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Night Owl Poetry – Dorinda Duclos

~ "The silence of the night awakens my soul"

Night Owl Poetry – Dorinda Duclos

Tag Archives: #flashfiction

Alicia Harding – #flashfiction – #JuneWriting

28 Friday Jun 2019

Posted by Dorinda Duclos in Flash Fiction, June Writing

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

#flashfiction, #JuneWriting, dorindaduclos.com, herbs, magic, Night Owl Poetry, potion, scholar, story, writing, writing prompt


A scholar of 20, she’d made her mama proud. But what mama didn’t know, was how, exactly, she had achieved this. Not a very good student, Alicia barely made it out of high school. She never gave college a thought. Let’s face it, she hated school, and everything to do with it, especially the cliques. Others thought her quirky, and not worthy of befriending, and so she spent much time alone.

One day, a woman, who had been watching Alicia for some time, approached her with a proposition that made Alicia’s eyes light up. She never hesitated. This was her chance to prove it to all of them that she was somebody.

Now, standing in front of her college class, as valedictorian, she smiled, nodded, and then disappeared. She reappeared in the back of the rows, though no one knew she was there. She stayed still, wondering how her class would react. They looked puzzled, but no one was actually LOOKING for her.  Nothing had changed, so she walked out of the building, and never went back.

Years later, some still talk about the day Alicia Harding disappeared, especially the old woman who lives in a ragged old tent, just outside of town. Quietly selling her herbs and potions, she loves to tell the story over and over, to anyone who will give her the time of day. Her recollection is as vivid as if it had happened that very morning. And to Alicia, it had.

 

June Writing Prompt – A scholar of 20, she’d made her mama proud. – Day 28/30

©2019 Dorinda Duclos All Rights Reserved
Photo via Pixabay

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Beware the Shadows – #shortstory – #JuneWriting

05 Wednesday Jun 2019

Posted by Dorinda Duclos in June Writing, short story

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

#flashfiction, #JuneWriting, #shortstory, dorindaduclos.com, mist, night, Night Owl Poetry, shadows, undead, writing, writing prompt


