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Midnight's Escape
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Midnight's Escape |
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Dawn Eclipse Senior Member
since 2000-01-31
Posts 637The Horsehead Nebula |
All was dark. As Lias sat silently in the damp cell, he could make out only images of what was in there with him. The dark outline of what looked to be a dead prisoner, long ago rotted and gone, with nothing but its horrid bones left as a legacy of who was there. The cell floor was wet, and made up of large stones. The sound of dripping water could be heard, as well as scurrying animals making their homes in the dark crevices. The faint voice of a man crying out in horrible pain could be heard from a chamber down the hall. As he began to drift off, he heard a distant scraping sound, as if two blocks were sliding against each other. Instantly his senses were alert. He glanced around the cell like a wildcat, but saw nothing but the shifting darkness. As he began to relax, his senses numbing once again, oblivious to what was there, someone or something grabbed him from behind , covered his mouth. The hand felt as that of a beast, and its hot breath smelling of the stench of raw meat. The creature slowly turned him a round, and what he saw frightened him more than the impenetrable darkness of the cell. All he could see of the creature was his dark outline and his eyes. Those yellow eyes. They glowed in the darkness like an evil spirit's. They seemed to be the only thing there after a time, so great was his fear. Just when he thought there was no hope for him the creature let him go and backed up to his tunnel. "If you wish to return to the world of the light, come with me. If you don't trust me, by all means stay. You will just end up like that poor man, though." As he said this he beckoned to the skeleton hanging from the wall across the room. The voice sounded more beast than man, yet Lias knew it to be that of a man. Taking a great leap of faith, he followed the man. Crawling on hands and knees, they traveled through a small tunnel. The ground was so rough that after a time his hands began to cut up like flesh on razors. The air began to get very thick and hard to breath. Just as he thought the conditions could get no worse, the tunnel seemed to get smaller. Still they continued on. They crawled for what seemed hours, and still nothing came. The sounds of the dungeon grew louder and then faded into silence as they moved, and he could hear the torture some of these people were going through. Their agonizing screams sent chills down his spine. And suddenly, there was light. They emerged out of their tunnel into a well-lit hallway. The torches burned brightly, and behind one of the doors, he could here the sounds of men feasting. He didn't notice when the guards came around the corner. They were about to question the two when his companion began to run. Lias, not knowing what to do, followed him so fast he thought he was flying. His fear drove him down the corridors and halls, never stopping, never looking behind. The man in front of him opened a massive door in front of him and beckoned Lias. They were once again in the darkness. A sharp scraping sound could be heard in the darkness, like claws on stone. They felt a hot breeze blowing through the room they entered, but there were no windows, and the door was closed. As they sat quietly in the room, the wind turned to a distinct breathing pattern. The breathing became louder and louder as they waited. Suddenly, his companion lit up a torch he found on the wall. As its brilliant fire flared to life, the room was lit by its soft glow. With the soft glow came the horrors of both of them. They were in no room, but another dungeon. And this dungeon contained no man, but a dragon. The massive dragon shielded its eyes from the light and then spread its wings. It was the color of a dark pine forest. The wings had a color of burnt brown underneath. As it rose to its full height, the razor-sharp claws scrapped against the stone floor. In its eyes the two could see its anger flare to life. They were frozen in horror as the dragon moved closer, moving in for the kill. Just as Lias regained mobility of his legs, he heard the evil laughter of his companion. He glanced at him in horror as he realized his mistake. His mistake, that left the room and locked the door. And with the exit of his companion left the light. He shrank against the wall, not even daring to guess where the creature was. Chances are, it could see him, but he could not see it. "Even a fool knows you can't touch the stars, but it doesn't stop a wise man from trying." Harry Anderson, "Night Court" *Cassandra Roseen* |
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| © Copyright 2000 Cassandra Roseen - All Rights Reserved | |||
SEA 
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676with you |
Dawn~ This is gripping and powerful! You write so good! I saw it all, I wish there was more to read. You had me and kept me there. Excellent!  - SEALive,Love,Laugh :) ~SueB |
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Isis Member Ascendant
since 1999-09-06
Posts 6296Sunny Queensland |
Great short story hon!! I'll tell you this...... No eternal reward will forgive us now for wasting the dawn..... ~Isis~ (Goddess - Sovereign of the Spirit) |
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Alwye
Moderator
Member Elite
since 1999-06-16
Posts 3850In the space between moments |
Excellent my friend! Some strong imagery and definitely a neat tale! Well done Cassers! *Krista Knutson* "Cherish your vision; Cherish your ideals; Cherish the music that stirs in your heart, the beauty that forms in your mind, the loveliness that drapes your purest thoughts. If you remain true to them, your world will at last be built." ~James Allen~ "We've made houses for hatred...it's time we made a place where people's souls may be seen and made safe"...~Jewel~ |
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bsquirrel
since 2000-01-03
Posts 7855 |
Rats, you just had to end it there, didn't you? Great yarn, and with a message that doesn't beat you over the head with a rusty, decaying mallet.Mike |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
very cool!! I didnt realize that prose was going in too GREAT!! your so good at it to... perfect choice to reflect your work. jm |
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X Angel Senior Member
since 1999-11-07
Posts 1521Oregon |
eek! scary! good one ~H |
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Dusk Treader
Moderator
Senior Member
since 1999-06-18
Posts 1187St. Paul, MN |
Ahh, a wonderful story, my friend! This needs a little bump. Abrahm Simons "Keep on dreamin' boy 'cause when you stop dreaming it's time to die" - Blind Melon |
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Colin Senior Member
since 1999-06-05
Posts 596Callington, Cornwall, England |
That's it... I just became agrophobic! "We are the music makers and we are the makers of dreams." - Willy Wonka. |
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Cerenity Member Elite
since 2000-02-16
Posts 2637Escondido-California |
Hi Dawn Eclipse, Hey were's the rest you left me hanging, so very much enjoyed, Cerenity |
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BSC
Moderator
Member Elite
since 2000-02-04
Posts 2919New York, USA |
What a terrific story, great from beginning to end.... Bonnie |
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Mike Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462 |
enjoyed the read. well written. |
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Dawn Eclipse Senior Member
since 2000-01-31
Posts 637The Horsehead Nebula |
Thanks everyone! I appreciate it very much. "The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper." Eden Phillpotts *Cassandra Roseen* |
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AVANTI Senior Member
since 2000-02-02
Posts 664INDIA/MAHARASHTRA/PUNE |
very powerful prose there... well written... just like janet...even I did'nt realise that prose was in too... thanx ... If all was light...then I would have never learnt the dark...from which such truth evolves from which evolves the light... Avanti Rao |
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ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
Imagination flowing like a river from your cortex chambers..........tough way to go to hell but one hell of a ride!.......whew! Start your novel I'll back you up all the way but I'll require a signed copy when complete...........take care ....ethome |
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