Linx's Story Contest VOTE!

[Linx]

Please, I need a sticky for this. Thank you! :)

Ok... Poll is over, and we have a winner! Milliscent Congratulations!
(Please PM me with the design # off my site that you would like to have, and the finish color. I will get started on it this weekend weather barring.)

Here is the list of who wrote which story!
1. Milliscent
2. Aurin
3. Luminessence
4. BrigidMoon
5. Moonfire Shadowfox
6. Pele Rising
7. Verthandi
8. Marishae

Be on the LOOKOUT for my next contest to start the end of this month, beginning of next month. :)



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[Linx]

Story #1

My name is Chelsea. I was born to Amish parents, Abraham and Sarah Rector, in Arcola, Illinois. We moved to Chesterville, a very small town a few miles from Arcola when I was three. I am the youngest of seven children. My mother had a child a year for six years. I was born five years after Isaac, and was somewhat of a surprise, according to my mother.
Being Amish, our lifestyle was simple and very quiet, though I was what my mother termed a precocious child. I loved to sing and dance, and was forever flipping my skirts in a do-se-do, teasing my siblings and demanding attention. I suppose I flustrated my parents. I didn't mean to be such a handful; I was simply me. I loved living and everything about life, from the deep blue of the sky to the crisp colors of autumn, dancing in the freshly plowed cornfields and snowball fights in pristine white fields in the winter.
My hair was always a sore point with my mother. Long, thick and dark, it was unruly to say the least, and as hard to tame as I was, according to mother. She would brush it two hundred strokes a night until I was old enough to do it myself, and then I was expected to take care of it. Needless to say, it was a mess most of the time!
Being the youngest and least able to defend myself, I was bothered almost incessantly by the cruel abuses of my brothers and male cousins from the age of six onward. Mother had no power to prevent these abuses, and when I complained to my father, he seemed oblivious of my pain, so I took to wandering by myself through the woods and meadows of Chesterville. I loved animals and all that nature had to offer, and it allowed me freedom from the torments at home.
Once, I had been wandering through the woods, oblivious of everything save what was around me. It was late summer, and very hot. The sun was in the western sky, and I realized I had missed dinner and my parents would be worried and angry. As I turned to start home, I wrenched my ankle in a small hole in the ground. Wracked with pain, I limped for what seemed like hours, but made no progress against the horrendous pain in my foot. Along the path, I saw a bright yellow flower, very soft and furry, with a leafy stalk. Mountain tobacco. I had heard my grandmother talk about it once. It is more commonly known as wolfsbain, and I remembered something about it having healing properties. Unsure of what part of the plant to use, I ate the entire plant, flower and all, then curled up beside a tree and fell asleep. When I awoke, the sun was in the eastern sky. Morning! With a start, I jumped up, then remembered the ankle sprain. However, the pain was nearly gone, and I was able to hobble home to very anxious parents. Mother wrapped the ankle, and I was spared a lecture when they realized I had been hurt.
I was ecstatic that the herb had worked so well. Though not native to this area, a seed is all it takes to grow. I began to learn everything I could about the medicinal qualities of herbs, and before a year was gone, I was making my own potions and selling them to various people in our tight knit community. This took up a considerable amount of my time, and my parents worried I would never marry, which was fine with me, as I had no interests in men.
Our church order was very strict, and women were not taken seriously. We were little more then slaves to our mates, to be seen but not heard whilst the menfolk conducted their business. Crime, while very rare, usually centered on men dominating women, taking what they will, so to speak, with no consequences. Women that complained of ill treatment were, at the very least,ignored. At the worst, they were punished for standing up for themselves. See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil is the mindset among the Amish order. Sadly, this does not necessarily mean there is no evil amongst us; it simply means the church does not want to hear about it.
When I was in my early twenties, I learned my sister Molly, by then married with five children, went through the same type of torment I had as a child. I never knew because she was so much older than me, and married.
Her husband Nathanial, known as Natty to his friends and family, was an angry man, prone to violence, and she saw the pattern repeating itself with her own children. Her daughters were being abused by her sons and her husband as well. Not having had any help as a child, Molly was as powerless as Mother in stopping the abuse.
I was so angry when Molly told me this. Not wanting her to be punished by the church for 'complaining', I went to the church myself, and told the Bishop what was going on. He assured me the matter would be handled by the church and that I was to worry about it no longer.
Several days went by, and I learned from Molly that, while the Bishop had indeed spoken to Natty, nothing had changed. Again, I spoke to the Bishop, but he was not as helpful as he had been before, telling me what happened in the confines of ones home was none of my concern, and it would be best if I minded my own business if I did not wish to undergo 'punishment' by the church.
Well, that just did it for me. I bit my tongue until such a time as the church services were held at my parents house. Unbidden, I stood in front of the entire congregation and told them in no uncertain terms what I thought about the treatment of women in our community, likening the men to barbarians with no morals and no concern for the welfare of the women in their lives, then threatened to go to the authorities outside of the community if nothing was done.
If I thought this would shame the men in our community into treating us better, I was sorely mistaken. Right in front of the congregation, the Bishop told me to leave them until such a time as a fitting punishment could be discussed for me. I flounced out of there with fire in my eyes, intending to never return. However, as this was my parents house, I had little choice but to return. My parents told me I had been banished from the church, from their sight until such a time as I realized the error of my ways and asked for forgiveness for my 'sins'. I could no longer eat at the same table as them, nor would anyone in the community, including my family, speak to me.
That was just fine with me, I determined. No one from our church would buy my herbal potions while I was being 'punished', but I found plenty of business in town with the English folk, and pretty soon, my business was more prosperous then it had ever been. I even met a nice English man
named Henry Wheeler. I had never considered leaving the Amish faith before Henry, but suddenly, I realized I could have a life outside the confines of the church. As my parents seemed not to notice, or even care about, my comings and goings, I did as I chose, and met Henry quite often. Until the church noticed.
Suddenly, there were rumors going around that I
practiced witchcraft and black magic, and was bound to Satan and doing his bidding. My business of herbs and potions was held up as 'proof' of these 'transgressions', and I was called in front of the congregation to 'recant my evil ways' and re-unite with the church. Of course, I refused and told the congregation that I was leaving the church to join the English folk in town, that I wanted nothing more to do with them, including my family.
I left that very day, taking only a change of clothing and what herbs and potions I could carry, and met Henry in town. He quickly agreed I should live with him. It was all very proper; he slept in the downstairs bedroom, I had the
upstairs, and we agreed to continue on this way until we were married. But our marriage never took place.
Several days after I had left, Isaac came to town when Henry was away working in the mill. He told me Mother and Father wanted me to remove what possessions I had left in the house, as they would never speak my name again and wanted no reminders that I had ever existed. I could have simply instructed him to tell them to burn them, and I should have, for something felt wrong, but I
went with him nontheless. Perhaps my parents wanted to see me, to work our problems out. Not so. Just on the outskirts of town, near a farmers field I used to play in as a child, were two men I recognized as friends of Isaacs. Isaac pulled the
buggy off on the side of the road, and I was roughly pulled down by him and his friends, protesting all the while. After what seemed an eternity of abuse at their hands as they had their way with me, laughing and taunting all the while about how they were going to teach the witch a lesson, I felt a sharp stab of pain in my lower right side. A warm sensation crept into my being, and I realized it was blood. On that bright and sunny day, as I felt my life slip away near the little copse of trees I had played in a thousand times, I saw Isaac walk away, a look that can only be described as intense determination on his face, his hunting knife dangling by his side. Aside from a wisp of wind blowing a blade of grass, and a corn bin in the distantce, Isaac is the last thing I ever saw as a living human being.
I should have gone into the bright, loving light, but curiosity got the better of me, even in death. I watched them find my body, drag it unceremoniously to the funeral parlour and heft it onto a table. For days afterwards, people from all over came to view the 'witch's body'.
Before they buried me, I went to my father in a dream. I told him he had had a chance while I was living to correct the wrongs he had allowed to happen, the wrongs that had passed from father to son, and that father and son would now live with the guilt of my blood on their hands for time immortal. I guess that scared him more than I had intended, because what happened next surprised even me, and I was dead.
I was buried in the tiny cemetery just over the bridge, though no one except Henry and the gravedigger showed up. Henry's tears were the only one I saw for me.
My father came later, alone, holding something in his hands. Had he felt remorse after all, my spirit wondered? That was not to be the case. In his hand were two seeds. He planted them atop my grave. There was a surreal popping sensation, then I felt myself drawn, against my will, to the grave.
"You'll not disgrace this family any further." He said firmly. "These seeds will grow, intertwined, into mighty oaks, to keep your spirit from roaming. God forgive me, but Isaac will not pay for your impetuousness. An iron fence will
surround you for all of eternity, to warn all that should come near that here a witch lies."
That was the last time I saw my father. His words proved true, and I could never leave the area surrounding my grave. The years came and went, and I busied myself 'haunting' those who ventured near the grave yard after dusk, though they were few and far between. The oaks grew, intertwined as my father had predicted, and if I tried to venture beyond the confines of my grave, I was pulled back by the same popping sound I felt when my father planted the seeds.
In the dawning of a new age, when witches weren't feared but revered, my story leaked out. Soon, all that made use of the new tool called internet heard about the witches grave, and the curious came, but no one heard my cries of desperation and anguish. I terribly wanted to be
free, to enter the beautiful light I could see but never reach. I wanted to go home, to never see the moon above me again, to never again feel the cold depths of the earth that had been my home for over a hundred years. I had done no wrong save speak my mind, and the ones that had done this terrible thing to me had long passed on. I
wanted revenge, but more than that, I wanted to be free. So I decided that if I was freed, I would forego revenge and concentrate on a blessed eternity of peace. Though to taunt the villagers in Chesterville would have been oh, so much fun!
One day, a woman and two girls came. Another of the curious, I thought, and tried to drive her away with the screeching of a thousand crows, but she stayed awhile, standing at my grave, and then left. Not long after that, she came back and read a beautiful poem, then placed the paper with the
poem on it at the base of the trees as far down into the ground as she could push it.

