The smell of burning was getting stronger and there were shouts and screams in the distance. She ran out of her home into the night and saw the yellow glow which meant only one thing. The rival settlement had broken through the barriers, and were on the rampage burning everything in sight. Her Husband Amandus grabbed her upper arm roughly from behind, and dragged her barefoot from the house. They had to escape …
Claudia awoke with a jump and a gasp. Light streamed in through the curtains and a gentle breeze played with them swaying them gently. The birds were singing outside in the trees in the large Garden, yet Claudia saw and heard nothing. Her mind was on the dream she’d just had. She had no idea where it had come from, she just knew it was weird. She’d never had a dream like that before. Shaking her head she got out of bed, and headed for the shower. It was time to get ready for work.
Forty five minutes later Claudia boarded the bus and took the last available seat next to an elderly lady. She hated taking the bus, but her husband Karl had taken the car in for a service. Staring into space, her mind wandered…
Armandus threw his chain mail vest at her and she let out an involuntary yelp of pain. The look of rage on his face was more than she could bear and as he strode towards her she cowered, knowing what was coming. The blow to the side of her face sent her crashing to the floor, and Armandus’s roars of anger filled her ears as everything went black…
Claudia gasped as everything came back into focus. The elderly lady at the side of her leaned over slightly and said
“Are you okay?”
Claudia stared at her, then managed a weak
“Yes, yes I’m fine…my mind wandered that’s all.”
The elderly lady looked at her for a moment longer then wordlessly turned away.
Ten minutes later, Claudia exited the bus and walked to the Store where she worked as a Saleswoman selling Designer Clothes, as she walked inside, the bell above the door jingled, and Claudia’s work collegue and friend Mandy stuck her head round the door of the Staff room.
“Morning Claudia, it’s just you and I today, the troll called in sick.” The troll was the manager of the store, a formidable woman who looked down on Claudia and Mandy. Claudia usually smiled at the name Troll, but today, all she could manage was a weak smile.
Frowning, Mandy looked closer at Claudia
“Are you okay hon, you look terrible” she said.
“I’m okay, I’ve just been having weird dreams and like visions that’s all” replied Claudia. She told Mandy about the dream she had and the vision she had on the bus.
“Wow, that’s weird” exclaimed Mandy when she’d finished,
“What does Karl say?”
“I haven’t told him yet, he was up and gone before I awoke to take my Car in for a service” said Claudia.
“I’ll tell him tonight.”
As it happened, Claudia didn’t have to wait that long. Karl strolled into the store at Lunchtime and asked Mandy if he could take his lovely wife out for lunch. Mandy was fine to look after the store, so Claudia grabbed her bag and strolled out into the bright sunshine hand in hand with her husband. As they took seats at their favourite diner, The Olive Grove, Claudia sighed.
“Whats wrong honey?” Karl asked, his face a picture of concern. Sighing again Claudia told him about her dream and vision, as he sat and held her hand across the table.
“Well thats weird, but I’m sure it doesn’t mean anything honey, I mean dreams are just that right, dreams?”
“Yeah I know, but there’s something that bugs me about it, I mean, it seemed so real, and then there’s the vision I had on the bus” she reminded him.
“Maybe your mind was just dwelling on the dream you had” replied Karl.
“Yeah, maybe” Claudia smiled at him.
“But either way, thanks for making me feel better” she added.
When Claudia walked back into the store forty five minutes later, Mandy was deep in conversation with a woman who was fussing over two different coloured tops. Claudia decided to have a last smoke before starting work for the afternoon, so dumped her bag on the table and got out her pack of cigarettes and her lighter. Lighting a cigarette and inhaling deeply she thought back to the lunch she’d just shared with her Husband. Karl adored her, he always had, and he told everyone he met that the happiest day of his life was the day he and Claudia got married. Karl was ultra conservative and traditional, he didn’t smoke, he never had more than 2 drinks if they went out, and always liked things neat and tidy. He was a straight and narrow guy, and Claudia adored him for sticking to his principles and beliefs. Karl too was aware that his wife smoked and enjoyed a drink, but never tried to change her. He loved her just the way she was…
She was walking down the street to the market with a woven basket over her arm. She kept her head firmly down so her hair fell over her cheeks, but she knew other women could see the bruises and were whispering behind their hands as she walked by. She felt a flush creeping up her face but was determined to keep going. Suddenly from out of nowhere a hand snaked around her waist and she spun around. She was face to face with Faustus, a friend of her Husband. Faustus was extremely drunk, she could smell the alcohol on his breath and he was leering at her in a way he’d never done before. She struggled to get away from him, but he was too strong for her. With one arm tightly around her waist, he brought up his free hand and tangled his fingers in her hair holding her head still, then brought his head down and began kissing her roughly, forcing her lips open with his tongue and sliding it around inside her mouth. Her muffled protests went unheard and she continued to struggle against him. Suddenly he went rigid against her, then went limp and slowly slid to the ground. She saw blood begin to seep into the back of his tunic, and slowly looked up to see her husband Armando with his bloodied sword in his hand, and rage etched in every line on his face. Slowly she backed away, but it was no use. Armando grabbed his wife’s arm and started dragging her back up the street. The familiar fear crept into her as she became aware of the beating that was surely awaiting when he got her home…
“Claudia!!”
She heard someone call her name as though from very far away, and she jumped as a hand grabbed her arm. Mandy was stood in front of her looking very concerned.
“Claudia?” she asked.
“Oh I’m sorry Mandy” she replied weakly.
“You just had another vision didn’t you?” asked Mandy
“How did you guess?” Claudia replied
“I could tell, your eyes were wide open, and there was such fear in them, Claudia, Are you sure these are just dreams and visions?” asked Mandy.
“I mean, what if they’re something more?” she added.
Claudia frowned
“Like what?” she asked.
“I don’t know, maybe a past life or something” replied Mandy.
Claudia looked thoughtful.
“I don’t know Mandy, I’m not sure I believe in that kind of thing.” she replied.
“Well, there are people that you can go to who can help you find out Claudia, it’s not like you have anything to lose is it?” asked Mandy
“I could even go with you if you like” she offered helpfully.
I need to think about it some more Mandy, but thanks for the advice and offer” replied Claudia.
“Not a problem” replied Mandy smiling.
At that moment the bell over the door rang, signalling a customer, and both of them got up and walked back out onto the store floor.
