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This story is for Miranda Kate's weekly flash challenge. She posts an image as an inspirational prompt for writing a story. This is from Miranda's post:
This week's picture prompt was a photograph taken by someone called @hasmodia on instagram. In the link to their IG page, it takes you the shot of the whole tree. It's quite extraordinary as the image has not been altered and it is exactly as they found it.
Here's a link to the prompt image. It's been a while since I've had time to do one of these, so when the story popped into my brain, I quickly wrote it down before I was distracted by other obligations. Horror, for sure.
"So,
tell me. What do you think?"
"Oh,
Joshua, this place is amazing! I've never seen trees like this. Some of them
even look like they have faces. And this glade! The moss, the flowers—it's so
lovely."
"You
know, Miriam, somehow I knew you would like it here. I suppose being an artist
you can appreciate the forms, the shapes, the colors."
"I
could spend months just drawing and painting them."
"Well,
let me spread the blanket out. We can have our lunch here and enjoy their
beauty. I have some bread and cheese," Joshua said, holding up a basket.
"And a small bottle of wine."
With
the blanket unfurled and the basket opened, the couple sat together. Joshua
opened the wine and poured some for them both.
"I
do apologize. I only brought paper cups. I didn't want to risk breaking glasses
on our little hike."
"I'm
sure they'll do."
"Not
quite as romantic, though."
"I
probably shouldn't drink at all," she said, taking a sip. "You know how
it makes me sleepy." Miriam looked up at the branches swaying in the
breeze. "Has this land always been in your family?"
"As
far back as I can trace. But this particular spot is special. I try to take
care of it as best I can. I only share its beauty with those who can appreciate
it—and are beautiful, too."
Joshua
brushed a dangling lock of coppery hair away from Miriam's face, leaned over,
and kissed her.
"Perhaps
you're the one who's had too much wine. You're getting a bit bold, aren't
you?"
Joshua
grinned and replied, "Perhaps."
"It
does makes me wonder if I'm the first girl you've brought to this glade."
Joshua
sighed and said, "I suppose I should be truthful. There was one other. But
that was years ago. She really didn't understand this place. I don't think she
could see the forest for the trees, if you know what I mean."
"I
suppose. Were you in love with her?"
"I
thought so. But I was young—and foolish. There was so much I didn't understand
then."
"About
what?"
"Oh,
everything. The world, her, this land—even myself."
"But
now you're all grown up?"
"Well,
I'm older," Joshua laughed. "Still a bit foolish. I guess that's why
I kissed you."
Miriam
took another sip then licked her lips. "I didn't mind."
"Would
you like more?"
Miriam
blushed.
"No,
I meant the wine," Joshua said, holding up the bottle.
"Oh,
my!" Miriam giggled. "I think I misunderstood. Which means I've probably
had more than enough." She paused for a moment. "Wine, that is."
"I
could use something to eat."
"Yes,
I think that would be a good idea." Miriam looked up into the branches
again. "They almost look alive. More so than just trees, I mean. The wind
makes them appear to be moving, doesn't it?"
"It
does," he replied while cutting slices of bread from the loaf. "Perhaps
they're as excited to see you as I am."
"You
have had too much to drink, flattering me like that! I have to admit, though—this
wonderful place—I could stay here forever."
"And
so you shall."
Miriam
looked directly at Joshua. "Did you just ask me to—"
Her
sentence was cut short by the blade in Joshua's hand that had found its mark
across her slender neck. As Miriam's life oozed away, he took a bite of cheese.
The leaves above them shook. He walked to a tree a short distance away
where a shovel and an axe where hidden, having been leaned against the far side
of its trunk. He returned to Miriam with both. As he raised the axe over her
body, the branches waved to-and-fro, and more than the gentle breeze could
muster.
"All right, just calm down. We're all hungry here. I know it's been a long time since you were properly fertilized, but there's still work to do."
© 2021 K. R. Smith All rights reserved
