I believe each one of us is on this Earth for a specific reason and that reason is to live a soul-prospering life. When we do this, we’re contributing our unique combination of gifts, abilities, and talents to the overarching goal of creating a better world. In the process, we get to live a deeply satisfying and fulfilling life that matters profoundly.
With this in mind, I’d like to share what I’m doing to live my soul-prospering life. Since I’m the author of this blog, I’m sure it comes as no surprise that I like to write. Here is a flash fiction story that I wrote this summer. Flash fiction is a short story of 500 words or less, although some people say the upper limit is 1000 words.
A special treat for you is that this story is part of a blog hop. At the end you’ll see links to others’ flash fiction stories. This is my first time participating and I’m very excited about it.
My story is 493 words and is called Black Moon. I hope you enjoy it-enjoy the other stories as well!
Black Moon
Mama turned from the front window of our snug cottage hidden in the dark woods. Even though the lights were out, the star glow was enough to show me her worried face. “A Black Moon on All Hallow’s Eve. I thought surely you’d– ”
“What, Mama? Whatever it is, I’ll do it.” I didn’t know what was upsetting her but I wanted to make her smile. “It’s still my birthday. We can be happy about that, right?”
“Of course, my love! The second New Moon in a month combined with your thirteenth birthday on All Hallow’s Eve. A very special night, indeed.” Mama hugged me, her fuzzy sweater tickling my nose.
Rustling in the woods drew her to the window.
Oh! A sharp twinge in my hips. I waited for pain but it didn’t come. Instead, it felt…natural.
A sudden rush of raw power from Mother Earth coursed through me from my feet to my head. What was going on?
Rather than fear, giddiness filled me. I bounded to Mama and threw my arms around her. “I lovelovelove the night!”
Mama laughed. “That’s because you’re a vampire.” She growled, pretending to nibble my neck.
“No, Mama.” I giggled. “Then I couldn’t eat your yummy meatloaf, so full of garlic.”
“Hmmm, true.” Mama pretended to think. “I know! You’re really a pixie or a wood sprite, and you fly like the wind.”
“Nope, not it.” I moved from her embrace and rolled my shoulders to ease the cramping. “Flying isn’t the only way to race like the wind.”
“Then you’re a zombie.” She lumbered toward me, arms outstretched.
I shrieked. “No, Mama!” The bones in my feet crackled as I dashed away from her.
“Then you’re a fairy or maybe an elf.”
“They’re too small and scrawny and won’t make decent toothpicks much less tasty tidbits.”
“Well then, that leaves one thing. You’re a–”
Yips and barks close to our cottage.
Too close.
“Oh no!” She let out a cry of fear.
My gaze sharpened on her. She looked delicate as she backed away from the window.
A howl echoed on the still night air. My pulse quickened. My bones ached, muscles throbbed. It felt so good! I stretched in anticipation.
She blindly reached back for me. “Hide! Wolves!”
Yes Mama, yes. That’s it!
I snapped my jaws now filled with gleaming teeth. I crept toward her, reveling in the power of my new form.
She saw me. Surprise on her face.
I inhaled. Ahhh, the sharp tang of fear. My mouth watered. I moved in.
A hard thump at the door followed by a rumbling growl that shook my bones. I stopped, crouched. Uncertain.
She dropped to her knees, relief flooding her face. Now on her hands, too. Broadening, elongating.
Huge.
Now I was surprised.
She padded to me, her claws clicking on the hardwood floor. “Welcome, Pup!” She nuzzled me, her soft fur tickling my nose. “Come, meet your true family.”
Happy Halloween, my dear Pep Pals! Feel free to share in the comments what you do that’s soul-prospering. Thanks!
Your Friend and Pep Pal,
Lauren
Here are the links to the other stories in this blog hop. Have fun reading!
- <a href=”https://inkmapsandmacarons.com/en/snow-white-tabloid-style” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Snow White Tabloid Style, by Fannie Suto</a>
- <a href=”https://samanthadunawaybryant.blogspot.com/2018/10/31-of-31-days-of-halloween-writing.html” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Starving Artist, by Samantha Bryant</a>
- <a href=”https://wp.barbaralund.com/storytime-blog-h…ers-origin-story/ ” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>The Halloween Dance, by Barbara Lund</a>
- <a href=” www.elizabethmccleary.com/the-ghost-in-my-yard-blog-hop-october-2018” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>The Ghost In My Yard, by Elizabeth McCleary</a>
- <a href=” https://www.katharinagerlach.com/posts/storytime-bloghop-halloween-2018/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Her Majesty, by Katharina Gerlach</a>
- <a href=”https://ctbridges.com/holloween-blog-hop” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Chris Bridges Posting Storytime Blog Hop. Give her shout out and say Hello!</a>
- <a href=”https://dailypeptalks.wordpress.com/2018/10/31/5609/ ” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Black Moon, by Lauren M. Catherine</a>
- <a href=”https://www.jqrose.com/2018/10/storytime-blog-hop-poes-heart-celebrate.html” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Poe’s Heart, by J. Q. Rose</a>
- <a href=”https://wp.me/p1z8Ja-3h” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Hanks A Lot, by Joe Bouchard</a>
- <a href=”http://reprobatetypewriter.com/storytime-october-2018” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>In The Gray Lake, by Karen Lynn</a>
- <a href=”http://www.vanessawellsbooks.com/blog.html” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>The Right Honorable Brotherhood of Spirits, Poltergeists and Ghosts, by Vanessa Wells</a>
- <a href=”http://billbushauthor.com/october-2018-storytime-blog-hop” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Life of a Pumpkin, by Bill Bush</a>
- <a href=”http://www.ginafabio.com/posts/storytime-blog-hop-why-should-i/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Why Should I?, by Gina Fabio</a>
- <a href=”https://www.junetakey.com/storytime-blog-hop-october-31-2018-have-a-hallowing-halloween/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Reaper, by Juneta Key</a>
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