else, as they took another step, then another. There was no movement, no water sloshing under the ice telling her that her friend was right, she could make it across. Should she try? What if she was wrong? She looked across to the other side where stood a woman. Asia hadn’t seen her approach and she surmised that he had arrived while she was staring down at the frozen water. The woman kept looking behind her and suddenly took a step onto the ice. She looked across and began waving wildly at Asia before taking another hesitant step. Suddenly, out from the woods came a man. He screamed at the woman to stop and she begged him to leave her alone. Easily, he snatched her from the ice and threw her against a tree, knocking her unconscious immediately. Still unaware that Asia was there, the man picked the woman up and threw her out onto the ice. Asia, gasped as the woman flew like a rag doll onto the pond, a pool of blood quickly forming under her. Suddenly, the man looked up and saw Asian staring at him. She turned to run but she had walked so far out onto the ice she slipped with every step. She looked behind her and saw the man step onto the pond and realizing the ice was thick enough to hold him, he began charging towards her. Asia, turned and slid as fast as she could to the frozen ground just a few feet away. When she was finally able to gain traction from the grass, she headed up the hill, looking back only after hearing what she knew to be cracking ice. In the center of the pond, was a hole. The man was gone. The woman still lay motionless, twenty yards from where the man had fallen in. She searched her pockets but she had left her phone at home, just like everything else. As she ran through the woods, the bitter air burning her lungs she regretted ever leaving that morning. She regretted the way she felt towards her family. She wished she had stayed in bed until her mother called her down for the breakfast she had made, if not lovingly at least thoughtfully. Finally, she made it to the road and panting she flagged down the first car she saw.
By Sarah COOK5 years ago in Fiction
Remodeling the soul
Whoosh. Smoke billowed out in front of her, fogging the cab of the small SUV and blurring the features of the people driving and riding with her momentarily, as the numbness settled itself in for the duration of the ride. Grogginess struck within minutes, almost before she had found the will to let go of the glass apparatus, passing it to a man that she had been forced to realize she never knew in the first place. Head lolling to the side, the panic and fear that had been so sharp and urgent in the prior weeks had subsided, no longer driving her to attempt escape, each time resulting in physic'al violence and manipulation of her mind to a degree she had no real cognizance of. Even now, the angle of her mind's eye was as off-kilter as the rest of her world for the last few months. As the warm skin of her temple and cheek met with cool glass and consciousness escaped her, one final warning alarm kept ringing through the curiously empty spaces of her mind before unconsciousness devoured reality and began its' ritual assault. She wanted to be in this car, on this journey...
By mara rollins5 years ago in Fiction
From Water to Ice
For many years now, a lone individual in Alaska has walked across a large frozen pond longing for it to unfreeze. The pond has been frozen nonstop for 15 years since this individual was a teenager. While a teenager, the visitor would enjoy walking around, fishing, swimming, and sitting at the edge of this pond. This pond contains memories of catching big fish, swimming across its entire length of 2 miles, and simply relaxing. These are the types of things this person would like to continue enjoying. However, the pond had other plans and froze into ice.
By Frank Sartain5 years ago in Fiction
Runners of the Underground
Twenty-Two years ago she was born. Twenty-Two days ago, she found out who she was. And why she was born. Antoinette was born into a family of angels. Her mother kept her hidden in a cottage outside of the city until she turned twenty-two years old. She was raised knowing of the London streets, and what lurked under them. She was raised to be terrified of the rampant beasts that loomed under the broken man-holes of the city. The stories her mother told her haunted her. During the day, in her nightmares. She was always looking over her shoulder.
By Sierra Lynn5 years ago in Fiction
3. A New Life
William panicked. He did not want to be spotted but equally knew he was in danger if he got found too far out to sea he resolved to try and get a view of the deck so he could find the right moment to make a dash for the side and try to swim to shore.
By Simon Curtis5 years ago in Fiction
The Last Child
The court of the Crimson King laughed in time with the sound of a slicing blade and the unmistakable soft thump of flesh striking flagstone. He heard this through the grand doors before which he was bound and gagged as he awaited his own justice to be meted out at the hands of this King. A guard on either side, heavily armored and bladed in case the adornment of chains he was regaled in failed, were his only companions. Bound like an animal upon a wooden cart, link after link securing his frame kneeled and gagged in a subservient pose.
By Mark R. Cieslak5 years ago in Fiction
End of war
My mother used to sing when she cooked. Her gentle voice would fill our home as she swayed to the song. Her food was always terrible, but I’d eat a thousand more of her meals just to hear her again. She would smile as she set the plates down, brush the hair out of my eyes and sit opposite me.
By Millie Stevens5 years ago in Fiction
A Thief Upon the Lake
Thwack. Thwack. Thwack. Derah swung his fist high above his head and brought it down onto the frozen surface of the lake with every ounce of strength he had left. His drive relentless. His hope unwavering. He had to break through. He just had to. He was her only hope.
By Alan Mehanna5 years ago in Fiction