The shadows crept along as the night grew old. Even the full moon had hidden itself behind the darkened clouds. This was the hour you didn’t want to be outside, this was the time when all hell broke loose. And there was nothing you could do to stop it. You couldn’t run, you couldn’t hide, because they’d find you. Their ability to sneak in and out of the smallest spaces without being noticed, made them perfect for this master plan. But whose plan was it?

~~~~~

Macy spent the better half of Saturday gathering all the things she’d need for the camping trip. She and her friends had planned this, for what seemed like forever. She doubled checked her pack, made sure everything fit snuggly, and tested the weight. They’d be hiking a bit of the way before reaching the campgrounds. Too much weight meant too slow a hike, and most likely, a back ache. She didn’t want anything to mess up this trip. Feeling the weight again, she decided she needed to pare it down. She just wasn’t sure what to take out.

Sunday morning came up fast. Macy was pretty sure she didn’t sleep, and that wasn’t a good thing. Sandy, Patty and Kate arrived shortly after six, when the sun was just coming up over the eastern mountains. The chill in the air meant the girls would need their windbreakers to keep out the cold. Each donned a different color, laughing as they looked at each other. “A bunch of misfits” chortled Patty, making them laugh even more. Finally, everything was packed in the SUV and they hopped in, raring to go.

The ride seemed to be taking longer than expected. “Are you sure we’re going the right way?” asked Kate. “We’ve been on the road for two hours already. The sun is up and we haven’t even reached the trails.” The other girls all nodded in agreement. Macy wasn’t sure if she had missed a turn somewhere, or if they were all too anxious. Trying to turn her GPS on, she found she had no signal. “Must be a dead spot here” she told the others. They all knew if they were on the right track, there were no dead spots. This was something they already looked into.

Macy started to panic, trying to be sure the other girls didn’t see her face. The gas gauge was falling and there were no signs for gas, lodging, food, nothing. She pulled over to the side of the road, trying to keep herself under control. The others had dozed off, until the car stopped. They thought they had reached the trails, and began chattering excitedly, then they realized they didn’t know where they were.

By this time the sun had started to set in the western sky. There was no shield from the elements, and the wind was brutal. There was no way they could stay there all night. Even the car had chilled once Macy turned it off.

A rustling sound came from the left side of the car, but nothing was there. They all agreed it was probably the wind, and tried to nestle together to stay as warm as possible. Patty suggested they turn around and head back in the direction they came, but the twilight can be deceiving. What if they got lost even farther from home? Besides, Macy reminded them, they were running out of fuel. They’d have to wait for morning, when they could see where they were going. Finally drifting off to sleep, they were awakened by a loud knocking sound.

Looking outside the windows, they saw nothing. Shrugging it off, they attempted to reclaim the sleep they desperately needed. Again, a loud knocking. This time, Macy flipped on the interior lights in the car, hoping to see what was causing all the noise. Still, there was nothing. A blur came across the windshield, and around the side of the car. Frightened, the girls hovered closer together. There it was again. This time, bigger than before. Then it was gone. After a short while, they fell back to sleep, and awakened with the first light. Macy attempted to start the car, but nothing happened. It wouldn’t turn over. Looking at her friends, she shrugged and said, “We wanted to hike and camp, guess this is it.”

As they exited the car, they felt a strong chill pierce through them. Patty let out a scream and as they turned to see what she was yelling about, she disappeared. Terrified by what they saw, the three girls clung to each other, promising to not let go. Kate brought it to their attention that she needed to use a bathroom. Macy and Sandy realized they did, too, but none of them would leave the others. Finally, unable to hold out, Kate let go and headed to the other side of the car. A small noise came from there, and they knew. Kate was gone, too. Making their way back into the car, Macy & Sandy, both pale as could be, wondered when it would be their turn. Locking the doors, Macy took a deep breath and asked Sandy if she thought the two were playing a trick on them. Sandy reminded her they all saw Patty disappear before them.

Huddled together, finding some solace in knowing they were not alone, both girls drifted off to sleep. When Macy awakened, Sandy was gone. Not a trace of her was left behind. Even her pack was gone. Afraid to look out the window of the car, she kept her head down, trying to figure out what was going on. She was alone now. And more afraid than ever. Getting up the nerve, she lifted her head and looked out the windshield. Staring back at her were two black eyes, surrounded by a swirling cloud of darkness. It was patient, just watching her, and she starred back. It seemed disconcerted for a moment, then resumed its stare. It had waited long enough. Slipping into the car through the windshield, it grabbed Macy and dragged her with it. The car was left abandoned on the side of the road. When the police found it, there was no trace of the girls inside. The only thing they noticed was a cloud of dark mist coming over the horizon…heading straight for them.

 

June Writing Prompt – The shadows crept along as the night grew old – Day 5/30

©2019 Dorinda Duclos All Rights Reserved
Photo via Pixabay

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The Old Clunker – #flashfiction – #JuneWriting

04 Tuesday Jun 2019

