Flash Fiction

Ughh I’m late. I’m sorry :( 

My schedule is super crazy now which is mostly the reason. The other reason is this one was particularly difficult for me. I had something else planned but I couldn’t seem to crank it out. Poe is one of my favorite authors and I still couldn’t get my brain to work. *hangs head in shame*

Soo this is a little different but I’m going with the flow and we'll see where this story takes us shall we. 

Edgar Allen Poe – Read the poem The Raven. Use at least one line from the poem in your chapter/story. Dialogue is okay, but narrative is even better. You can read the poem online here -http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-raven-14/ 

Now I need to run over and read fellow FFFers Night Tempest, Elaina M. Roberts, and Tempest Wolf

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Overlooking the reminisce of wreckage Rafe was struck with a sudden sadness. His heart ached for the souls sprawled along the highway. He felt a call resonate sending a shiver through him. “Pull over.”

“What? We can’t. You need to leave...” 

“Just pull over Seth.” He couldn’t explain it but the further they drove the more his heart felt it was being torn in two, leaving a piece of himself smeared on the asphalt. The memory of his own family began playing in his mind and he couldn’t bear the thought of leaving them there. Pulling the SUV off the road into the dirt, Seth followed his king from the car to the bodies a few feet behind them. 

Unaware of her surroundings, Eva was happy to find her mother and brother beside her in this strange place. Eva grabbed their mother’s hand. Raising her other, she shielded her gaze. They were bathed in the sunlike glare. Closing her eyes in awe, she wrapped her free arm around herself. Fingers tracing her flesh as if to make sure she was still whole. With little effort she opened her eyes to blinding light. Their mother squeezed both their hands to sooth them as they began to stroll the path lit in pure brilliance. Eva continued to peek behind them for something, but not knowing what. 

“What is it?” Gabe asked searching for whatever was worrying her.

“I’m not sure.”

The sky and path before them sent pleasant warmth wafting through the air made them smile. Not a nook nor cranny lay before them that wasn't covered in that brilliant glow. Gabe studied his surroundings taking mental notes. The golden gleam of the trees bleed into the purity of the blinding bright sky. The gravel like a soft wool underfoot lead them onward. Eva grew curious yet anxious with the feel of something nipping at her feet. Even the ground sparkled as she admired its beauty sprawled before them. Noticing their child like expressions their mother smiled answering their unspoken question. 

"Darkness only follows the living."  she smiled. 

Eva looked at their mother. Just like her surroundings, she bathed everything in 

her presence with a brilliant glow from the air around her to the pebbles at her 

feet. Their mother's gleeful grin brought a peacefulness to this space. Wherever 

they were headed, none seemed to be in a hurry to get there. Still Eva and Gabe’s 

excitement and anxiousness grew as they continued. Eva’s pace growing quicker,

gawking at the nature that seem to spring forth from the vast void. Lost in the 

beauty this place offered, Eva felt her arm gently pull as her mother and brother stopped 

a couple paces behind. She turned to see her mother's sullen face. Following her 

mother's gaze down to the nipping feeling at her feet,  Eva gaze at her own 

shadow.

Rafe checked the older woman but her heartbeat was still. He had mourned the lives of many in his years but this was different. I don’t even know this people he thought still he couldn’t stop the tears threatening to spill. The faint sound of a beat called his attention. Hurrying down the sloping ditch, he rushed to the side of a young woman laying in the dirt. 

“Down here!” he called out as Seth slide down the slope leaving a dust cloud behind him. “She’s still alive.”

“We’ll have to take her with us then. We have to go Rafe.” Seth looked around to make sure they hadn't been followed.

Nodding his agreement he scooped her limp body into his arms before making their way back to their car. Sirens blared behind them as they took off into the night. 

The constant hum of collective murmurs could be heard over the ambulance sirens. 

Shards of broken glass sparked under highway lamps. Alongside the metal remnants 

of vehicles littered the asphalt. Wrenching a woman free of the steel wreckage, 

an officer lifted her limp body quickly placing her on a gurney to lay beside a 

young man. 

