The Sage – short story sample

The grove of the ancient sage is located far from any map lines or even the pathways of the common man who treads from the trail. In fact, it can only be located by those who know how to look, but are already long lost. It was this knowledge and complete and utter confusion that had Shell crunching through the undergrowth one foot at a time, her long cloak snagging on branches and dragging twigs and leaves along with it.

The air was still here. Thick. Too heavy for birds or wind to pass. Only around her feet did tiny creatures crawl, skittering over her boots and scratching around unseen in the earth. Sometimes if she strained her ears enough she was sure she could hear whispering.

But those could be the whispers she had always known.

Songs of Men Who Meant the Most: We’re Pressed For Time segment

A new dawn rises over the horizon

Blotted out by box towers.

Those trapped inside silently cry for freedom

That we refuse them.

 

Stories to Stay Alive To: The World Heals segment

Teaser segment of my collection of short stores.

When I was young, these hills didn’t look how they do now: round, soft, tie-dye greens and yellows splattered with wild flowers, the smooth scissor cut of a stream in the shallow valley. They were bare, jagged, and dry.