Fiction Friday, Carry Your Burdens

Here we are, at our second Fiction Friday! Today I decided to share a short story I wrote, first inspired by the song, This is the Time, by Superchick. I'm not big on writing short stories, I tend to have to much to say and just want to write a whole book on it. But I am working on the ability to condense my writing into simple short stories. I tend to get carried away and write on and on, so I hope I did better in pulling myself back to writing less. Tell me what you think, but first listen to the song. ;-)

Carry Your Burdens

Short Story Inspired by, This is the Time

The day had finally come to an end. The house was still. The dog had curled into a small ball by the front window watching the suns last rays disappear as it drifted off to sleep. She dumped the last cup into the sink, she brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear as she stared at the sink. Wrapping her fingers around the sinks edge, she sighed. Survive the day. That was her only goal in life. She looked back on life only a few years ago. It seamed to full of excitement and hope. Now she seamed to be barely living. Struggling to find meaning to her life.

She smeared a tear across her cheek hastily as more threatened to slip down. Her eyes came up to stare out the window, it's lace curtains parted to show the fading sunset. Che closed her eyes, a strange will or perhaps strength seemed to be pulling at her. She held her head in her hands trying to clear it. Nothing changed. Outside. She needed to get out. She drifted from the sink slowly. Her feet led her to the door. She brushed past the pile of shoes by the door. Her hands fluttered to the locks. She felt in a daze as she flipped them and wrapped her hand around the door knob. She pushed the door open. The cool night air smacked her as she gasped. She closed her eyes for the moment, breathing in the air. She stepped out, eyes shut.

She felt the cold wood of the porch under her toes. She kept walking until her hands caught hold of the porches railing. Her eyes fluttered open. The grass lay before her in the yard, gathering dew from the afternoon rain. She moved to the steps and gently stepped down. She smiled as her feet came to sink into the wet grass. They dug into the wet dirt and grass as she took a few more steps. A wave of emotion rushed up her spine as she picked up her pace. Her feet began pounding into the grass and mud, she was rushing towards the open field. She kept going, staring straight ahead at the skies last remnants of light.

She slid to a stop at last. With a quick jump she bound into the air for a moment then landed back down with a laugh that bubbled out of her. She threw her head back staring up at the sky fading to stars and midnight blue. She beamed as she hugged herself tightly and spun in a quick circle. She stood still suddenly, a smirk across her beaming face. She bowed to the empty field before her. With her right hand she put it out pretending to fold it over the hand of the air. The other she placed on the shoulder of nothingness. With gentle movements she began. Her skirt was damp from the run through the field, weighing it down as she twirled in the middle of the grass and mud. She closed her eyes and continued the dance, feet moving quicker as they found their placements. She spun and raced, hands open in her partners palms. She felt her hair coming loose from the slipping braid, she smiled brighter as the tie fell loose, allowing her thick hair to fly. She spun faster, eyes still shut, she dropping one hand she grabbed her skirt in a heap and began a faster dance.

The silent music seamed to pause. She gasped, her twirling abruptly ended. She chose to keep her eyes shut as she felt the hand that had folded into her outstretched one. She dropped her soaked skirt. Slowly she raised her other hand until it came in contact the the figure. She inched her hand up the other arm and allowed it to rest on the shoulder. The hand slipped down to her waist. She fluttered her eyes open. His blazing blue eyes stared into hers. She seamed to wilt under his loving gaze. He pulled her into an embrace, she let her hands fall folding into the embrace. She closed her eyes, chocking over sobs that begged to come forth.

“I came to carry your burdens.” he whispered, his hand coming up to stroke her head. “Find rest in me.”

Well? What did you all think? Any tips on writing short stories you care to share? Have you ever written something inspired by a song? I would love to hear of some song recommendations for short stories like this. I really enjoy creating stories around songs, and I am looking for more to work with.

Be sure to come back next Friday for more Fiction Friday!

Washed Away

The girls snickered. The boys raised their eyebrows. The adults shook their heads. The little children giggled. She breathed slowly, as tears slipped silently down her face. There she stood, all her sins uncovered. She held her stained skirt and bent her head. Sins coated her bare skin and clothes. Lies, blasphemy, adultery, thievery, hate, and many more coated her skin. Her hope was laid out before her. The waves of Christ sacrifice. The waves lapped against her toes, each new wave took a bit of those sins away. She cringed at first, pulling her feet away. But slowly, she placed them back. The ink slipped slowly off her feet. She stared in wonder at the pure white skin underneath. Stopping she gently rubbed the clean toes. Her dim blue eyes lit. She rose. Scanning the water before her, she looked to the sky. She backed away from the water, every step she came farther into the sand away from the water. By ten feet she stopped. With a gathered breath she took a sprint to the water sobbing, “Freedom!” The cold waves slapped against her legs, causing her to gasp and look back to the beach in fear. She pulled her gaze away resolutely. She pushed farther in forcing the waves to make a path for her. The ice cold water enclosed her, fear still etched her face. But determination was still there. At last her shoulders were covered, she lift her hands and starred as the inky sins slipped from them. She gasped and laid her hand upon her face. Water dripped down her cheeks, she pulled her hand away to see ink covering them. Looking down at the water she saw her ink covered face. Closing her eyes she flung her head under the surface. Coming back to the surface she laughed and cried as she splashed the water, watching the ink float to the bottom of the sea. Pumping her fist into the air while lifting her face to the sun she screamed, “Yes! I'm clean!” The girls covered their mouths. The boys starred. The parents gasped. The little children fell silent. She was free.