Another Tuesday Tales, the same story – still without a title.
The prompt this week is spider, and I used it REALLY early on because I had no idea how to fit it into the story.
Remember, this is a meme with many contributing authors, so make sure to click the link at the bottom of the image to take you to see more!
Anyhow, as always this is un-edited mostly, so forgive any errors. :
“You want me to die. Simple as that. No explanation required?” I scoffed and folded my arms across my chest. “And what’s in the box? What plague have you brought me?”
“I’m not quite sure. It could be as simple as a spider or as complex as a simulated virus. I only asked that it not be painful for you.” My father continued to hold the box in front of me, I could feel the smoldering power of his will pressing on me.
“Impossible. I have settled in here. I’m attached to this family. The children.”
“They are not yours. It should be of little consequence.”
“Do you think me completely heartless?” My pulse started to race. The ambient temperature rising further, my hand once again burning. I stepped back from the offending red box. “Unlike you I care about them.”
“You’ve been known to be plenty heartless when the need called for it. I’ve seen you slay young ones weaker than those two.” He pointed at the family portrait on the wall. “When the need called for it.”
Tears welled up behind my ears, dousing some of the rising heat of my soul. I shook my head, “Never on purpose. They were casualties of war. A war I fought and survived just as you did, Father.”
“And now we must do everything in our power to maintain that peace. If war erupts again those two children and this entire world could be at risk of another annihilation.”
“Don’t be so dramatic. That hasn’t happened since the dinosaurs were wiped out. Millions of years, Father.”
“Jyoti. Have you ever known me to exaggerate?” His silver hair gleamed in a stray beam of sunlight as wind picked up outside. The planes of his human features shimmered with hints of silver under the flesh. His disguise had been hastily and not quite thoroughly formed. Even the gray eyes gleamed with hidden fire.
Concern lodged a lump of emotion thick in my throat. My father was many things, melodramatic was not one of them. “What has happened?”
“I’ll show you.”
I jerked my hand back from his reach. “I will maintain this form.”
He sighed and nodded. “Fine. For now you will.” The red box disappeared in a burst of fire.
Still hesitant, I set my hand into his and stepped close to him.
In another burst of fire my living room faded to black and all I could feel was the burn of fire and wind as we moved fast. I closed my eyes, soaking in the heat in a way I hadn’t enjoyed for fifteen years.
“You miss it.” His voice was warm and kind again. “Why do you fight?”
“Of course I miss it. It is where I am from, what I am. That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy the life I have now. My home, my family, my friends. Being human is not as tedious as you make it to me.” I still refused to open my eyes, even as the fire faded and the world around us came into reality again.
“Look, Jyoti.”
Opening my eyes might mean being swayed to his point of view. My nails dug into his flesh until the thin layer cracked under the pressure and scales resisted the same fate.
“You must, child.”
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Daaaaaang, girl! Queen of Trauma Drama strikes again!!! 😀 *HUGS*
Heehee. Writing this in short bursts makes it so much more dramatic than if I dragged it out.
Scary thing is? I still have NO clue what I’m writing (hence the lack of title). LOL
LOL! Ahh, but that’s what makes it EXCITING! 😀
Yes it is!! I never know where it’s going to go, and I love that 😀
Well done! That was very powerfully written.
Thank you!! I have no idea where the story is going, but I’m sure enjoying the ride!
Definitely a powerful piece of writing. Lots of drama and emotion!
Thank you Christina! I’m trying to keep the impact of every post strong – although I’m sure boring ones will slip in now and then LOL
grabbed my attention!!
Ay 🙂 Another ‘panster’. Where ever you are going with this it’s very convincing and more than a little scary.
Hehe, a total pantser. I love not knowing where it’s going…even when I’m freaked because I don’t know where it’s going 😉
I’m loving this story and the way you integrated the spider into it.
Thanks, Lindsay. I’m loving the way it’s going…can’t wait to dive into next weeks prompt 🙂
Oooh, what’s under the scales? Weaving the spider in beautifully. Love this story and no, being human isn’t tedious all the time. So glad someone from another world agrees.
Yup, someone from another world agrees. She thinks that sometimes it’s nice to just be human…now if only she can stay that way. 😉
And thanks! I’m glad I was able to weave it in in some fashion…even an indirect statement. 🙂
Very powerful written. I also love how you used the word prompt to empower your tale.
You have me hanging on the edge of my seat. I’m dying to know what she sees. Can’t wait to see what happens!
Really enjoying this story even though paranormal is not my thing. Great writing ! Interesting interaction between father/daughter.
I hope she finds a way to remain in her human life. I wonder how her father would ever let her go?