FLASH FICTION TUESDAY: Low Hanging Fruit

 

archery

 

Maytia scooped up the rune stones and threw them into the dirt once more. He knew better than to think the future could be so easily changed with a flick of a wrist, but he still held out hope as he studied the new pattern. But no matter how Maytia looked at the stones, the message was still the same.

The gods had spoken.

He always knew this day would come. It was the ways of the ancient ones…this choosing of souls every seven years…like low hanging fruit. Like culling a herd of animals where only the strongest remain.

Quickly storing the stones in the pouch hanging low on his neck, Maytia headed toward the upper ridge of the forest. There he would have a better view of those coming for him. His mother’s voice floated on the wind.

“Be careful, my precious one. It is your time.”

“I know this, Meenu, but I do not have to like it.”

“How can you turn your back on the gods? It is our way, Maytia. It is the only chance to ensure we as a chosen people survive.”

“I know this is the way of YOUR past, Meenu, but must someone always die so others might live?”

Maytia knew it was useless to argue with her. All she’d ever known was the ways of the elders. It was only outlanders like himself who questioned the rightness of these sacrifices. Now it was his turn to be pitted against those on his trail. He’d felt their energy all evening, like lightning bolts crawling across his skin. By the time the last of the evening’s moonlight filtered through the treetops, Maytia could almost taste the fear on the wind from those hunting him.

They had no idea what was about to happen with the coming of the sunrise.

Even Maytia didn’t know exactly and he had no time to toss the stones again.

They were here.

Now it is your turn to add a paragraph or start your own story in the comments below…

 

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HM-SHIP-OF-DREAMS (cover)

 

Amelia Earmouse travels back through time to uncover little known secrets. You may THINK you know your history, but wait until you see what Amelia uncovers in this latest volume of HISTORY’S MYSTERIES!

In Book One, Ship of Dreams, ten-year-old Margaret can hardly wait to see the largest ship ever built visit Southampton! Life is already hard for her family in the spring of 1912, but the coal workers’ strike could turn a bad situation into a deadly one. Margaret hopes to see the great Titanic leave on its maiden voyage, but will the strike prevent it from happening?

 

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donna - Copy

 

Best selling, award-winning author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt in TaeKwonDo by day and a ‘ninja’ writer of children’s picture books, chapter books, young adult novels and inspirational essays by night. Donna is a BOOK NOOK REVIEWS host providing the latest book reviews on all genres of children’s books, and the host of WRITERLY WISDOM, a resource series for writers. Donna is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators and Children’s Book Insider. She is a lover of dark chocolate, going to the beach and adding to her growing book collection. Donna’s latest book, HISTORY’S MYSTERIES: Ship of Dreams, will be available in eBook and print form from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, and other online retailers on October 14th, 2019.

Donna L

Hybrid award winning author; aspiring sketch artist; and 4th Degree Senior Certified Taekwondo Instructor. Host of BOOK NOOK REVIEWS. Member of SCBWI. Mom to fabulous son and adventurer delving into the tricky world of indie-publishing.

2 thoughts on “FLASH FICTION TUESDAY: Low Hanging Fruit

  • August 28, 2019 at 6:12 pm
    Permalink

    I don’t have the rest of the story, but you do. And I can’t wait to read it.

    Reply
    • August 29, 2019 at 3:33 am
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      Lol…maybe one day, Janet , if I ever get tired of researching/writing my HISTORY’S MYSTERIES series…;-)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Reply

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