"Spirit of the tree,
release the soul you rest upon.
Set her free and give her peace.
Evil grows not in the ground
and a tree can't hold
a good spirit down.
Not one that is just,
whose words were spoken in
truth.
the tree is a symbol
of a God that is just;
a symbol of love and a symbol of
trust.
Do not be held down
by the superstitions of man
for man is a symbol of evil and
lust.
Come forth this day, leave it all
behind and continue your
journey through the
catacombs of time..."

Later that night, when the moon was full, I felt that familiar popping sensation, and my spirit began to rise. Through the earth and above the trees, into the sky and toward the moon. I now continue on the journey so long denied to me, and I am free.

[Linx]

Story #2

The old crone shambled along the moonlit path. Deeper and deeper into the woods she ventured, every step torture to her old frame. For much of her life she had ventured monthly along this very path, her rolling gait as a youth transformed over the years into her current shamble.

This path was quite special, known only to a few and it's true purpose to fewer still. It led to a grove in the depths of the forest, but not just any old grove. The grove was a sacred place, ringed with oaks that reached their long arms over a mystic well that dominated the scene.

Tonight the old crone was going to that well, she knew, for the last time. Her shamble never faltered as she thought about the events of her life. Her joys, triumphs, loses and tragedies. All of them were learning experiences that she rejoiced in and loved. She had always embraced the land around her, the wonder of nature. She observed it's cycles as they passed and celebrated each as a new beginning.

She realized, over time, that her own life was a mimic of that cycle - Growing, living and yes, eventually dying. It was her time now - quite soon. She felt it coming and wanting to say her goodbyes to the thing she truly loved most - nature.

Bye and bye the grove came closer, each shaky footstep a triumph of it's own for the old woman. Finally it was upon her and a smile broke from her craggy faced, lined with age and wisdom.

The spring was bordered by rocks and was a mute tribute to natural beauty. One could say many things about this place - but the thing she said most often was that it made her heart sing.

In truth that was not all it made sing. Slow and low a melodic chant escaped her lips without so much as a conscious thought from her. She stood at the edge of the grove and disrobed. She might be old but she was proud of her body and the clothes she had worn only served to obscure her from the nature around her.

Disrobed and chanting she moved in a slow spiral toward the spring. She rejoiced in the energy of this place, of nature itself. The moon above was clear and full and illuminated the grove wonderfully. As she moved closer and closer still to the spring clouds appeared in the sky above. They circled majestically in the sky above, caressing the edge of the moon but never obscuring it.

Crickets chirped a natural accompaniment to her chant, clouds swirled above and with ever footstep energy crackled in the air. Lightning danced in the clouds above as if to partner with the slow beat her shuffling created.

At last she reached the well, her chant a crescendo, lightning racing through the chaotic clouds above. Suddenly all was silent save for a single peal of thunder. The old crone had passed at her crescendo. She fell limp and lifeless into the spring before her. Her body became covered with the cool waters. A single moment of timed passed before another bolt of thunder tore out of the sky.

