Standing at the entrance to the forest, hands clasped, fingers intertwined, they both look straight ahead trying to see through the canopy to the other side.
He feels her heat radiating against his arm, and she wills her heart to beat in rhythm with his.
Across the threshold lies their freedom, all they need do is step forward. Still they linger outside the lush woods. Songs of hidden birds echo around them, as if pleading for them to draw nearer.
The faint snap of a broken twig tells them their pursuers are coming.
Turning towards her, he kisses a tear trailing down her cheek.
“Our path is ahead,” he whispers. “We can leave behind the anger and hate. We can live in peace and these hazards of love never more will trouble us.”
She thinks on his words, and knows there is no future for them if they stay. Looking over her shoulder towards their village, she sees the men of her tribe crashing through the trees after them.
“I know not what waits on the other side,” she says, pulling him into the shadows, “but I am not afraid if you are with me.”
Inspired “The Lacuna,” by Barbara Kingsolver. “I know not what waits on the other side.”
Week 46: Inspired by “… and these hazards of love never more will trouble us.” ~ “The Hazards of Love 4 (The Drowned) by The Decemberists
This week’s Studio30 Plus prompt is “Tear,” and/or “Ripple.”
I’m probably aggravating the moderators of these writing prompts/groups by combining themes, and not dedicating separate pieces to each… but, I do so enjoy participating and I know if I don’t combine them sometimes, I miss doing them.
I really enjoyed this piece. My one concrit is the second paragraph. She should be wanting her heart to beat in rhythm with HIS, not hers.
Oh, and that photo would be lovely printed on canvas above my couch. 😉
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Lovely. And what a perfect image along with it. Paths are probably my favourite subject in photography and art ❤
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Enjoyed your story, but I would also love a bit more descriptive scenery. This piece make me so curious: who are they? What exactly they are running from? What is going to happen next?
Anyway, I enjoyed 🙂
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This is so good! There is so much woven into these words and it is good enough to stand alone or act as a stepping stone to more. Always love your posts Tara. (and your pics which make me wish I was dedicated enough to take a weekly walk and just shoot.)
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Three prompts combined perfectly. What’s the problem? I loved the undercurrent of suspense!
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