The young couple walked together hand-in-hand along the woodland path. She marvelled at his knowledge of nature; of birds, trees, flowers. There was so much she still didn't know about him. They had met only recently, but the attraction had been immediate, and she was happy; so, so happy.
They sat on the soft new grass, and she felt its cool dampness through her shorts. The sun filtered through the leaves, patterning her legs with bright coins of sunlight. A blackbird sang in a sapling nearby. It was such a beautiful day.When they got up to leave, she leant against the tree trunk, and they kissed, his fingers tracing the outline of her forehead, her throat.
They never found her body.
The tree keeps its secrets.
(With thanks to Tess at Magpie Tales for the picture.)
Love it! I also saw the lover's angle in this, but your ending is far, far more sinister! Beautiful write!
ReplyDeleteFast and furious! I like the "bright coins of sunlight" line.
ReplyDeleteYou're very kind, Bekkie!
Deleteoh my....very sinister
ReplyDeleteI thought it would be a change from silly.
Deletewhoa whoa..."that escalated quickly. I mean that really got out of hand." haha
ReplyDeleteTanks for the comment, Michael.
DeleteNice and creepy.
ReplyDeleteWell, that tree is pretty creepy, Elena.
DeleteI looked carefully at the tree and I can see two figures; one with a crowned head in the centre with his left arm wrapped around a young girl, who is leaning with her back to the tree. Very scary and the story does it justice.
ReplyDeleteYes. I wonder whether the photo has been tampered with...?
DeleteI'll look on the bright side.....It's good to die happy.
ReplyDeleteIf only we could choose, Adrian....
DeleteYes. Maggie. I can see the figures too. Did you see them Frances? And, if so, is that what inspired this deliciously dark story?
ReplyDeleteI sort of half saw them, Lynne. Nut now they seem clear. That should have been "but"!
DeleteDelightful shudders for this bit of prose!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rommy.
DeleteOh my the secrets that they carry, evermore!
ReplyDeleteOh, those tight-lipped trees....!
ReplyDeleteNot exactly a feel-good story Frances.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't meant to be, Graham. I'm trying not to be frivolous.
DeleteFrances surely one can be feel good without being frivolous. In fact does your story as it is have a serious purpose to make it not frivolous? Just askin'!
Delete