Gabe woke with a startle. His heart beating out of control, the feeling in his chest was foreign as if it hadn’t been beating all along. The faint smell of blood tickled his nose as his eyes searched his new surroundings. Rustling leaves in the distance caused him to jump at the sounds echoed in the darkness. He ran his hands along his bare arms, the only defense he had against the cool midnight breeze. He stared out into the darkness straining his eyes to see what was there. Deep into that darkness peering, long he stood there wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before. It wasn’t uncommon for him to sit outside his house gazing at the stars but something about this time made him uneasy. Movement from the window above told him someone was there. Approaching the front door, he couldn’t see anything from outside the peephole. Cautiously he crept through the door. He was sure this was his house yet nothing about it felt familiar. His bare feet padded quietly against the hardwood floor. He wanted to call out but his voice never found him. The place once full of life felt dead and stale. The hallway was longer than he remembered with doors spanning the exaggerated length. Stoping at the first door, he gripped the knob twisting slowly. He peeked through shocked to see himself and his sister playing in their couch cushion and bed sheet fort. He remembered every detail of this moment from his one size too small, dirt stained shirt to Eva’s lopsided pigtails. Their dad was left to dress them that morning and this was sadly an improvement. He knew someone must have been playing old home movies because what he was seeing wasn’t possible. Still the two children playing in front of him were as real as he was. Whispering Eva’s name, the little girl never responded. The two kept giggling and playing as if he wasn’t there. He stepped cautiously forward until he was crouched in front of them. Still neither seem to notice he was even in the room. Lifting his hand he reach out to the younger version of himself. His hand connected with only air as the images disappeared and the room returned to its dim lifelessness. Dropping to his knees he searched under the bed. Looking behind the dresser and inside the closet for the source of these images but the room was empty. Rushing out to the next room he peeked inside finding Eva talking to someone. Yelling was more like it but he couldn’t make out who from his angle. He couldn't remember this one.  Suddenly forced to jump out of the way as Eva came barreling towards him with a fist full of their cousin Simon’s hair. Giving Simon a not so gentle shove out the door before slamming it. Gabe had come out to his family when they were 17 though Eva had known for a while by then. Simon had given him more grief than anyone. Gabe knew better than anyone Simon’s self righteous grand standing was simply to divert attention from himself. Gabe could only laugh at their cousin’s hypocritical rantings. Eva sat on the floor letting the angry tears fall. Stepping closer he wanted to comfort her. She had been his constant source of comfort through everything. She took every insult directed at Gabe personally. This must be her memory he thought to himself.

“Don’t cry Evie.” He knew she couldn’t hear him.

“Gabriel?” Eva’s voice responded.

“Eva?” He tried to touch the image but it disappeared. Quickly realizing the voice wasn’t coming from the memory, he turned to see Eva standing in the doorway.

“Gabe!” Tackling him, she knocked them both over onto the floor holding onto him for dear life.

“Are we dead?” she whispered in his ear.

“I’m not sure.” 

“Mommy, she’s gone isn’t she?”

Gabe nodded in response. 

“Don’t leave me ok?”

“I’m not going anywhere.” he kissed his sister’s forehead as they rose to their feet still locked arm to arm. 

Opening the veins in his wrist, Rafe poured himself into her mouth and her wounds. The blood spilled out the side of her mouth as she drowned on the liquid she didn’t have the strength to swallow. Tilting her head the king rubbed her throat coaxing the blood down her throat. Silently praying he continued to saturate her open wounds. 

“So she’s coming with us the whole way then?” Seth asked mentally readjusting their plans.

His question left an uneasy silence. Watching Rafe from the rearview mirror he could see the pain on his face. 

“Take me to Xavier.”

“The priest?”

A grunt was his only reply. Knowing it would take them days out of the way he simply nodded.

A knock at the front door stirred the priest reading in his chair. Picking the knife up from the coffee table he approached the front door. He couldn’t see anything from his peephole but the distinct smell of human mingling with something far from it told him someone was still there. Cracking his door he peeked around before settling his eyes on the woman laying on his front step. For a moment he debated leaving her there. He could call the cops and wash his hands of it but he knew what lay ahead for her. Apparently whoever left her there wasn’t planning on coming back. Cautiously he crept from his door to pick her up and carry her inside. Laying her on the couch he took a step back inspecting her while his palm flexed around the knife handle. From the faint smell of humanity that lingered in her veins and traces of what Xavier assumed must have been wounds from some type of attack he knew this was recent. Taking a seat back in his chair and he watched intently for her to wake.

Screaming she was ripped from her coma. Looking around wildly the priest held his hands up hopping to ease her fears. 

“Are you...uh.” The priest was at a lost for words. He didn’t know what question to ask first and he could hear her heartbeat rise in panic. He knew she wasn't ok before he asked the question.

“You’re safe.” raising his hands higher for her to see. “Do you know how you got here?” 

Shaking her head wildly the woman continue looking around the tiny home. 

“I’m Xavier” the priest offered. “I found you on my door step. Do you remember anything from the last few days?” his concern only grew as the woman looked like a cage animal scared and ready to attack. 

“Do you need anything?” he cooed crouching down a little. 

She desperately tried to recall the event of the past few days but nothing clear came to mind.  

“Where’s my brother?”

Flash Fiction Fridays

I'm running off of Red Bull and candy corn but whatever gets the job done :)
This weeks prompt was... Morphing Object – A key object in the chapter/story has (or gains) the ability to morph into a completely unrelated object.

See what spin fellow FFF writers Night Tempest, Elaina M. Roberts, and Tempest Wolf put on the prompt with their stories.




