My Short Short for the Day

She raced into the clearing, heart pounding, lungs burning, legs throbbing. She skidded to a halt just shy of the plant. It was beautiful. She started to reach out but quickly jerked her hand back. The warning rang through her mind. One touch, even the slightest could be deadly. It was mesmerizing, she lost herself until a cold chill raked across her face, snapping her back to attention.

She had to bundled it up quickly and carefully. She'd lost hours already. She pulled out the bag, arranged it carefully on the ground. Then putting gloves on she pulled out a small saw and began to cut at the stem. She was lean but strong and soon had the plant falling over onto the bag. She gently wrapped it up, tying it securely. She hurried off eating up the miles until she reached the pond.

The pond was covered in a thick layer of green slime. It would contain and eventually break down the plant, rendering it harmless. She found a large rock, tied it to the plant and tossed the whole thing into the pond.

Done. Now only 235 more to go.

My Short Short for the Day

The sky is so...so...beautiful. I haven't seen it in over 500 years. This is my last day so I thought I would enjoy, well, everything.

I've spent my life in the shadows, hiding, sneaking, avoiding being seen. But then I met Dag. I tried to avoid him, stay away, but he wouldn't let me. He left me sweet notes, brought me treats and made me laugh. That's what finally made me give in. We started spending time together and soon we were in love. Completely, totally and hopelessly.

Then he was gone. Just like that. Well, maybe not quite that simply. We were together, watching tv, cuddling on the couch and all of a sudden the room started to shake, smoke billowed in and a bright flash of light blasted through. We didn't have time to run. I couldn't even move, but Dag did. He threw himself on me. He saved me and did it with a smile.

I tried to go on without him. But I was just barely surviving. Until I finally came to accept what I had to do. I had to live. Do all that I had wanted to but never dared. I had all the time in the world, right? But Dag threw me off. He changed me. He made me feel alive. The pain I felt now was proof that I was alive. And now I need to live.

So today is my last day. I'm staring up into the blueness of the sky with the white, puffy clouds floating across. The air is so fresh and clear, unlike the dampness of the shadows. The singing of the birds, so musical and sweet.

This is my last day, my last day of waiting to live.

My Short Short for the Day

“Are you sure that's the one?” Ebby crouched to get a closer look.

“Yes, this is it. Just as Ilka described.” Serra carefully clipped the plant and wrapped it in a damp cloth. She then tied it securely with some twine then tucked it into her bag. “Ok, let's go.”

Ebby raced after Serra. “Wait up.”

They hurried down the pine needle covered dirt trail. The sun was just beginning to set and a chill settled into the air. Serra held the bag a little tighter to herself. Ebby tucked her collar tighter around her neck. They rounded the curve in the trail and stopped.

“I'm going straight to Ilka. You go home so Mom and Dad won't worry.” Serra said.

“But I want to go with you.” Ebby pleaded grabbing Serra's arm.

“No, Ebby. It's late, you need to get home.” Serra gently removed Ebby's arm and nudged her toward home. “Please, just go.”

“Ok. But it's not fair.” Ebby pouted and trudged off down the trail a few steps. A crack of a branch kicked her into a run.

Serra watched her disappear into the shadows before continuing on. Soon she reached the hut and knocked.

“Come in Serra.” Ilka's voice was weathered but still had a bit of song to it.

Serra went inside closing the door behind her. She set the bag on the table where Ilka indicated then gently pulled out the bundle. She untied the twine and unwrapped the flower, then stepped back.

“Oh, Serra, it's beautiful. Thank you.” Ilka reached out to skim her fingers ever so lightly over the petals. “It's perfect.”