That evening, Claudia told Karl about the latest vision she’d had, and also about Mandy’s advice. He seemed unsure but said he’d go along with whatever she decided to do. Just out of interest Claudia had a look on the internet for people who did Past life Regressions and found a whole lot of interesting information. She went to bed at 12am with her head swimming with information.
The next morning Claudia got out of bed and headed straight for the phone. She looked up the number she’d written down last night and called up a Lady who did Past Life Regressions. Telling the lady, Anya, what she’d been experiencing, Anya told her to be at her office in an hour. Claudia called Mandy at work and asked her if she could cope for the day without her. Mandy said there’d be no problems. As Claudia put the phone down, Karl came down the stairs fastening his tie getting ready for work.
“Karl honey, I think you’d better call the Office and tell them you need the day off” she said nervously.
“Why baby, what’s wrong?” he asked.
“I booked an appointment to go see the Lady I told you about last night, you know, the one who does Past Life Regressions?”
Karl looked confused.
“What made you decide this?” he asked.
“I had another dream last night honey, it was so horrible, I dreamed that this man called Armando killed me, he killed me with his sword because I forgot to buy a Rabbit from the market” whispered Claudia as a single tear trickled down her cheek.
“All this is happening in my dreams and in visions, and I don’t even know what my name is supposed to be in the dreams. I don’t know whether I’m Claudia or someone else” she finished, openly sobbing.
Karl hurried to wrap his arms around her.
“I’m here for you honey, Let me go call the office and then we’ll go and see this lady. Hopefully she can shed some light on this for us.” he replied.
Thirty minutes later, they were driving into London. Claudia spent the trip staring unseeingly out of the window silently. Karl parked the car and they headed for Anya’s office.
Anya greeted them warmly and proceeded to explain what would happen.
“You’ll feel like you’re sleeping, but you’ll be able to answer my questions and describe what you see and feel. Nothing can hurt you and you’re perfectly safe. When I bring you back, you’ll remember what you’ve seen and you’ll understand that nothing can hurt you anymore. The dreams and visions you’ve been having will also stop.” she told Claudia.
“However, I do need to ask that your husband wait outside in the waiting area, would you like me to tape the session?” she asked Karl.
“Yes please” answered Karl standing up. He leaned down and gently kissed Claudia’s forehead.
“I’ll just be outside baby” he said softly.
Claudia smiled nervously up at him, and he left the room.
Anya placed a tape into her recorder and turned it on.
“Okay Claudia, we can proceed when you’re comfortable and ready” she said smiling gently.
Claudia settled back on the sofa, and said
“Okay, I’m ready”
Anya gently began to speak, playing soft music in the background, and leading Claudia into a meditative state. She led her across fields, meadows, and past oceans until Claudia was totally relaxed and in a semi comatose state.
“What do you see ?” she asked.
Claudia began to speak.
“I see a long winding street, with cobblestones”
“Can you look down and tell me what’s on your feet?” asked Anya.
“I’m wearing Sandals” replied Claudia.
“Sandals, thats good, okay, on the count of three, the year will pop into your head … one, two…three…”
“It’s 400AD”
“Okay, and what is your name?”
“Aurelia”
“Very good Aurelia, thanks for being here. How old are you Aurelia?”
“I’m 32″
“Are you married?”
“Yes” Claudia began to breathe heavily, as though in fear of something.
“What is your husbands name?”
“Armando”
“Is your marriage a happy one Aurelia?”
Claudia began to speak, it was as though the floodgates opened.
“No! He is ashamed of me. I didn’t live up to his expectations of me. He feels as though I tricked him into marrying me so I would have someone to support me. If I do something wrong, I have to be punished so I won’t do it again. He beats me so I know not to do the same thing again. He killed a friend of his because he caught him trying to kiss me. Then he dragged me home and beat me badly because I didn’t try hard enough to escape” Claudia sobbed as she saw the angry face of Armando flash by her face.
Okay, lets move on” came Anya’s voice.
“How old were you when you died?”
“I was 32″
“Okay, and how did you die Aurelia?”
“Armando killed me.” She sobbed harder
“I went to Market and forgot to bring a Rabbit home for dinner. Armando was furious because he was entertaining friends that night. He and his friends got drunk, and he beat me when I accidentally spilled a bit of wine. He wouldn’t stop beating me, and he left me unconcious while he left with his friends. I died on the kitchen floor in a pool of my own blood”
“Did you see yourself leaving your body?”
“Yes, I was alone”
Anya ended the session and slowly brought Claudia back. She felt refreshed despite the emotional trauma of the session.
“I think you have the answers that you were seeking Claudia” said Anya smiling.
“Shall we bring your Husband in now?”
Yes, please do” replied Claudia, smiling in relief.
She wasn’t prepared for what happened next.
Karl rushed into the room, full of worry and concern. He stopped short as Claudia’s face turned white and she stared thunderstruck at him.
“Claudia?” questioned Anya who had also noted Claudia’s reaction.
“It’s you” whispered Claudia horrostruck, staring at Karl.
“Oh My God, it was you!”
“What was me Claudia?” asked Karl
Claudia couldn’t believe she hadn’t realized it before. The hooked nose, high brow, and full lips. Her ultra conservative husband was the one who killed her in a past life.
He was Armando.
I hope you enjoyed reading this. It’s different from anything I’ve done before, and I did it because Jeffers set me a challenge. Hopefully it’ll be what he was hoping for. If not tough, it took me a while to come up with the ideas for this, and I’ve done it to the best of my ability.
Feedback in the comments please.
Photo, story, then feedback lol. I wrote this last night after reading the wonderful comment I received to my story underneath. It’s quite true to real life with a little something at the end that may or may not be true to real life. Hope you enjoy.
Jilly shivered and huddled further under her blanket. Her little Yorkshire Terrier whined softly, then jumped up into Jilly’s lap, huddling close for warmth.
“I know you’re hungry Petal, but I don’t have any food for you” she sighed.
Life had been hard on Jilly since her husband died five years ago. The funeral had cost her every penny she had and gradually she’d started to fall behind on her bills. Now five years later, Jilly was living a bare existance. She had no electricity, no gas and no hot water. She didn’t have a phone to connect her to the world outside her door, although she had nobody to call if she had, and her cupboards were bare.
Jilly nudged Petal off her lap and slowly eased herself out of her chair.
“come on Petal, we’ll go get my pension, and then we can buy you some food” she said. Petal followed faithfully as Jilly went out into the hall, and put on her old threadbare coat. Clipping Petals lead to her collar, and making sure she had her pension book and key, Jilly and Petal made their way slowly outdoors.
