Surrender

As promised, my Mini Halloween Contest entry.

.

I worked with this piece in a few of the 2008 Muse Online Writer's Conference workshops.

But, one of my organizational goals for the week following the conference was to submit a piece

to the above-mentioned contest. Though some of you will recognize it, I've reworked it just a bit.

And, as I'll more than likely submit Walks with the Moon, under the nom de plume of,

Willa Rawlings, I'm posting the following snippet under my own name.
.

Surrender

an excerpt from Walks with the Moon

.

The near full moon shone bright in the clear night sky. Juniper, sage, and sweet grass lilted upon the cool autumnal breeze as Sophie Lahey walked up the steps and onto front porch of the isolated mountain cabin. Just as her knuckles struck the cedar planking the door eased away, and a faint light echoed from deep inside.
.
“Hello!” Sophie hesitated and then called, “Conall?”

.
When a wave of melancholy drenched her senses, Sophie drew in and blew out a hard-drawn breath. She summoned her courage, pushed upon the door, and raised her voice, “Conall!”
.
“Miss Lahey?”

.
A quick sigh escaped her lips. Startled by the unfamiliar voice, Sophie closed her eyes and took a moment to collect her wits. Her heart raced as she craned her neck through the opening. An old Indian, bathed in the harsh lighting of the old miner’s lantern--held down past his waist--walked in silent footfalls through an unearthly dark.

.
Soothed by his demeanor Sophie answered, “Yes.”

.
“I am Calvin. I do not believe my grandson was expecting you.” He motioned with his free hand to welcome her inside.

.
“No.” Sophie said as she crossed over the doorsill. “He wasn’t.”

.
The flickering light glistened and danced in the elder’s compassionate eyes. But Sophie couldn’t rid or disconnect herself from the desolation that permeated the shadows of the room.

.
“I, on the other hand, have waited a very long time for you.”

.
Sophie stood agape; with not the first word in response.

.
“His sorrow was never mine to heal. My love cannot reach far enough inside to touch the agony that chases him.”

.
Sophie then sensed the presence of a spirit guide. Deer reiterated its lesson in healing, matching the old man's words when a guttural howl pierced the silence. The old man stood motionless, unaffected. When a chill rippled up her spine, Sophie knew-- it was Conall.

.
She feared the question forming. Calvin said nothing. Deer offered nothing. Sophie breathed deep and shook her head; refusing to give it voice.

.
“What haunts my grandson now haunts you.” Calvin closed the distance between him and his grandson’s salvation.

.
Sophie stood inert, shaking her head. Unwilling to accept what she felt. And from whom it came.

.
“You know these things are real.” Calvin said.

.
Chains thrashed and the clang of steel resounded in the dark. With yet another howl, a vehement rage swept through Sophie’s entirety.

.
“You think you came here by chance?”

.
Sophie shook in the night air. Tears welled and spilled over her cold cheeks. Her heart surged in her chest, and she began to back away; one laborious footstep at a time.

.
“Reach for his love. I know you have felt it.”

.
Calvin lowered the lantern to the floor and rushed to grab her forearms. “Touch his soul, Sophie. Temper what you feel now with your love. It is greater than his rage.”

.

Sophie fought to calm her breath and heart.

.
“You know it is there. See beyond what you hear and feel and reach for the love he refuses to surrender to.”

.

.

.

Copyright 2008, L.L. Abbott Soul Echoes & Quill of the Heart.All Rights Reserved