Unlike it's celestial brethren this bolt of magnificent energy seemed to come from the moon itself, falling free from the heavens to strike the water of the spring, nimbly evading outstretched branches and peaked rocks.

Another moment and it happened; the old woman emerged from the waters, gasping madly for the life-giving air. The water surged off of her form and revealed that she had changed greatly. Her body had become young again, her hair once gray turned into an earthy brown. The creases and lines of age had vanished leaving supple and toned skin. She floundered for a moment until she came to lie upon the rocks by the spring.

Her hand curled under her chin in curiosity as she looked at the heavens above. Tiny vestiges of the previous lightning still played amongst the clouds as she lay there.

"Who am I," She wondered to herself, " and what are these beautiful things I see around me?" She had many questions about the world around her and many more about things that she couldn’t see. Her questions, though, are for another time.

For now, her rebirth was complete; her cycle began anew once more.

[Linx]

Story #3

Come, the storm whispered. Come now. Come to me.

Kayta responded in her mind, as she always did, despite her efforts to let it go, leave it alone, let this flicker of thoughts less than sane pass her by. I belong to the earth, she rebutted in her mind, reminding herself of the millions of times she had depressed herself after an argument with the same mental chatter, thinking about all the clever things that she could have said, should have said. Only this argument had never happened, and would never happen. Was not happening. But could she say that, given that she was a willing participant in the very argument that was not happening? And why was it that arguments with forces of nature always seemed saner while they were happening, sane enough that her desire to dismiss the whole thing as silly and withdraw from the conversation was not strong enough to draw her away?

I belong to the material world, the physical world, she continued. I strive upward, constantly upward, as all creatures of the earth do. Storms constantly move downwards; that is their desire, that is their power. I do not share that desire. I belong right where I am.

That is not your true allegiance, the storm responded, implacable.

I have no allegiance. I simply have a home. The earth is my home.

Static, as outside the storm began to calm. Then, lightning, and one clear sentence. Your life belongs to me. More static; then, silence.

Kayta's life did not belong to anybody. She knew that, for that was what she had been taught. She was certain. And her life most definitely did not belong to something as nebulous and ephemeral as a storm.

Still, the conversation bothered her, both because she did not like anybody claiming her life belonged to them and because she was almost completely certain it was all a delusion created by her mind. So she did what she did with anything that it bothered her to think about – she pushed it out of her mind and busied herself with mundane tasks to keep her mind just full enough that it could not come back.

As always, she almost succeeded.

Almost a month from that day, the next storm came, announcing itself with black clouds rolling over the mountains and thunder following close behind. Kayta felt the storm approaching. She kept herself busy all day. She told herself it was because she had a lot of work to catch up on, but that was only an excuse. She just wanted to keep her mind full enough that there would be no room for the voice of the storm.

Her tactic did not work. She heard it whisper to her, faint at first, growing louder as the rain began to fall, louder still at the first flash of lightning. Come to me. Come to me. Come to me. Now. Now. It was different this time – more urgent, perhaps, with a slight touch of anger beneath the words.

The storm shook her house.

You belong to me. You are mine by right. Come to me. Come now.

I do not belong to you! Kayta screamed inside her mind. I do not belong to anyone!

Everybody belongs to somebody, the storm sang in the howl of the wind. Who is not connected to some aspect of the world? Who is not owned in that way?

I belong to the earth, the physical world, answered Kayta. I have explained all this before. I will not go through it again. I do not belong to you.

The storm laughed softly as another flash of lightning lit up the world. You would have belonged to the earth, yes. But the earth gave you up to me long ago. The earth has so many children, and the rest of us have so few.

But this is my home. This is where I belong, protested Kayta, while she tried to convince herself that this conversation was not real.

No. Your home gave you up long ago. You do not truly belong here. The earth traded you and hundreds of others for a promise of minimal damage in the storm that came the night that you were born.

Kayta remembered her mother telling her about that storm – how it had seemed ready to tear the town apart, and then had suddenly faded to almost nothing. She imagined the earth, which she had always thought of as her home, trading her away. She thought about what this would mean for her, and found that she could not imagine what changes this would bring.

The storm lifted the ceiling of her house away, then the walls, one at a time, tenderly peeling them away as if peeling the skin of an orange. Her house disappeared in the storm, while Kayta stood untouched. The storm then ripped apart her clothes as it had her house, leaving them torn and scattered while Kayta herself remained unharmed, until there was nothing left but Kayta herself, standing on a floor that seemed ridiculous without a ceiling above it. Kayta bravely faced the storm, knowing there was nothing else she could do.

The wind began to carry her. Gently, softly, she was lifted into the air, around and around and up and up, and the world spun by below her. Up and up, until she was in the clouds, above the clouds, resting atop them like a queen.

She was the only one there.

How can this be my home, she asked, no longer trying to delude herself into thinking that this was a delusion, if people do not live here? You mentioned hundreds of others, yet I see no others.

The earth is stable, the storm answered, its voice so much clearer now. Now the storm did not whisper; now she stood within it and its voice echoed all around her. It favors equilibrium. Constant change, yes, but only within certain parameters. Its growth is cyclical, spiraled. Returning to the same states, over and over – think of the seasons. Yet the earth's children are always striving for the stars, and sometimes they return to those same points closer to reaching the stars than they were before. The children of the stars, now – they are an entirely different matter, and I doubt the children of the earth would truly want to join them. But that is not our concern.

A storm, however, is intense energy, intense focus, released in short bursts. There is no growth, no evolution. There is no return. There is only the release, the burst of energy that a storm is. The earth favors equilibrium. Storms destroy equilibrium. A storm is the antithesis of equilibrium. The lives belonging to a storm do not spend their energy in slow striving upwards; their energy is melded with the force of the storm, released all at once.

So the earth has given me up to oblivion, Kayta thought, not knowing or caring whether she was sending her thought to the storm as well. Death. That's what you're describing. She realized that she was talking to the storm after all. She thought about the earth, her true home, giving her up to oblivion. She hated the earth for that, yet she longed for the earth, for home.

Yes, agreed the storm. In earth-terms, death. But it is only a different sort of striving. A different set of rules. This is a different world, a different home.

Kayta struggled to collect her thoughts, to find some argument that would convince the storm to let her go, let her return to the earth, persuade the earth to take her back so that it would be her true home and she would no longer be tormented by voices of storms in the night. If that happens, she thought, if the storms stop whispering to me as they rage overhead, will I miss them? She could not find an answer.

The storm spoke again. It is time for you to become truly my child. It is time for you to truly come home.

