Next

Keith's Ramblings

For Six Sentence Stories where the given word is Lead.

 

Last week…the Locals gazed in my direction … one by one they welcomed me but not with words, words weren’t necessary…I turned to see the lady…she handed me a piece of parchment…

 

000

.

.

…she offered me a quill pen from which dripped thick black ink, and without reading it, I placed the document on the table and attempted to inscribe my signature, the nib scratching and screeching like fingernails scraping down a chalkboard setting my teeth on edge.

She picked it up and indicated I should sit, then I began eagerly devouring food, stuffing handful after handful into my mouth, food the like of which I’d never before experienced!

Everybody began talking, softly at first, then louder and louder still and suddenly images started flicking through my mind, an hour ago, a day ago, last week, last month, last year, my youth, my childhood, my birth….then nothing, my old life became an empty book, and my new life as a Local had begun.

The loud crack of a gavel hitting the table stunned everybody into silence and brought the feast to an abrupt end, and the lady began to lead us in single file from the dining hall into a neverending hallway where one by one we turned left, right, left, right, through doorways and into our chambers.

Although I’d not seen it before, my room seemed familiar; a chair, a table, and a bed on which sat a scroll bound with a ribbon.

I unfurled it to find it contained just one word, a name, one I recognised but of somebody I’d never actually met in person … it was one of you, reading these words right now, and then …  

To be continued, but not for much longer.

‘

infiltrace.italic (1)

.

1111

sss-logo-200x200959-1-1Thanks to Denise at GirlieOnTheEdge for hosting.

PART ONE CAN BE FOUND HERE

PART TWO CAN BE FOUND HERE

PART THREE CAN BE FOUND HERE

PART FOUR CAN BE FOUND HERE

31 thoughts on “Next”

  1. Frank Hubeny Jan 12, 2023 / 02:14

    That scene about eating food is interesting. It makes me wonder why the interest in eating. Then the forgetfulness. I wonder whose name was on the scroll.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Keith's Ramblings Jan 12, 2023 / 14:05

      Being invited to eat with them was a sign of acceptance and the start of his rebirth. As for the name…it could be any one of my dear readers!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. Spira Jan 12, 2023 / 18:46

    For some reason your first two sentences created the possibility of this story being a mirror-room one; meaning hidden in multiple forms.
    We’ll see. For sure, you know how to keep us coming back for more, Keith.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  9. The Sicilian Storyteller Jan 12, 2023 / 19:14

    These little stories of yours keep getting better and better. Just as other people have mentioned, you had me going with the images taking you back in time to your birth. It never was definitively revealed if the images were caused by the food but I’m quite certain they were; if not then why mention them? Hmm, fascinating writing, Keith. Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Keith's Ramblings Jan 13, 2023 / 16:15

      I’m so pleased it’s having the desired effect. I’ve deliberately left some of it to the reader’s imagination, especially as many of you are superior to me when it comes to wordsmithery, and will see things I’d never have thought of!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  13. dorahak Jan 14, 2023 / 03:36

    Signed without reading it!! Oh.No. This Locals mystery just keeps getting darker and darker, especially now that he is one of THEM. I just want to know how you can make it creepy and fun at the same time. Stellar style, Keith.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  14. dyannedillon Jan 14, 2023 / 14:00

    Intriguing! Who could it be? Is it me? IS MY NAME ON THE SCROLL?!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  15. Liz H Jan 15, 2023 / 18:45

    I’m still thinking these are the fae, and eating their food means you can’t leave. But then again, maybe there’s a Janet to this Tam Lyn, waiting on the grounds of Carterhaugh to set you free!

    Like

    Reply
  16. GirlieOnTheEdge Jan 17, 2023 / 08:00

    And so you’ve found another niche, Keith. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this series. Entertaining and intriguing, you know how to leave a reader on the edge of their seat!

    Like

    Reply
  17. Pingback: Next – Keith's Ramblings

Leave a reply to Keith's Ramblings Cancel reply