Nehemiah rested his head between Aaron’s shoulders making a pillow of the soft flesh. Molding his chest to Aaron’s back, he placed his palm over the limp hand next to his intertwining their fingers. His body rose and fell on the waves of his lover's breathing. He slid down slowly trailing kisses along the spine. Nehemiah let a low groan escape his lips as his teeth grazed the swell of Aaron’s ass. If he didn't leave now he wouldn't have another chance until tomorrow. Lifting himself off, Nehemiah tied his robe around him slipping on his boots. He admired the sight before him one more time before leaving. 

The pitch black sky gave no indication daylight was on the horizon but Nehemiah could smell it approaching. His feet never made a sound has he traversed the rocky path in darkness. This was the only time he could get away. While he enjoyed the past few months he’d spent here since arriving to the small village, he’d grown restless. He felt stifled unable to exercise his powers and be himself except for the hour or two he had during this time. Nehemiah knew he couldn’t stay much longer but the idea of leaving Aaron made him sick to his stomach. He was the only constant source of happiness in his life. For him he would endure anything. Crying in the distance interrupting his thoughts, he came to the edge of the river where he found the culprit.

“What happened Malcolm?” Nehemiah knew the 5 year old all too well. Known for sneaking off into trouble, he was more than a hand full. He knelt down to the small child grimacing at the deep gash splitting his knee open.

“I fell.” was all Malcolm could manage between sobs pointing at the offending rock. 

Nehemiah instinctively placed his hand over the bloody mess muttering to himself as the boy screamed out expecting pain that never came. Removing his hand to reveal the healed knee, Malcolm’s teary eyed face stared in shock mimicking the face of his mother’s only feet from them. Looking up to the woman’s terrified expression, Nehemiah’s heart sank as he realized what he had done.

Richard watched Faye’s amusement as she stroked his chest, playing with the goosebumps along his damp skin. What he assumed would be a fling had turned into something he couldn’t define but wanted more. She was not only the object of his affection but a confidant and friend. Richard’s upbringing provided him with a wealth of knowledge and control denied to most his age. Yet in the face of so much power and experience Faye left the 20 year old feeling open and vulnerable. He refused to admit it but he had been falling since the beginning. Trying to ignore the nagging anxiety in his gut of unrequited love, he gave into the warmth looming over his erection as she positioned her tiny frame straddling him. Running his hand across her leg he gently massaged her thigh. Faye smiled softly at the connection binding them together. 

“I hate to say we have to go now.” She leaned down granting one more kiss.

“Right now?” content to stay this way for eternity, Richard silently pleaded for just a few more minutes.

The slight sway of his hips would have had Faye reconsidering her previous statement if not for the fearful cries in the distance confirming her suspicions.

Aaron woke to shouts outside his window. Rolling away from bright sunlight drenching his bedroom, he ran his hand along the space next to him frowning at the emptiness. Still disoriented from heavy sleep, he rubbed his eyes clearing his vision. Continued shouting slowly becoming more than distant annoyances, an uneasiness grew his stomach. He jumped from the bed rushing to the source of excitement. From his window he could see the crowd gathering. Screams and curses where thrown at the object in the center. Aaron couldn't quite make out who or what was the cause but he didn't need to see it. He felt it. 

Five men tugged at iron chains wrapped around their fists. Nehemiah stood in the center of the enraged mob clawing at the chains attached to his neck and limbs. Throwing on the first things he saw, Aaron’s strides were spurred on by howls of pain. The wall of people didn’t slow his speed. Shoving his way through the bloodthirsty locals, he threw himself against Nehemiah in a tight embrace.

"What is this!" taking a defensive stance in front of the bruised man. 

"Out of the way boy!" One of the men shoved Aaron not expecting a reciprocating elbow to the face. The man spit a wad of blood from the side of his mouth. He raised his hand to strike but thought better of it as the muscular young man stood fists tight waiting to deliver the next blow if necessary. 

"Come away son." A familiar voice called. Aaron’s father stood in the front motioning his son to his side. 

"What has been accused of?"

"He's a demon." a voice screamed from the crowd.

“He worships the devil. I’ve seen the spells he casts with my own eyes.” another called.

"What are you talking about? He is not a demon!"

"Aaron get over here now!" his father tried again.

He looked over his fellow towns people with horror "Let him go!He’s done nothing wrong."

"He's not human son. Ask him!" his father encouraged.

Aaron turned to face the man who'd stolen his hearts months ago. His eyes betrayed his secret yet Aaron didn’t falter, kneeling down gently taking the his face in his hands. 

"I'm not a demon I swear Aaron." Nehemiah rushed. 

"I know Nehemiah. There is no need to explain anything to any of these people."

"He's cast something on you. Come away from him." a hand tugged at his arm causing him to jerk away. He spun to his feet glaring at the people he’d spent his entire live with.