She felt herself splitting, transforming, becoming unformed energy gathered waiting in the belly of the storm, and her body gradually faded from her awareness until she forgot about its existence entirely. She formed herself, gathering all of herself together, knowing instinctively what to do. She knew this would kill her; obliterate her existence; half of her was frightened, but half of her knew that this was simply the way of things. She was rapidly forgetting that any other goal could exist. She could barely remember striving for the stars.

Kayta, as bolt of lightning, streaked toward the earth. There was room in her mind for only one thought. Home. I am home.

[Linx]

Story #4

The moon was full and she just couldn’t help herself. She was being called and calling to it. She didn’t know what else to do. It was such a warm summer night. Work was tiring and made her irritable. She was glad to be home. However, she tried doing other things but it didn’t seem to work for her. She wanted to feel the moonlight shine down on her in her truest form. It’s not like anyone else could see. The balcony was almost covered with the greenery of maples, oaks and pines. She decided she would do it!

Quickly she lit a few candles, pressed her hands together in prayer and closed her eyes, mumbled a few words and then off she went. She didn’t even turn on the bedroom light. She walked into the doorway just about hopping on one leg to get her shoe off. She tripped, turned, gracefully landing on top of her bed. She threw her shoes into a corner and looked up at the sliver of moonlight shining down from the window. There was a sliver of window to be seen as if peering from the curtain. She rushed as if it were the last time she would ever decide to do something wild like this.

Of course, when was the last time she had? Maybe never? Oh wait! There was that time when she was a tad younger. She went skinny-dipping that one night. But it was pitch black. No one could see her anyway. Did that count as wild? Did this count as wild? Probably not but for someone as straight laced as Judith this was very wild indeed! She spent most of her daylight pent up in some university research lab. It was a boring job. She wanted to be someone. She felt this coming for days now, weeks even. She needed to get out.

She shook her head. She had to get out of these clothes. Perhaps this was her night. Actually she knew this was her night! The night to feel what she had been missing for years was here. She took off the rest of her clothes and grabbed her royal purple silk robe. She slipped into the robe and took a deep breath. It shimmered in the moonlight casting a white glow all around her. She stood in the doorway of her room peering out towards the balcony. Was she ready? That was the only question she had to answer. She turned her head towards the front door. The clock on the bookshelf had given off a bright green glow. It was 11:00 P.M. She had enough time.

She walked out to the door and opened it. She inhaled slow and deep, taking in the fresh warm summer breeze. The full moon was naked to the world. It shone brightly upon the fresh green leaves and blossoms from the trees. She crept out onto the balcony quietly. She could feel her hair slowly twist around her neck. It tickled a bit but she was too busy looking out into the sky. She bowed her head and paid homage to the moon mother. She untied her robe and let it fall open. She could feel her heart starting to beat faster and faster. She was excited. It was exhilarating to finally bathe in the moonlight! She slipped her robe off her shoulders and stood there.

She stared up at the moon. She “talked” to the moon in her own way. She blessed her family and her friends, her house, even her pets, and of course, she blessed him. She smiled and felt beautiful! She looked at the way her skin shimmered. She leaned up against the balcony and took another deep breath. She saw a bat fly out from the tree and dip down quickly. She heard the leaves that danced in the wind to the soft warm breeze the hot day brought before it finally ended. Off in the distance she heard laughter as if a party were going on somewhere. She wasn’t bugged by it or afraid at all. She felt as though she could fly; she felt that free.

He leaned up against her shoulders, “What are you doing? Reminiscing?” She sighed and nodded. Her hand went up to grab his. It was wrinkled and older than when she was on that balcony. The balcony and that apartment no longer existed. It was torn down to hold a new shopping mall now. Some businessman who didn’t know what nature was bought up the whole part of town, she guessed. That was years ago.

She turned around and smiled at her wonderful husband. She wrapped her arms around him and gave him a peck. He was a good husband that always knew what was going on in her mind. That’s one of the reasons why she married him. That night he had found her on that balcony. She remembered how he had come upstairs and rang her doorbell.

‘Who was that’, she thought to herself, “Coming!” she called out. She sighed. It had ended already. She had planned a grand ritual. It was over already. I guess tonight wasn’t her night after all. She quickly put the robe back on and walked through the doorway. She looked back one last time and blew the moon a kiss. She turned on the light and walked to the door.

“Who, who is it?”, she asked.

“I’m ….I’m a neighbor. Uh, have a minute?”

She saw him through the peephole. He looked handsome. He seemed nice enough. So she slowly unlocked the door. She peered outside and looked at him.

“I don’t think I’ve seen you around here before.” She shook her head, “In fact, no I haven’t seen you here at all. New? Or are you just trying to sell me something?”

He smirked and shook his head, “No not trying to sell something. I live down the street actually but…” He looked down and blushed.

She could tell he had seen her out on the balcony and her eyes widened and she pulled the robe tighter against her chest feeling very uncomfortable.

“You saw didn’t you?” she asked.

“Well, I. I’m not a peeping tom or anything. I just happened to be up in that tree over there.”

“Huh! What tree, where? I could have sworn….” She exclaimed even more shocked now opening the door and looking walking out to the balcony. He looked in and respectfully stepped into her apartment and walked out onto the balcony.

She turned around and nearly bumped right into him. She cleared her throat, “As I saying, I could have sworn no one was around. So which tree was it?”

He leaned out and pointed off into the distance, “That one right there. I almost fell out of the tree because this huge bat flew right past my ear.”

She looked up at him and perked a brow. “Well, I did see the bat fly out of that tree. That is definitely true. But the question is, what were you doing up in the tree?”

He turned to her and opened his arms and smirked once more, “If you hadn’t noticed there is this gorgeous full moon out tonight. I just happened to love the moon and have a love of taking pictures as well.” He lifted the 35 mm camera up from his chest.

“Oh! Oh…” She started to giggle, “I thought you were well…it doesn’t matter. I happened to admire the moon too. She’s very close to my heart.”

“And apparently your soul too.” He smiled.

She looked up into his baby blue eyes and smiled. That’s how it all came to be: Her on the balcony, him in the tree. The picture that led to many full moonlit nights on her balcony.

