Simon awoke no differently to any other day; alone, cold, clueless. Clouds of recent slumber still blurred his vision and his heart sang the same tune to his head, 'what now'? Reluctantly he swung his long lanky legs from the bed and whipped back his blankets, revealing his nakedness to a cold world of reality. What had he heard yesterday? That's right, the old man mountain climber, "I truly feel the present when I climb mountains. I feel the 'now'. That's passion. That's life."
"Fool." He spat out aloud, a little more harshly than intended. Simon didn't really think the man was a fool, just his perception of life. So withdrawn now in his thirty odd years in this world it was impossible for him to see anything optimistically, not like those freaks who run around hugging trees and kissing babies, telling the world how great it is to be alive then blowing the head off a guy at an intersection for not letting them merge. Or the Sunday church lovers; lovers of Christ, lovers of life, lovers of thy neighbour whenever hubby isn't around, spraying themselves over each other in a dance of sin. They have no idea on true love. Love delivers, love is, love drives, love heals. Karen had shown him the truth in all these. So many years had passed since their meeting and, eventually, marriage, and still Simon gets anxious immediately before Karen would enter the room, twitching, shuffling, hearing her footfalls and standing to greet her, as if he could, in some way, measure up to the beauty of her being. Simon had known a few women, became close to even fewer, none of whom had inspired him the way Karen does.
But she wasn't here now. Again, he was alone, alone and cold. "Get dressed you bloody idiot" he scolded himself. With heavy limbs and a weary heart, Simon Vale met the new day, one leg at a time.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
Unlikely friends
The scent of blood called to Darius. Slow footfalls on the soft grass of the meadow the only sound to be heard. Some minutes had passed since he picked up the smell and followed it. Unmistakable to the young Undead, he knew it led to prey, and the all important energy that it returned to him. With the sinking sun this night Darius had awoken with a hunger unparalleled in his short physical life. The fawn from the previous hunt had filled him with strength, but it had waned quickly and his being yearned for the life force to be replenished.
Senses keen the almost inaudible groan rang loud in his head. Seeing a large oak tree further in the direction of the noise Darius sprinted for it, legs bounding with seemingly no effort yet propelling him forward and at incredible pace. Beyond the large solid tree Darius could make out the panting form of large grey wolf laying on its side, the rich heady aroma of crimson life seeping from a large gash in the belly. Darius scanned the surroundings for competitors seeking to rob him of his find. Satisfied he was alone he again turned back to the creature, inadvertently locking eyes with him. At that moment Darius was filled with emotion. Through the eyes of the wounded animal he could feel its' own hunger driving him, could sense the heart beat faster as the scent of the large boar washed over him, the thrill of the silent hunt hitting Darius like an opiate, and finally the burst of fire in his own midriff as the tusk tore deep into his form. Realisation struck Darius like the morning dawn, this beast was a hunter.
Darius rose from behind the tree and stepped closer to the wolf, not to feed, but to observe. Crouching now he began to lay hands on the animal feeling the heat from the open wound, using all his will not to drink from such an easy source. As he neared the gash the wolf turned with blinding speed biting at Darius. Swiftly clamping a strong hand over the drooling maw holding it closed, Darius bit into his own pale wrist, allowing the blood to fall into the stricken hunter. The pressure on the clamped hand began to release and Darius lowered the large head to the grass beneath. As he did so the beasts breathing began to steady and the wound started to mend, knitting itself before the vampire. Glancing down he noted his own bite mark had already fully healed. As he backed away his limbs felt heavy, his head swam with the uncertainty of a drunken man, and legs struggled to hold the lean figure upright. Although the night was young, he must get back to his cave.
It seemed like an age before the sanctuary of his shelter loomed over him. Thoughts no longer raced and the weakness had ceased. All that was left was fatigue. Every portion of his frame seemed to weigh on him like stone. From a distance, Darius heard a long confident howl then slid helplessly into slumber.
Senses keen the almost inaudible groan rang loud in his head. Seeing a large oak tree further in the direction of the noise Darius sprinted for it, legs bounding with seemingly no effort yet propelling him forward and at incredible pace. Beyond the large solid tree Darius could make out the panting form of large grey wolf laying on its side, the rich heady aroma of crimson life seeping from a large gash in the belly. Darius scanned the surroundings for competitors seeking to rob him of his find. Satisfied he was alone he again turned back to the creature, inadvertently locking eyes with him. At that moment Darius was filled with emotion. Through the eyes of the wounded animal he could feel its' own hunger driving him, could sense the heart beat faster as the scent of the large boar washed over him, the thrill of the silent hunt hitting Darius like an opiate, and finally the burst of fire in his own midriff as the tusk tore deep into his form. Realisation struck Darius like the morning dawn, this beast was a hunter.
Darius rose from behind the tree and stepped closer to the wolf, not to feed, but to observe. Crouching now he began to lay hands on the animal feeling the heat from the open wound, using all his will not to drink from such an easy source. As he neared the gash the wolf turned with blinding speed biting at Darius. Swiftly clamping a strong hand over the drooling maw holding it closed, Darius bit into his own pale wrist, allowing the blood to fall into the stricken hunter. The pressure on the clamped hand began to release and Darius lowered the large head to the grass beneath. As he did so the beasts breathing began to steady and the wound started to mend, knitting itself before the vampire. Glancing down he noted his own bite mark had already fully healed. As he backed away his limbs felt heavy, his head swam with the uncertainty of a drunken man, and legs struggled to hold the lean figure upright. Although the night was young, he must get back to his cave.
