Starry Stars #3LineTales

We camped under the stars, those burning gas balls in space that humans once made wishes on. What were they thinking? Stars didn’t hold any power, they are just there, getting in the way, though they did make good target practise!

Right now, we were shooting at an old human transport machine that didn’t fly at all. How behind in technology had they been? It amazed me how they had lasted so long!

Well, humans were gone. Something had gotten them. What was it? Don’t know, don’t care but their planet was all our’s now.

 

(Inspired by; https://only100words.xyz/2020/02/13/three-line-tales-week-211/ with thanks).

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A Jar Of Light

The jar full of starlight lay on the beach, the sea waves gently lapping over it. I wondered were the jar had come from and how it had ended up in the sand.

I picked the jar up, at first worried that the stars might be hot but then surprised to find that the sea had cooled them.

The last of the setting sun reflected along the shore, golden light spilling and it me give the idea of what to do.

I unscrewed the lid of the jar and cast the stars free.

The sun set and the stars shone brightly above the sea, glad to be home.

Orion’s Belt

One AM and my insomnia demon was putting on his best performance. Feeling too hot, I threw the bedding away and despite it being freezing outside, I opened the window.

A winter wind blew snowflakes into my face but that didn’t put me off. Enjoying the coldness, I noticed how clear the sky was and how bright the stars were.

When younger, I had enjoyed reading about the solar system and now I dug up that knowledge to name the constellations. It took me a few moments but then three stars lined together gave Orion away.

I smiled and traced him out. Next, Canis Major, one of Orion’s hunting dogs. As for Taurus, the bull Orion was hunting, I couldn’t see because next door’s roof blocked him. Moving back, I looked for the two stars of Canis Minor however they were too far away. Next, the unicorn, Monoceros, but I couldn’t pick those stars out either.

Turning back, I focused on Orion until I yawed and felt sleepy. Closing the window, I settled down again and miraculously fell to sleep.

Catch A Star #3LineTales

Little Kim looked into the water of the lake and saw the starry night sky reflected on the dark water then turning to the old woman beside her, Kim said, ‘let’s catch the stars, Granny!’

Granny nodded and went back inside the house to collect some jars, then they scooped water up and afterwards Kim stared into the jars looking at the stars, saying ‘I’m going to keep them forever!’

‘But then no one else can enjoy them,’ Granny pointed out, ‘let’s release them and Granny will make you a special soft star that you can keep forever.’

 

(Inspired by; https://only100words.xyz/2019/01/24/three-line-tales-week-156/ with thanks).

 

 

Snow Sparkle

The snowflakes came, sparkling in full moonlight whilst everyone slept. Like broken fairy wings, they landed on frost that shone like diamonds. The snow stuck and soon a white blanket glittered under the starry night.

Under A Starry Sky #3LineTales

The night sky was awash with bright white dots of stars which shone down on an abandoned town nested in tall hills which helped to further block light pollution from the surrounding alive towns that were miles away.

This place, in Kenize’s and Brock’s opinions, was the best to see this formation of stars at this time of year, even though the abandoned town was eerie and Kenize was sure the other night, she had heard little girl singing and playing skipping rope.

With stars to concentrate on, there was no time for ghost hunting, but Kenize still couldn’t shake the feeling that they were not alone in the abandoned town, something was watching them work, something that wasn’t going to let them leave, ever.

 

(Inspired by; https://only100words.xyz/2019/01/17/three-line-tales-week-155/ with thanks).

Star Storm #WeeklyWritingChallenge

The road before me stretched out like a never ending twisting black snake. My car’s full beam headlights showed there was nothing in the way. Just some warning signs about cattle or horses or blind bends decorating the road side. On both sides rose dark hills dotted with trees. Sometimes, I’d pass large farm houses or small cottages who’s windows glowed with light but were quickly swallowed into darkness once more.

‘Arriving at your destination on the left,’ the male robot voice of the Sat Nav called out.

I indicated out of habit and pulled into a small empty car park. Turning off the engine, I gathered my stuff and got out. The late evening air was warm with an underlining cold breezy. Struggling to juggle everything, I locked my car and turned on my torch. Following the large beam of light to a gate, I opened it and went through then began my walk up the high hill.

My heavy equipment dragged me down, but I ploughed on. My breathing hard in my ears and the only sound to be heard for miles. I turned my thoughts to think about how worthwhile this night would be. After months of planning this was finally it! And when anyone asked where I was back then I could say with pride that I was here watching it all.

I climbed to the top, caught my breath then began setting everything up. Once done, I gazed up into the sky through the telescope. There were billions of stars up there, all shining down and just waiting to be discovered. Beyond which of course were even more things which it made me feel like this was just the brink. After a few tries, I found the right place in space and watched with held breath the spectacular rain of shooting stars.

