Nice set up. Can’t wait to read the rest

Powerfully penned, Benjamin. I concur with Fia, excellent write my friend. Appreciate you.

Damian

thunder, now passed,
praising rain on a lean-to…
this high & sky
full of mist & wist,

satisfied shine, rich
with daggered eyes in flight…
earth & alighted, poor
with cosmic delusion…

cockatrice glare
through fog & moon.

‘thunder, now passed,
praising rain on a lean-to…
this high & sky
full of mist & wist,

satisfied shine, rich
with daggered eyes in flight…
earth & alighted, poor
with cosmic delusion…

cockatrice glare
through fog & moon.’

Superbly but subtly visual, pensive yet explicit? Why not, sez I.

Phenomenally penned, Tim. You’re a great storyteller my friend, felt like a western to me. Excellent write. Appreciate you.

Damian

This does give a western vibe. I like the listening to the tree to hear the screaming.

I normally do not read the short story section, but I was curious, so…
Revenge is sometimes blinding. This write shows that to be true.
Your story reads fluid, interesting, carrying the scenes forward really well. The epilogue (of sorts) leaves the reader pondering, perhaps for a continuation.
Great write, Tim.

This was very engaging. Some of those dead have unfinished business. Great ink.

Hi Tim!
This reminds me of an episode of Hell on Wheels! And the pic really reinforces the tone of the story.
Gritty with emotion and guns. How it was back then. Black and white with a lot of dust instead of grey.
Truly enjoyed the read amigo. It’s nice seeing friends post in different categories.

Tim you have mastered the art of putting so much action, plot development, and powerfully emotional story telling into the short story form. This takes you into the heart of Joshua and his tragic mistake leading to his ending. Gritty and strong telling of this tale that engaged me as I read. Not a line wasted. A perfect economy of words that brings this tale home in a big way.

John

Hahaha we like the darkness it’s our comfort zone. We may yet get a little darker just just Halloween Thanks Lady

The moon always gets in the way. The Beast is out. The fourth stanza, where it sounds like a protest, but he was hunting. I like this dark poetry.

We like a little darkness and we like to switch it up. We may be posting more dark pieces for Halloween. Thank you Lady

Actually we don’t celebrate any holidays, they just provide us a time to go home to family

Yes

Now that it is a ride in a mind that seems to be on a never-ending roller coaster. I can understand not being sober if I had to go through that. That line, the machete as a scalpel is vivid since my family has one.

It’s great that you just read and liked the darkness. Thank you Lady

Holy shit! Well, minus the holy!
I’ve had this rage. I’ve tried writing of it. But you punch straight to the gut. And scuff up the head, too.
I like the energy emitting from this. The passion to scream, even.
rage has a place. here is good. awesome.