[Linx]

Story #5

I woke with a start and found that day had already broken. I decided that today would be a good day for a walk. Suddenly I found myself in a field and looking towards a forest. I felt this pull trying to drag me into the forest. I started to walk towards the forest; it was so thick that I was almost afraid to enter. Luckily though I had brought my flashlight, it wasn’t big but it would do the trick. I felt I had seen this forest before in my dreams maybe, but I wasn't sure. I had been walking for about 20 yards when I came to a break in the trees.
Once I had made it to a small clearing I saw a quaint little cabin sitting in the middle. I decided at that point to go and check it out. I went up to the door and knocked, but no one answered. So I called out "Hello? Is anyone home?" and still no one answered. So I tried the handle and fount that it was open. I felt this sudden pull to go inside. I felt as though this cabin was meant for me, a place for me to live and be happy.
I had never had that before. I was adopted by my Aunt and Uncle when I was two years old, but the only reason they adopted me is because they felt obligated to do so.(My parents were dead.) They treated me like Cinderella. I'm sure you have read that book. It was horrible; I did everything in that house while they just sat back and watched. They would then laugh as if I had done something wrong. They would make me do it all over and sometimes they would even make the mistake worse. I spent so many nights crying myself to sleep it wasn't funny.
But anyway back to where I was.... I found my legs carrying me inside the small cabin. I knew in my mind that I was breaking the law but it didn't matter. I quickly checked to make sure that I was the only one in the cabin before I looked around. This cabin was like a dream, it had running water, electricity and all the furnishings. It had a homely feeling, like the kind you only read about in books. It was beautiful; it had two bedrooms upstairs and a little kitchen downstairs right off the living room.
I had spent almost two hours looking throughout the cabin and was just wandering around the cabin when I heard voices outside. Someone was outside and about to come inside. They sounded like nice people but I wasn't going to chance it. They could be murderers hiding out; I mean this was the perfect place for someone to hide. I quickly jumped behind the couch and ducked down. I heard the doorknob turn (its amazing the things you can hear when you are frightened.) and heard it slowly squeak open.
I heard people step inside, it sounded like three people; two men and one woman. I thought for sure I was dead. Then just as quickly as I heard the voices they stopped. It was utterly silent except for my breathing. I sat there trying to hold my breath praying that they didn't hear me. All of a sudden the couch I was hiding behind was lifted and was face to face with the voices that I had heard. I scrambled up and took off running only to be snatched up like a child’s doll. I heard a loud thud and realized the couch had been dropped. I was sat down on the couch and being too terrified to move just sat there. If one of the men could lift a couch with no problem, what could he do to me?
“Hey now, where were you going in such a hurry?” The man asked calmly.
"She sure is a quick one!" The man that grabbed me up said with a laugh.
"Now you two behave. We have company and you've done scared the poor girl half to death." The woman said as she walked forward.
She sat down beside me and put her arm around me. I instantly stiffened and tried to avoid any other contact with them.
"There, there sweetie no one is going to hurt you. What is your name?" She asked with her voice low enough so only I could hear her.
" Rayne." I replied quietly.
" I know you... Rayne, you are a dream walker are you not?" One of the men asked.
"Y-yes" I replied scared that he knew about my nightly exploits. "Please don't hurt me, I promise I won't tell anyone where your hideout is I swear it will stay just between us."
"Hideout? This is just our home. Yours too if you want it to be." The woman said softly.
"But aren't I a little young? I'm only 20." I said beginning to feel more comfortable.
" I am merely a year older than you are. These two giants are only 22 and 23." The woman replied relinquishing her hold on my shoulder and removing her arm.
" But... I do not know any of you. Why would you want a stranger here among you?" I responded carefully trying not to upset the men.
" We were all strangers at one point. But we were all called here to be together. If you were called here as well there must be a reason. Besides those who walk in dreams are never really strangers at heart." The woman replied with a grin.
" Besides I need another to help keep these two in check." She added in my ear.
"Am I allowed to leave?" I asked quietly.
" Yes but the door is always open if you need it." She replied.
" May I ask a question?" I asked. " You just did but continue." The bigger of the two men responded.
" Is this a dream? What are your names?" I asked eagerly.
" That was two questions... " The smaller of the two men said with a smile.
" Hey now, you be nice. Now to answer Rayne's questions... Yes in a way this is a dream. But you know the woods behind your house? That is where we are. We brought you here in your dreams first to give you a taste of freedom. My name is Fae. This hulk here, ( Fae pointed to the biggest of the two men.) is D.C. and the other one, the one that grabbed you is Chase. Now it is time for you to wake up. But you are free to join us in life or continue to be with us only in dreams. It is only for you to choose. We will see you again...." Fae trailed off as I awoke. She spoke the truth it was only a dream....But how did it seem so real?
"Rayne! Get down here!" My aunt screamed upstairs.
I hurried to get dressed and ran down the steps almost falling in my hurry. I rushed to the living room only to be scolded.
"We have to go to town so you had better have your chores done by the time we get back. You will have more to do when we get back." My Aunt said as they walked out the door.
I waited until they left to run outside and make sure that I was awake. After I went outside I went up and took a shower to make myself alert. After I was fully dressed I packed myself a bag. I was done dealing with people who hated me. I had a taste of freedom and I wanted it. I went downstairs and packed almost every bit of food that was in the house. By the time I had all my bags together there was a knock on the door. I was so scared that it was my aunt and uncle having forgot something. I went to the door and opened it, but it wasn't anyone. I found that weird because I was sure that I had heard a knock.
"Thought you might need some help.." A voice said from the bushes. "Are they gone?"
"Who are you and why do you want to help me?" I asked the voice.
"Well we heard you had a lot of chores." The Voice replied. The owner of the voice replied.
The owner of the voice slowly stepped out of the bushes and I realized that it was Chase. Then behind Chase came Fae and D.C.
“Am I dreaming again? Please don’t let me be dreaming…” I said in despair.
“No, this is not a dream. Notice that the men are normal size now?” Fae replied with a smile.
“So it’s real? You guys do exist? Why did you choose me?” I asked getting excited.
“Hey now, you are making us sound like Fairy Godparents or something. Sorry we can’t make any wishes come true. By the way we didn’t choose you, you chose us.” Fae answered.
“Is it true? Can I really live with you?” I asked eagerly.
“Yes, you can live with us for as long as you choose. But there is one catch… it’s a little cramped as far as the bedrooms go.” Fae said sounding a little sad. “But on a lighter note, I will gladly let you share my room.”
“Well… Ok. I want so much to be around people who treat me like a human being rather than a slave.” I responded slightly scared.
But at this point in my life even if it was around strangers I would be happier than being with my aunt and uncle. I had mixed feelings about leaving with these people whom I had only met the night before in my dreams. But at the same time every fiber of my being was willing me to go. One of the first thoughts that went running through my head was, ‘What if this is just another dream? What if I wake up and find myself back with my aunt and uncle?’ But soon the excitement got to me and I was bouncing with happiness. I was finally free. Free of my aunt and uncle that treated me so horribly, free from feeling as though I was a slave, I was free! I knew in my heart that through the coming years we would all be close. I knew that we would be the family that I never had. I felt the strength of their closeness and the closeness of freedom. When we finally reached the cabin I was overjoyed. Just the mere sight of it strengthened me for the long road ahead to and through adulthood. I knew that I was finally with friends and that I was finally safe from my aunt and uncle.
Almost 6 years after I left that horrible house, and my aunt and uncle; I found myself here. Sitting skyclad under a glorious moon. As I sat there I wondered when I would ascend. When I would join my mother and father. My dreams had brought me to this point just as they had brought me to Fae so long ago. My dreams had shone me rising above what I knew and becoming more than what I ever thought possible. Chase and I ended up together and D.C. is married to Fae. So far everything has turned out just as I felt in my heart that it would have been. Those years that my aunt and uncle dominated my life I dreamt of finding the perfect place. The place where I would be safe from anyone who ever wanted to hurt me. Well this is that place. As I sit here and reflect on my life, I think about the things I could have done differently. I wonder what would have happened to me if I had stayed with my aunt and uncle what would have become of me. But looking at myself and knowing where I came from and not knowing where I’m going is exciting to me. I continually try so hard to make my life better and to help those who need help but I never realized that helping people took so much out of someone. I am still learning every day and still deliriously happy with my surroundings. Life in itself is always so hard to absorb and it is always so hard to take other people into consideration. I went back only once to try to talk to my aunt and uncle. But they no longer lived there. The people who did live there said that my aunt and uncle left almost as soon as I left and never gave up looking for me. By the time we found them they were both dead. I do feel remorse for not finding them soon enough but as I tell every one around me ‘Everything happens for a reason.’
Not long after we met the couple at my old house they moved out and Fae and D.C. moved in. They have a nice little family now and they still visit. Chase and I have a family and have been talking of looking up our heritage. We believe that our children should know where they came from. But as I’m sure you understand I must stop writing and find my true path. This is the end of what began. As I end this I look up towards the stars and wonder just exactly what life has in store for me. But my life is nearing an end and I know what I must do to prepare for that end.

