Monday 12 August 2013

Flash fiction - Survival



Survival

Gripped by the terror encircling, he cried out one last time. The harrowing silence fell on pointed ears. He sat, limbs curled underneath him; frozen by history and the blinding winter. Old Grey smelt the end.

The cave provided time to think about his next move. He admired the pine trees, like statues ladled with snow. The birds had long gone. And they? Why had he stayed? Pride? His ancient love of living at the edge of life. Major had warned him. But then, Old Grey had always won. Until now.

The forest stretched out before him, his land of battles: for territory, for love, for his family, for his past and their future. The endless winters had broken into summers full of promise, but they now dwindled to nothing. Everything was on the move, and yet… they had remained.

But so had Red. Old Grey pictured those crimson eyes searching the forest’s dark purple corners.  He had to finish this before everything he had survived was lost forever. Red was stronger now, and quicker. Red’s time was soon.

But Old Grey knew parts Red didn’t. He knew holes and ravines and fallen branches that Red still had to find. He stood stiffly and sniffed the air. Trapped bugs, leaves hung with winter’s ice, and forgotten human footprints filled his senses. He closed his eyes.

Little Grey was safe. For now. But he would have to be moved before the next snowfall. Old Grey hated to use the word home, but this is what his horizon was. Major had wanted him to look further. He couldn’t grasp it then. He saw it now. Maj. Remembering her again swiped his breath from his lungs. He opened his eyes and looked out, barely able to face the journey ahead without her.

There was a twinkle in the distance, then two. He might have to say goodbye sooner than he wanted, but he could still save his last son.

He padded out gently into the woods.

The word we had to include was GRASP: its third meaning is to lay hold of within the mind, COMPREHEND.
There's more writing to enjoy; click on the Trifecta icon above. Comments welcome, reads appreciated! 


18 comments:

  1. This is cool. I felt immersed in the surroundings you described.

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  2. Some of the images in this are so great: "the forest's dark purple corners," "leaves hung with winter's ice" - really nice. The simple scheme you used to name the animals also fit just perfectly.

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    1. Thank you, Brian. I hoped it would work that way!

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  3. This is great, and it feels almost like a fairy tale. Thank you for linking up. Please don't forget to return for the voting!

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  4. The setting was mesmerizing. I got a chill as i immersed in the story.

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  5. Such a breathtaking story and you crafted it beautifully. Well done!

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  6. I enjoy this a lot. The scene you envisioned came through in vibrant color.

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    1. Moments of survival are heightened, so I am glad you enjoyed it and that came across.
      Thanks for the read!

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  7. The setting to your good tale was superb!

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  8. I like the humanization you brought to your...are they wolves?

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    1. They are indeed. Thanks for the read and comment!

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  9. Rob, thanks ever so much for the read and comment. Very glad it came across in the way that it did to you. Cheers!

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  10. Liked the naming of the characters particularly, as well as the low perspective.

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  11. I love this! The wolf perspective is awesome, particularly because you take the reader there without ever stating it. Well done!

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    1. Thanks Suzanne, am glad you enjoyed the read and it worked the way it was intended!

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