Tag: short story

Deep reasoning

Rebelling had landed him here. He was only one not to weep or shudder while they chained him and mauled him. We wailed. I remember my initial days—how I’d begged to get out and see the sky hang over my head. He did nothing of the sort. He walked held his head high, with complete disregard for the guards escorting him.

Dark, bald, non-christian — he resembled everything our captors despised. Despite that, he remained steadfast. Being in the gallows, he told me, was better than being shallow.

I recoiled. I served for attacking a classmate of different colour.

Fragrance

Drenched in sweat, Mike walked in with a smug face. Waving, he walked over to the pool table. Laying his backpack on the floor, he high-fived Mark, Paul, and Rud one at a time.

As always, they looked at him in jealousy. “Woah, you smell of sand and water. Where?” Rud asked passing him a beer.

“Oh, just a small hike,” Mike took a large swig before adding, “32 miles.”

The others looked inspired, and he cherished each second. Rud whistled. “Wow, man. Hiking, swimming, bushwalking—what a life!”

Mike smiled. All thanks to the girl down at the fragrance store.

Welcoming change

Spencer considered. He could accept his gay son’s donation and endure shame forever. Or uphold his faith—and die as he lived.

He had lived his days arguing, demeaning, and devaluing anyone who challenged his belief. He was the nasty old man everyone avoided.

He hadn’t lived much, though.

As the gates of his heart valves opened to accept blood from the son he’d condemned sinner, Spencer imagined his fellas’ reaction.

“Lord’s gates would close on you!”

But Spencer no longer cared. Despite everything he had done, his son had forgiven him, and Spencer had seen nothing more god like.

Towards nature

Karl hadn’t seen food or sunlight in over a week. His insides curled up in hunger, and the rainforest grew wetter each day, forcing him to stay put.

He’d seen Nature’s darkest side: green. He’d endured dense forests, creepy crawlers, and sleepless nights contemplating if the violet mushrooms scattered on the ground were edible.

He’d wanted to get closer to nature—away from the scorching streets and dehydrating fast food of civilisation. Now he’d give anything to go back, to end it all.

When he couldn’t take it anymore, he ate a mushroom. He lived to regret his life’s decisions.