Arriving at the Post Office, Jlly tied Petal to a hook outside, then went in. Thankfully there wasn’t a line, and she wouldn’t have to stand too long. At the counter while she signed her book a middle aged woman smiled brightly and said
“Hello Jilly, how are you today?”
“Oh, not bad thanks Susan, I’m living” she replied as Susan counted out her money. Then she began a coughing fit so bad it made her eyes water, and took her breath away. Susan looked concerned for a moment, then said
“Wait there a minute Jilly” and disappeared into the back. When she returned she was holding a Twenty Pound note that she added to Jilly’s money and pushed it across the counter. Jilly stared for a moment, then said defiantly
“I don’t want your charity Susan”
“And you didn’t ask for it Jilly, but I’m giving it to you anyway. Use it to go see the Doctor about getting that cough sorted” replied Susan. Looking into Susan’s eyes Jilly recognised the same stubbornness she possesed herself and knew it would be futile to argue. Without another word, she pocketed the money and walked back outside. Untying Petal she said
“Okay Petal, lets go and get you some food”
She’d taken no more than ten steps however when she was surrounded by a group of youths, taunting her and making fun of Petal. Frightened, she said
“Leave me alone” in a shaking voice.
“leave me alone” mimicked one of the boys and the group laughed. Someone pushed her from behind, and as she fell she saw Petal snapping and snarling trying to get to one of the boys. Then she was struck a heavy blow to the back of her head, and everything went black.
Jilly opened her eyes slowly. Her vision was blurred and her head felt strangely heavy. She was lying in a bed with scratchy sheets. As her vision began to clear, she suddenly realized where she was. There was no mistaking that smell. The smell she had endured for weeks on end five years ago as her husband lay dying in this very place. She was in hospital. Jilly turned her head as the door opened, and Susan from the Post Office entered carrying a potted plant. Seeing Jilly awake, she placed the plant on the bedside table, then went and sat in a chair that had a coat draped over the back of it. She’d obviously been around for a while. Taking one of Jilly’s hands in hers, she asked how Jilly was.
“a little strange to be honest Susan. my head feels heavy” replied Jilly.
“Do you remember what happened at all?” asked Susan. Jilly was silent for a moment as images flashed through her mind. Being surrounded by the group, hearing them laughing at her, Petal snapping and snarling as her beloved owner fell to the ground.
“Yes, yes, I remember” replied Jilly quietly, then added
“Where’s Petal?”
“She’s safe Jilly, she’s staying with me, she suffered no harm at the hands of those louts. Now don’t you worry, the Doctor’s coming to see you soon, and with a bit of luck, you should be able to come home tomorrow” replied Susan brightly. No sooner had the words left her mouth than the door opened again, and the Doctor entered.
“aah Mrs Carr, good to see you awake, I was getting worried about you” he said jovially as he checked her chart.
“Everything seems fine here, no high blood pressure or temperature … may I check your head wound please?” he added, and helped Jilly sit up. He poked and prodded, then pronounced himself satisfied.
“You were very lucky Mrs carr, just a cut that needed closing, and no fractures or anything, I think it’ll be fine for you to go home tomorrow”. Susan beamed as she rearranged the pillows behind Jilly and the Doctor left. Jilly frowned slightly as she looked at Susan,
“He was getting worried about me? Susan, how long have I been in here?”
“A week Jilly” Replied Susan. Jilly gaped at her.
The next day Susan arrived to take Jilly home. She’d washed some of Jilly’s clothes and brought them to the hospital for her to wear home. As they made their way to the parking lot, Susan filled Jilly in on everything that had happened.
“A policeman saw what happened as he was driving past in an unmarked car. He radioed for help and the paramedics, then gave chase. he caught one of the boys and arrested him, we got news 4 days ago that the boy has given the names of the rest of them. They’ve all been arrested, and are now in custody. You were on the news too, a lot of people in the community care about you Jilly, but they didn’t know how to reach out to you after the death of your husband. Your attack caused an outcry, I imagine there’ll be quite a welcome committee waiting when we get you home.”
Sure enough, as the car turned onto Bluebell Grove, there were no less than 30 people milling around outside Jilly’s house. As the car pulled up, Jilly found it impossible to speak, even her home looked different, it looked welcoming, inviting even. As Susan helped her out of the car, Jilly saw people she hadn’t seen since her husband’s death, smiling broadly, hugging her and welcoming her home. She heard a familiar dog’s yapping, and turned towards the noise. There stood Susan’s husband Joe, with Petal in his arms. She was wriggling furiously trying to get out of his grasp and back to her beloved owner. Joe put her down, and she raced towards Jilly. Susan picked her up and handed her to Jilly. Jilly smiled and hugged the tiny dog close to her. Susan led Jilly into the house and followed wordlessly as Jilly went through every room. Her whole home had been overhauled. Old furniture had been replaced with new, she had gas, electricity, hot water. Her cupboards were full to brimming with food for her and petal. She had a phone, and a book at the side of it, full of phone numbers of the people she’d lost contact with five years ago. With Petal in her arms, she whispered one word to Susan.
“Why?”
“People wanted to help Jilly, the whole community wanted to do something.” She led Jilly back to the doorstep, where everyone waited, and Susan began to speak.
“I’m sure I echo the sentiments of everyone here when I say Welcome home to Jilly. A woman of great character and strength with a healthy dose of stubbornness thrown in for good measure. Jilly’s attack brought about an unconditional outpouring of love from her neighbours and friends, when it was discovered that Jilly was living in less than ideal conditions, every one of you wanted to help, but more than that, we realized that Jilly isn’t the only one living this way.”
Susan turned to Jilly again and said
“So we have one last surprise for you Jilly. This community has set up a trust foundation and money and donations are pouring in. We pledge to use this money to help other elderly people in need. We’ve called this foundation Jilly’s Legacy.” As the people began to applaud and cheer, Jilly’s eyes filled with tears and spilled down her cheeks as she silently mouthed “Thank You” to her saviours.
I do hope you enjoy this story, I tried to make it as positive as I could, with the outpouring of love and help at the end. I personally feel that many Elderly People are often Overlooked when it comes to help, and I know many of them should be living in better conditions than they are right now. This is my tribute to them. A wish for a better life. Please leave any feedback you may have in the comments section. Thanks.
Ciao.
