Years ago, Emelia's friend told her he'd found something amazing by the river. Two days later his corpse was found floating downstream. The river has been off-limits to her since then, but now that she's an adult, her parents can't prevent her from exploring the place that's been haunting her for years.
"Welcome to Welwick's Oracle... the ONLY show where the voice of the spirits is channelled directly... to YOU."
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Summer has just moved into her grandfather's old farmhouse. Join her one lazy morning in front of the TV when she comes across a fortune teller and decides to stick around to watch.
She suspected nonsense and ridiculous predictions, what she got was... something else.
While Grace and Emma meet each other in their dreams, someone else pays much closer attention to the clouds drifting high above.
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'In the clouds, I see people. I see knights in armour, horses galloping and bucking, a battle. The swords clash against each other, but the sound doesn’t reach me. They’re too far above, but I can imagine.'
She takes a moment to consider her surroundings. What had she called this place earlier? Toad Expanse? What does that even mean? Okay, whatever, it doesn’t matter.
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Grace leans her chin on her knees. “I’m not sure exactly how it works.”
“Magic, I guess,” Emma says.
“Yeah.” Grace sighs and flops onto her back. She stares up at the empty blue sky.
“What? No, real magic doesn’t— Are you pulling my leg?” Jimmy stared at his fellow magicians. None of them looked like they were joking. For a moment, they all just looked at each other, then their expressions morphed into horror as they realised he wasn’t joking either. “Are you saying all of you have been using real magic all this time?” Jimmy’s voice came out hoarse and quiet. Derek, someone he’d known for years and considered a close friend, laughed brokenly.
“You’re saying you haven’t?”
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His father focused his attention back on mother. He seemed to be steeling himself for something. “Your mother wants to come over,” he said, no small amount of strain in his voice.
Dread pooled in Cody’s stomach. Grandmother was the most invested out of all of them in Kenny being a phoenix. His parents had managed to keep her away for the last three weeks, but they must be out of excuses. Grandmother could tell something was wrong, and she wouldn’t be deterred.
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The clinking of utensils against plates filled the room. Cody picked at his food. His parents were already halfway done with theirs, but Cody couldn’t manage to swallow a single bite.
“Where’s Kenny?” his mother asked, not looking up from her plate. In his jacket pocket, Kenny shifted into a more comfortable position.
Cody put down his fork. However much he wanted to, he couldn’t keep this from his parents. He took a fortifying breath. “Kenny burned again.”
An edited and improved version of this story is now available for purchase as part of the ‘Prophecies of the Drowned Oracle’ collection. More Info Buy on Ko-fi Buy on Amazon [19-11-19] Prompt by u/The_OG_upgoat: Most ghosts are bound to certain locations, but not this wandering spirit. Jody watched the submarine submerge. Waves rolled over the place the vessel was only a moment ago. She could have gone with them, it was always exciting to see new places, and the deepest parts of the ocean were as new to her as they were to the people on board, but today she had something else to do. She turned her back to the sea and started up a firm pace towards the cliffs looming over her. Her gaze fell on the old castle just visible at the very top. She shuddered. The thought of being stuck there for the rest of eternity, or at least until the whole thing fell apart, was revolting. She had no idea how Charles handled it, how he was still sane. Charles was bound to the castle he...
[18-11-19] Prompt by u/Alpha_Trekkie: After an apocalypse you are the last human alive. travelling the country side in your increasing age you slowly stumble into more and more things before realising that magic is returning to the world. today you spot a village of elves, the first intelligent things you have seen in over 30 years. I stomp out the last embers of last night’s fire. I have to be careful. The grass around me is dry, it hasn’t rained for weeks. I wouldn’t want to set fire to my surroundings. There would be no firefighters to save me then. I smile sardonically. I haven’t seen a firefighter in more than 4 decades, maybe even 5. I’m not entirely sure. A pang of loneliness stabs my heart, but I brush it off without much effort. I haven’t seen anyone in more than 30 years, you would think I would be used to it by now. But no, humans are social creatures, and I will always be one of them. Most of those 30 years I’ve spent travelling, hoping to find even one fellow...
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As his parents drew away from him in disappointment, Kenny was his only comfort. Even his grandmother cared more about being devastated than about comforting Cody. But as his family ignored him, Kenny was there for him...