[Linx]

Story #6

She staggered from the forest and found herself in a field of tall grass. As she collapsed to the ground she looked down at herself. Her shift was torn, and there was blood on her hands and feet from her journey through the woods… in her terror she had been blinded to the many branches and roots that impeded her way. “I don’t understand” she cried. She tried to think back to the last thing she had been doing before her panicked run through the forest, but she couldn’t even remember her name… all she could remember was the moon… a full moon, in a dark blue sky, calling to her.

A loud ominous rumble shook her into action… She looked up at the sky and saw dark clouds rolling quickly into view. The sun seemed dim and quite low in the sky…and the air took on a tangy, almost metallic taste. She knew she had to get out of this field… something or someone was pulling at her, driving her with a sense of urgency. She staggered to her feet, wincing as the pain from a particularly vicious cut announced its presence.

Looking around she could see nothing but sky, field and forest. Knowing the forest was not where she needed to be, she ran away from it and onward into the field. The sky darkened, and the wind picked up as she hurtled through long grass. In the darkness ahead she could see vague forms- black on black… and hoping to find what she sought, she ran towards them. The sunlight was almost gone now and in the night sky she could see a bright globe on the horizon.

As the objects in the distance grew closer she realized they were mountains. ”Perhaps” she thought “I will find some shelter there. Perhaps I will find someone who can explain what is happening to me.” As she reached the rocky foundations of the mountains, she could hear something over the roar of the wind. A pounding of water against rocks, “Those are waves, I am near the ocean” she thought to herself, and she knew she was right. “Here is where I am meant to be” she told herself. “I need to find … I need to find” and then she drew a blank. For a moment there, all became clear… she knew who and what she was and what she was here to accomplish. However, as quickly as the epiphany arrived, it disappeared, leaving in its place a sense of desperation.

“Why is this happening?” she muttered to herself…”why am I here? Why is this all familiar and at the same time so very frightening… why do I feel as if I have done this before and yet nothing is familiar.” She screamed into the wind. “Who am I?” There was no answer, just the rumbling of the storm and the pounding of the surf.

She looked all over the base of the mountain, and realized she had no option but to ascend. Climbing the rocks she seemed to find the footholds easily… “This is a path, I have traversed before”” she thought to herself. Suddenly she found herself unable to climb any higher, upon a slightly level area and in front of her was an opening in the rock. From the depths something caught her eye… shimmering as if there was light reflecting off water. Looking around her she knew she had to either retrace her steps or enter the abyss in the wall of rock. She crouched down and looked around her. “I don’t understand” she murmured… almost lost to the world in her confusion. She twirled a strand of her long dark hair around her finger… “I don’t know… I don’t know” became her mantra as she rocked back and forth faster and faster. The rhythmic movements lulled her, her eyes closed and her breathing calmed. “Deep steady breaths, in and out” a soothing voice murmured in her head. “That’s good, now again my love”… Opening her eyes she stood, finding the moon in the sky she raised her hands above her head. “Come to us my love” the voice urged. The woman stood on the precipice a moment longer and then stepped into the darkness that awaited her. Just inside the entrance was a small pool of water. Kneeling down, she cupped her hands in the cool water, and bringing it to her mouth, she took a long drink. Just as she knew it would be, the water was sweet, and she felt her waning energies renew. Looking down at herself in the dim light from the back of the cave, she grimaced. Removing her blood and dirt covered shift, she bathed. Leaving her clothing where it lay, she moved deeper into the cave. Just ahead she could see a light, brighter now, and welcoming. Moving around a corner, she found herself in a large cavern and in the center a small fire.

As she drew nearer the fire, she suddenly realized she wasn’t alone in this room. She stopped walking “Hello?” she called, her voice echoing in the large room. “I know you are here, where are you?”

“We are here my love.” And then she could see them, two shapes standing on the far side of the fire. “We have been waiting for you.”

She slowly approached the fire and then she could clearly see the two women waiting for her. One of the women was an ancient woman, with long silver hair, piercing blue eyes, and an air about her of strength and determination. The woman beside her was younger, her belly rounded with child. Her long auburn hair pulled back except for two braids that hung beside her face. Her eyes of green seemed to hold the mysteries of life in them.

“You complete us now” the mother stated. “We have waited for you. It was foretold that you would come to us with the full moon… and now it is almost done.”