Father Radley strode down the aisle to go lock the doors of the Church. It was Christmas Eve of 1995 and the Church Choir had just outdone themselves with a wonderful performance. He was feeling very pleased with himself, many people had placed coins in the Donation box. This would be sent to The Missing Childrens Foundation directly after Christmas. As he walked by the last pew, something caught his eye and he turned his head to look. There on the pew was a young girl, she couldn’t have been more than 10 years old, wearing a thin dark grey top and a denim skirt that fell to her knees, her feet were bare and her legs were filthy as was her face. She was curled up on the pew in a fetal position fast asleep. The Father’s mouth dropped open in surprise and shock.
Tiptoeing past he locked the Old Heavy Oak Doors as quietly as he could then walked back to the last pew. The young girl was still asleep. Her dark hair fell across her face and a few strands lifted and fell rythymically as she breathed in and out softly. Sitting down beside her Father Radley gently shook her awake. The girl stirred slowly, then suddenly she seemed to realize she wasn’t alone and scrambled to a sitting position pushing herself away from Father Radley on the pew, her eyes wide and filled with terror as she stared at him. Father Radley held his hands up hastily and said gently
“It’s okay, I won’t hurt you, you’re safe”
The girl continued to stare at him but said nothing. Father Radley tried again
“What’s your name?” His question was met with silence.
“Where are your parents?” The girls eyes filled with tears and she whispered in a small voice
“Dead”
Feeling slightly encouraged Father Radley pressed on
“Where do you live?”
The girl shrugged and said
“I don’t have a home”
“Oh come now, you must have a home to go to, EVERYONE has a home to go to” smiled Father Radley.
“I don’t” replied the girl defiantly, then unexpectedly she began to cry, her small frame racked with sobs. Cautiously Father Radley slid along the pew and gently wrapped his arms around her. She scrambled onto his lap and wrapped her arms fiercely round his neck, sobbing into his shoulder. Father Radley was taken aback, but continued to soothe the child, rocking her gently in his arms. Slowly her sobs faded away and she drew back slightly to look up at him with a tear streaked face. Hesitantly she began to speak.
“My name is Anya. My Mommy died 6 months ago. I never knew my Daddy, he left before I was born. When my Mommy died I was sent to live with my Aunt Holly. I don’t like her. She beat me every day for no reason, and made me do all the housework. Then she made me sleep outside in the dog kennel. I ran away that night, and I’ve been living in a doorway ever since” she finished. Father Radley was stunned.
“How old are you Anya?” he asked
“I’m nine” she replied in a small voice
“My God Anya, how on earth have you survived?” whispered Father Radley in shock.
“By begging mostly, people give me spare money and sometimes food too” she answered truthfully.
Father Radley sat for a moment in thought, then sighed and said
“Okay, here’s what we’re going to do, you can sleep here tonight, then tomorrow I shall get in touch with your Aunt and see what she has to say, then we’ll take it from there. You do know your Aunt Holly’s address right?”
Anya nodded wordlessly, then burst out
“Please don’t make me go back there, she’ll beat me for running away, and she won’t give me anything to eat”
“Anya, calm down, I’m not going to make you go back there. I’m going to go and see what she has to say. You don’t even have to come with me” replied Father Radley
“Now come, are you hungry?” he finished
“I’m starving” replied Anya, “I haven’t eaten for three days”
Taking Anya’s hand, Father Radley led her through the door of the nave and along a corridor into a warm cosy living room.
“You sit here Anya and I’ll get you something to eat” Father Radley said, then exited the room into the Kitchen.
Anya sat down in a cosy armchair by the fire burning merrily in the grate. Every so often a log shifted, sending sparks up the chimney. In the opposite corner stood a huge Christmas Tree, decorated lavishly in Gold and Red Baubles, Tinsel, and twinkling Fairy Lights. Anya curled her legs up underneath her and rested her head on the arm of the chair. In seconds she was asleep.
Father Radley came back into the living room with a tray in his hands. On it was a steaming bowl of soup and 2 slices of bread and butter alongside a cup of warm milk. He stopped short at the sight of the girl sleeping soundly, then turned about and took the tray back into the kitchen. She could eat later.
Anya opened her eyes slowly. She was in a single bed in a small room. There was a nightlight burning on the white bedside table and heavy velvet curtains at the window. Laid over the bottom of the bed was a child’s bathrobe in pink. Anya climbed out of bed and donned the bathrobe, the opened the bedroom door and peeked out into the hall. At one end was a set of stairs leading downstairs from where the wonderful aroma of Bacon was drifting. She walked towards the stairs and heard Father Radleys voice humming to himself as he cooked.
Father Radley turned as he heard a noise at the Kitchen door and smiled as Anya appeared dressed in the Bathrobe he’d found in a box of Donations given to him by Ms Jones. It was a little long for her, but at least it was warmer than what she’d been wearing yesterday.
“Merry Christmas Anya” he smiled gently.
“Merry Christmas” she replied shyly.
“Would you like some breakfast?” he asked her, then grinned at her enthusiastic response.
Anya sat at the table as Father Radley placed a plate in front of her containing Sausages, Bacon, Scrambled Eggs and Baked Beans. Anya attacked the food in front of her like she’d never been fed, which Father Radley suspected was probably close to the truth. He was looking forward to meeting Anya’s Aunt Holly, and seeing what she had to say for herself.
After breakfast, Father Radley insisted that Anya have a bath. It was time she got rid of the dirt and grime she’d picked up being on the streets. He ran a bath for her and she washed her hair and body whilst he washed the breakfast dishes. When she came back downstairs she looked like a completely different young girl. Her skin was flawless, she looked like a pale english rose. Her hair was dark and long, falling well down her back in soft waves, and her eyes were a beautiful dark brown. She was wearing a pair of Jeans that fit perfectly, and a warm black sweater, found once again out of Ms Jones’ donation box. Father Radley smiled and said
“I bet that feels better”.
Anya nodded, then smiled softly and replied
“Yes it does, I can’t remember when I last had a bath. Thankyou for everything”
“You don’t have to thank me Anya, I’m just happy I can help” replied Father Radley.
“Now, I have Mrs Willis coming over for Christmas Dinner today, she’s my housekeeper and I called her and asked her to come over and stay with you while I go and pay a visit to your aunt, is that okay?” he asked
Anya looked frightened.
“It’s okay Anya, she’ll look after you, and I promise you won’t have to go back to your aunt if you don’t want to” he told her gently.
Reluctantly Anya nodded.
“Good girl, now can you give me your Aunt’s full name and address please? It’s time I paid her a visit” Said Father Radley.
