(via Creepy Places)
Down The Rabbit's Hole
by Donna L Martin
Derek stumbled onto the path, hidden just beyond the trees, and paused to catch his breath. The baying of the hounds could be heard in the distance. He didn't know who set off the alarm, alerting the others he had escaped, but he knew it was only a matter a time before the dogs were on his trail. There would be hell to pay if he got caught...that is, if they even let him live.
In front of him the path led deeper into the forest. Derek couldn't make out where the path went because of the dense fog but he knew anywhere was better than just standing there waiting to be torn to pieces when the dog finally got to him. Leaves swirled in the crisp Autumn air as he raced down the path and away from the sound of the hounds. There wasn't enough moonlight to prevent him from tripping over a large root and Derek tried in vain to keep from falling down the large crevice which seemed to suddenly appear out of nowhere.
Landing on his back with a thud, Derek struggled to his feet as he looked around the underground cave he found himself in. Tangled roots dangled above his head and he could just make out some moss covered boulders off to one side. The more he stared at them, the more he realized those rocks almost looked like a throne. There was dead silence in the cave. Just where was he? Derek might be safe from the hounds for now but he had fallen down the rabbit's hole and he wanted to find his way out before the owner of that mysterious throne returned...
***Okay, it's your turn! Where is Derek? Why are the hounds after him and who does that stone throne belong to? Put your creative cap on and add a sentence or add a
paragraph. Continue my story or start one of your own. Join the fun and see
where this picture prompt takes
us!***
Derek has been locked away so long that he had to stifle an ironic, maniacal laugh at his own luck. Finally having broken free, he was shaking his head in dismay to find that once again, he had tripped into another prison of sorts. He shuddered against the cold and stood very still listening to the sound of the barking hounds get closer. 'Nowhere to hide...story of my life,' he thought to himself but the real question was still left to address. How much more danger did he just fall into?
ReplyDeleteAs the barking grew louder, he curled himself into a corner next to the stone throne not allowing himself to entertain any ideas that he might be safer above ground with the dogs. The ground was cold and the air felt heavy, smelled dirty. He could hear the blood pumping in his ears and willed his stomach to stop growling. Managing to pull some of the moss from the boulders, he laid large pieces over his body to mask his scent. The dogs grew louder still until he could feel their paws slam into the earth in their hot pursuit. He watched dirt fall from the hanging tangled roots as they stampeded over him thankfully oblivious to his newly found hiding place. The dogs had long since passed when he seemed to come out of his survival learned trance - a trick another patient had taught him years ago.
Scanning the cave, he tried to find an escape route - another story of his life. A faint, scratching sound echoed from the dark corner opposite him and it sent a cold chill down his spine.
Hi Patti! I'm glad you decided to join the fun and what a great addition to my story...
DeleteThanks for stopping by and come back any time!
No time to write a story:
ReplyDeleteDerek stole The History of Olde book from The Library of Olde. [Note: Olde is Earth, before magic was practically wiped out, and The Library is a collection of Knowledge. The History covers everything that happened in the past, and writes itself.] Derek is bringing The History to an unknown person who promises to make Derek's life better by keeping him from harm. All he needs to do is run through the Hand Arches and he succeeds. But Sierra, the Witch of Plants and Animals, is on his tail, with her dogs, Freelord and Roughbone... Will Derek succeed? Will the Wizards of Olde get their book back?
~~~
Guess I do have time. :)
Hi Erik! I love, love, LOVE what you have added to this story! One would think you were a writer...;~)
DeleteThanks for stopping by and come back any time!
Ooh this is scary. Love Patti's flow on from your story, Donna. Hey Erik, your doing better than me, I can't think right now...must be still in holiday mode. Sorry, Donna!
ReplyDeleteHi Diane! It's okay if you don't add to the story...I post if for people to enjoy as well as adding to it if they feel like it...;~)
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He is so weak and feels himself drift in and out of consciousness. He is disappointed when he opens his eyes fully to discover that he only dreamed he was running freely through the Hand Arches. It had seemed so real. He could feel the wind in his air as he ran - the taste of freedom on his lips. Stuck in the hole, Derek knows Freelord and Roughbone will circle back and discover him if he stays where he is much longer. Clutching The History of Olde, he begins to feel it vibrate. Panic starts to flow through his veins and he is torn between approaching the haunting scratching noise emanating from the corner and opening the leather bound book. He knows, as he pulls the book closer to his chest, that the vibration is history writing itself. While there could be important clues unveiling themselves, he hasn't any time to read it. A lumbering shadow begins to move followed by a sniffing sound and a distinct smacking noise. He knows whatever lurks there is hungrier than he is and time is running out. Perhaps this is the time to use one of the wishes promised to him if he stole the book he holds so tightly. Knowing he only has five wishes, five miracles, he pauses to survey the cave one last time. He ignores the noises from the corner and stares at the stone throne. Squinting his eyes, he makes out the initials carved across the backrest "WPA". Instantly, he knows that this throne belongs to the Witch of Plants and Animals and his heart begins to race.
ReplyDeleteHe hears the large slobber hit the dirt before he sees the animal step out of the shadows. He catches only a glimpse before he begs for his wish to be granted. Derek knows he will never forget what he manages to see in that moment. A beast the size of a large bear. Patches of fur interrupted by scaly skin - vines twisting from it's mid-drift with what appear to be Venus Flytraps snapping in Derek's direction. However, the eyes really tell the story and instill a fear in Derek he has never known. Eyes that go in all directions at once and there is a certain pitiful pleading combined with a raw, unforgiving, gnashing terror that Derek knows would relish eating him alive.
"Get me out of this hole," he whispers. Derek closes his eyes as a vine comes to life and wraps itself tightly around both he and The History of Olde and pulls him up as easily as a fisherman reels in his small catch. He screams as sharp claws and vicious plants snap near his face and is forever grateful when the other vines come to life and fight the beast wrapping their twisted vines around the angry animal rendering it motionless.
The single vine that saved Derek deposits him on the ground above and slowly disappears back into the hole. No time to be wistful. TIME TO RUN!
Ahhhh, Patti...it amazes me that my little picture prompt has set off such wonderful "round-robins" of writing. I LOVE where this story is going...
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