500 Words – Entry 24!
The story: Back to the Valley!
Enjoy!
Cole never wanted to return home. Not ever. There was too much history hidden under the dirt. Too many bad memories.
But yet here we are, he thought to himself and looked out over the valley. The trees grew thick and strong for as long as he could see. Below all the leaves and branches countless cabins hid from a world moving too fast. It was a place where times never changed.
He walked slowly on stumbling feet over a seemingly endless source of roots. With each tree he passed, he felt new eyes lock on him.
So, the lost boy decides to come home, a rough voice broke through the wilderness. In an instant hundreds of faces turned visible against the green. Among them one with wrinkles carved from one storm too many.
You know why I am here father, Cole shouted into the faces.
All too well son, the wrinkled man said as he approached Cole. You are here to show your new toys, and to take what the outside does not deserve. He touched Cole’s dark suit. How can you even wear this filth Kale?
It is called a suit father, Cole corrected the expensive fabric. Everyone wears it.
His father sighed. Everyone but not elves. Your desire for the outer world always baffled me, Kale. What can they give you that we cannot?
It is Cole, father. You know that. Anger boiled inside Cole just as the last time his feet stepped on these roots. And you also know what they can give me.
Yes, you told me. Cole’s father looked back at the army in the trees. You told all of us.
Cole took a deep breath and remained still as countless eyes scanned him.
We see the fire on your chest son. Not even the thickest of human coats can hide such horrors from us. The old man caressed the hard surface on Cole’s chest. I hoped for you to come to your senses.
Cole reached into his pocket and grabbed a small remote. Just touching it gave him courage.
Cole’s father gave him sad look. You are after all my son. In these woods lives your brothers and sisters. I hoped for you to spare us.
Cole laughed. You are so pathetic father. Do you really believe I would want to spare your kind?
Our kind Kale, the old man reached for his son’s shoulder.
Cole grabbed the gentle hand. He twisted it and threw the old man to the ground. The old man screamed. In the trees the faces jumped down. They all attacked the man who once was their brother.
A disgrace is what you are, Cole whispered into his father’s ear, he turned to the army and screamed. Do you hear me? You are all a disgrace.
The army flooded his body. Some dragged the elder to safety.
Then under all the screams and all the panic there was click, and the valley turned to fire.
DBJ 