August's prompt: write a less than 400 word sci-fi or fantasy story wherein there is a close call or a secret is almost revealed. Let’s say hard mode is: no using adverbs.
As always, creative liberty with the prompt is encouraged!
Post your stories in the channel when you're done; one entry will be selected (providing we receive 3+ entries) to be put through the editing process and then read aloud on Mythos & Ink's podcast, Wayfarer's Guide to Worldbuilding.
You've got until 11:59pm CST on August 31st to submit your piece!
Written August 3rd, 2023
“Follow me.”
You trail behind the Record Keeper as he leads you to transport point to the deepest level of the library that you have access to.
You make small talk as you both make your way into the depths of the entombed library, traveling deeper and deeper into records of times long gone; the promises of secrecy asked of you are easy to make and easier to fake.
The shelves are winding, a maze of scrolls and books in pristine condition despite their age. You hurry to catch up as he speeds up all of a sudden, trying to keep pace as best as you can. You focus and a doubled version of yourself follows after the ancient man as you dart off the path into a section you know exists here, pulling out the piece of parchment you snuck in.
You find the book you’ve been searching for, flipping through the pages to find the rune you heard only whispers of rumors about, and scribble it down in a rush.
So caught in your victory, you do not realize he has found you until you realize you cannot move, adrenaline useless as your body is frozen in place. He circles to your front, taking the scribbled rune and the book from your hand, returning the latter to its rightful spot with care before lighting your parchment on fire with a thought.
“You knew the risks. I told you them all, and you promised you were aware of them. You never thought you’d face consequences though, did you?”
It’s rhetorical but you wish you could say something witty, instead of just staring in horror as he walks away from you. His lantern dims as he leaves you in this labyrinth, and as you fall to your knees, you know you are the only living thing here.
The man reaches the upper floors, shaking his head. That was too close.