“What is done?” the young woman asked. “What do you mean I complete you? Who are you? And who am I?” She pulled her knees up to her chest and hugged them. Suddenly not sure she really wanted the answers to the questions she had just asked.

“Why, you are one of us child. One of the Three- The Maiden, The Mother and the Crone… that is who and what we are.”

And suddenly with a rush the young woman knew everything, who she was and why she was here. She understood and rose to greet her sisters. “Together we are at last.” she murmured. As she spoke a clear bell sounded… a pure sound, unlike any heard on this world before. Suddenly above her the maiden could see the moon in the dark blue sky. In awe she stood, surrounded by her sisters, and felt again that pull to embrace the moon. Knowing her sisters would follow, she felt herself rising, her hair swirling about her, as she ascended into the night sky.

[Linx]

Story #7

She slipped away in the shadows as her tribe slept. Her feet padded along the path silently and surely as they had many times before. The sweet wind blew through the trees lining either side of the trail, whispering to her, enticing her. She fought the urge to run; walking was part of the ritual.

The path ended at the river. The rock face stretched toward the sky on both sides of the river. She turned back toward the pass she just walked through, but she was alone. Her camp would be silent in the valley, no one even noticing her disappearance.

A tree jutted out of the bank at an odd angle, curving up toward the stars. She walked onto the tree, balancing on the rough bark. It was a friend, someone she visited every time they were in the valley. She looked forward to her visits and she thought maybe the tree did too.

She sat in the crook of the tree and leaned her head against it. With the stars as her only witnesses, she whispered her worries and her frustrations, her joys and her triumphs to the tree. It offered no advice, but she wasn’t looking for any, merely someone to confess to, someone that wouldn’t run to the nearest gaggle of girls with gossip. The tears no longer came; they had stopped years ago when she was still a child.

A lone wolf’s song drifted on the air and she took that as her signal to slide off of the tree. Her feet slid beneath the surface of the river, scarcely making a ripple. The water was cool and refreshing and she walked along the edge, farther from her people, farther into her own mind. She was fond of her people; they were all like a large family to her.

But she craved solitude. It was a craving Mama couldn’t seem to understand and she spoke her fears to Papa. She spent too much time alone, too much time away from the others, neither making friends nor trying to attract the eyes of the boys. Fearing she was tainted, the others, some she had once called friends, drew back from her as if she were a mad dog. Her sister seemed to be the only one to approach her without fear, asking her along to gather roots or berries or herbs. She withdrew from her sister, fearing that her presence would make the other children afraid of her.

Tears finally filled her eyes. If she hadn’t withdrew, if she had followed her sister, she might be alive. It wasn’t fair, she cried to the heavens. She had only been a child, her entire life yet to be lived, when the snake had struck, fangs piercing her tender flesh. The poison had swiftly paralyzed her, fueled by her panic-stricken heart. When they finally found her that night, her body was cold, her Essence gone.

Her vision blurred by the tears, she focused on the center of the river. It was deep, the current swift. She would rid her people of her cursed ways, for the gods must hate her to take away her sister. Pausing briefly, she pulled her simple cotton dress over her head and folded it neatly, placing her soft, doe-skin boots atop it. Perhaps her mother or her people could get some use out of the clothing; she would no longer need it. She pulled the leather thong from her hair, unbinding it. It flowed as smoothly as the river, nearly reaching her thighs. The wind immediately caught it and played with it, brushing it from her face and revealing her naked body to the gods. The only thing that remained on her body was the necklace of a single wolf fang surrounded by small wooden beads on either side.

She paced back to her tree and kissed it’s trunk, thanking it for being a friend. The tears had dried up, replaced by a determined look. She took another step into the water, her skin forming bird-flesh. She ignored it and took another step and another. She was suddenly aware of the echoes of wolves howling all around her. It was a fitting good-bye, she thought. The music of the night would sing her to her final sleep.

The water had become waist-high and still she walked forward. As she approached the middle of the river, the current became much stronger as it pushed against her chest. She lifted her foot to take another step and lost her balance. All at once she was at the mercy of the river. It swept her along, tumbling her head over feet until she did not know which way was up, even when her nose scraped against rocks on the bed.

The river forced her against a rock jutting out of the water and pain flared through her shoulder. She gasped and spluttered as she inhaled water. This was not what she wanted, she realized. This was not a peaceful death at all. The current scraped her along the rock, then forced her further downstream. She raised a hand toward the sky and called out to the gods, begging and pleading with them to save her, but knowing in her heart that they wouldn’t; she had turned her back on them, why should they help her?

Her hair became entangled in something and she reached up as her head screamed in pain. Her fingers touched branches and clasped them desperately. Slowly, she untangled her hair. As spots danced before her eyes, she lifted her head and gulped the air greedily. She gripped the submerged branch and pulled herself toward the bank. The task was not easy and when she finally collapsed on the shore, she was panting like a dog. She stared up at the sky in disbelief. Had the gods answered her prayers? Why had they?

Bright light drilled into her eyes, forcing them closed, but the light pierced her lids as if they were transparent. Lifting her hand to shield her eyes, she looked up and saw the moon. It had finally risen above the rock face. Tears filled her eyes once more, but this time it was out of happiness.

Words seemed to be whispered on the wind.

Do you understand now?

She shivered from the cold and from fear. What evil was this?

Do not be frightened. We make all things and with the same breath, we destroy them.

How could she not be frightened? This god could smite her where she lay.

We will not. It is not your time yet.

What of my sister?

It was her time.

She was only a child! She didn’t have time to live! She closed her eyes against the pain.

We gave her the same amount of time I give everyone: a lifetime. You hate us and that is comprehensible. You turned your backs on us and that was anticipated. You have returned to us and that was inevitable. We are a part of you. To turn from the gods is to turn from yourself.

Her eyes opened and she lifted them to the moon. It seemed to drown out the stars around it with its brilliance and at the same time, magnify their own. No, not it. The moon wasn’t a genderless entity floating above her. She threw back her head and howled a word.

Mother!

The wolves had quieted, but she heard music from the stars, the true music of the night. She rose to her knees and bowed her head in reverence, understanding their words at last. The gods had never turned her back on her, she had simply stopped listening to them. They had waited patiently for her to unclog her ears and it took a river to wash them out. She rose to her feet to gather her clothing.

No. You cannot go back. The valley is no longer your home.

Her brow furrowed. Was she being banished?

Your path lies ahead of you, not behind.