Posted by Dorinda Duclos in June Writing, Poetic Prose

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

#flashfiction, #JuneWriting, #shortstory, dorindaduclos.com, Night Owl Poetry, old car, radiator, writing, writing prompt


She never knew if he was running hot or cold these days, much like the radiator in the old clunker he used to drive. What once had been the cream of the crop of autos, was now in such disrepair, Cary couldn’t even bring herself to ride in it. Luckily, he had taken the wheels off, rendering it completely unable to be driven. She sighed in relief. Her friends would make fun, tease and taunt her, every time they saw her in that thing.

When she got back from an uneventful trip into town, she cringed at that hunk of junk in the driveway. It looked worse than ever, since Steve left it sitting there, in the elements. She was surprised the town hadn’t condemned it, or her house, for that matter. It was that bad.

Walking over to it, she heard a strange sound coming from the front end. It almost sounded like an angry cat. She called out to Steve, but got no answer. Figuring he was out, she grabbed her packages and headed inside. She called to him again, making sure he wasn’t home, then unpacked the groceries.

Hours had gone by. She must have lied down on the sofa and fallen asleep. Concerned that Steve would just leave her there, Cary got up and made her way into the kitchen. If he was anywhere, that’s where she’d find him. Except when he was elbow deep in grease, working on that car. No sign of him. She began to worry, checking every room, and finding nothing.

Opening the front door, she looked around the yard. The sun was setting, and twilight made it a bit difficult for her to see beyond the front porch. Grabbing the flashlight, she headed out, making her way toward the old car. Hoping she was worried about nothing, and would find him there, she approached optimistically. He wasn’t there.

“Steve, where the heck are you?” she said, half out loud. Heading back to the house, she heard the hiss of that cat, again. This time she would investigate further. Maybe the animal was stuck inside something, and needed help. As she got closer to Steve’s old car, the hissing got louder. Just as she got there, a tom cat jumped from the front seat, and took off. “Damn cat”. The hissing stopped, and satisfied it was the cat, she went back inside.

Days later, after a police search turned up nothing, not even his other car, she noticed an off odor coming from Steve’s old car. “Ugh, foul old thing. I really need to get someone here to haul this away.” But, something made her look at the car. She thought she spotted one of Steve’s rags on the front seat. Had he been here, and left again without telling her.

Letting out a harrowing scream, she saw a hand attached to the rag. A neighbor heard her and came running. Cary tried to stop him, but before she could, he had reached the car and saw what had made her scream. It was all that was left of Steve. The hiss she heard was the hot water from the radiator, not the cat. Steve had been trapped inside, under the hood, scalded by the steam.

Three days later, Steve was laid to rest, still inside the old car, in a grave on the property. Cary smiled to herself. “So glad those two old clunkers are dead and buried. Now…where was I?”

 

June Writing Prompt – The radiator always reminded her of him – Day 4/30

©2019 Dorinda Duclos All Rights Reserved
Photo via Pixabay

 

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He Awakened – #100words – #FlashFiction – #JuneWriting

02 Sunday Jun 2019

Posted by Dorinda Duclos in Flash Fiction, June Writing

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

#flashfiction, #JuneWriting, #shortstory, bells, dorindaduclos.com, end of day, night, Night Owl Poetry, sky, spire, tower, writing, writing prompt


She was guarding the land, and even then, there was nothing she could do. The Amazon kept watch over the castle, sword at the ready, for intruders, who dared cross her… until that one night.

A cracking noise from the building, followed by loud flapping of wings, and she knew he was there. For too long, the dragon had slept. The hour was upon the mighty warrior. Her army, fled, leaving her alone.

Fiery evil was held back by the golden shield in Myrina’s skilled hand. The queen would have to battle the blaze, until she could battle no more.

 

Authors note:  Michelle’s prompts for June are perfect for flash fiction writing.  I have chosen to do just that, each in 100 words, for the next 30 days. I hope you enjoy.  🙂

June Writing Prompt – And even then, there was nothing they could do – Day 2/30

©2019 Dorinda Duclos All Rights Reserved
Photo via Pixabay

 

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Night had Fallen Forever – #100words – #FlashFiction – #JuneWriting

01 Saturday Jun 2019

Posted by Dorinda Duclos in Flash Fiction, June Writing

≈ 9 Comments

Tags

#flashfiction, #JuneWriting, #shortstory, bells, dorindaduclos.com, end of day, night, Night Owl Poetry, sky, spire, tower, writing, writing prompt


The sun set in a fiery red against the spire of the local church. As the light reflected off the top, the sky seemed almost embarrassed by the grandeur of the tower. The sun cowered between the beams that held the spire, lifting it into the sky, allowing it to illuminate the waters down below. The town around it was silent, awaiting the resounding echoes of the bells, signaling the end of another day. But tonight, even the tower was silent. The bells no longer rang, they no longer sang. And the town folk knew, night had fallen forever more.

 

Authors note:  Michelle’s prompts for June are perfect for flash fiction writing.  I have chosen to do just that, each in 100 words, for the next 30 days. I hope you enjoy.  🙂

June Writing Prompt – The top of the spire reflected the embarrassed sky – Day 1/30

©2019 Dorinda Duclos All Rights Reserved
Photo via Pixabay

 

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