Note from the Author:
I've decided to share some of my college work on Wattpad. These stories and poems were written over 20 years ago and are sort of a time capsule of my writing progress. While there are plenty of problems in these stories (telling instead of showing being a reoccurring theme), I've tried not to edit them too much. These stories tend to be very personal and raw. At the time, I thought I was being very metaphoric but, in retrospect, it was pretty obvious what was going on in my life when I wrote them. These stories were all created before I really felt comfortable with dialogue so they tend to be more surrealistic. These truly are some of my very first stories from when I was exploring whether or not writing would be a possible career. I hope you enjoy them. For more of my work, check out www.tomandry.com.
This is probably my least favorite story of the bunch. Probably because it doesn't say much about me as a person. But...whatever. The importance of this story is that it was one of the first where I had a bit more of a plan and not just some sort of stream-of-consciousness accessing of my subconscious. For me, it's a fun little story that gives me enough of the creeps that I can't totally hate it. Enjoy.
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The night crept, chasing away the last remnants of day. The trail became treacherous at this point, winding sharply upwards with a precarious drop on the right side. The flapping all around me told me that the bats had left their cavernous abode and were out searching for food. I felt reassured, knowing that the cabin must be close by.
The eight others had stayed behind when we discovered we were lost and sent me up ahead to find the cabin and return to lead them there. It took me a good five hours but, finally, I found my way back. Spying the cabin, I turned around, starting back to the group. The stars shown brightly, lighting both me and the cliff I stood next to. Looking over, I realized the cliff was sheer and I couldn't see the bottom. Picking up a rock, I dropped it over, but never heard it hit bottom. Again I heard the flapping of wings and I looked up, thousands of black forms blotting out what little light I had. I started to run.
The noise increased and I could feel the rush of wind past me as they flew by. Something hit my shoulder with enough force to knock me down. I lay there, grasping my bleeding shoulder, as a huge bat, almost three feet in length, landed in front of me. With a seeming smile, the bat wrapped its wings around itself, its eyes afire. To its left and right, smaller bats landed, forming a circle around me.
Flailing out with all my might I managed to knock a few off the cliff. I scrambled to my feet and sprinted toward the forest, still clutching my shoulder. Looking back, I saw the huge bat spread its wings, spanning an unbelievable four and a half feet. Looking up, it gave one tremendous flap and launched itself into the night, followed closely by its comrades.
The underbrush tore clothes and skin as I hurled myself toward the clearing where my friends awaited. Glancing upwards, I saw the smaller bats swooping into the trees to get to me, only to be thwarted by the thick net of branches. The large one, however, paced above me as steady as the moon, knowing its chance would come soon enough.
The landmarks became more familiar and I knew I was near the others. Throwing myself through the last circle of trees, I fell, face first, into the clearing. Landing in a puddle, I inhaled some of the salty liquid, choking, I pushed myself up. Looking around, I noticed that my friends had set up camp. A small fire burned in a make-shift fire pit with a tent set up to the left. The moonlight could be seen clearly through the opening of the trees above me. Struggling to my feet I called out to my friends.
No answer but the echo of my own voice returning to me. Looking down, the water at my feet had a slight tinge of red to it. I rub my hands on my shirt which is covered with red. I feel a drop on my shoulder, then another. I look up. Above me hangs one of my friends. His feet are bent around the branch and a blanket covers him like a shroud. Looking around, I see my other seven companions, all in the same state, all dripping blood.
A form covers the moon briefly, distracting my attention. The large bat lands on the tent, wings outstretched at first, unsure of its balance, then finally shrouding itself in its wings. It stares at me, eyes glowing red, as his comrades land around the fire. The embers of the fire cast a sickly yellow glow on each of the bats, accentuating every feature, twisting their mouths into wicked smiles.
I turn and run not caring where I'm going or what's in front of me. It isn't until I come across the path again that I stop to catch my breath. I grab at my raw throat and realize that I've been screaming the entire time. Scanning my surroundings, I get my bearings and stumble toward the cabin.
Even at a floundering run, the going is slow, given my damaged legs and throbbing shoulder. Luckily I hear no flapping the entire way back. Entering the cabin, I flip on the light and look around. Surprisingly, I see my eight friends there, feet still mangled and blankets wrapped tightly around them. They open their blankets slowly as their unblinking eyes bore into me. They have numerous cuts all over their bodies, some still bleeding, some not. They outstretch their arms and run towards me, their mouths open in soundless screams.
Running back through the door while slamming it, I rush back towards the forest. In front of me, though, are the bats. I quickly change course and flee toward the cliff. It seems miles away as all I can hear is the wheezing of my breath and the flapping of wings slowly closing behind me. Throwing myself over, I begin my descent, knowing that, in some small way, I've won. Glancing over my shoulder, I see the large bat in pursuit. I try to maneuver myself in a vertical position to speed my flight. After what seems like hours, the ground appears below me. Looking once again over my shoulder, I see the bat in the same position as I am. It, too, sees the ground and, with fire in its eyes, veers off to avoid its own death. I smile as I finish my fall.
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Cover sourced from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chiroptera_-_Zoological_Museum_(Li%C3%A8ge).png