For the first time, she realized that she was on the opposite side of the river. She could try to cross it, the gods had helped her once before. Her heart told her that she would not be so fortunate the next time, so she walked the bank until she found a trail. Glancing over her shoulder one final time, she started down the path, the forest quickly swallowing her up.




The old woman sat back in her chair. “And that’s why we pray to our mother in the moon,” she finished.

The children at her feet stared up at her for a few minutes longer, still enchanted by her story. They began to shake their heads and stir from their trance.

“But what happened to the lady?” one little girl asked.

The old woman smiled. “She was found by our people, naked and frightened. They took her in and in return, she shared her story. She gave us hope that the gods have not abandoned us.”

“Why can’t we see them?” a boy asked. “The gods, I mean.”

“You can see them. Just look around you. The gods are a part of everything from your homes to the trees to the snakes. The gods are our parents and they never abandon us, just as our parents never abandon us. Remember that the next time you feel alone.” She cocked her head, listening. “It sounds as if the storm has passed.”

The children rose to their feet and the woman watched them run outside, a fond smile on her face. The storm had indeed passed and the clouds had parted, allowing the golden, life-giving sun to bathe them. The rest of her people were making their way from their own houses; there was much to do before the next harvest festival.

She pulled a thong from beneath her tunic. It had been replaced many times, but the tooth and the beads had remained the same. She kissed the wolf’s fang. It had belonged to her great-great-grandmother and had been passed down to her. It was the only thing she had tying her bloodline to a time before the contentment it found with these people. She returned to her small hut and to the chair against the far wall. The old woman settled into it. She could feel Death’s touch on her shoulder constantly. Some thought Death was cold, but she had felt nothing but warmth. Her eyes closed as songs of praise to the gods reached her ears.

She slept.

[Linx]

Story #8

She wandered out across the beach. The sand was warm and soft beneath her delicate feet. Zandaria looked towards the sky and saw Goddess shining there brightly. She had always been fascinated by the Moon. Up ahead she saw a perfect spot to rest and gaze upon the Moon. She walked there swiftly feeling the light ocean breeze upon her skin.

Zandaria had no sooner laid herself across the warm rocks and she heard a sound in the distance. A distinct howling. She knew it was her beloved. It was long ago that Mikarian had been taken from her. Several years had passed, yet it seemed like a lifetime.

Zandaria had met Mikarian at this same beach 7 years ago. Upon their meeting, the eyes had locked, as well as their hearts. From the start they could not bear to be apart. The met every night at the same time and place for months. They would talk into the early morning hours. Their love grew stronger every day.

Mikarian had a dark side, however. A side that Zandaria would never know. Or at least, he though she would never know. One morning, after Mikarian had left, Zandaria could not stand to see him leave, so she followed him. She did not expect to see what she did.

There was a forest that bordered the beach. She saw Mikarian enter the forest and as she followed him, saw him enter a clearing. The air was chilly and as she shivered, she saw a black looming figure in the middle of the clearing. She could not make out who this person was, as they wore a dark hooded cloak.

The figure spoke in a chilling evil voice. She could not understand the words, but was very frightened when she saw Mikarian drop to his knees. She tried to cry out to him, but something stopped her voice. In fact, she was stopped. She could not move. She tried to break free of the grasp that held her, but with all her might, she could not.

Zandaria began to summon her strength to fight whatever this was. She called upon her Goddess to give her the strength she needed. She heard a chilling laugh. “Child, you can not possibly stop me. And for your stupidity in thinking so…” A great crash of thunder was heard as a bright flash was seen from the figure. She looked in horror at Mikarian cowering in front of this thing. She watched as Mikarian slowly and torturously became a ravaged wolf.

Mikarian leapt into the air at the figure. There was the sound of a whoosh of air as the cloak fluttered to the ground as Mikarian fall to the ground as well. Zandaria again tried to cry out to Mikarian. This time, her voice echoed its angelicness throughout the grove. Mikarian shouted to Zandaria to not come closer. A tear formed in her eye. Mikarian whimpered as he drug his ragged body, shredded clothing hanging lithely, to the other side of the forest where he disappeared without a trace.

That was the last time she saw Mikarian. Though, every night, she would visit their spot. Every night, as she gazed at the Moon, she would hear that mournful howl. And she knew, that it was her beloved.

[Linx]

Bump!

[spirit wind]

They are great stories! But i have my favourite :)

[Aurin]

Yes, they are all good... but I have my favorite too (my own of course)... Vote for me hehe... Not that I can tell you which one is mine in good conscious ;-).

Thanks for posting this up Linx =D Great idea! :thumbsup:

+Bump!

[Verthandi]

Wow, these are all really great stories! This was a wonderful idea, Linx, and so much fun!

[Windigo]

I didn't write anything because I was expecting there to be another thread started when the image was posted

[Moonfire Shadowfox]

May the best person win! Good luck all!!! This was fun, I didn't have much self esteem in my writing but this does help. My fiancee is always telling me that I need to believe in myself. Thank-you Linx for the chance at increasing my self-esteem

[Linx]

Bumpy! Bump!

[forbidden_vengence]

They're all so good! *weeps* I had to choose #8 through eenie meenie miny mo' though

[elfmage]

I voted! Since I had no inspiration whatsoever to write mine... Argh.

[Firegurl26]

bump

[Milliscent]

bump


:idea: bump :idea:

[Firegurl26]

bump

[Milliscent]

back to the top you go...bump bump bump

[Milliscent]

bump bump bump

[Firegurl26]

bump bump bump bump bump bump

[Milliscent]

b...ump

[Linx]

Bump!

[Milliscent]

bump bump bump...now stay there! LOL

[Aurin]

Bumpity bump bump Bumpity bump bump look at frosty go.

[Linx]

Bump! Last day to vote!

[Linx]

Bump!

[Milliscent]

Bump!


bump

[Linx]

30 minutes left to cast your votes!

[Linx]

The first post has been updated with the winner, and a list of the participants. :)

[Marishae]

Thank you, Linx! And thank you to those who voted for my story... even if it was by eenie meenie miney moe... =) I really enjoyed all the stories and the creative kick this gave me... =) Looking forward to your next contest! =) Congrats to the winner, Milliscent, as well as all of us! =) We did a great job! =)

[PeleRising]

Congrats Milliscent!!! :thumbsup:

Thank you Lynx for hosting this contest. I think we all did great jobs :woot: I had a lot of fun writing my piece and like Marishae said it definitely gave me a "creative kick". I look forward to more contests in the future.

[BrigidMoon]

That's awesome, glad I could participate. :)

[Verthandi]

Congrats, Milliscent!

Thanks to everyone that voted for me!