Dale watched her grandfather rebuilding the lawnmower. Moments earlier the machine groaned as the blades crashed against the garden’s rocky edge.
“Pass the wrench.” Grandpa hollered.
Dale grabbed the tool from the kit running her hands along the time-weathered edges. She was certain her grandfather had taken this instrument into battle on many occasions.
The worn surfaces fit her grandfather’s hand perfectly. He wielded it with precision, as though it were an extension of his arm. Any hope the chores were done dashed as she supervised her Grandpa’s work. She knew the machine would be running in no time.
Through silvered glass, Sadie runs her fingers across her own disfigured face. The tactile sensation of rough-hewn skin momentarily paralyzing her in place.
Hours spent together observing each other. Each movement, every facial expressions examined. Sharing scattered memories through the ebb and flow of tears and laughter. The swift punctuation of anger contrasting the softness of her lips in intimate moments.
A quiet resilience emerges as she begins to accept herself. Her lambent reflection helping to illuminate new passages through her own doubt and despair.
No longer impenetrable, the darkness slowly begins to relent.
Challenge accepted: Written at Sunra Rainz request. / Part 2 of 5 Part 1 originally written for Week #235 of Sammi Cox’s Weekend Writing Prompt. (Word: Mirror, Count: 95) Background Photo: Pawel Czerwinski via Unsplash. Copyright 2021 Greg Glazebrook, All Rights Reserved.
Seven years had passed since the assault but Sadie still relived it in excruciating detail with each glimpse of her own reflection.
“How could I have let this happen to me?” she mouthed silently. The looking glass contemptuously mimicking her sentiment through the tears trying to wash away the scars etched into her face.
The woman on the other side of the mirror, is she any different? What if she is only seeking the same compassion and understanding I have sought to find.
Seeing herself in a new light they reach out across the abyss…
The Emperor awoke to the morning sun softly kissing his cheek. Six months had passed since his father’s unexpected demise. At 11 years, the unprepared dreamer, Lin Tai Yu ascended to the throne.
Beyond the trees, northern armies amassed. The cruelty of his father’s crumbling empire spawned an insatiable appetite for revenge.
The child Emperor, oblivious to the cost of his father’s reign, hiding out in treetops playing foolish games.
Written for Week #234 of Sammi Cox’s Weekend Writing Prompt. (Word: Empire, Count: 70) Photo credit: Unknown via WWHY.org. Copyright 2021 Greg Glazebrook, All Rights Reserved.
This week’s #TLT Day of the Dead inspired image got me wondering if the dead have rituals they abide by on the other side. Hope you enjoy…
We’d spent the day visiting our loved ones at this year’s ‘Day of the Living’ celebrations and back in the crypt I was feeling sad.
Sitting together, Mom explained, “It is ok to miss our family and friends and someday we will all be together.”
My big sister added, “They must travel their own roads to complete their journey home.” but deep down I just wish they’d hurry up and get here.
Written for Week 301 of Sonya’s Three Line Tales challenge. Photo credit: Valeria Almaraz via Unsplash. Copyright 2021 Greg Glazebrook, All Rights Reserved.
Adrianne loved to read but the contrived notions of modern prose no longer ignited her imagination.
Searching, she jumped a steam-powered carriage to the old city market.
A push and a step through an old weathered door and Adrianne was lost to the vellichor of the old bookstore.
Written for Week #233 of Sammi Cox’s Weekend Writing Prompt. (Word: Vellichor, Count: 48) Photo credit: Sung Kim via Murals Your Way. Copyright 2021 Greg Glazebrook, All Rights Reserved.
As the kids were getting ready for Halloween, I was working in my basement lab. I just need to combine the final ingredients and administer a dose to the mice in cage one. I’d be done in 20 minutes and life expectancy would double for the rodents. Of course, it would be months before the results were in.
My twins, Super Mario and Princess Peach were dressed and ready to go as I emerged from the basement. “Let’s go Daddy!” they exclaimed in such perfect unison you’d think they were identical. It was only another minute, and we were on our way unaware of what was happening beneath our feet.
Five doors down we heard creaking, Peach said it was coming from the coffin on the neighbour’s front lawn. Ten doors down we heard shrieks of horror. Mario insisted it was the motion sensor ghost he’d passed.
Fifteen doors down the other kids (and parents) were running past us screaming They weren’t even stopping for candy. “What’s the scare? I asked one Mom. She just looked behind and kept running.
Someone else screamed, “Giant mouse, run for your life!”
Next, I heard sirens and other vehicles speeding by. They looked like they were stopping at our house. An explosion rock the night sky and a picture frame landed at our feet.
“That’s us with Mommy.” said Peach.
“Not possible.” I replied but then I saw it, 12 feet high and 25 feet long from nose to tail. It was the biggest mouse I’d ever seen. It surveyed the neighbourhood then started snapping up kids like they were snacks. Neighbourhood families tried to flee but five more emerged to surround them.
Only then did I realize what was happening. The Lab, my home, oh God! Six mice had been dosed with my serum. It was supposed to promote longevity but instead, they grew and grew and grew. They would have their fill of trick or treaters before scurrying into the night.
So as you get ready for this Halloween, remember they are still out there and they are hungry. They may be waiting in your neighbourhood to find their favorite treat, candy stuffed children. So this Halloween be sure to look over your shoulder and listen for squeaking, and if you hear it run for your life!”
Pumpkins carved by Emily and Greg Glazebrook. Photo Credit: Greg Glazebrook Copyright 2021 Greg Glazebrook, All Rights Reserved.
Written for Week 300 of Sonya’s Three Line Tales challenge. Photo credit: Tandem X Visuals via Unsplash. Copyright 2021 Greg Glazebrook, All Rights Reserved.
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