Picture Prompts: Curiosity

It was a cave like no other she had ever seen before. The entrance was barely big enough to fit her head through. Could her cubs be safe in this cave? Curiosity filled her as she sniffed at the entrance. Her cubs bounced playfully at her side. It was such a strange phenomenon, this cave in the middle of the open ice. They wanted to go inside but of course mama bear had to check it out before they could go inside into the inviting looking cave that only they could fit in, such raucous they could cause and their mother would not be able to nip at them to behave, but of course they were not going to say that out loud. There was a strange light coming from inside, as well as, she sniffed the air, seal? Could there really be a seal in there. But the seal smelled, different, inviting, but different. The cubs whimpered and whined, pawing at her belly. They were tired from their trek across the ice and they wanted to go inside and rest and eat, seal? They were hungry. Mama nipped at their heels and growled softly for them to quiet down as she ease onto the ground and inched her face closer and closer to the tiny cave opening. Her nose barely entered when her eyes widened and she grunted in shock. Four pairs of wide-eyed creature covered in seal, wolf and ….. bear hide ……. stared back at her. “Run,” she growled to her baby cubs.

Photo Friday! A Kitty Siesta!

Kitty Dayz

Ah, the life of a cat is totally awesome. Meet Cali-fat and A-Wall, my niece's cats who for some reason think mi casa, their casa.

A Kitty Siesta!

Lounging in a chair

Relaxing on the bed

Munching on Kibbles

Sipping some milk

Lazing on the window sill

Watching the birds in the trees

Napping on the stairs

Resting by her feet

Snacking in the kitchen

Searching for another treat

Dozing underneath the table

Snoozing by the fireplace

This is my life

A Kitty Siesta!

Wordless Wednesday (1)

Picture Prompts: Freedom

Freedom. What an idea. The thought of it makes my heart skip a beat. But right now I'm shrouded in secrecy, headed to a life of eternal torment, servitude and blind obedience. Strong arms grip mine, ensuring I can't flee. But how beautiful is the night. The great lake of life reflects the universe like diamonds. It carries the scent of lavender and my freedom. I am forced onto the vessel that will take me beyond the horizon where the glow of Haitus emanates. I dare not look back at them, my father and brothers who have abandoned me to my fate. But did they have a choice? One life for over one thousand lives. Do I? Alone on the great lake with only the rising moon to watch over me, I must decide...Live enslaved or die free.

Picture Prompts: Cosmos

The night sky explodes with brilliance and color. A sound so deafening it lingers on even after the explosion. The ground shakes, trees fall and the mountains tremble. My body is thrown to the ground. Every building lay toppled or completely destroyed. Not even our fortified bunkers and sanctuaries are spared. But we knew this day was coming. 

For generations scientists warned of the great event. We knew our world would witness the birth of a new star system. We prepared for it. At least we thought we did. What we didn't know was that the new star system would open up a rift in our own galaxy. A rift that would either be a new beginning or a horrifying ending. 

But it is too late now. As the rift opens, we are bound to the fate of our world. Those who left before the great event, my family included, are likely safe in a faraway galaxy. But here I stand witnessing with my own eyes the most powerful birth of all. In all its beauty and glory, I  brace myself for what will come.

Picture Prompts: The Dark Side

Rumor has it that no one has ever returned from the dark side of the moon. Rumors that divide; rumors that conquer. Rumors that enslave and oppress. They say there is no turning back once you've reached the outer limit, where light disappears into the black of darkness. They say the dark side is an abyss of nothingness, where even thoughts can get lost in the vast expanse of mute space. But tonight I will take that chance. A chance to free myself of the rumors, perhaps even the lies. There is no turning back for me as I extend my shaking hand into the unknown of the dark side. It is a matter of uncertain life or excruciating death.

Picture Prompts: Mystic Fall

There exist a mystic place that cures all diseases of the body and the mind, beauty for flaws, youth for age, intelligence for senility, strength for weakness, immortality for mortality. From this mystic place flows a water so pure, so clean, so true that it cleanses upon sight. I have seen this place. I have tasted its water. I have cleansed my soul in its fall. Its cool waters descend from an invisible heaven and gather in pools, glowing by the light of an unseen source. With every breath, my lungs filled with the mystic mist. My wrinkles vanished. My vision became clear, my hearing crisp, strength flowed through my veins again. My memory returned with knowledge I did not know before. Bliss. Wonderful bliss. I felt whole again. But that is all I remember. I never noticed the watchful eyes on the wall. The ones that protect these pure waters, this mystic fall. Glowing. Glaring. Savage. No one warned me when they whispered about the fabled cave containing healing waters. No one told me that a place so pure could be so cursed. No one told me that this mystic place was never meant to be found by a sinful mortal. So remains the secret of the Mystic Falls.

Picture Prompt: The Lost City.......

No one knows for sure how I met my demise. There have been a lot of discussions, speculations, research, and even grand expeditions to find me and learn about my history and final days. But I was there. I know. Built by hands that were neither god nor human, I governed the great waters that nestled between the vast East and West continents. With knowledge and technology far greater and more advanced than any on the planet, my builders ruled supreme. A city of wonder, a city of power and a city of wealth; I was a city that all wanted to conquer and possess. For thousands of years they ruled in peace, but slowly, like the sanding of shores, corruption crept into and infested the hearts of the builders. The battle began not just from outside the great city walls but within. In a sacred room in the center of the city’s heart, the high elders made one final attempt to protect their city from the wicked and ruthless. During a great storm, they used every bit of their knowledge and power to hide me from the weak and narrow-minded. In one great wave, the finest, most technologically advanced city in the world vanished taking with it thousands of years of knowledge and wisdom. Some say a great tsunami swept me away, some say a devastating earthquake seized me while others don’t think I ever existed. But I know better. I am here to say I do exist. Once a strong, formidable, sight to see, I am here beneath the depths. A remnant of my glorious past, I am hidden away forever.

