Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Dread

I peer through the fog and try to make out the unfocused images in the distance. I concentrate, perhaps unconsciously furrowing my eyebrows and squinting slightly. At first I see only nebulous shapes, but then slowly the shapes begin to materialize into something more concrete. Suddenly I am able to make out the pictures.

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I am walking, hurrying down a narrow path through the trees. A bright canopy of green towers above me. It is mild and comfortable. I am not alone. There is a man with me. Under other circumstances it would have perhaps been a nice day, but anxiety lies thick upon my brow. We move quietly without talking. We move swiftly with our nervousness ringing continually in our ears. The trees open up and we pass into a clearing. Quickly we glance around to ensure that we are alone before proceeding, and then we keep moving. The long grass sways gently in the fields. There is a soft wind at our back. The conditions for travel are favourable.

Suddenly we hear that dreaded unmistakable low hum in the distance. We haven’t any time. Our tension mounts as we momentarily freeze like deer caught in headlights. We must act quickly. The hum grows steadily louder. I scan the landscape. Nothing but a black dot in the distant skyline. A small country church stands nearby. Interesting roofline, a small portion sweeps low on the backside, leaving a minute space where we could crawl through and crouch underneath. We rush towards it, hoping no one sees us. We approach from both sides and quickly contort ourselves through the opening and try to make ourselves comfortable in our confined space.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Scared the hell outta me...of course now I'm going to long for the resolution. Is there more to come? Or will you just leave me with my anxiety and curiosity, as life often does?

Randy

Carla said...

Randy, There is more to come. I just am not sure how far I can take it. Perhaps will just make you more curious.

The Fool said...

Nice creation, Nomad...you've captured a mood and made it viral through words. Affective.

Thanks for sharing.

Carla said...

Fool, Thanks and you're welcome. By the way, I've really enjoyed your last few posts. I feel that there is discussion there...but sometimes all we get is a snapshot.

Ed & Jeanne said...

Good story and mood setting. How could you leave me hanging like that though?! What is the hum? What is that black dot? My mind races... Was it the first of the lawnmowers and I'm just an insect in the grass? Was it the IRS coming to question me about my so called "charity" donation claims on last years tax filing? Was it the aliens that had landed and were turning everything into a media frenzied zoo and they had finally caught up with me? Was it a black rhino stampeed and I needed to get up a tree fast? Was it just all a dream from eating that chilli cheese dog last night? The possibilities are endless...

TK Kerouac said...

Love the pics, I'm still curious about the man?????

Carla said...

VE, Let that imagination run wild. I know it will regardless. And yes, the possibilities...ah.

Tracey, One must always stay curious about those unknown men. ;-)

Indigo said...

WOW! :)

Great photography and neat story. I liked it a lot!

Carla said...

Indigo, Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Annie Wicking said...

Wow, I enjoyed read this write us some more, please.

Best wishes
Annie

Carla said...

Annie, So nice to hear from you. More is on its way.