Patches of splintered sunlight fell through the canopy onto the forest floor, writhing and twisting like flaming souls attempting escape from Hell.
Josh stood dead still, mimicking the statues surrounding him. Shadows bent, blending into the crevices of ancient stonework on the building in the center of the circle as they moved. The slight rustling of the snaking vines that enveloped the crypt was the only indication of their presence. Invisible guardians damned to Earth and charged with protecting the chalice for eternity.
A stagnant stench of decay hung in the air as he listened. His stomach knotted and he fought back the bile rising in his throat. The expedition watch on his wrist beeped as another hour passed and then silence once again.
“Rot” came the voice again, barely a whisper above the roar of nothing.
Josh remained frozen, waiting for the source of the voice before he dared move. He watched. He listened. His watch beeped again. Still there was nothing but him, the statues, the shadows and the crypt.
~
Josh explored the crevices of the ancient stonework for cracks that could be used for entry into the crypt. Snaking vines rustled as he brushed beneath them in his search. The passing of another hour was marked by the beep of the watch.
Movement outside the circle caught Josh’s attention. A man strode toward him, stopped and dropped his pack. He took a few steps forward, the fatigue on his face replaced with excitement in his eyes.
“Find the chalice and be spared the rot of humanity.” Josh whispered.
The man stood dead still, mimicking the skeletal statue with the watch next to him as he waited and listened. Josh began moving among the crevices, protecting the chalice resting within the crypt.
Inspired by a modified version of my own storystarters prompt:
The light fell on the ground in patches, splintered by the forest canopy above. It was like a disco ball for a party in Hell.
Creepy and well done. I like it.
I take it Josh stayed still for so long he starved to death and joined the guardians?
Whoa, very creepy. Wonderful use of language, you had my rapt attention the whole way through. Well done.
Take care,
Jess
Jess, thank you for the comments! I haven’t been unsure of a piece this much for a long time. I’m glad it seems to have worked. I feared I may have been a little heavy handed with word choices to create the atmosphere I wanted.
The Four Part Land, thank you for the read and comments. Yes, that’s exactly what happened to Josh.
Ooh, shudders. No need to have doubted this one. Creepy and well-written. And in 500 words, no less. I don’t think it’s heavy-handed as to word choice at all.
Loved it.