When you enter this world naked and screaming it’s beyond dispute you have begun the inexorable journey towards death. Of course, we put a more positive spin on life, choosing to focus on the sunnier side of the coin, and say we are living not slowly dying. At the senior facility, prompted by a parade of daily slippage and indignity and a steady winnowing of peers, Janice allowed recently she had tired of living. In response, Hattie produced the pint of Fireball she’d bribed the attendant to procure from the gas station across the street, announcing, “I’m tired of dying.”
The night air became clear and warm. Invisible to the naked eye, millions of mushroom spores floated in the breeze. Some came to rest in the dirt near the corpse.
The spores sprouted and quickly grew to maturity. As the gills beneath the caps spread wide, the mushrooms released more spores. Instead of floating off in search of new habitats, the spores drew together and spun faster and faster, eventually becoming a whirlwind that glowed like phosphorus and crackled like lightning.
The corpse was consumed. In its place lay a living woman.
As his tires hit the gravel Karl’s eyes opened in terror. He jerked the wheel and corrected his course.
A couple of miles down the road his eyes slid closed until he felt the wheel jerk in his hands.
He thought about it for a minute before he rolled down his window allowing cold, fresh, air to wash over him. Karl turned the music up loud. He sang badly, loudly with strength, so much so that he woke up his date who was sleeping in the passenger seat.
“What are you doing?” she inquired with some urgency.
Powerful
So Tired, Tired Of Waiting
When you enter this world naked and screaming it’s beyond dispute you have begun the inexorable journey towards death. Of course, we put a more positive spin on life, choosing to focus on the sunnier side of the coin, and say we are living not slowly dying. At the senior facility, prompted by a parade of daily slippage and indignity and a steady winnowing of peers, Janice allowed recently she had tired of living. In response, Hattie produced the pint of Fireball she’d bribed the attendant to procure from the gas station across the street, announcing, “I’m tired of dying.”
Good one, Scott! I love the contrasts and the way you balanced life’s fragility with that glimmer of rebellion.
Thx. I usually write these in ten minutes but this word was hard for me for some reason, good challenge.
Thank you so much for the mention of Prompt Station on Writer Pilgrim's substack! Appreciate it much Caro!
You’re very welcome! I’m sure a few of your prompts inspired me. I usually credit a prompt when I remember, but I don't always.
Rebirth
The night air became clear and warm. Invisible to the naked eye, millions of mushroom spores floated in the breeze. Some came to rest in the dirt near the corpse.
The spores sprouted and quickly grew to maturity. As the gills beneath the caps spread wide, the mushrooms released more spores. Instead of floating off in search of new habitats, the spores drew together and spun faster and faster, eventually becoming a whirlwind that glowed like phosphorus and crackled like lightning.
The corpse was consumed. In its place lay a living woman.
The Faerie returned to the Realm of Life.
Oh yeah! This reminded me of The Last of Us, but with faeries. Yikes!
As his tires hit the gravel Karl’s eyes opened in terror. He jerked the wheel and corrected his course.
A couple of miles down the road his eyes slid closed until he felt the wheel jerk in his hands.
He thought about it for a minute before he rolled down his window allowing cold, fresh, air to wash over him. Karl turned the music up loud. He sang badly, loudly with strength, so much so that he woke up his date who was sleeping in the passenger seat.
“What are you doing?” she inquired with some urgency.
“Keeping you alive.”
This is delightful, Bill! You turned a seemingly mundane drive into a memorable adventure. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you!