Drabble Wednesday: Exploration

Today, on Drabble Wednesday we go exploring... into space, through dimensions and below the ocean’s surface.

To Boldly Go...

A voice reverberated through the crowd of eager scientists at NASA Mission Control.

“Discovery One has passed out of the solar system. The exploration probe is transmitting. We are receiving video communication. We will soon see what is beyond...” Abruptly the screen filled with static as the probe’s transmission ended.

“Communication is down! I repeat communication is down! We’ve lost Discovery One!”

Outside the solar system, charred pieces of metal, the remains of the ill-fated Discovery One, floated past a black, cylindrical security drone. Just one of millions patrolling the galactic quarantine perimeter of hazardous species 4BZ112~THX, native designation: human.

~*~

Quantum Phenomenon

Curiosity.

A strange, essential human trait, but a dangerous one. At least I’ve found it so, for it led me here to a rather sizable predicament.

I’m a scientist, and you may imagine curiosity is my stock in trade. My field of study is quantum mechanics, and recently I made a breakthrough.

I found a method to generate interdimensional doorways.

Hence my current problem.

It was that last one, you see, the last door I opened. The one that led to Hell. Now I have demons trapped in the closet, and I don’t think the lock will hold much longer.

~*~

Under the Sea

They said I was mad!

They were probably right. I may indeed be quite insane. If my colleagues had been smarter, they would’ve locked me away in some deep hole and thrown away the key.

For, I found it.

Years of painstaking research, of ridicule, laughter, but I located the coordinates. I discovered the position where the city lies beneath the waves. Where He waits dreaming.

But today He shall awake.

I will pierce the black seas of infinity and rouse the beast.

He shall rise and return to this world.

The Old Gods will walk the earth once more.

© A. F. Stewart 2016 All Rights Reserved

Drabble Wednesday: Teardrops

Today on Drabble Wednesday we shed a tear - in rain, in plague, in envy…

Tears of the Moon

The shadow moon rose among the gathering clouds, its grey form stark against the sombre sky. Her eyes watched its climb, a scream lodged in her throat, her palms pressed forcefully on the window pane. Each breath came shallow, held for a fraction of time, hoping for his appearance.

Why did he have to go? Why tonight? He said he would return in time. But he’s not home.

A single tear fell, hitting the window sill. A matching water drop struck the outside of the glass.

The rains are coming.

The Old Gods will awaken.

And they will be hungry.

Grief of the Dead

Jeff hurried through the deserted streets. The plague seemly died out in their neighbourhood, but he didn’t wish to linger outside. It didn’t take much, and it didn’t take long. It was a risk, but they needed food. The possibility of dying was better than listening to Ryan’s sad cries.

He pushed open the front door. His son lay on the floor. His wife knelt beside him. Something felt wrong.

“What happened?”

“He’s dead.” His wife turned.

Jeff gasped. He dropped the scavenged bag of groceries.

Diseased, white, tear stained eyes stared at him. Blood covered her mouth.

Jeff screamed.

Dark Reflection

A thick, sooty tear, the consistency of tar oozed down her cheek, and he collected it in the vial. He watched for a moment as she slept, her breathing even, her face peaceful. She suspected nothing of his spell. He’d be flayed alive if she did.

He left to his workshop, mixed her tear into a potion and took his weekly dose of her magic. Soon, he’d drain her dry and these nightly visits would end. He’d miss them. He’d miss her.

But only one evil wizard could prevail in this tower, and he was tired of being her apprentice.

© A. F. Stewart 2015 All Rights Reserved