A
couple years ago, for the NaNoWriMo Challenge, I decided to branch
out and try something new. Not only did I decide to do a contemporary
fantasy novel, I decided to write it for young adults. For me, this
was a double challenge. I'd never written this genre or for this age
group before. I found that I liked it, so much so, I wrote a sequel
in 2014. This is the opening of the book and, I hope, it
appropriately sets the scene.
The
full moon seemed to follow him as he walked down the road alone. Wind
whispered in the trees and dried leaves clattered in its wake. An owl
hooted. The hairs on the back of his neck stood at attention.
The
wind became voices. The leaves, the dry rattle of old bones. The
sighing grew louder and Brian was able to pick out words. At least,
he thought they were words, but in a language he couldn't understand.
Picking
up his pace, he glanced over his shoulder. Wispy figures gathered in
the tree line around the swamp, moving slowly and steadily toward
him. Brian tried to convince himself it was only his imagination, but
it felt far too real.
One
of the figures approached at a slow, loping run. Brian could hear the
heavy, measured footfalls as it lumbered toward him. He completely
lost his cool. Roaring loudly, he ran at the figure, dodging away
when it grabbed at him. Chilling wind passed as the figure drifted
away, dissipating as it headed to the woods on the other side of the
road.
Brian
ran along the center of the road, frightened by his encounter with
the wraith. More of them gathered in the swampy woodland, but no
others were bold enough to approach him. Hearing a twig snap to his
left, Brian put on a burst of speed. With a cry of fear, he felt a
shove at his back and tripped over his own feet. As he fell, he saw
the wraiths grow bolder. They moved in unison, swooping toward him.
Terrified, Brian lay on his belly, unsure how to combat them.
A
solid form burst out of the bushes. A large dog stood over Brian,
growling and barking. It took a moment for him to realize that the
wraiths halted. Some tried to go a step or two further, but the dog
renewed its attack. One by one the ghosts dispersed, melting into the
fog once more.
Brian
let his breath out slowly. The animal stood over him, but moved aside
as he sat up. It was the biggest dog Brian had ever seen, broad
through the chest with powerful legs and a ridge of hair down his
spine. It looked silver in the moonlight.
Curious,
Brian reached slowly toward it, hand out, palm up. The beast's tongue
flicked out, licking his cheek. Her warm breath convinced the boy
that the dog was alive and real. She slurped him again, butting his
hand so he'd pet her. Laughing, he complied.
"Where
did you come from, girl?" Predictably, he got no reply. "Never
mind, I'm just glad you're here."
He
got up, dusting himself off. Leaves stuck to his body, mud caked
every inch of him. Twigs and more leaves adorned his closely cropped
hair. Getting his bearings, he headed toward home once more. The dog
walked with him, her head under his hand. Her tongue lolled and she
looked as if she were laughing at his appearance.
"You
take a header into a mud puddle and see how good you look."
The
dog barked gleefully. She dashed ahead, sniffed and snorted, before
trotting back to his side. She stayed with him until they reached his
home. With a yip, she left him, drifting into the woods. The front
door banged shut with a comforting thump behind him. Heaving a sigh
of relief, Brian locked and bolted the door. He leaned against it,
panting. His hands shook and he felt light headed. His heart thumped
so hard in his chest, he could hear it in his ears.
©
Dellani Oakes 2015
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