Memories of the Fallen

If you couldn’t tell by the last several posts I’ve made, I’ve been bitten by the creative writing bug. I’ve always enjoyed writing and up until recently have stuck with informative and opinion posts. On a whim, I decided to do a little creative writing and take it for a test drive, so to speak.

I’ve had loads of fun writing about random things that pop into my mind and hope to continue these types of posts here on Walt in PA. I’m unsure of the frequency I’ll be posting them at this point, but for right now it is sort of like getting that shiny new toy, I just don’t want to put it down.

The latest story is one that I’ve been thinking about for the past week. I finally decided to sit down and tap away at the keyboard to see what developed. Depending on the feedback, this is something I may build on in the future. Once finished, head over to the comments section and let me know what you think. Please keep in mind that this is a rough draft and requires sculpting before I consider it complete.

Somewhere in the distance, a voice echoed “Kevin! Kevin, look at me! Kevin don’t you dare…”. The voice stilled and darkness claimed him.

“He is perfect, I couldn’t ask for a more beautiful son” Jessica whispered with the sleeping babe wrapped snugly in her warm embrace. Baby James was all that Kevin and Jessica could have dreamed of since their marriage three years prior. It was rumored that Jessica was barren and would never be with child. Kevin loved her still, no matter how his mother lectured him that Jessica was a poor choice for a wife. “You deserve a woman that will bear you a great many children. You are, after all, expected to have a sturdy boy ready to take your place when the time comes” she would say to him.

That voice again, like a nagging wound loomed on the edge of his consciousness. “Kevin, please stay with me! Someone has gone back for help, you just need to hold on and everything will be alright. don’t give up” the voice exclaimed before tapering off to black nothingness once again.

As Kevin sat with his head in his hands, he felt a sudden hand on his shoulder. “Cold feet is all. Take a drink of this and your tensions will settle a bit” his father spoke in a soothing voice. “I’ll be just fine. I’m just a little worried at the pedestal that I have been put on. The other townspeople expect so much from Jessica and I”, Kevin spoke in a near whisper. “Rubbish, you are my son. You can not fail, and as for your wife to be, she has a good heart. People will take to her, just give her time to blossom” his father spoke as his grip upon Kevin’s shoulder tightened. “Come, it is time” his father spoke through a smile full of pride.

“Kevin, stay with me! Miriam the healer is here. We are going to get you out, just remain still while we lower the rope and find a way to get you out”. It was that nagging voice again. “What is going on?” Kevin thought aloud. The eagerness in the soft familiar voice was mildly concerning, but here was no pain. No discomfort. All was calm and peaceful, except for that haunting voice.

“Kevin, are you listening to me” Michael said as he playfully slugged his dear friend in the shoulder. “I’m sorry, I was just taken back by that woman that just entered the ball. Do you know who she is? Michael asked as his attention was drawn away once again. Michael shook his head while rolling his eyes. ‘Is that all it takes to draw your focus from a vigorous debate? A dark haired woman with pleasant curves and scarlet eyes. If you must know, I believe her name is Jessica. She is the daughter of one of the lesser nobles traveling into town for the spring festival”

“Excuse me my dear friend, I have to see about a dark haired woman with pleasant curves and scarlet eyes” Kevin spoke over his should with a broad smile stretching from ear to ear.

Sobbing now, the voice was strong as it spoke. “Are you sure there is nothing that can be done? “ Kevin could almost recognize the voice but it drifted to his ears as faint as a whisper. “I am sure, of all places to fall in this cavern, his body has come to rest in the worse possible place” Merriam spoke in a soft voice full of sorrow.

“The time as come for you to become a man and begin your search for a bride.”. His father spoke in a firm matter-of-fact voice to Kevin as he stood before him. Kevin bowed his head to his father and spoke in a firm voice. “I understand my pact and will embrace my manhood as my father, my fathers father, and all those before him have. I will wed upon my eighteenth birthday and walk hand in hand with my wife to our rightful family position at the head of the village”

Once spoken, the words sealed the long stuffy ceremony and a roar of praise erupted from behind him. The wave of sound nearly knocked Kevin from his feet. He had almost forgotten that he stood with his back to the entire village as he addressed his father, the high noble.

A smile spread across Kevin’s face as he recalled the most gripping memories of his short life. “I love you” the nagging voice was barely audible now. Jessica knelt beside her beloved husband and rested her soft palm against the blood slicked rock piercing his chest.

“This is my favorite place in the entire world. So peaceful, so beautiful” Kevin’s grandmother spoke the words as if in a trace and she held his small hand. The two stood under the shade of the forest as they watched the falling water violently meet the gentle pool below.

A warm tear dropped from Jessica’s cheek and met his lips. It was enough to jar him once again from his past. “Why do they disturb me so?” Kevin thought to himself one last time before slipping into euphoria.