Day 170 Writing Short Things

Crop

If I close my eyes, I know it is possible to swim in the golden crops swaying in the summer air. It is divine.

Cherry Tree

The night air was warm even when the stars sparkled brightly high above. He snuggled comfortably against the cherry tree and watched the shooting stars moving past the constellations. The Orion’s Belt shone exceptionally bright tonight. He closed his eyes for a second to listen to the distant chirping of crickets. Their chorus became his nighttime concert, and he fell asleep at the sound.

When he woke up, there came a loud hissing above him. A snake hung over him, looking at him like he was going to be its next meal.

He sighed. “I thought you were past your old tricks?” he asked.

The snake let a long hiss and soon it slithered down, turning into a man in a dark suit with long white hair that swayed in the warm air. “You don’t respect the traditions.”

“That’s rich coming from you. But we are not here for banter. Why have you come?”

“You should know.”

“No,” he shook his head.

“Your time is up. It’s time to return to Hell.”

“Just when I got a hang of what it is like to be a mortal man.”

The Devil raised his eyebrow. “You would change your immortal soul to be a human?”

He shrugged. He hadn’t thought about it. Not in decades. This day, this time, this meeting had sneaked up on him. He had been enjoying his life. There was so much more to being human than to being a demon. There were so many new sounds, tastes, and sensations. There was the warm wind. There were the crickets. There were cherry blossoms in the air. There was sleep and there were constellations. In Hell, there was nothing but the remembrance of death and life, the misery of old deeds, and the selfish hatred towards all and everyone except the one who had done all those awful things. That was why the souls stayed trapped there. There was no absolution without responsibility.

“Yes,” he said.

“Even when it means you wouldn’t live more than fifty years?” the Devil asked.

“Even then.”

“Why?”

He pointed at the cherry blossoms. “For them,” he said.

“They will fade,” the Devil said.

“So do we all. It’s no reason to choose immortality. I’m not afraid of dying, not when I know what waits for me.”

“Hell is different for the living.”

“There is always limbo, there is always Heaven, who knows where my mortal soul ends.”

The Devil smirked.

“Even with your temptations. I don’t expect any less.” He stood up and faced the Devil on his level. “So do you want another wager?”

The Devil let out a howl that took over the crickets, silencing the world around them. “Yes, my dear old friend, we have another wager.”

Letter

My darling husband and children, I do this with a heavy heart. If I had another choice, I would do this all differently, but the circumstances are forcing me to leave. I cannot state where I am going or why, but I have to for your and my safety. I know that’s not an explanation, and it is not enough for the hurt I’m causing. And I understand if you can’t ever forgive me. I wouldn’t.

Please don’t try to find me or contact me. If it ever becomes possible for me to return, I expect you, my darling husband, to have moved on. You deserve someone who adores you. You have been the best thing that has ever happened to me. Please tell our children, who will not remember me, that I loved them and still do. They are so small now, and I hate to do this to you.

I’m so sorry. You have done nothing to deserve this.

The prompts are from the book A Year of Creative Writing Prompts.

I’m not sure what to say, my thoughts are at my wrist, which feels extra painful after yesterday’s outdoor climbing. I climbed several grades easier routes than I’m capable of, and still, it feels painful. I’m afraid it hasn’t healed properly, and I feel that this is a sign that it will break despite all the rehab I have done. I have to slow down even more. I hope this goes away.

But on another note. It is so beautiful outside. The air is crisp, and the trees shine in autumn colors. So, so lovely.

I hope all is well with you. Have an adventurous day. Thank you for reading ❤