“Why are we doing this?”
“What do you mean?” Mother was trying to manage the balloons and little Riki, so she only half-heard Jens’ question.
“Why are we going into the forest today? It doesn’t make any sense.”
“Don’t talk like that, Jens. Someone will hear you.”
“So what?”
“He might hear you. You don’t want to be chosen.”
“No, I don’t. So why are we going? Why don’t we just stay home? Every year everyone goes into the forest and a few people don’t come back. Why?”
“Because He calls.”
He stopped walking. Eventually, he turned and went home.
Very sinister, with the echoes of a modern ghost story! Like it!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for reading and commenting! :-)
DeleteTo be chosen is ominous.....
ReplyDeleteCertainly seems that way :-)
DeleteSpooky, unnerving.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading! :-)
DeleteUnsettling...smart kid!
ReplyDeleteThanks :-)
DeleteNice element of suspense...
ReplyDeleteThanks very much :-)
DeleteI'd stop walking in those woods. Yes sir. ;)
ReplyDeleteIt would be the sensible thing to do. :-)
DeleteOh, this is a bit unsettling..cool write..
ReplyDeleteThank you :-)
DeleteNicely done! Never answer that call.
ReplyDeleteWell done....David! :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading! :-)
DeleteSpookily succinct. You do these mini stories so well. Some mum!
ReplyDeleteThanks very much :-)
Deletegulp
ReplyDelete:::swallowing hard:::
Think I'll stay away from that spot.
It's just always scarier when you don't spell things out, isn't it? :-)
Delete*goose bumps*
ReplyDeleteThank you :-)
DeleteThe tone of "Tradition" made me think of "The Lottery," by Shirley Jackson. With the difference that the character chooses something different. I really like that. Some traditions are gloriously fulfilling... others can kill so many things.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading and commenting! :-)
Delete