Short Stories

[Hahvoc The Decepticon]

The Distance We Run​

There was this girl with a silver glow, and a one of a kind shine in her eyes. She liked to run through the woods behind her house. She had never known of love coming from outside of her family. Had never known the love of a boy that took her breath away. And so she ran because it was the one thing she loved and loved her in kind. She tied her black running shoes every morning after brushing out her long black hair and putting it into a ponytail, and dressed in her black running shorts and red wife-beater. She wore a single necklace about her neck with a small dragon pendent that settled between her cleavage and only bounced out of place when she ran. The only time things weren't in perfect order was when she ran. Running set her free.

And so she tied her running shoes, grabbed her water, said good bye to her dog, and headed out the door down the same path she had been running for the past ten years. But this jog was a little bit different. Someone else was running down the path with her this day. He saw her every morning and ran down the path that traveled along side hers. He wanted her glow, her spark. He wanted her love. So he decided to take a chance and see if she could love him. He decided to run next to her.

At first she didn't notice the beauty that ran alongside her and kept up with her strides. She was lost to the wind, her heartbeat, her pounding steps. But soon the added bass caught her attention, her music changing without her consent. She looked to her left and saw him, her mind blanking from the sight of him there. She had never seen him before and she was momentarily stunned. So stunned in fact that she lost her rhythm and tripped.

She thought for sure he would laugh and leave her there. He did laugh, but offered a muted smile and held out his hand to her. A spark ignited upon their touch and she lost her breath, looking up into his brilliant almost-black eyes and finding a shine that was one of a kind. They stayed posed like that for a long time, her still on the ground while he held her hand to pull her to her feet. Her smile soon mirrored his as he pulled her gently to her feet and pulled her in close, his hand touching upon her waist. She shivered and looked up, blushing from the closeness, the inherent yearning in those beautiful eyes. Hesitantly, she reached up and combed a hand through his spiky black hair, gasping at the softness. He smiled.

They never uttered a word, the silence too sacred. Their lips met of their own accord, shocking their systems. Puzzle pieces met and built up a picture of what would be- could be- should be. She took a deep breath and touched his skin while he touched hers so gently, so lovingly it was as if he had known her his whole life. The silver glow mingled with the gold glow, molding together and mending into something else- something just as beautiful. A certain heaven in the making.

Hearts pounded, skin slicked, breath labored, and adrenaline rushed. It was unlike anything in the world. The pair soon appeared on the other side of the forest, at the end of their run. A soft touch, a gentle kiss, yearning whispers. It wouldn't end here. This would not be the end of the running. They would run the distance together and hope and strive to be more. To be two sides of a whole. Nothing would stop them. They would run the distance together no matter how hard the path became.​

 

[Mr Master]

Re: The Distance We Run [Short Story]

Your genius is in the description. The little running ritual, the reactions when they meet. Some is familiar, some is unique, but all of it is well-executed.

Reading through, I was thinking it's a good thing it was phrased as a fairy tale, because real life doesn't work like this. Love and trust don't instantly occur with a glance and a touch. But by the end, you had them striving to be more, to continue. And that changed the frame of reference for me from "instant mutual love," which is a stretch for me to buy, to "instant mutual attraction," which I buy sight unseen all the time. I got the feel, by the end there, like it was the start, it was their first meeting and it was a spark, as you said, but they were willing to build on it and turn it into something real and lasting, and honestly, that's all you can ask.

Good job.

 

[Hahvoc The Decepticon]

Whirlwind​

Her breath had gone when she first saw him. He resembled all that she wanted- all that she craved. He came by in a whirlwind and took her breath away before taking a part of her heart. She let him. How could she refuse? He promised to adore her, to keep her safe and she believed him. She believed almost everything he told her. She had her doubts, like any smart woman, but she wanted to hope. She needed to learn what hope was again. So he told her he loved her, even if she was afraid to hear it. Afraid to accept it. He made her feel safe and secure in his world - in his arms. But was it all a sham? She couldn't be sure. Love can be blind, you see. But deep down, she believes it was real- even if only for a little while. He said he wanted her spark for himself, and she enjoyed that possession. That she was precious- the only thing worthwhile in his world. The distance they ran seemed endless, that nothing would stop what was happening. They continued moving forward- breaking down barriers and protecting their hearts. Every morning was beautiful and every night was bliss. But it wasn't to last. Whirlwinds blow by eventually.

And soon he was pulling away and yet telling her the same things. But she had heard those words before from another. The love was there...but it wasn't the same now. He wanted her to stay and so she did. But she knew in her heart of hearts that it couldn't be the same as it was before. Things could never be normal. Another had taken his spark- just like the one he had wanted from her. She was upset- at first- devastated. But knew deep down this would happen. Wasn't it always the case? Her heart fractured with every tear, every cry of pain and admission. Would she lose what they had built? No, she didn't believe so. It took her a few days, feeling so tired and drained but she made it to a point where she was okay- not all right- just okay. She could live in this state until she died, she felt. His accusations hurt like stab wounds...but she was okay. She just knew his answer now and she was resigned. It was all okay. Hurtful, necessary, but all okay.

And so she continued on, changed by the whirlwind she had hoped to keep but was destined for another's embrace. She held in her tears, swallowed her sadness and held her heart in her hands and stroked the crack that had formed. It would heal in time. She would be gentle, keep it safe for awhile and then open it up again to another's gentle prodding. All hope wasn't lost. Things wouldn't be the same, but they wouldn't end here. They could get past this in time. It would take awhile, but things could fix themselves in time. As she ran down the path they used to share together, she smiled to herself and spread her arms, pretending to fly. She wouldn't fly alone forever.​