Father Radley stood outside the run down house and checked the address against the piece of paper on which he’d written down the address Anya had given him. The house was in a bad state of repair, broken toys and cigarette butts littered the front yard, There was a bike with one wheel leaning against the house, and in a corner was a dog kennel that was open to the elements. A dog was chained up and lay wearily in the kennel. Squaring his shoulders, Father Radley walked up to the front door and knocked firmly. After a minute or two a woman answered. She was a thick heavyset woman with too much makeup on, and peroxide dyed blonde hair. A cigarette hung out of her red painted lips.
“Mrs Bradshaw?” Asked Father Radley.
“Yeh, who’re you and whaddya want” she said rudely.
“My name is Father Radley, I’m here about Anya” he replied grimly.
Mrs Bradshaw surveyed him for a moment the stood back
“Yer better come in then” she said and turned, heading down the hall.
Father Radley followed Mrs Bradshaw down the hall and into the kitchen. The squalor and stench hit him like a runaway truck. Dirty dishes were piled on every surface, and mouldy food lay everywhere. The trash can was overflowing and flies were buzzing around the top of it. On one counter sat a small television currently playing a music video, and at the table sat a boy of no more than 14 smoking a cigarette. Mrs Bradshaw sat herself down and said to the youth
“Out paul”
“Muuuum” whined Paul.
” I said OUT yer gobby little shyte” snarled Mrs Bradshaw.
Paul glared at his Mother for a moment, then stubbed the cigarette out and slunk from the room.
“So, where’s Anya?” asked Mrs Bradshaw
“Right now, she’s at my home” replied Father Radley quietly.
“She’s been living rough for a while, ever since she ran away from here, which was when exactly?” he asked.
Mrs Bradshaw shook a fresh cigarette out of the pack on the table and lit it, blowing out a stream of smoke before replying.
” ’bout six weeks ago now, I were glad to be rid of er too, insolent little snot she was”
Father Radley didn’t reply and Mrs Bradshaw looked at him then continued
“She refused to do the little bit of cleanin an cookin I asked her to do, an she were unkind to the others”
“Mrs Bradshaw, Anya is nine years old, you cannot expect a child of that age to do cooking and cleaning” replied Father Radley. He was liking this woman less and less, and could plainly see why Anya had been so desperate to get away from her.
“And to make a child of her age sleep in the dog kennel is just cruel and unbelievacly so at that” he added.
Mrs Bradshaw smirked
“She told you bout that did she? Well she shoulda done as she were told then shouldn’t she” she said smugly.
Father Radley never knew how he managed to keep his anger in check, but he did so, and said
“Well, as it’s plain you don’t want Anya back, and god forbid, she certainly doesn’t want to return here, I suggest you go to Social Services after the holidays and sign away all responsibility for her. I shall inform them in the meantime of Anya’s whereabouts”
“An what if I dun want to?” asked Mrs Bradshaw smirking again.
“Then I shall personally see to it that you spend next Christmas behind bars for Child Abuse and Neglect Mrs Bradshaw” repled Father Radley leaning forward.
Mrs Bradshaw’s mouth dropped open in shock.
“Are you threatenin me Father” she asked, placing heavy emphasis on the word Father.
“That’s exactly what I’m doing Mrs Bradshaw” he replied in a steely voice.
Mrs Bradshaw turned pale, and the fingers holding the cigarette trembled slightly.
Father Radley never told Anya what transpired between himself and her Aunt Holly. He only said that she didn’t have to go back to her Aunt and was to stay with him in the meantime. Anya’s gratitude and thanks meant the world to him. He was already becoming attached to this little girl. After the holidays he got in touch with Social Services and explained Anya’s situation to them. They sent a Social Worker out and they discussed the situation in great detail. Towards the end of the meeting the Social Worker asked if there was anything else Father Radley would like to ask. Father Radley took a deep breath and said
“Yes, I would like to adopt Anya as my own child.”
Anya stood in front of the full length mirror in her bedroom. She was ten years old and she’d come a long way in the year since Father Radley had found her curled up asleep on a pew in the church. It was Christmas Eve of 1996 and Anya was going to say a few words to the congregation tonight. She was very nervous, she knew some of her friends from school would be there. A knock sounded on the door followed by Father Radley’s voice calling
“Anya, are you ready?”
“Yes I am” she called back smiling
Father Radley opened the door and smiled.
“You look wonderful dear” he told her. She was wearing a red dress with a flared skirt, white ankle socks and black shoes, A black cardigan completed the outfit, and her hair was caught in two braids finished with red ribbons. Anya smiled
“So do you” she told him.
Together they went downstairs and entered the church. Anya grabbed a seat in the front pew whilst Father Radley went to open the doors and greet the congregation. When the congregation had settled Father Radley took up his stance on the alter and said to everyone
“Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s good to see you all here tonight. We shall have the usual Prayers and Choir singing, but a certain young lady would like to say a few words first. Anya, would you come up here please?”
Anya walked up the steps and turned to face the congregation. Her voice trembled a bit on her first few words, then grew stronger as she became more confident.
“My mommy used to tell me that there were angels in the sky. She and I would look out of the window at night and she would point out big shining stars and tell me they were angels. She said that there were angels down here on earth too. She said that if you were ever in need of an angel one would come along and help you out. I never knew whether to believe her or not, I mean I’d never seen any angels before”
This was said with childish innocence, but some members of the congregation laughed gently. Anya continued
“Last Christmas, I was cold and wet. I was living on the streets because my Aunt didn’t want me to live with her, and she didn’t treat me very well. So I ran away. On Christmas Eve, I found this Church, and slipped inside to warm up a bit. The Choir was singing and they sounded so beautiful, the best thing I’d ever heard. I fell asleep on the pew, and that’s when Father Radley found me. For the first time in my life since my mommy died, I knew that what she said was true. Angels DO live here on earth. I found one. Father Radley is my Angel. I call him my Father Angel, or more simply, Daddy”
Father Radleys eyes filled and overflowed with tears, and Anya stood beaming, as for the first time ever in Father Radley’s little Church, the whole congregation got to it’s feet and applauded for this child and her Father Angel, her Daddy
This is my latest attempt at a Short Story. It’s written as a letter but it’s not clear to whom it’s written. I wanted to let you, the readers make up your own minds. I really am not too sure what I think to this one considering the fact that it’s 12.10am and I’ve just spent 3 hours on it. So, as usual, image, then story. Please let me know what you think in the comments section. You all know how much I appreciate your feedback.
