Safe Passage – Friday Fictioneers – 03/14/14

Amy Reese,

It’s time for Friday Fictioneers. For once, I’m ahead of schedule, or maybe on schedule. This week’s story has been inspired by my son, who insists I write fantasy. I’m not sure this qualifies, but in his honor, I made an attempt.

This is also my opportunity to plug his blog. Yes, my son has started a blog. I want to thank all of you who have visited him already. I appreciate it! Thank you so much. His blog is called Fantastic Fantasy Inc. Please check it out when you have a minute. He’s posted a few stories.

Thank you to Rochelle for her dedication to this incredible group, and to Adam Ickes for the photo. It’s beautiful.

For more stories from the Fictioneers click here.

Genre: Fantasy – YA (100 words)

Copyright – Adam Ickes

Safe Passage

Steam lifted from the swamp beneath them, bubbling in reaction to their presence on the bridge.

Eli consulted his map. “If we stay on this path, we will have safe passage to Valcor.”

His little sister Freya choked, “All I see is grey and ash. Now burning fire.” She shrieked with her eyes closed.

“No, Freya. It’s a blanket of flowers, fresh, blooming. Can’t you smell them?” he held her shoulders firmly. “Concentrate, Freya.”

A strong Visionary had power to manipulate the elements. Eli gasped at a colorful meadow before them.

She smiled, but in her eyes Eli saw fear.

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94 Comments

  1. Wonderful fantasy story telling, Amy. I love the imagery and the protectiveness of Eil for his sister Freya. BTW: stopped by and read a few of your son’s stories… how wonderful that he’s working so hard! He’s so creative and fun in his writing. Good job encouraging him, Mom. 😉

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    1. Oh, thank you Dawn! I often thought it would be fun to let loose and let my imagination run wild with a fantasy. My son is definitely an inspiration. It’s fun to see someone write with no worries. Just does it! It’s refreshing. Thanks so much for dropping by his blog, Dawn. I appreciate that. That’s great!

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      1. I am happy to encourage a young writer! I tutor high school and middle school students in writing… often for college apps, but other work as well. I love to see young people tap into that outlet. You’re right, they do it fearlessly, once they have the damage schools have done, unraveled. :-p

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      2. So true about school interfering with fearless writing with abandon. I didn’t know you tutored. That’s great! Do you enjoy this? I’ve often thought about doing something like that. A few of us are trying to get some young writers together and connected through blogging, so if you know of anyone who might be interested, let me know or send them to my son’s blog, although it sounds like your students may be older. I think that could be fun.

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      3. I love tutoring!! LOVE it. I don’t charge, but the school and parents have told me I should. I just enjoy getting kids to really dig deep for their essays… they are trained in school to shut down all personal stuff, and follow a program for writing. It tends to squash so much creativity, if you ask me. If I know anyone, I’ll let you you know… but cool idea!

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  4. Sometimes the unknown adds a frightening thought and yet with a calm and learned guide everything is possible. I like your talented approach to fantasy Amy and I hope that there will be many more of these short stories to whet our appetites.

    Have a great Thursday 🙂

    Andro

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    1. Thanks, Andro! Thanks for your generous comments. I like the big brother guiding the more power little sister. In the end, it’s all about love. Isn’t it always? Maybe you will see more of this.

      Have a great Thursday, too! Thanks. xoxo 🙂

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    1. Thanks, Dianne. Oh, thanks so much for checking out his blog! He’s having a lot of fun with it. I’m excited he wants to write anything. I’m so proud of him. 🙂

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  9. It seems people often see things differently. In this case you have taken it to the extreme by adding a different level of seeing. I would like to hear more of this story, Amy. Really well done. I am off to check out your son’s blog now.

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    1. People see all kinds of different things in these prompts. I know I am fascinated each week with the stories. Thanks for the kind words. Perhaps, I will write a fantasy. Maybe it’s in the cards. I had a psychic friend tell me I was going to write a Young Adult book! Ha ha. So, who knows. Oh, thank you! He’ll love that. I appreciate you checking out my son’s site.

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  10. Hi Amy,
    Excellent dialog and I like the interaction between brother and sister, and his attempt to ease her fears. I think you could write great fantasy if this is any indication. Will check out your son’s blog. Ron

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    1. Thank you so much, Ron. I like this relationship, too. Hmm, perhaps this has promise. I appreciate you reading my son’s blog.It means a lot. Thanks for taking the time.

