Cliffhangers 19/3/14

Cliffhangers

Just Another Life with Katrina Boehme

This month’s writer is… Katrina Boehme.

The two of us opened the document and prepared to write. This time we did the interview first, while planning out ideas. I was unusually organized this time with all the questions prepped and a few prompts opened. This would be Katrina’s first time co-writing other than role plays and a story she just began working on with another friend.

“When did you begin creative writing and why do you like it?” I asked her.

“I have always liked reading, and I think it has helped with my love of writing too. I wrote short stories occasionally when I was young, but it was since I got a Creative Writing folder that I really started writing. I love writing because I can do anything and channel my creativity.”

Next, I asked her what the most difficult thing about writing was for her. She responded by explaining that continuing stories she has started is the hardest part for her. I’ve discovered this is a common struggle among writers. We have a knack for coming up with new ideas and never finishing the old projects. This brings up another question I asked, “Do you have any practices for trying to overcome writer’s block?”

“I definitely haven’t found the cure,” Katrina explained, “but one thing that helps me is not worrying too much about getting the book written and just enjoying myself. If I can’t think of what to write next and that makes me not want to write at all, that defeats the purpose of what I am writing for. I like to just look at some art or prompts and write a short story for fun, and that can help me to get back into writing.”

I asked if she planned on eventually publishing her works or using writing in some sort of career.

“I’m not sure, if I ever finish a book I may publish it, but I don’t think that I will make writing my career since I want to keep it as something fun and an escape from the real world.”

In conclusion, Katrina offers this advice to fellow writers: "Don’t worry about writing something as good as another author or worthy of being published. If you are creative writing, it is presumably because it is fun for you. So have fun doing it, and remember that you can always go back and edit!!"

Just Another Life

The light breeze brought thick yellow dust up to Loey’s eyes as she walked down a little-used road towards the Authority’s mansion. Roars of anger could be heard from the townspeople on a different road. Loey shuddered to think of being part of that tumultuous riot.

“The peasants are too easily angered,” she thought, kicking a stone in front of her. She wondered what it was about this time and what the council would do in response. She didn’t have time or the energy to find out, though, since she needed to hurry to the Authority and receive her orders.

Picking up her pace a bit, she sidestepped to avoid collision with a salesman and his donkey, and turned down an alley. Reaching a larger road, she turned towards a large cobblestone pathway, taking in the large clay building with tall palm trees circled around it. She hurried by a young girl pulling a bucket from a deep, enticing well, walking, instead, into the coolness of the shady gazebo. The Authority was waiting for her there, with women on either side fanning him and holding a drink.

“Ah, Aloisia, you have come. Yet you are late,” he stated, obviously bored already. “Sit here,” he commanded, pointing to a wicker chair that was sitting in front of him. When she did, he continued, “I suppose you know why you’re here, but in any case, I will tell you. I have a new danger to the community for you to eliminate.”

Of course Loey knew. This is what she had been trained to do since she had left her mother’s home. “Who is it this time?” She hoped that this poor soul was an actual threat.

“Oh, no one significant. Just one of those worthless beings that wandered into town recently. She’s caused some trouble among the citizens. They’re demanding that they have a right to be rid of the menace. And, of course, they do.”

Loey furrowed her brow trying to recall what new menace they could be referring to. “What’s the description and where would I be expected to find her?”

“A small, horrifying child with hideous grey wings. I can’t believe her parents didn’t kill her on the spot instead of letting this awful thing live. Anyway, she’s completely dumb- doesn’t speak a lick and has only caused damage. Several hundred already according to the citizens. So best just be rid of her. I wouldn’t know where you might find her.”

As the Authority had spoken, Loey’s heart had begun to speed up and heat ran up her neck. She knew exactly where to find the child. She’d taken refuge on her back-step the other night and this morning she had vanished. Rhea, the girl being referred to, had written and told her she would go to the mountains because she was scared of the people. Was this the one she would kill? She was just a child… Loey opened her mouth to speak but didn’t. After another moment of deep breathing she finally responded.

