A little bit back, I got invited to what looks to be a fun new Christmas tradition for those who have a love for flash fiction–the I Saw Lightning Fall Shared Storytelling. For the past couple years, Loren Eaton, who runs the I Saw Lightning Fall blog, has invited a number of authors to write spooky, creepy, or otherwise unsettling flash fiction pieces (100 words, exactly), all centered on holiday themes. Each author then posts their entry to their personal blog, which are rounded up on ISLF for all to enjoy.
So, without further ado, here’s mine:
Each year. In the sky. The star grows ever larger, until it looks less a star. More a scar, bleeding blue-white with rotting purple edges.
Each year. Across the lands. Men both foolish and wise are captured by its light. Their skin fades to match its bloodless rays. They rise as one, as two, as three, and more.
Each year. To the birthplace. The supplicants march, bearing themselves as offerings to the newborn, whose unblinking eyes reflect the rift in the heavens.
Each year. With each birth. The star snares more minds and souls. Until all the earth shall see.
Your divine imagery captures this rift well. Nice structure.
Oh! This one was surprising with the more religious theme. I quite enjoyed it!
Ah, making the original event even more creepy and supernatural. I enjooyed the underlying story plot.
……dhole
Interesting twist.
You know, I was really hoping someone would write a Lovecraftian short for Advent Ghosts this year — and here it is! There's a really creepy (I won't use the word “eldritch”) vibe to this one. Really like it.
What rough beast slouches toward Bethlehem to be born…is it us? Effective and super-scary!