Beacons

Synopsis: “Beacons” was entered in the 2009 Literary Harvest writing contest sponsored by Central Oregon Writers Guild. It placed 4th and has been published in the 2009 Literary Harvest chapbook.

The mysterious lights are based on a real experience I had coming home from the observatory one night. I never did figure out what they were. They weren’t really scary, just strange. Best of all, they are great inspiration. Hope to run into them again some time.

I’m updating and rewriting this story.

Story Trailer by: TruNeVar

Extract:

Blue velvet shimmered hope and promise under the tawdry light from an expectant full moon. It wanted her decision. Diana felt its draw pulling her gaze back again and again; a box which also contained sorrow, its gold band cutting off roads she yearned to explore. From across the room, she stared at what accepting the ring could give and what it could take. Much as she loved Emmett, she longed to walk those other roads. They called to her like beacons, haunting her peace.

“The ones less traveled,” she whispered to the moonlight streaming in through the unadorned window behind her. The sphere which lorded the night painted brilliant streaks over the ragged floor with darkened pools where the metal had rusted through. A biting chill wafted up through the holes like icy fingers clutching at her skin. She held herself tighter peering into the voids. Blades of grass quivered in the violent meeting of the dusk’s cool and the day’s heat. Then a kangaroo rat skittered by, its eyes glaring like signposts snagged in headlights; reminding Diana of whispered tales of spirits and wishes and heartbreak and tragedy.