It seemed like an age before the sanctuary of his shelter loomed over him. Thoughts no longer raced and the weakness had ceased. All that was left was fatigue. Every portion of his frame seemed to weigh on him like stone. From a distance, Darius heard a long confident howl then slid helplessly into slumber.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Fear and love
'If you see someone without a smile, give them yours.' - Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman
How true is this. Some of the most meaningful conversations i have had have been waiting in the supermarket checkout. Not necessary to trade names, or to judge by looks. Just open up and embrace the fact that you both exist, both are harmless, both are experiencing the same things at that time. One lady I spoke to gave me some advice on a particularly icky subject; family. I tried her advice and it changed the way I look at things. She will never know, but I am a better man for having met her. All it took is for her to impart what she knew, and most importantly, for me to accept it. And, the best way for me to thank her is to pay it forward.
Don't be afraid of each other. Make the choice between fear and love. No money or long motivational courses needed. No need to seek professional help. Fear and love.
How true is this. Some of the most meaningful conversations i have had have been waiting in the supermarket checkout. Not necessary to trade names, or to judge by looks. Just open up and embrace the fact that you both exist, both are harmless, both are experiencing the same things at that time. One lady I spoke to gave me some advice on a particularly icky subject; family. I tried her advice and it changed the way I look at things. She will never know, but I am a better man for having met her. All it took is for her to impart what she knew, and most importantly, for me to accept it. And, the best way for me to thank her is to pay it forward.
Don't be afraid of each other. Make the choice between fear and love. No money or long motivational courses needed. No need to seek professional help. Fear and love.
The kill
Darius leaned back and savoured the thrill of the hunt. Blood dripped from his relaxed jaws. His lean yet awesomely powerful arms cleared away the crimson fluid from his face one by one. Basking in the moonlight he felt the blood energy surge into his being, filling his body with strength and sharpening his senses. He would like to find another beast from which to feed, but the night air was chill now and he knew that soon he would have to retreat to his sheltered hollow. He gazed down upon the fawn from which he had fed, just the drained husk remained now, all the blood having been consumed.
Soberly, Darius rose and gazed about him, searching for signs of life in the near vicinity. Satisfied there was none he turned and made his way through the thick standing of spruce toward the slow moving river and finally up toward the large jutted outcropping of rock that he had made his shelter some three nights previous. It was here that he spotted the fawn so near to the water's edge. He grinned at the memory of the hunt, stalking and crouching low and keeping as silent as possible. Only when the fallen twig beneath his bare feet creaked did the fawn sprint for cover. Darius leaped and was able to chase down the animal with ease, ripping long claws into its throat and drinking deeply from the gaping wound. It took mere seconds for the creature to die, the writhing becoming slow and less rhythmic until, at last, ceasing altogether.
Standing at the mouth of the cave he observed his domain, once again for the tell tale faint green glowing aura of prey. Moonlight bathed the river with a soft pearly blanket of light and the terrain was easy for Darius to see. From his high vantage point he could see the river snaked its way past his cave and through the clearing to the left. Towards his right the rocks got steeper and much higher, beyond that, all he could see were the canopy of the oak trees that filtered the moonlight in the breeze. From his left a bat swept down toward his head, he snatched it from the sky before the bat could react and began to devour the life blood from the creature. Discarding the lifeless animal, Darius turned and set down at the back of the cave. There he waited for the bright light to emerge from beyond the trees above and eventually sink on the other side of the river. The night air beckoned him out, but the excruciating pain of the bright orb soon to come was more than he could bear.
Soberly, Darius rose and gazed about him, searching for signs of life in the near vicinity. Satisfied there was none he turned and made his way through the thick standing of spruce toward the slow moving river and finally up toward the large jutted outcropping of rock that he had made his shelter some three nights previous. It was here that he spotted the fawn so near to the water's edge. He grinned at the memory of the hunt, stalking and crouching low and keeping as silent as possible. Only when the fallen twig beneath his bare feet creaked did the fawn sprint for cover. Darius leaped and was able to chase down the animal with ease, ripping long claws into its throat and drinking deeply from the gaping wound. It took mere seconds for the creature to die, the writhing becoming slow and less rhythmic until, at last, ceasing altogether.
Standing at the mouth of the cave he observed his domain, once again for the tell tale faint green glowing aura of prey. Moonlight bathed the river with a soft pearly blanket of light and the terrain was easy for Darius to see. From his high vantage point he could see the river snaked its way past his cave and through the clearing to the left. Towards his right the rocks got steeper and much higher, beyond that, all he could see were the canopy of the oak trees that filtered the moonlight in the breeze. From his left a bat swept down toward his head, he snatched it from the sky before the bat could react and began to devour the life blood from the creature. Discarding the lifeless animal, Darius turned and set down at the back of the cave. There he waited for the bright light to emerge from beyond the trees above and eventually sink on the other side of the river. The night air beckoned him out, but the excruciating pain of the bright orb soon to come was more than he could bear.
Introduction
Hi folks,
This blog is all about getting your daily chew. Some small passages of thought and short stories to escape the daily grind. Thank you for Viewing and please leave any thoughts or comments.
:)
Steve Ryan
This blog is all about getting your daily chew. Some small passages of thought and short stories to escape the daily grind. Thank you for Viewing and please leave any thoughts or comments.
:)
Steve Ryan
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