This is the 4th (and final?) part of my series 'The Clock Ticks On', those who haven't read the first 3 parts are encouraged to do so, you can find the first one here 1
Thanks!2
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I stood out here once before
With my head held in my hands
For all that I had known of this place
I could never understand4
Stacey stood up, surveying the scene around her. Darkness enveloped her very being like a cloak of madness, yet in the distance a flickering glow illuminated her path forward. Realization crept through her stunned revere, and she knew that she was dead. No mortal being could survive the madness she had created. The inky black cloak above her head was speckled with stars, and for a moment she wondered if she was back in the woods. But a quick survey of her surroundings revealed an empty field surrounded with flowing hills. Off in the distance the red glow of a great fire drew her attention, and slowly she made her way towards it.5
On the hills the fires burned at midnight
Superstition plagued the air
Sparks fly as the fires burn at midnight
The stars are out and magic is here"6
Jason shook his head, trying to clear the fog. Quickly the sound of snapping twigs and the occasional popping of dry wood reached him, and he soon realized that he was in a deserted village. Smoke filled his lungs and he doubled up, his chest racked with coughs. Tears streamed from his eyes as he searched for the flames that threatened to engulf him, and with a start he saw that the village was not entirely deserted, it was alive with fire. The flames themselves seemed sentient, creeping towards him with a subtle shimmering of malice.7
I wished on the seven sisters
Bring to me wisdom of age
All that's locked within the book of secrets
I longed for the knowledge of a sage8
She knew immediately that he was in trouble. The moment she saw the flames flickering high into the sky, her every nerve screamed in fear. This was no normal fire; she knew this as instinctively as she knew this was no normal place. Here she would find him, here she would see him. And, it seemed, here she would lose him.9
"No", she screamed at the dark, foreboding sky.10
"Help me", her eyes scanned the stars above her, but they seemed as far as she was from home.11
So, the sisters smiled to themselves
And they whispered as they shone
And it was from that very instant
I knew I would never be alone12
"Prove yourself worthy, little one", a voice whispered in Stacey's ear, and she knew that her time was not yet up.13
"How?" she asked to the sullen emptiness, while gazing at the sickly red glow of the fire as it consumed the deserted village.14
"Make a choice", it answered. With this she set off running, for she had noticed something in the clearing. 15
Something she knew to be the answer.16
Slowly backing up, his gaze never leaving the flames, his back met resistance, and Jason glanced behind him. He was standing next to a pole. Behind it the flames were already reaching the edges of the clearing, and it was only a matter of moments before they would have him in their deadly grasp. Standing there, silently entranced by his eminent demise, a blue object blew across his vision, and he glanced up.17
A blue ribbon, tied to the pole, was gently fluttering in the hot currents of the flames.18
Without thinking he grasped it, wishing he could see her for one last time.19
Many stars were long forgotten
Many faded and became ghosts
Still my sisters glittered down from heaven
Always there when I needed them most20
Flames surrounded her and the heat was unbearable. She knew she had to get beyond them, but they were too much. She hesitated, wishing there was a way she could get through.21
"Feel no sorrow, feel no pain, feel no hurt, there's nothing gained, only love will then remain", she said. And ran.22
Stacey entered the clearing at a dead run, her every emotion alive with pure fear, and pure love. For him. She did not see the flames that were already consuming her. She never noticed him grasping the blue ribbon. And she never noticed the blindingly white light that engulfed him as he did. All she knew was that the maypole would save him.23
Grasping the pole, she wished that she could see him one last time before the fire ended her life.24
Cloak and dagger,
No fear of freedom,
Hearts beat in another time25
In the light that comes from understanding, a pure love surrounded them both. They were together at last, yet not as they would have hoped, but better: forever, eternal.26
The fire consumed the village, leaving it scarred and pitted for years. 27
So it stayed for centuries. Until a young boy walked its grounds, where his eyes fell upon a long pole in the clearing. A single ribbon fluttered gently in the breeze...28
Leaves turn to red,
The nights are getting colder,
Seasons will change,
The clock ticks on...
Leaves fill the trees as the days are getting warmer,
Days turn to years,
The clock ticks on...29
~~~ The End? ~~~30
Author notes
First off, I'd like to thank everybody who insisted that I turn this into a series. Can't deny the fans what they want, now can I? ;) Thanks to Lacyte who did all the spellchecking, all mistakes are entirely her fault *grin* And to all you who followed this series, thanks. Update: I really liked this story line... maybe, somehow, someway, I'll revive it... hopefully keeping to the suspense and powerful imagery that has brought this story to life for so many... to those that wish more.. be careful what you wish for ;)
What did you think? Please comment!
Comments
1 - 12 of 12
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Amazing
This had me hanging on from the first verse of what I gather was her song, amazing story, hell amazing imagination, all the best and yeah I will comment on the rest of the series if it's anything like this one, kinda read this one first, but like the way it ended
Edited on Oct 02, 9:55 because ''. -
Great ending, beautiful and full of emotion, just like I like it. The fire was a stunning symbol of love and loss. Burning and destroying yet creating and supporting. (Does that make any sense?
) Anyways great work!!
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this is AMAZINGLY well-written! seriously! some real writing! i wish i'd read the first 3 parts lol!! i might go back after the contest closes... for now, i have three more entries to read LOL!! good luck!!
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Wonderful
Wow! That is such a great ending. It ties it all together. What an absolutely wonderful series. You are such a talented writer! It was so sad and yet so beautiful. They shall stay together forever. yay! It's just so different and unique. I just love it! Great job! -
Awwwww... How sad!!!! Makes me want to cry for Stacey and Jason!!! I think this was a really original idea for a story, and I'm really glad you took it as far as you did. I am, of course, a little sad not to know how they spend eternity, but that's alright.
There were a few mistakes with punctuation and run-ons, but it was such a beautiful story that I barely noticed or minded.
I love how the story was a circle!!! That makes me happy. And sad. Great job, my friend, and keep writing! I hope this means your dry spell is over?!?!?
Kyla -
Aw, I liked this a lot. I love how it was pieced together. And the ending, too. Thank you for sharing it, it's amazing!
Good job.
-Kat -
You did a exeedingly good job at stringing all your ideas together, very nicely written story. Very discriptive, and interesting to read. I loved teh way you ended this sory.
Much enjoyed, and thank you very much indeed for sharing.
[This is my first critique, how did i do?]
Great from Marianne
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I think you did a tremendous job of fusing prose and poetry together -- and this is something that I, myself, have attempted on many an occasion. Keep experimenting, and please never hold anything back. If you work on it, who knows what you may accomplish?
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This was great!!! How wonderful you have written all of these great pieces. So sad with great emotion and so descriptive and interesting. wonderful Page!!! another great part of the story. I love how you ended it. thank you again for sharing this.
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This is very interesting. I like the descriptions a lot. It is sad, but happy and very exciting. Great Job on this piece.
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Very exciting! I enjoyed every second of it..Too bad you've decided to end it...Hope to see more from you soon!!
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BRILLIANT
Ah! At last! Another part of this enticing tale... a pity that you have decided to end it. But it is very beautiful, my friend! Truly a very enticing story, one that will keep us pondering for a long, long time. Thanks.
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