The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!

Ripples 
by R.A. Clarke 

Come closer, child.

Don’t be afraid.

Walk down the path

and you’ll find me.

Neither creature nor spirit, 

nay, I’m far more than that.

I am a pool of distinction,

been here for centuries.

Pristine and private,

my waters are clear,

shallow and warm.

Call me Aquamarine—

humble offerer of deals.

If you need to cleanse.

Don’t fight the flow.

Wash your cares away.

Just step in—dip a toe.

Plunge your weary soul

into my waiting depths.

Drown your sorrows.

Submerge, then drink.

Quench your thirst.

Taste of my power.

Let me soothe your aches,

numb all your burdens.

Fill yourself to the brim.

I promise you’ll not miss

what I take from you

as payment for rapture.

It will be replaced in full

with everything you desire.

All you’ve ever dreamed. 

You shall want for nothing

and feel only pleasure.

It’s only once I’ve slurped

every drop of anguish

that our deal will end—

our exchange completed.

But, my sweetness,

won’t it be worth it?

To be free of your woes?

I vow to hold you dear

until your last breath…

But that will feel like

a lifetime from now.

Trust me—guzzle me

That’s it. Bind our fates

and grasp your bliss.

Now rise tall and radiant. 

Emerge effervescent,

shimmering, clean.

Yes, my lovely, yes.

And now off you go!

Stride into your future.

Embrace it and live well.

Let my memory fade.

I’ll be here, content

to suckle and savour

your hastily traded pain.

Do not waste my gift…

For you haven’t as long,

as you might believe.

My hunger is ravenous.

You’ll feed me for a week.

Maybe two—if you’re lucky.

Wither and rot will show

when your well runs dry.

And I shall simply bask.

My win warms my waters.

Triumphant currents swirl.

My glassy surface breaks,

glistening as it ripples.

.

Fiction © Copyright R.A. Clarke
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com 

More from author R.A. Clarke:

A daughter’s last chance at redemption on an alien planet. A sweeping secret that could not only end her dreams, but her life as well.

Finn Rucker boards the starship to seek a fresh start as part of a colonizing effort on Joya. The race, sponsored by Governus, yields free land and startup funds for the lucky winners. The number of entrants guarantees someone is going to lose and Finn is determined that she and her bionic horse, Herc, are among the winners.

Racing through uncharted jungle to the settlement of Novus, Finn and her fellow racers soon discover that not everything is as it seems – and Governus withheld information from the contestants. Strange beasts attack the racers, mechanical equipment begins to fail, and the very air seems out to get them.

When all seems lost, a mysterious people arrive and help the racers, revealing the depth of Governus’ deception. Finn will have to keep her pulse pistols close and her new friends closer – but not too close – as they all race to survive the jungle.

You will love this mashup of Hidalgo and James Cameron’s Avatar as Finn navigates the guilt of her past, the promise of a future, and the imminent dangers of her present.

Available on Amazon!