(Inspired by; https://secretkeeper.net/2018/05/28/weekly-writing-challenge-143/ with thanks).

Occhiolism #atozchallenge

Occhiolism; the awareness of the smallness of your perspective. 

Looking up into the billions of stars in the sky, Joe realised how small his problems truly were.

Mangata #atozchallenge (Part 1)

Mangata; the trail of light left by the moon’s reflection on the sea, ‘the moon road’. 

I sat still in the small rowing boat, the sea waves gently bobbing around me. In the distance, I could hear more waves lazily brushing along the shoreline but there were no other sounds. The full moon rose high in an ink black sky, a billion stars surrounding her like people bowing to a Queen.

Looking at my luminous watch, the hands told me it was almost midnight. My breath caught in my throat and I reached for the largest of jars I had brought with me. The oars brushed against my legs as I moved, transferring some of their cold, wetness to my over the knee black socks. They were already damp with the spray off the wave tops.

Careful not to rock the boat, I unlocked the lid and popped it open. Then I looked down into the dark sea. A white shinning line lay across the water, the reflection of the moon, gently moving up and down as it rode along the wave tops. I lowered the large jar, feeling my hands and arms shake slightly under the weight.

Calm, calm! I told myself. My tongue stuck out and pressed to the corner of my mouth as I concentrated. The jar lip tickled the white shinny line. I held still as a statue, holding my breath and not blinking. I heard my heartbeat echoing then I lowered the jar an inch more, breaking the line.

The moon’s reflection trickled into the jar. I held on tightly, the extra weight making my arms ache. The jar began to glow a dim white light. I cast a glance up at the moon, it was hard to till if it looked dimmer or not. Fixing my eyes back on the jar, I waited painstakingly for it to fill. The sea licked at my hands like a happy puppy, making my skin wet and cold. My fingers started to slip on the jar, I clutched it tighter as if my life depended on it.

It had taken all year to reach this point. The conditions for collecting The Moon Reflection Essence had to be just right! The sea had to be almost flat, clear and still whilst the sky had to be empty of clouds, the moon full, the stars bright. The day before had to have been clear and sunny too, so that the maximum of sunlight could be reflected upon the moon. Also, it had to be at midnight, when everything was at it’s highest and the most magically hour had started.

Finally, the line of moonlight in the jar and sea met and I eased the jar back up. Struggling, I grunted and almost dropped it but then I heaved the jar over the side of the boat. I almost fell but recovered fast, the boat rocked wildly then stilled again. I shoved the jar between my knees and jammed the lid on. Then locked the clip, sealing The Moon Reflection Essence inside.

Breathing deeply, I looked up at the moon then at the line of shinny light upon the sea. The moon and line looked dimmer now. Breathing deeply, I wrapped a red velvet cloth around the jar and placed it carefully into my hiking bag, which I had placed a cushion at the bottom and put in a thick blanket. Every precaution was needed right now.

I dried my hands on the edge of my black cloak then reached for an empty smaller jar. Might as well make the most of this trip. I opened the smaller jar and looked down into the sea again. I waited in between the low waves, fixing my eyes on a pinprick of white then dipped the jar in.

The wave bobbed the boat, had I missed? I closed the lid as I withdrew the jar and brought it up to my face. Inside I saw a tiny dot of light; Star Reflection Essence. Smiling, I looked for another one and got ready to try and collected it. I lowered the jar once more, waited then dipped and raised the jar up again. A second white dot had joined the first.

Feeling more relaxed, I collected a few more stars; ten in total before closing that jar. I checked my watch and saw it was half past midnight. It was almost time to leave. Making sure the Star Reflection Essence jar was secure in my hiking bag, I put on top the others I had already filled with different things. Lastly, went the three jars I had not filled. They were spares, as it was always important to be over prepared.

I took a few sips of water from my bottle then tucked that into a side pocked of the hiking bag. I slide down side ways on the boat’s little bench, rested my arms gently on the boat’s side then placed my head on top. I sighed with tiredness and watched the sea gently bouncing the reflection of the moon and stars slowly. A yaw escaped me and lulled by the bobbing boat and quiet echos of the waves, I felt sleep at the edge of my eyes and mind.

To Be Continued…

 

Stargazing #Friday Fictioneers

Friday night and I was stood outside looking up at the sky. Most people were out drinking, partying or at home chilling but here was I, shivering in my coat, trying to get a good look at the stars. It was a dream, turned hobby, turned job and I was so lucky to be here right now. Only tonight, the constellations weren’t playing. There was too much cloud cover for a good enough footage. The weather forecast hadn’t been wrong about more snow a coming. I signed, there was always tomorrow night to try again with.

(Inspired by; https://rochellewisoff.com/2018/03/14/16-march-2018/ with thanks).