#TuesFlashFicTrain: Transformations

Hey ya'll!  I had a short hiatus there as I was down in New Orleans for my graduation.  Now I gotta help finish Rita's story on #TuesFlashFicTrain.  The link here will take you to the previous parts of the story as well as other submissions for how her story should end.  Here's my ending coming in at exactly 400 words.

                Everything froze.  Glass shards twinkled in mid-air like tiny stars reflecting the bright heat of her rage.  The first drops of blood that had begun to stream from their eyes hung like macabre parade streamers.

                “Rita.”

                She looked up.  The old woman was shaking her head as she stood up.  Her form blurred as she moved toward Rita.  By the time she’d crossed the short distance to stand in front of Rita, the old woman had become a stunning raven-haired woman in her thirties.

                “Morrigan,” Rita whispered.

                “Did you not recognize me?”

                “I’ve never seen you as an old woman.”

                Morrigan shook her head, “Where is your awareness of power?  Surely you sensed mine.”

                Rita paused.  She had felt something.  That was what brought up those memories.  It wasn’t the eyes; it was Morrigan’s power that conjured the eyes.

                “Forgive me.  I should have known.”

                “You know I am Death; therefore, not so very forgiving.”

                Rita bowed her head.  Death was never lenient and she knew it.  She’d known it back when all of this started.  Part of her regretted her choice back then.  So many things would have been different.  Easier.

                “Come, child.  Do not regret your choice to serve me.  I may not be forgiving but I am not unreasonable.  I know the pain you have suffered in my name.  The memories my presence stirred up.”

                Rita began to sob.  She would have fallen had Morrigan not caught her and guided her to a seat.  Certain Morrigan had left by the time Rita could breathe again, she squared her shoulders and braced herself to face the mess she’d created.

                Looking up, Rita blinked several times, uncertain what to do.  Morrigan still sat across from her.  Death was patient, or so it seemed.

                “I can give you peace.”

                “I’m not certain I’m ready for that.”

                “Not death, my dear, though I could make that an option if you wished.  I have another option; a plan if you’re willing.”

                “Will it give me peace from this torment?”

                “It will.”

                “Then I am willing.”

                Morrigan crossed the aisle and wrapped her arms around Rita.  A bright light filled the bus.  When it dimmed, Rita was gone.  In her place was an iridescent black raven.

                “Go, my child.  Be at peace.  I will find you when I have need of you.”

                The raven flew away.  The bus continued down the road unharmed.

The Run

Write On Edge gave us a great prompt in honor of the Fourth of July.   We were challenged to write about the idea of freedom in 400 words.  While not patriotic, here's my take.  I had to go back and visit Emma, James and Kris one more time.  Let me know what you think.

With no warning, Kris held his hand up.  Everyone stopped.  Growling under his breath, he stormed back to me like some wild predator. 

“What,”

James stopped me with a glare and a slight head shake.

Kris circled me as if I were prey.

“Too slow.  This’ll help.”

I wasn’t sure if Kris was talking to me or himself.  With James still watching me I didn’t dare ask either.

To my shock and embarrassment, he cupped my face, leaned in and kissed me.  Not just a quick peck but a serious, movie scene worthy kiss.  He released me before I had a chance to object – not to the kiss itself but for how he did it.  He turned and loped back to the front of the short line without another word.

I stood there, in the middle of the trail, stunned.  James touched my elbow.

“It was a gift,” James told me in a soft voice.

“What was?” my face wrinkling, shaking my head.

“Kris gave you the ability to keep up with us.  He wants to move faster.  Trust it.  Trust me.  You’ll keep up.”

“”Hunh?”

“Kris wants to run so he gave you a bit of his power.  He doesn’t want you to slow us down.  Stephan is too much of a risk.  Now, love, no more speaking.  Run.”

James flashed a quick grin at me before Kris signaled everyone to move again.  This time they ran.  James passed me.  I watched them for a moment as they faded into the forest faster than anyone should be able to run.

“Trust them,” I muttered.

Taking a deep breath I ran after them.  To my utter amazement, not only did I keep up with them, I caught up to Kris, passing everyone else in the process.  He glanced at me, smiled and pressed harder.  Sensing the challenge I lengthened my stride, finding myself able to match his pace.

The forest flashed by in streaked glimpses of browns and greens.  In the running, I started to feel a peace I hadn’t felt in years.  There was something about running with this man, this stranger, that lifted me.  It freed me from something I didn’t even realize I carried.  It didn’t take long before I ran with Kris for the sheer joy of being able to fly through the forest as free as the wildlife startling from the brush with our passage.

In case you've missed it, the rest of Emma's story can be found here.