Picture Prompt: Crying Girl

Lowered gaze, a silent tear,

No one knows my worries,

my fears.

No one stops, no kindness to share.

they keep on walking

without a care.

I sit alone, waiting to hear,

all the while holding on

to what's dear.

My dignity, my pride,

my soul, my life.

Picture Prompt: Rear View Mirror

He said he'd never let me leave, holding my throat in the grip of his rage.

He said I'd never make it out the door.

He said I was stupid, worthless and could never make it on my own.

He said I needed him to live, to survive.

He said many things that night.

But he lied.

My throat has healed and all I see now is my shackled past in the rear view mirror.

Picture Prompt: Still Standing

Pic from here

THEY came to our world without warning or invitation. In a single bright flash, they changed our very existence. We once ruled the forest, holding it together with our gripping roots; our strong, ever-reaching branches and thick leaves protected all who sought refuge from the burning rays of light. We were alive. We guarded and protected for as far and wide as the eye could see. Then THEY came, invaders, thieves, consuming every goodness we had to offer, even those we tried to hide. When THEY were done and could not take anything else from us, they left. In a single bright flash, they were gone leaving us to take our last breath. But even in death, we still stand, watching over the memories of our legacy and centuries past.

Autumn Song-Red Glow

This is the result of a 15 min nano word sprint :D got to love twitter!

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Autumn Song-Red Glow

I stepped out my door for the first time in months after the accident. I took a deep breath. The air was refreshing. Despite my fear of every sudden move or sound, I loved the freedom of moving air around me. It came as a bit of a shock when my foot crunched on a few dried leaves. I looked out at my yard. The trees were no longer green. A crisp breeze made my bones shiver. I stood rubbing my hands and looking at the yard. As the sun set, my trees looked like they were on fire with their red and gold leaves sweeping and swaying in the breeze. A red leaf detached from a branch nearby. The wind blew it towards me. As it swirled and danced gracefully in the air, I reached for it. I took a small feeble step forward but jumped back as I realized I would have to step off the porch. I looked around to see if anyone was around, if anyone saw my fear or hesitation. I looked for the leaf. It was still in the air dancing for me. I limped once more to the edge of the porch. The breeze getting a little colder, forced the red leaf towards me again. My leg did not hurt as much, whether it was due to the chilling breeze or the fact I was so captivated by the dancing leaf I did not feel the pain as I stood on it. The leaves on the trees rustled as the wind sang through them. The chimes on the porch added to the autumn ensemble. I leaned on the porch post and once again reached for the leaf. It was just out of reach. Was it mocking me? Was it enticing me, encouraging me to be bolder like it’s new found color? I took a deep breath and stepped down off the porch. On wobbly legs, I stepped onto a granite block. A stone skipped making my heart skip a beat, but the red leaf was much closer. It danced to the song of the wind. The trees behind it glowed reddish gold. I smiled, forgetting my fears, my pain. I stepped on to another granite block, then another, turning, circling, and lifting, on my good leg. For a moment in time, I danced with the red leaf to the song of autumn’s red glow. As the sun disappeared, the breeze passed and the leaf fell into my hands. I hobbled back into my safe, cozy cave and closed the door behind me.

Picture Prompt: The Cave of Crystals

http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-of-the-day/crystal-cave-pod/

Muna adjusted her breathing mask. It was getting harder and harder to breathe as the exploration party climbed deeper into the cave. At first, the climb was a rather gentle slope, then, after about six miles, they came to a steep climb.

“Hurry up, Muna” her brother shouted down at her. “I don’t want you getting lost or left behind.”

Muna took a few more breaths, deep and slow and then continued the climb. She grabbed on to the rope and began hammering spikes into the rock. Each pound echoed in the dark gave.

“Muna!” he shouted.

“I heard you, I’m fine. I just needed to take a breather.”

She looked up. Her brother’s helmet light was beginning to get dimmer and dimmer. She had to keep up. She had to push on. Muna needed to prove she was capable of being a competent member of the research team. Though she was an excellent scientist and geologist, her father had forbidden her to go on the search for the legendary cave of crystals, and since it was his money funding the project, she had to abide by his request. With the help of her mother and brother, Rashid, however, she was able to convince her father that her being present would best serve the success of the project. Muna stopped thinking about her father and continued to climb, one step after the next.

“Clink, clink,” the metal to rock echoed around her. It was getting hotter in the cave. She wiped a trickle of sweat from her brow and loosened her scarf a bit. She checked her thermometer. It was reaching 53 degrees Celsius, humidity 100%. She had six more hours of air coolant and her suit still had over 75 % of its ice cubes sealed in the lining of her suit to help keep her cool. She needed to reach the site in less than 2 hours, if she was going to get accurate testing results and samples of the legendary Butah Crystals.

Just as Muna lifted her spike to hammer in another nail, she felt a slight tremor. The rope swayed a bit and a few small rocks loosened sending specks of dirt falling onto her head and arms. Moments after the tremor, she heard a low rumble. A moment later, another tremor rocked the cave. This time, one of the spikes came a loose sending Muna swinging along the face of the stone rocky cavern. She banged against the rock face a couple of times until she caught hold of a protruding rock. She clung to the rock, breathing heavily, gasping for air.

“Muna!” she heard her brother call. “Muna.”

She could not see anything and she was beginning to loose air in her suit. She could hear a low hissing sound as the air seeped out of as a result of crashing into the ragged rocks. She felt a tug on her rope. She was moving, upward.

“Hurry, Rashid,” she barely whispered.

Her eyes slowly closed as the air in her suit hissed. The last thing she saw was a dim light approaching her.