Inidgo Sky

Black soil trickles between calloused fingers, like sand through an hourglass. Caleb inhales the rich earth, welcoming the damp scent into his lungs. Suddenly he shudders uncontrollably when he exhales, overcome with exhaustion and emotions locked inside which now burst forth. His tears hidden within the soft rains falling from an autum sky. Tired muscles tremble with a will of their own.

Alone in the field he glances at the destruction, and devastation the day had wrought. The hairs on his arms lift as earths gentle breath washes over him. He prays it may cleanse his soul from actions preformed this day. A cry of a hawk, the nattering sound of insects and haunting call of an owl fill the dusk sky. Life goes on, even after death.

The demands of this land are a blessing and a curse. She always said its up to us to live within the balance. He did all that, it was why they came to this place, so far from where they started and more lives ago than he could ever count. Yet here he stands, here he will remain. Nature, nor the ill will of man will ever shake him from all they fought for, all they hungered for.

With fading strength, Caleb finds himself kneeling, then on all fours, fingers clutching the wet dirt, clawing at it like he is digging his own grave. Her voice breaks through his darkness like the dawn, a ray of light in this bleak world.

“You'll need that anger soon, don't waste your strength.”

Looking up he watches her saunter forth from the mist weaving through the fields like a meandering stream. Her vision wavers like a heat mirage on a hot summers day. His body quivers in the damp air when he hears her voice float upon the breeze, wrapping the words around him in a blanket of warmth, yet in an instant her words chill him once more.

“Don’t give in because of this. The man who was my mate is no coward, or have you changed in so short a time?” She states.

Caleb stumbles to his feet, embarrassed, shaking as adrenaline courses through his body. “How dare you say that to me, I’m not the one who left.”

“It wasn’t by choice.”

“Nevertheless, your absence has created a hole big enough for me to fall in and vanish forever.”

Smiling she says. “There is no time for self pity.”

Craning her neck towards the sky, it was as if she willed the rains to stop. Suddenly the sun broke through the darkened clouds. Blanketing the field with halo’s of gold and indigo rays.

Before Caleb can speak, he hears the squish of footsteps from behind. Turning around he watches his son approach. Lean and powerful, the young man walked with purpose.

“Father, it’s time.”

Nodding, he places a hand upon the warriors shoulder, Caleb replies. “I will join you soon.”

He watches his son walk away to join the others gathered at the edge of their village.

Caleb faces the woman once again. Standing tall as if she were alive, knowing she is not.

Gently she says. “You know what must be done.”

His throat tightens as he glances back at the great pyre silhouetted against the sky. “I do. You fought well today my love.”

She smiles. “Until the end.”

Her body begins to shimmer, before her vision fades Caleb hears her say. 'Then go my love, free my soul to the heavens. Find your strength, gather our people and fight for this land. Our home.'

Thank you,

Jason

This is for the Unofficial challenge: Beginning - Endings. Write a piece that can be both the beginning of a story or the final chapter of one. This is my interpretation of the challenge.

If you enjoyed this story, I have added a few favorites of mine below:

A Dystopian tale that may be closer to the truth than we wish to believe:

How one man copes with grief:

This is my son's favorite, an innocent story of love and how to be graceful no matter the future: This was written before the comment section, I would love to read your view on it.