Laura

A Rose By Any Other Name…

This is a submission for Kevin’s No Theme Thursday.

Snap, snap.

I was walking out in the woods again. The only sounds in this mysterious night were of twigs snapping beneath my feet.

The moon’s ethereal glow had captivated me and led me deep into the forest once again.

Image by Kevin from The Beginning at Last

What drew me here?

I wasn’t sure…it was something.

…Or maybe someone?

I felt the pull, the magnetic force.

The beguiling power of the woods seemed to stir something deep within me every single time that I came out here.

I didn’t understand exactly what I was seeking.

Elusive.

I shivered as a cool breeze rustled through the trees. I was hyper-alert, all of my surroundings felt electrified, otherworldly.

It was as if a thousand pairs of unseen eyes were watching me.

My heart pounded intensely as I took a step further, deeper- the fine hairs raising on the back of my neck.

I was starting to feel like the willing prey of a wild beast.

As my senses were heightened now, I knew I wouldn’t be able to stop. I would have to find the source of that alluring energy which drew me out here.

And then, that’s when I saw it.

Image by Kevin from The Beginning at Last

A rose.

“My favorite,” I breathed, picking the flower up gently and inhaling its intoxicating scent.

It almost seemed to glow magically, its blood-red color magnified by the night-time sky.

It was a sign from him. I could feel it.

I knew he was here, somewhere, deep within this vast darkness, watching and waiting.

Ready to pounce.

The blood rushed through my veins in anticipation, I had been waiting for this moment for what seemed like forever, and now it was finally upon me.

When I least expected it.

Who was he?

Now I would finally be able to satiate my curiosity about this mysterious creature.

But…what if it was it a trap?

Why did I feel so leery about the whole thing?

I could feel the pulse in my neck start to throb wildly.

I held my breath.

Waiting.

Waiting.

Waiting….

©️ Laura Bennett

38 comments

  4. Wow! Every line was a moment that drew me in. And when we got here: “I was starting to feel like the willing prey of a wild beast.” I realized I was holding my breath. It was fantastic! And the way you ended it… so thrilling!

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  7. Totally spellbinding and tremendous building of anticipation! The images are beyond captivating, and I definitely would have stopped for that rose! You both should compile these ~ Masterpieces 🙂

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  8. Whichever one reads first, works perfectly, just so you know. You probably know!! So well done and clear clear clear. I could hear the twigs snapping.

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    • That’s awesome! I’m so glad 😆 I thought about writing it all from her perspective but then I was like. Nahhh lemme show both. All on sleep deprivation, too! 😂 thank you again, so appreciated ❤️

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  11. Oh, no, I read it in the wrong order! 😀 But it is just as sensual and brilliant as the second part 🙂 Round of applause to you! ❤

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