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  11. Well duh he’s your son and you his writer Mother. Yes, fantasy, and this weekend, my son and I will be checking out your son’s website. I told him about it and he’s excited. He’s a writer too and has a weebly site we never do anything on. Sooo, thanks ahead of time for his inspiration. I know him, he’ll be writing a novel like your son soon.
    Love,
    Shalagh

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    1. Shalagh, does your son have a blog? I have a blogging friend who has a son who loves to write, too. We’re talking about getting them connected somehow so they could have their own little group. Would you be interested in this? So far, my son wants to be a scientist or an engineer. So, we’ll see!
      Love,
      Amy

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      1. My sister set him up something on Weebly. So technically he has a blog. He’s such a flibberty jibbit though you know? Does your son type? I would be all about hooking them up somehow. It’s just a matter of logistics and habits I suppose. Let me know what you think up.
        Love,
        Shalagh

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      2. My son makes an attempt at typing. He does it, but NOT the non-looking way. He looks at keys and such. How do you suppose we could connect them? Does you son have an web address we could access? You can always email me, too. Thanks! I think this would be a lot of fun way for my son to keep writing.
        Love, Amy

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  14. This doesn’t just qualify as fantasy. It’s successful fantasy, which is much harder.
    Though if you move from YA to Adult, you’re going to need more leather.
    And bodices.
    😀

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  15. Amy, I liked your take on this photo and the use of visualization to get across the bridge. Maybe it would work better with her eyes closed and him leading her, such as blindfolding horses if you have to get them through or around fire. 🙂 Your son’s doing well. I left him a suggestion in my comment, so I hope he doesn’t mind that.

    janet

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    1. The idea is that the fire is off in the distance, but I like the blindfold idea. That’s interesting. Thanks so much for visiting my son’s blog. Your comments are perfect! That will give him something to think about. Thanks for that. 🙂

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  25. Dear Amy,

    I think this bit of a story is lovely and has potential to be a fascinating adventure. Well done. Now I’ll have to drop by your son’s blog. .;)
    Hint: Second row. Second from the left. 😉

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    1. Rochelle, thank you. I think I could do something with it (as I say with a lot of my FF!). That’s what I love most about FF. I never know what will come out of a prompt and that had I never seen the prompt, the story may have never came to be. My son would love a visit. Ha! This last comment was a bit of a mystery until I read your second one. Okay! Yes, I was leaning toward this guess. Love it! So cute. 🙂

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  26. Scary to have that kind of ability- to manipulate and yet as you show in your story Amy,it is only on the surface-Eli knows that and can thus see his sister’s fear!Very creative and I love that name-Valcor 🙂

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    1. Thank you! My son actually came up with up Valcor. I like it. And, then it made me think of volcanoes. It’s kind of fun to run with a story. What you see and what’s really there are not always the same thing. Poor little Freya must be strong. Thanks so much reading.

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  29. at first, i thought there was some kind of typo. it was freya who should be gasping at the imaginary meadow. then the aha moment when i read it again. very clever of you.

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  32. She managed the flowers but I hope the fear that has appeared in her eyes doesn’t prompt something nasty to emerge via her visionary powers!
    This was a great fantasy story 🙂

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  33. Good story and dialogue. I’ll make sure to check your son’s blog. I love to see creativity in children. I would also encourage you to continue with this genre. All good wishes for the success of your tutoring. I hope some great authors are developed by it.

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    1. Thank you, Patricia. My son would love some visitors.I’m excited because he just decided to do it all on his own. Whether or not he sticks with it, we’ll see. Kids can be so creative because they don’t have that little critical voice that can interfere. Thanks for the kind words.

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    1. My thought was that she still sees all the evil but she is some kind of shield against it. So, while her brother sees flowers, she still sees the reality. I think I could do something with that idea. Thanks for reading!

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  37. Amy this is fabulous.Fantasy is your thing. I could visualize everything. Perhaps this is simply Freya’s power woven into your tale. I really enjoyed these siblings. I hope to see more of them.

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  41. Pingback: The Forest of Tempered Secrets – Friday Fictioneers – 03/28/14 | Amy Reese Writes

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