Hi there. My name is Melina. Melina Thornton. I’m 28 years old and married to the most wonderful man in the whole world. Danny. Danny Thornton. Danny and I met when I was 17, and a year later we were married. No kids because I didn’t and still don’t want them, but that’s not the point of my story.
It’s been snowing again today, nothing unusual for this time of year of course, but I’ve never appreciated before just how pretty everything outside looks when it’s falling. And of course when you have nothing better to do, might as well watch it. Danny brought me a cup of tea a few minutes ago, and asked how I’m feeling. I’m feeling very well thanks for asking, getting over the worst of the pain, and getting used to this infernal wheelchair, still struggling to get round the corners though. But at least I won’t have to be stuck in it for much longer.
You’re probably asking what happened right? Why I’m in a wheelchair? Well see, I had a little accident with a pair of ski’s and a ski run that I wasn’t experienced enough for. Danny got all excited when it first started snowing bless his heart, so he took a few days off work and decided he was going to teach me how to ski. I thought it was a fabulous idea, given that I’d never learned but had always wanted to try, so off we went. He rented me a pair of ski’s and all the gear and off we went. Now Danny gave me all the information I needed to know, and we practised for ages on an almost flat area, with just enough of a downward slope for me to at least get moving. He taught me how to curve down the hill by leaning on the edges of my ski’s and how to stop. Then once he thought I’d gotten the gist of it, he took me to the beginners run. I stood at the top of the beginners run looking down and thinking to myself that I’d never noticed how steep it was before, and some little brat of a kid zoomed past me 3 times calling me a scaredy cat. He’s lucky I was so nervous, otherwise I would have belted him one. Finally I worked up the courage, swallowed my pride and set off down the hill with Danny right behind me. When I reached the bottom full of pride, I turned round and Danny swooped me up into a Bear Hug and told me how proud he was of me. We practised all day on that run.
The next day we went back again, I told Danny that I wanted to try the full runs, but he was a little hesitant. Said something about me not being experienced enough, but I’d been working up to this and was determined to try them. Danny extracted a promise from me that we could do a couple of runs down the beginners run again first, just to be sure. That was fine with me. So off we went, did three runs down the beginner’s run, then headed for the chairlift. Danny was nervous about me bless his heart, but my enthusiasm was infectious and soon he was telling me how it feels to ski down, seeing the trees at the edges of the runs flash by, how the wind feels in your face and the rush of adrenaline you get as you set off down. I couldn’t wait to feel that for myself. We disembarked at the top of the mountain and Danny asked me if I was sure I wanted to do this. I nodded yes, and he told me to just take it easy and that he’d be right behind me again. He also reminded me to curve my way down from left to right, that way I’d be in control. We set off and immediately I knew I wasn’t ready for this. The speed we picked up going down this run was so fast. There were hidden bumps in the run that felt probably ten times worse than they were. All logic went out of the window, along with everything that my dear Danny told me right before we set off down the run. I did remember to curve, then all of a sudden, about halfway down, I hit another bump, and I lost total control. Arms and legs flailing, ski’s and poles flying in the air, I hit the ground with a sickening thud, there was a searing pain in my left leg, then I saw, heard and felt no more.
I woke with a scream and saw a strange face looming over me. I remember shrinking back into my pillows and asking where I was. The lady who turned out to be a Nurse told me I was in hospital. She also insisted on calling me Mrs Thornton which peeved me off no end. Didn’t this woman know I wasn’t married? Yes, that’s right. I didn’t remember my dear Danny. I also didn’t remember anything about my accident, so I guess I must have banged my head up pretty good on the way down. This Nurse told me I’d had an accident whilst skiing with my Husband which flabbergasted me. As far as I was aware, I wasn’t married and I didn’t ski. Those were very trying times for Danny. The Nurse decided to go and get the Doctor so I could be checked over. He seemed like a pleasant enough man when he arrived, but my opinion of him totally changed when he said he needed to check my wound. As he lifted the bedsheets to one side the Nurse stuck a thermometer in my mouth and placed the Blood Pressure cuff on my arm. At that point, a pain unlike any I’d felt before shot through my left leg and I let out a scream to raise the dead. The Doctor jumped back in alarm and the Nurse had to grab the sink to stop herself falling as she tripped over the Blood Pressure machine tripod. The Doctor apologized profusely, but I didn’t like him from that point on. Throughout all this Danny stayed by my side, I still didn’t remember him or the accident, and I believe it takes a great deal of strength and love to stay by someone’s side when they don’t remember you. He spoke to me about things that should have been familiar to me but weren’t. I didn’t remember our dog, Holly, or our cat, Beauty. I didn’t remember our neighbours, or what colour car they had. I remembered my Family, my parents and my brother, but that was it. Yet throughout it all, he stayed by my side. He went home at night, slept, then came back to the hospital first thing in the morning.
A week later, I’d been given a wheelchair. It was a novelty to zoom round the hospital corridors at first, but the fun soon wore off, especially as I got more adept at handling it. Danny had been there every day, and the day before I’d let off a tirade at him. See, I KNEW I wasn’t married to him, yet he insisted that I was his wife. I think partially my frustration at being in a strange place with no memory of how I came to be there was the straw that broke the camels back, and I’d really gone to town on Danny. I told him I didn’t know who he was, that I wished he’d stop visiting me, and I insisted that he must STOP saying I was his wife. By the time I’d done, I was yelling, and Danny was sat frozen in his chair. Finally he stood up and without another word to me, left. I broke down in frustrated tears. I wasn’t expecting to see him again.
The next day I was sat in my wheelchair in the patients smoking room smoking and reading a book. The Doctor had told me that once I was more adept with the crutches I could go home. But where was home? I assumed I lived with my parents and vowed to discuss it with them when they came to see me again. The door of the smoke room opened and Danny walked in. The shock of seeing him again was combined with a prickly feeling of fear at the look of intensity in his eyes. Without a word he handed me a folded piece of paper. Something stirred the the furthest recesses of my mind but I couldn’t put my finger on what. I asked him what it was. Without a flicker of emotion he said
“it’s our Marriage Certificate”
Shock coursed through me, and I unfolded the piece of paper. Right there before my eyes, was my name. My maiden name, AND my married name right alongside Danny’s name. I felt my eyes fill with tears and confusion poured through me. I WAS married, and to this man. Guilt poured through me and I couldn’t hold back my tears. Danny was so kind and caring and he held me as sobs racked my body. I told him I still didn’t remember him or the accident, but that I was sorry for everything. He told me I had nothing to be sorry for, that he understood how confusing everything must have been for me. Finally I found out how I came to be in the hospital.
