Scribbled Thoughts

Written for my Reading as a Writer assessment. Based off my 21:3 poem (also posted today.

She turned around and pulled, but they wouldn’t move. No amount of begging, bribing or threats of death would make them budge even an inch. The constant rain had left her body heavy and numb, clothes pulling her closer to the earth, willing her to sink and become one with the mud. She gave a last half-hearted tug on both leads, receiving stubborn silence in reply.

            Her eyes closed, grip loosening as she fantasized with letting go and giving into gravity. Perhaps the rain would wash her from existence; all her worries, responsibilities, all knowledge of her…gone.

            A strong sharp tug startled her eyes open, knees buckling. For a moment a spark of fear fluttered in her chest, an old instinct of self-preservation she hadn’t felt in weeks. A gasp of pain escaped as she fell to the grass, knees giving out further so even her face greeted the earth. It wasn’t physical, but a bubbling sharp sting erupted from her chest, making her gasp for breath and her throat seize up.

            Heaving in air she let out a desperate, long scream, attempting to expel any emotions threatening to end the peaceful numbness. A nudge against her right upper arm made the sound sizzle out. She lifted her upper body and stared at the two English bulldogs, now licking her dirt-encased hand and whining.

            Shock gripped her, clearing her mind to glance behind her, seeing the riverbank’s edge she’d almost walked off.

            ‘I-’ she started, surprised at the sound of her own voice. When had she last heard it?

            Gaia and Terra responded to the sound by whining louder and moving to lick her face. Their warm tongues and foul breath sent a renewed awareness through her body. Her whole being convulsed with shivers, her skin tight from cold. The constant rain hammered on her exposed head, a mini-drum pounding her into living.

            ‘I’m sorry,’ She whispered, giving each loyal dog a heartfelt stroke before reclaiming their leads and standing. ‘I won’t try that again.’

            The journey home was painful, her feet and hands soaked, her body beyond tired. She let Gaia and Terra lead, trusting them to keep her alive once again. Perhaps one day she’d be grateful for it.

            They led her to the back of the cottage, the usual routine after a walk. She’d forgotten to turn the kitchen light off before leaving and, for a moment, she saw him there, watching through the window. His smile was content, frozen forever, cradling a warm drink he’d never experience, but never let go of.

            She tried to stop but the eager dogs pulled her down the garden path. The closer they got the more he faded away until only an empty house remained. Numb fingers dug into her pockets for the keys, turning them in the lock but losing the strength to open.

            A sharp, hungry bark made her smile, just a little, as she shook herself and stepped inside.

            They still needed her.

This is an anime-style script I wrote for my Reading as a Writer assessment, which I then wrote a sonnet about (also being posted today). The scene was inspired by my Fallen Wing anime script, episode six, so it has the same character names and personalities.

Anime-style Script

[Screen is black for a few seconds. Start to hear echoed voices, one after the other.]

Teenage male voice: They were just messing with you a little; you didn’t need to pull a knife on them.

Teenage female voice: Well, what do you expect from a killer’s son? Laurel is lucky he didn’t lose that eye.

Nat: Shut up! Just shut up!

[Sound of rain begins, slowly getting louder. Change to Nat close face left-side view (only able to see head and top of shoulders). Nat is a sixteen-year-old boy with pale white skin and brown eyes. His hair is short and messy, black with white streaks running through it. He has an angry/scared look on his face.

Pan out so a full body Nat left-side view. Can see it’s night-time and he’s walking on a concrete path. Nat is wearing black trousers, black boots and a long black coat made of fake fur. Can also see top of his blue t-shirt underneath. He has a big, bulging rucksack on his back. His hands are on the straps around his shoulders to help support it. His left hand (closest to screen) has a deep slash on it, going diagonal from little finger to wrist.

His expression changes to confusion, then annoyance. Change to Nat back view to see him speed up towards a bus shelter ahead. It has three two-seater metal benches with a canopy sheltering them from the rain. A figure (Fern) is sat on the centre bench’s furthest seat. Their features are too far away to see, but have green trousers, brown boots and brown igloo-style coat with the hood pulled over their head. They’re waving at Nat. There’s a rucksack on the seat next to them.

Fern back view (so can see Nat beyond) as Nat reaches her. He gazes down at her bag and his eyes narrow.]

Nat: What are you doing out here?

[Fern front view as she stops waving and grins. Can now see she has white skin, green eyes and long wavy brown hair. She is also sixteen years old.]

Fern: Sitting. Waiting for you to show up. I knew you’d have to wait until everyone was asleep before sneaking out, and this bus stop has the earliest route to the train station. I’ve got some flasks of hot chocolate, while we wait.

[Change to bus shelter front view so can see Fern grab rucksack and move it onto her lap, beginning to open it. Nat is still standing nearby, but he sighs and sits on the seat next to her, where her bag previously was. She pulls a silver flask out and hands it to Nat, who hesitantly takes it. She grins at him, pulls out another silver flask then glances at her bag. She shrugs before setting it on the floor, unconcerned.

Zoom in closer so can just see Fern/Nat full body view as they start drinking from their flasks.]

Nat: You can’t stop me leaving, Fern.

Fern: I know, I just didn’t want you to disappear without hearing a few things first.

[Fern turns her body to face more towards Nat, looking at him. Nat glances up from his flask, meeting her gaze.]

Fern: You’re a good person, Nathan Simons.

[Nat scoffs and turns gaze away but Fern reaches her hands out to grab his, making them both drop their flasks.]

Fern: I don’t care who your father is! He doesn’t define who you are and neither does a desperate act to defend yourself against two idiots with knives.

[Close up of their left hands, see Fern gently stroking the gash on Nat’s hand.]

Fern: Promise me you won’t believe what they said.

[See Nat’s hand pull away from Fern’s. change back to Fern/Nat full body side view as he stands up and moves away from her, now out of the shelter.]

Nat: Why do you even care what happens to me?

[There’s a few moments of silence before Fern starts laughing, her body doubling over. Nat turns back to look at her, shocked. Fern stands and moves next to him, now both in the rain.]

Fern: Because I like you, you moron! I know we’re not officially dating, but you like me too, right?

[Nat ducks head down, blushing, but nods. Fern’s smile widens. She throws back her hood and laughs, grabbing Nat’s hands again. She spins them around, laughing, until Nat also smiles. She stops them and looks at him, serious.]

Fern: I promise you this, Nat, I will never leave you. Whether you’re here, or far away, I believe in you. Promise me you won’t disappear forever, and I’ll always be there for you.

[Nat’s face is stunned, but slowly smiles and nods. Pans out so further away side view as they lean in to kiss. The bus pulls up and blocks the view. Screen black.]