CM Simpson: Writer & Gamer

Last piece for the month - one that draws from Earth-folktales for inspiration, and then blends them with a little touch of science fiction, and just a little romance. Shiralee’s Song Shiralee sang to the stars flying among the trees. She sat on a tall rock overlooking the glade, singing until the stars clouded around, entwining their voices with hers. Their voices spread through the trees, but it was not enough. Shiralee changed the tune, honing it with urgency and offering it as a gift. The song rippled from the glade to the foothills, until the fey prince heard and stood at the base of her perch. “I came,” he said, and she descended. “Will you help?” “For a world where I can call your song at will? I will help.”

I couldn't help it...I thought of blankets and I didn't know exactly where this drabble was going to take me, but here you go, one drabble featuring evil equines, from the upcoming collection: A Nightmare from the River Lionus wanted his blanket. He’d dropped it by the river when the horse had come. Now he couldn’t sleep. It had risen from the water, hungry-eyed and long-fanged, chasing him with a ringing neigh. Lionus escaped when it tore it his blanket from his hands, becoming entangled as the boy ran, sobbing, away. Lionus watched it pacing outside. Waiting. His blanket nowhere in sight. Lionus watched it, hugging his pillow, instead. He was still awake at sunrise, but he didn’t dare go outside. He watched his sister leave, surprised when she returned, blanket in hand. “They only come at night.”

Today's flash fiction is exactly 100-words long...and about werewolves. Werewolf’s Pact Tyler had always wanted to be a hunter, but couldn’t pull the trigger. He’d dropped the rifle, the trap’s steel jaws were tightening…and he hadn’t been able to pull the trigger even when he’d held the rifle. His prey wasted came immediately to help, despite what he’d been sent to do. “Why…” he began. “Why did you not?” she asked, freeing him. “It wasn’t right.” “But your father…’ “Is mistaken.” He looked at the gathered wolves in human form. “We’ll leave.” “Or you can stay and live as allies.” “We’ll stay as allies,” his father agreed, stepping from the shadows.