Short stories

Rowans story

"Push him off! Push him off!" The small crowd chanted, getting increasingly louder and more violent with every repetition of the words.

"Take note. This is what happens to people who become astray from the rules." The high chief called out. Then he swiftly turned, roughly shoving the boy who stood there off the edge of the cliff. He fell for a few moments before he splashed headfirst into the waters.

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  There was this little island in the middle of the ocean. It wasn't a very big island, only spanning around 50 miles across and 50 miles wide. A village was planted on the west side of the island, a few fields beside it, but the rest of the island was luscious greenery, tall trees, and dense forests. On the far west side of the island, past the village, it curved down to a beach where a small dock was made, but they only had small canoes and sailboats docked there, since they never went far from the island. Except for the beach, the rest of the perimeter of the island was a sheer ledge, and the farther you went east, the more the island sloped upwards, and at the far edge was a dangerous cliff. The waters below were very rocky, and the ocean waves slammed against it, creating a mist shrouding that side.

  The village consisted of around 100 people. They had been living there for a long time, farming their own food, making their own huts, and creating their own clothes from animal hides and wool. They had a variety of animals. The village was very strict, and had many tight rules, and if you didn't follow them, you'd suffer the consequence, which would ensure you would never, ever, consider doing it again. Some rules were common ones, like don't steal, don't vandalize. Some were more strict, like every family is ensured the same amount of everything. Every family had a duty to help farm and manage the animals, but everyone would take an equal amount of everything gathered. So a socialism community basically. They didn't tolerate any bad behavior, any outspoken words, and no uprisings. Just to try and keep the peace and maintain the small, secluded community.

  Rowan sprinted quickly down the well packed dirt street. It was worn from it being the busiest street in the town, but this early in the morning, no one was on it yet.

  Rowan had a mischievous smile on his face, having just stolen half a dozen eggs from the community chicken coop that was located next to the main building of the town. And to top it off, he opened the door, gave the chickens a scare, and took off. The chickens were all frenzied, and began running all through the town. His thoughts were confirmed when he heard panicked shouts from behind him, then more panicked voices calling for help to catch the chickens. Rowan was pleased with himself. He had gotten eggs, released the chickens, all without being caught or seen.

  Rowan was very mischievous. He had stolen milk from the cows before, cut imprints of smiley faces into the sheeps wool, colored the goats horns purple, made large fake pawprints leading through the town, and no one ever did figure out how the chief's shoes got onto the roof of the main building. Rowan never got caught on these either, being careful to not be seen, and to dispose of any of the evidence and items he had used. Now, running with the eggs tucked in the front of his shirt, he planned to go into the woods, make a fire and eat them.

  Rowan glanced behind him, still hearing the shouting, when he slammed into something. It felt like hitting a brick wall, and he bounced back. He stumbled until he righted himself, turning his head around, then slowly looked up into the face of a large, towering man looking sternly back down at him. Rowan then felt panic as he realized most of the eggs that were in his shirt had cracked, and were now dripping down the front of him.