“Sir, are you certain this is who they are referring to? She’s… just a child.”

The Authority gazed at her silently, almost unbelieving. “And that is supposed to mean something?”

Loey swallowed hard. “No sir. I’m sorry. I’ll just be on my way.” She stood and walked towards the path.

As she stepped out, she heard a voice behind her. “You know what happens if I find that you haven’t eliminated her.”

Loey didn’t bother to respond. She knew. She briskly stepped out into the sun and walked out.

Loey stood at the bottom of the mountain and gazed upward. A waterfall roared beside her and she was glad for a second that it seemed to drown out her thoughts. She sighed.

“It’s not like I have any other choice,” she reasoned. And what did it matter anyway? She hardly knew the girl. She was just some street urchin that she had taken pity on one night. She really didn’t want to lose her job because her heart decided that the existence of some girl was more important than the choice of the entire town. She dug her shoe into the gravel and started hiking up the mountain.

Several hours later she found herself nearing the top, information flying through her head. This was right, wasn’t it? There was nothing wrong with this. Wasn’t the will of the majority more important? The girl had inconvenienced many. She would be a burden to many. Wasn’t that what they’d always been taught? The girl couldn’t speak. She was clumsy and caused damage. She cost more than she’d ever amount to. That’s what they were always told of those born with the Nu-Cremum Defectm, otherwise known as wing growth. Most born with the useless wings were also mute and ignorant. They were killed off at or before birth, and it was similar for others who would never contribute to the society.

But when she looked through her memory at the young, innocent child, she knew that none of this was true. Try as she might to convince herself that it wasn’t wrong, she knew that everything she had been taught was not even a little bit true. The girl was not only adorable, she had a brilliant mind. She was young- she guessed only five years old at best- but she had written perfectly and responded to all she’d asked. But did that really matter? She had a job. What would it matter if she saved her anyway? She’d only be shunned, shamed, and abused her whole life. Wouldn’t it be a mercy to keep her from that pain?

Loey looked up and saw the crest of the mountain appearing. Slowly she drew out a small crossbow like object, it was smaller than a usual crossbow and had a very thin dart on it. It was coated in a lethal poison that would work instantly. It would be painless and the child wouldn’t know a thing.

Just one more step, Loey told herself. Then it’s time. One shot. She’ll be better for it.

She could already see the back of the little girl. She was sitting near the edge of a cliff with her wings folded out around her. Her matted brown hair fell between the wings. Loey clenched her jaw and took the step but it shifted beneath her and she stumbled forward sending rocks tumbling down the mountain. The girl turned around, fear registering on her dark face for a second, but it vanished when she saw Loey and turned into a smile. Loey froze, weapon still in hand.

“Rhea,” Loey mouthed. Rhea stared into her eyes, then she looked down toward the weapon. Immediately the expression changed to that of confusion. She looked back into Loey’s eyes.

In her mind, Loey told herself, “This is for the best.” She placed her finger on the trigger as her gut churned. For a split second betrayal, fear, and helplessness flashed from Rhea’s face to Loey’s.

Loey’s eyes brimmed with tears. “What is wrong with me?” She wondered. She’d never cared before. She’d hardly known the girl. She gripped the weapon tighter. “Stop fighting yourself and just shoot,” she urged in her thoughts.

he took a step closer, but still hesitated. “This is wrong!” Her thoughts screamed.

Rhea suddenly lifted a wing as if to shield herself but her other wing did not cooperate and she found herself being dragged backward with an awkward weight. In sheer terror Rhea looked at Loey as she flapped her wings frantically trying to gain balance. For a moment, Loey thought she had shot already, and before what was happening could even register in Loey’s mind, Rhea fell off the side of the cliff.

Loey screamed her name, though she didn’t know why, and ran forward, dropping the weapon to gape over the edge of the mountain.

Contest

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And that’s it for this month! I hope you enjoyed reading the cliffhanger. If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments let me know in FirstClass through email or by posting in the Navigator Jabber. I'd love to hear your feedback!

Until next month!

~Brianna Harpel