Award Winning Author

My photo
Karen Dales is the Award Winning Author of "The Chosen Chronicles" which include "Changeling: Prelude to the Chosen Chronicles," "Angel of Death: Book One of the Chosen Chronicles," and "Shadow of Death: Book Two of the Chosen Chronicles." She is currently at work on "Thanatos: Book Three of the Chosen Chronicles" and a Historical Romance set in Edo Japan.
Karen loves receiving emails from fans. If you'd like to email her:

karendales@karendales.com

www.karendales.com

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

The Dark: A Short Story for Hallowe'en

THE DARK 


I wrote the following flash fiction to see if I could. I hope you enjoy it!

The freezing stone floor set off a spasm of shivering and she awoke, unknowing of her surroundings for they were as pitch. Panic set in. She had been walking to her car. Where was she? How did she get here? Don't panic, she thought in an effort to quiet her malleate heart. Turning over, she crawled on all fours, her hands burning on the cold as they fluttered to feel what she could not see.

Knees aching, her hands scraped against a wall as firm and steadfast as the floor. She whimpered. She needed to get out; needed to be free; needed to bathe in the warm summer sun. 

Following the right angled path of wall and floor, she scrabbled to gain purchase of her surroundings. No sound except for her panicked breath, rasping clothes and tapping fingers, filled her consciousness. She flailed about, searching for a break in the wall, a difference between frozen stone and a possible wooden door, but found none. 

Stumped, unknowing how many circuits of the small room she had spun, she grasped the wall before her and pulled herself up. If there was no indication in the blackness of a door near the floor, then maybe there would be one higher up. Again, hands outstretched before her, she circumambulated the midnight stone room. 

Nothing.

No door. No window. No way in. No way out.

How did I get here? WHERE AM I?! Her mind cried out.

A rasping sound, far above, followed by a chuckle. Something hard hit her on the head before a wash of fluid cascaded, splashing, over her. More laughing, deep and male, before it was cut off by the same rasping sound.

Her back sliding down against the frozen stone, she crumpled to the chilled floor, hugging herself, her tears mingling with the droplets eking their way down her face. She knew now she was captured, that far above, in the darkness, was the door she must have fallen through into this place, this oubliette. It still did not explain why she could not see, why all around her was atramentaceous.

Numb from the cold, her fingers brushed away a droplet threatening to fall in her eye and halted the motion at the strange feeling before her finger tips. Breath staggering, she brought both hands to her eyes and felt –

Nothing.

Her eyes were gone!

Only empty sockets remained!

Mouth opening, she screamed into the darkness. Her tongue was gone, too.

13 comments:

  1. This short flash fiction is chilling and Wow. As I read I felt the grip of fear and anticipated who was taunting her, keeping her hostage.Never expecting the conclusion. Kudos to the author on this one. Definitely sent a chill down my spine.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow! Thank you! I hope that if you like that short peice, you'll check out my novels.:)

      Delete
  2. Great flash fiction. Wonderful and chilling!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have goose bumps running down my arms. Thanks Karen!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Not only was I afraid of the dark before, but now I am going to be afraid to leave the house. This piece of fiction was gripping and frightening. I loved it. In the first few words you grabbed my attention and didn't let go. Excellent. Write more.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wish I could say that I'm sorry that you're now not only afraid of the dark, but now afraid to go out, but I'm not sorry.;P I'm so glad that my short story had such an impact on you!

      If you like that, then check out my novels.:)

      “The Chosen Chronicles” includes:
      “Changeling: Prelude to the Chosen Chronicles”
      “Angel of Death: Book One of the Chosen Chronicles”
      “Shadow of Death: Book Two of the Chosen Chronicles”
      Each book is now $.99 for each eBook.
      Kindle http://www.amazon.com/Karen-Dales/e/B004TG6U1Y/
      Smashwords http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/KarenDales
      Nook http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/karen-dales
      ITunes http://itunes.apple.com/ca/artist/karen-dales/id442956746?mt=11
      Trade paperbacks are available at most book retailers. For a full list
      please check out http://karendales.com/books.html
      "... dark...compelling ...that will keep readers turning the pages well
      past bedtime." - Kelley Armstrong, NY Times Best Selling Author

      Delete
  5. You definately have a warped sense of the macabre...love it!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Chilling little tale with great visuals (no pun intended). You wrought quite a bit of mileage out of such a small amount of words. Great work as always, Karen!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Someway I found it a bit funny ;)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I liked it even though dark stories really aren't my thing.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete