short story
Wide Blue Expanse
There were stories passed down from our ancestors, stories of a wide blue expanse, buffeted by wind, teaming with life, where natural predators were rare. We swam as far and as fast as the waves and currents would take us. We rested when the hunt drained our energy, rested when the storms raged across the water, rested when the current slowed our frenzied progress. Then we hunted, our dominance spreading over miles, our presence felt in the tremors of the water rushing behind us. Nothing that swam in the deep was safe from our gaze, fish fueled us, and we devastated shoals from coastline to inlet. Our ancestors hunted together, the water bore our numbers and swallowed our refuse. Then as the stories go, solitude became our path, each to their own waters, their own territory, their own beaches with sandy shores and slow currents. Those were the stories, the ones that we felt in our bones, behind our eyes, deep in our souls.
By Kavi Warrick3 years ago in Earth
The Greatest White Shark
It washed in with the morning tide and was left behind on the pebbled shore. The Boy found it while searching for creatures to befriend. Just yesterday he helped welcome the starfish to its new home on the underbelly of the big grey rock—much to the disdain of the boulder’s oldest resident: Mr. Octopus, who did not appreciate the presence of a new neighbor no matter how many arms they had. However, The Boy didn’t make it to the big grey rock today. Instead he was halted by a perplexing discovery.
By Eden Scrafford3 years ago in Earth
The Last Pear Tree
"A tree truly does give life," Camilla asserted to herself, as she walked toward the lone pear tree near the edge of their mountain compound. Her sandals crunched on the dry soil, to the beat of the groans from her shrunken stomach. A buzzard soared in a wide circle above her, waiting patiently for dying prey. Camilla shaded her eyes with her hands and looked up, "Vultures and buzzards are the only creatures to thrive, during this world-wide drought."
By Karla Bowen Herman3 years ago in Earth
Scratch
The scratching found me at the strangest times. It was like a broken record player that would occasionally switch on, blaring out a snippet of some forgotten song before falling silent again. Every time I would get comfortable, every time I would forget that grating sound, there it would be, like a discordant note or a hand from the grave.
By Emily Bearer3 years ago in Earth
The Mindful Hunt
The day began with excitement. My eyes opened to predawn darkness as my mind recalled there was a coincidence of sunrise, low tide and a rare day off from stressful work. I slipped out of bed to make a quick, hearty breakfast to take my mind off my stomach and to fortify my hunt. I then dressed for comfort. The only pressure I would feel on this day, on this hunt, would be the gentle pressure of coastal wind. I found my coat and grabbed my hat. I parked in my favorite secluded spot not yet discovered by other hunters. No one has asked me where I hunt or else I would tell. I swear I would.
By Tina Bruce3 years ago in Earth
The Vintage Diva
The foggy predawn air misted through the alley as she trudged amongst huddled shadows, other fishermen, headed to Wharf Street. Sam, short for Samantha, had awakened an hour before sunrise, gathered her gear, and headed for her first day with her Uncle Trey as a crew hand. There would be no pay as a fisherman’s apprentice, except the experience.
By J. S. Wade3 years ago in Earth
Just A Swimmin' In the Ocean
Have you ever seen the sunrise from under the water? It's pretty cool, you know...when I'm awake to see it. The current of the ocean sways and grabs the tendrils of sunlight, pulling them down in rainbowed bands of gold and pink and orange. It looks like mermaid's hair threaded through the first couple feet of water.
By L. M. Williams3 years ago in Earth
The Swim
The Swim Once in the water the four of us Emory, Tim, Josh & I line up about five foot abreast of each other, this will make it easier during the 5 mile swim back to shore to keep communication with each other and the boat, to allow us to watch for signs of trouble from ocean predators, and to watch each other in case of exhaustion.
By Christopher Chance3 years ago in Earth