"You're right. The beat of his heart spells me. The love he’s shown me is far greater and more powerful than anything I've witnessed here.” Aaron felt his mother’s teaching flow through him. Her love and kindness was her greatest gift to her son. Without her now his home had lost the spark it once held for him. “And if what you say is true, he posses some dark demon spirit capable of harm than you should be thankful for the mercy he's shown you all this day in the face of such cruelty.” 

Tears began to flow freely from Nehemiah as he was filled with a sense of pride. If it was possible he was more in love than ever with this man. He closed his eyes whispering to himself as he lunged at Aaron. Hugging him tightly, Nehemiah dissipated into soft pillowy smoke curling around Aaron’s body. His chains took to the sky morphing into scattered birds. Many gasped and screamed watching the flock of iron creatures escape. Some ran for shelter while others aimed their bows attempting to shoot them down.

“Why not fight?” Richard whispered low to the cloaked figure next to him.

“What would it prove attacking those weaker in both body and spirit?”

“Why should he care? They would have killed him if not for Aaron.” Richard countered.

“And the mercy he’s shown them will be how he is remembered.” Faye tried to instill in her young protege. 

“These people do not possess that kind of understanding.” Richard glared at the enraged villagers running in chaos. “He will be remembered as a monster.”

“Not to Aaron.” Faye lowered her hood as she approached the man stunned in place. Startled by the stranger he hadn’t noticed coming towards him, Aaron jumped away from the extended hand. Faye hushed him smoothing his hair away from his sweat and tear drenched face. Aaron couldn’t explain it but the woman’s presence was comforting. Faye locked their arms together leading him away with Richard blocking him on the other side. Aaron’s better judgement told him not to trust the strangers, not to trust anyone but something about them compelled him to follow. 

“Where are we going?” Aaron’s voice was surprisingly calm. He had reached his limit. His brain turned off and body was simply going through the motions.

“Somewhere safe.” 

There was a sincerity in her voice that made him believe he would indeed be safe. He looked over at the young man walking beside him who nodded slightly in agreement. The whistle of arrows could be heard passing over head as local men took aim at anything in their sight. Aaron was led a few miles just past the town to the water’s edge to find a ship nestled between high cliffs. The small yet well maintained vessel didn’t appear to have any crew that he could see. His anxiety grew with every shaky step he took. His boots thudding on the wooden boards, he followed down into a tiny cabin. 

“It is not much but you will both be safe here. Let us know if you need anything.” Faye offered.

“Where is Nehemiah?” Aaron tried to keep his voice from wavering but the fear caught in his throat as the events begin to set in. Faye simply smiled before shutting the door behind her. 

Aaron turned in a circle to study the room. Despite being unbearably hot and cramped he was ok with his surroundings. Starting to feel light headed he took a seat, assuming the stress of the day had taken it’s toll. Within moments every nerve in him lit up with electricity. This was different than anything he’d ever felt before. He didn’t know what it was or how to describe it. He wasn't in any pain. It felt feel good but still off somehow. The beads of sweat rolled down as he striped off his clothes laying on the cool floor. His breath came louder as beads rolled down his stomach leaving a damp trail in its wake. Following the curve of his hips, drops rolled down the hard muscled path tickling the sensitive skin between his legs. His breath caught as every pore opened up with droplets coming through. Aaron could only watch the rain cloud forming over him collecting into one large mass. Solidifying, the storm cloud now had a form. Hands placed on either side of Aaron’s head as Nehemiah held his naked body hovering just above Aaron’s. Nehemiah hid his face in the wet hair hang down as he looked shyly into Aaron’s shocked face. Unsure what to say, he lowered himself kissing Aaron’s lips gently. He didn’t know where they stood but at least wanted to show his gratitude with the simple thank you gesture. Aaron answered his unspoken question returning the kiss with unmistakable passion. Pulling Nehemiah down Aaron urged him to relieve the weight from his arms to rest complete on him. 

“Come with me.” Nehemiah whispered while Aaron sucked at the crook of his neck. Releasing the flesh between his teeth, Aaron stared up the man who had become his family. He’d spent his entire life in this one place but felt more at home with Nehemiah than anyone. He knew they had a long way to go in light of all that transpired but there was no doubt where he wanted to be. 

“Anywhere.” was his answer before returning his lips to Nehemiah’s.

Faye and Richard where snuggled up starring off into the stars. Night had fallen and nothing was visible outside of the spotlight of the moon.

“Where would you two like to go?” Faye asked before turning to face her guests making their first appearance since this morning. “We have no destination in mind. Simply going where the sea takes us. We can take you wherever you’d like to go.” 

The two stared at each other for a moment. “Anywhere is fine.” Aaron answered first. 

“Yes as long as it’s somewhere we can be together in peace.” Nehemiah finished.