More Fractured Tales stories!
The place is small… a picturesque rural town… lying between a dense forest and the ocean.
Shadowed green forest looks cool and inviting… offering shelter from the hot summer sun… or a place to walk and meditate under a lofty canopy of green.
The blue ocean is calm and peaceful… inviting to those who want to swim… or walk along the edge as gentle waves caress bare feet.
Dwellings are scattered… with lots of space in between… space to walk, run or even dance in the outdoors… yet with ample privacy for those who desire it.
Trees also are scattered… showing off the varied shapes and shades of their leaves… perhaps one or two shade trees near each dwelling… or several fruit trees for those lucky enough to have them.
Open ground is covered with a lush carpet of bright green… broken here and there by the wildflowers… resembling vibrant coloured dots… and small patches.
Grass grows tall… except in the places where it has been flattened… by the frequent pressure of motor vehicles… forming pathways where humans and animals walk… unhindered by restrictions of any kind.
The air is fresh and clean… with subtle scents picked up from certain trees… aromatic flowers… and the salty tang of the ocean.
Everything looks picture perfect… but don’t forget… things are not always what they appear to be.
ALAS… like a changeling… the scene is deceptive… with each beautiful feature hiding secrets… that only the universe knows… secrets that are revealed only after the sun has gone down… and the moon is hidden behind dark, rolling clouds
Green forest looks dark and foreboding… concealing – maybe protecting – all that lies within its boundaries… lashed by powerful winds… and battered by heavy rain.
Blue ocean waters now grow dark and turbulent… stirred by unseen currents… sometimes producing white-capped waves that lure surfers and boaters… waiting to pull unsuspecting prey… down into its unforgiving depths.
Quaint little houses assume an otherworldly look… like dark shapes huddled close to the earth… windows appear as small glowing red spots in the dark shape of each building.
Shade and fruit trees assume a different appearance… branches seem to reach out… just waiting to latch unto some unsuspecting being who ventures a little too close.
The ground seems to develop flaws… rocks not seen before… maybe pushed up by burrowing animals… but no burrows can be seen… holes that could be gopher holes… but there are no gophers.
Grass is whipped by the wind… twisting and winding in ropelike coils… around the legs of all who venture outside… creating tripping hazards.
Clear night air suddenly becomes alive… with things that chirp and buzz… and, if given a chance… will tangle into the hair of both humans and animals… causing irritation… and great discomfort.
The town is quiet and serene by day… becomes a nightmare in the dark… populated by unseen spirits that torment and terrorize.
Is this reality… or is it something you have conjured up… brought on by a fear of the night… or of the darkness… or perhaps by simply imagining what is not really there… it’s your choice…
