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The Map That Drew Itself Part 1

He Traced It--It Retraced

By Michelle Liew Tsui-LinPublished 3 months ago Updated 3 months ago 1 min read
The Map That Drew Itself Part 1
Photo by Andrew Stutesman on Unsplash

Some maps don't like being drawn--they prefer to hold the pen.

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The Head Historian had approached Elias Mapps that morning with a task that those in the archives shunned---to restore a fading map. 

It simply took too much work. 

But young Mapps had little to do that evening--no dates, nothing on HIS personal map. 

He squinted at its intricate lines under the glow of a UV lamp. 

Its lavender hues seemed to flicker with unanswered questions.

The Pacific, Atlantic....the 70% water that made the globe. 

His meticulous pen traced the fine lines surrounding the continents. 

The line glowed.

He leapt.

As though the springs in his seat had sent him to another realm.

He fell back against his swivel chair, head striking the headboard. 

He swore--the continents had moved under his pen. 

Columbus' America had become---Asia. 

And Africa had taken India's place. 

Places in his own city were--

New. 

Unfamiliar. 

Young Mapps blinked. It had been a long day--or he was growing old. 

As he left the room, the continents shifted once more, and the glowing line made an ominous curve--

Into an arrow.

Pointing---to a historian it seemed to know.

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For Mikeydred's October Challenge

Horror

About the Creator

Michelle Liew Tsui-Lin

Hi, i am an English Language teacher cum freelance writer with a taste for pets, prose and poetry. When I'm not writing my heart out, I'm playing with my three dogs, Zorra, Cloudy and Snowball.

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Comments (4)

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  • Novel Allen3 months ago

    Aw map. we need historians, what is happening

  • Marilyn Glover3 months ago

    I am very intrigued, Michelle, and on to the next chapter!

  • Aarish3 months ago

    I appreciate how the piece gradually builds tension, letting the reader experience Mapps’ confusion and wonder firsthand. The shifting continents add a clever, fantastical twist.

  • Stephanie Hoogstad3 months ago

    Intriguing. I definitely want to see more of this!

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