Danny had gotten all excited when it first started snowing, so he took a few days off work and decided he was going to teach me how to ski. I’d thought it was a fabulous idea, given that I’d never learned but had always wanted to try, so off we went. He’d rented me a pair of ski’s and all the gear and off we went. Danny and I practised for ages on an almost flat area, with just enough of a downward slope for me to at least get moving. He’d taught me how to curve down the hill by leaning on the edges of my ski’s and how to stop. Then once he thought I’d gotten the gist of it, he took me to the beginners run. I’d stood at the top of the beginners run looking down and some little kid had zoomed past me 3 times calling me a scaredy cat. Finally I’d worked up the courage, swallowed my pride and set off down the hill with Danny right behind me. We’d practised all day on that run. Danny teared up when he thought back to the day of my accident. He said he should have put his foot down with me about my wanting to try the full runs, but my enthusiasm had been infectious and I’d been determined to try. He said that as we set off he could tell I was out of my depth and he’d been praying we’d make it down safely. He yelled out to me when he saw me lose control, he said I flew about 5ft into the air before landing sickeningly on my left leg. I was already unconcious when he stopped by my side. Some other skier had seen the whole thing and stopped long enough to shakily tell Danny that he was going for help. He said it was the longest time of his lfe waiting for help to arrive. When he saw the stretcher and the Medics arrived he lost it completely and broke down. He said the only thing he remembered after that was arriving at the hospital and being treated for shock whilst I was rushed off for emergency surgery. He’d been by my side ever since. I sat in silence trying to absorb everything he’d told me, and trying to remember something, but nothing came to me. I lit up a cigarette with shaking hands, and Danny smiled ruefully and told me that I’d quit smoking four years ago. It was so frustrating not being able to remember these things. After I finished smoking, I told Danny I needed to rest. I felt so exhausted and my mind was spinning with everything he’d told me. He helped me into bed and told me he was going for something to eat and he’d be back in an hour. Right before he left he bent down and kissed my forehead. It felt strange and he seemed to realize that because he hastily apolgized then left. I closed my eyes and my mind wandered.
I was stood in the foyer of the Church, dressed in a white Wedding Gown holding a bouquet of Pale Pink Poses and Baby’s Breath. My father took my arm and asked if I was ready as The Wedding March started and the congregation rose in their seats. As I walked down the aisle on my Fathers arm, people in the pews ooohed and aaahed as I floated serenely past, and the tall man at the top of the aisle turned and smiled at me lovingly. It was Danny. We reached the top of the Aisle and my Father handed me over to Danny. The congregation reseated themselves and the Vicar’s voice rang out.
“We are gathered here today to celebrate the bond of two people who have chosen to unite and share the rest of their lives together”
Danny smiled at me as we heard the words that we’d asked the Vicar to use as opposed to the traditional words. We knew we’d spend the rest of our lives together. The words of the Vicar just cemented everything.
My eyes flew open and I sat bolt upright in bed. Suddenly everything fit. I remembered! I lay back against the pillows as thoughts and memories flooded my mind. Things that I’d been unable to remember a little over two hours ago. Tears burned behind my eyelids as memories I’d treasured came back to me and I wondered how I could ever have forgotten them. Danny walked back into the room at that point, and something in my face told him I’d remembered something. He said my name tentatively and I held out my arms to him. As he sat on the edge of the bed and wrapped his arms around me I sobbed out the words I needed to say.
“Danny I’m so sorry, I remembered! I dreamed about our wedding, and when I woke everything started to come back to me! I’m so sorry Danny, how could I ever have forgotten?”
Danny held me tightly and the Doctor wandered in.
“How are you feeling Melina?” he asked.
Danny laughed out loud as I lifted my face and said
“You can call me Mrs Thornton Doctor”
So, I’m home now, have been for two weeks. There are still a few things that are hazy, like I don’t remember anything about the accident, but the Doctor said that happens sometimes, that it’s the mind’s way of protecting the body or something. My darling Danny has ben home with me every day, and this morning I gave him a heart attack when I said I wanted to continue to learn to ski. He asked me how on earth I was going to do that. So I told him about the research I did on the internet. It seems I can get some special skis. Well it’s not so much the skis that are special, more the poles. They’re on like mini runners so that I can use them to help me turn.
You see, when I had the accident, I shattered my left leg completely below the knee, I also tore ligaments and arteries and the leg was basically beyond repair. So I lost my leg below the knee. It was a shock to find out I had no leg below the knee. It felt like it was still there. Losing a part of my body made me re-evaluate my life. But I remain optimistic. That’s part of the reason I want to continue to learn to ski. Danny balked at the very idea of it. But I’m hoping he’ll change his mind when he see’s the “Special Skis” I ordered from the internet whilst he was out grocery shopping yesterday.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. I look forward to your criticism constructive comments.
Ciao.
Finally I got round to writing a new short story. I haven’t done anything along these lines before and so it was kinda fun to explore the possibilities. I’m quite happy with it, but as usual, any feedback or comments would be much appreciated.
Cassie sat watching the sun come up over the waves on the beach. There was no other soul around and the only sound was the gentle washing of the waves on the shoreline. She liked it best this way. As the sun rose higher and the day grew lighter a lone Gull cried as it dived, looking for food, and Cassie followed it’s flight. Then out of the corner of her eye, she saw a flash of silver. Turning her head she saw a huge silver fishtail disappearing back into the ocean. Cassie gasped out loud. Whatever it was she’d never seen a fish that big in her life before.
“Cassie.. Telephone” yelled her Mother Minnie up the stairs.
“Got it” she shouted back picking up the extension in her bedroom.
Placing the receiver to her ear she heard her mother put the phone down and said
“Hello?”
“Hey Babe, what ya doin?” asked her boyfriend Jerry.
“Oh hey Jerry, nothing much, just looking for something online” she replied smiling
“Oh, anything I can help with?” she asked.
“Nah, just something I saw this morning that’s all, I was just trying to find some information about it, no luck so far though” she said and sighed.
“Well how do you fancy taking a break and coming for coffee with me” he asked
“If you’re including a sticky bun in that, I’m game” she laughed
“You got it babe, I’ll pick you up in 15 minutes” replied Jerry, and saying goodbye, he put the phone down.
As Cassie turned to grab her jacket and head downstairs, an image on her computer screen froze her in her tracks. There on the screen was a picture of a tail disappearing into the waves, exactly like the one she’d seen that morning. Grabbing the mouse she scrolled down and read the text underneath it.
“I know this may sound weird to viewers out there, but this tail does NOT belong to a fish. It belongs to a Mermaid. I saw her a week ago when I was out taking pictures of the Sunrise over Clearview Beach. She has long flowing blonde hair and a beautiful slim body with a huge silver tail from the waist down. She saw me as I aimed the camera at her, and she dove, leaving me with this image of just her tail”
Cassie’s mouth dropped open. A Mermaid?? Was this guy deluded? Everybody knew Mermaids didn’t exist. Cassie checked the date of the article, it was written two years ago. Cassie turned off her Computer and grabbed her jacket as Jerry’s car horn pipped outside. But she couldn’t get the image of that tail out of her head.
“I don’t know what it was Jerry, but it was huge, then some guy on the internet has a picture of the same thing I saw and claims it’s a Mermaid!” exclaimed Cassie.
Jerry threw back his head and laughed loudly.
“A Mermaid??” he asked incredulously
They were sat in a corner of the Coffeeshop, with cups of coffee and a sticky bun in front of Cassie
“Yeah, a Mermaid, I mean, the guy must be deluded or something, he described her as having long blonde hair and a beautiful slim body with a huge silver tail starting from the waist down” quoted Cassie.
Jerry mimicked puking into his coffee and Cassie laughed in spite of herself.
“You gonna eat that sticky bun, or can I have it?” Jerry teased her.
“Touch that, and you’re dead pal” growled Cassie. Jerry laughed then leant over and kissed the tip of her nose.
Cassie groaned to herself as her alarm clock went off the next Morning. She did not want to get out of bed. She knew she shouldn’t have stayed out so late last night. She and Jerry had gone for Dinner, then to a movie, before stopping off for one last coffee before he dropped her home. It had been close to 11pm, but Cassie was due to get up at 4.30am for her usual morning run. Cassie snuggled down under the covers and contemplated staying in bed, then remembered the strange tail she’d seen the day before. That decided matters. Groaning again, she threw back the covers and headed for the shower.
Cassie stopped running and grabbed one of the poles holding the Lifeguards hut above the water level should there be a storm. Panting she bent over trying to catch her breath. The first rays of the sun peeked over the horizon, bathing Cassie and the surrounding area in a fiery orange glow. Cassie glanced out to Sea, then did a double take. Was that a head bobbing up and down? Straightening up, she squinted against the rising sun, but couldn’t see what had caught her attention. Thinking she was seeing things she shrugged. A second later, her jaw dropped again as a huge silver tail flashed in the sun for an instant before it disappeared beneath the waves.
“Cassie, you cannot be serious!” exclaimed Jerry
“I am Jerry, I KNOW something’s going on out there, I don’t know what but I need to know and I’m determined to find out!” Cassie groaned with frustration.
“Cassie, it could be a Dolphin or something” Jerry seemed not to understand
“Jerry, Dolphins do NOT have silver tails, and definitely not that size!” she shouted.
“I NEED to know what it is, do you not understand that?”
The woman at the next table looked round nervously.
“Umm, excuse me?”
“What?” snapped Cassie rudely.
“Cassie” sighed Jerry reproachfully. Cassie sighed and turned back to the woman with a fake smile on her face and said in a sickeningly sweet voice
“Yes, may I help you?”
Jerry dropped his head into his hands and groaned. The woman looked nervously at Cassie again and said
“I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation, are you talking about Clearview Beach by any chance?”
The smile faded from Cassie’s face and she regarded the woman in silence for a moment.
“Yes I am” she said finally. The woman looked frightened.
“Are you mad?” she whispered.
Haven’t you heard the legend of Clearview?”
Cassie frowned and Jerry lifted his head from his hands
“What Legend?” asked Cassie.
The woman stood and came over to Cassie and Jerry, and seated herself across from them.
“Well as the legend goes, there are Mermaids in Clearview Bay, they have been seen at Sunrise by a number of people on the Beach. An old man once saw a Mermaid and determined to get a closer look and maybe capture one, he took a boat out the next day”
“What happened?” asked Cassie eagerly.
“Nobody knows for sure” replied the woman
“He was never seen again, but the legend goes that if you get too close, you end up being destined to swim the waves forever”
“You mean…..” whispered Jerry horrorstruck
“As a Merperson yes” replied the woman gravely nodding her head.
Cassie and Jerry stared at her for a moment, then Cassie cleared her throat.
“That settles it” she said in a clear and determined voice.
The next morning Jerry walked down the Marina and met with Cassie at the side of his Father’s powerful motor yacht. Cassie had a bag with her Camera and rolls of film in, and a pair of Binoculars slung round her neck.
“Cassie, can we please not do this?” he asked knowing her answer and already resigned to his fate.
“We have to Jerry, I need to know. You’re not SCARED are you?” she jeered mockingly.
“No Cassie, I’m not, but you heard what that woman said” he replied.
“Jerry, it’s just a legend, that’s all” replied Cassie, and swung herself on board.
“Now, are you coming, or do I have to go by myself, the sun’s coming up, and I don’t want to miss anything” she finished.
Jerry sighed and swung himself onboard.
Five minutes later Cassie shouted over the noise of the engine
“Here should be okay”
Jerry turned the engine off, and came to join her at the side. Cassie scanned the horizon through the Binoculars for a minute then lowered them and sighed.
“Nothing?” asked Jerry hopefully.
“Not yet” replied Cassie “But we only just got here”
As if on cue, there was a soft splashing noise, and a head bobbed above the waves about 10ft away from the boat. As Jerry’s jaw dropped in disbelief, Cassie smiled and whispered
“Ohmigosh”
2 Months Later.
Sam finished rubbed his surfboard with wax and grinned across at his buddy Brandon.
“Great day for surfing huh? You sure were right about the waves being better at sunrise”
Brandon grinned back and stood up looking out to Sea.
“Yeah, looks like a couple of guys beat us to it” he replied gesturing out to where two heads bobbed up and down in the water.
“Looks like a male and a female” he added.
Sam squinted out to where Brandon was pointing.
“Yeah man, but they don’t seem to have Boards or anything” he replied.
Brandon squinted to get a better look
“You’re right man, you don’t think they’re in any trouble do you?”
Sam never replied. As the two stood watching, the two people suddenly dived and the boys were struck speechless as two huge silver tails flashed in the sunlight for an instant before disappearing beneath the waves.
Usual feedback and suggestions in the comments section please.
Ciao.
