On Tuesday we did prosery at d’Verse Poets Pub. We had to write a 144 prose piece using the word Cloud along with a line from a poem. I wrote this short story. Several bloggers mentioned they wanted the story to continue, so I am attempting to carry on… This is the first segment followed by three new segments.
The Climb
Dwight L. Roth
The old hunter slowly made his way up the rocky mountain side. He used his 30-30 more as a cane than a gun. It was a beautiful winter day with a cool brisk wind blowing up the hollow. He wrapped his coat tightly around his shoulders as he stopped to rest.
George enjoyed hunting for the past forty years. As he unwrapped a Hershey bar, he thought about his younger days and the thrill of getting his first deer on opening day. Now the thrill was just being able to make it to the high top. The view there was spectacular.
At the top of the ridge, he found trees bent from the wind. The clouds were different today. George wasn’t sure, “But these clouds are clearly foreign, such an exotic clutter against the blue cloth of the sky” Distant snow clouds worried him.
The Story continues:
***
He knew how fast the weather could change in early winter. George had hiked through the mountain laurel, almost to the high-top, the rise of rocks and scrub bushes that rose sharply before dropping down the backside of the mountain.
In the West he saw clouds were moving in more rapidly than he anticipated. He knew he must head back or he would be caught in a blizzard. In his younger days George could have easily stepped it off back toward the ravine in short order. But, his body would not cooperate like it once did. So, he slowly made his way through the laurel as best he could.
Reaching the head of the hollow, he looked out across the mountains and realized there was no way to make it down before the snow closed in on him. He had to find shelter and find it quickly!
*****
It started as sleet and freezing rain, quickly turning into heavy snow. He remembered stories of hunters who got trapped in blizzards and did not make it home alive. George was determined that would not be his fate.
Having hunted the mountain many times, George remembered a large outcropping of rock on the other side of the hollow about half way down. If he could make it that far, a shallow cave at the base would provide shelter from the wind and snow.
Although going down was easier than coming up, one had to still be careful not to slip and fall, or step in between two rocks and sprain an ankle, or God forbid, break a leg. Carefully George made his way through the falling snow. In the distance he could see the large rocks, black against the white blanket of snow.
*****
As George reached the overhanging rocks, he could see his short breaths projecting like tiny steam clouds from a locomotive. He also felt an unusual tingling in his shoulder that radiated down his left arm. It concerned him, but he knew he had to find protection for the night so he pressed on.
He climbed up and peered into the shadows of the opening hoping not to find another animal taking shelter there. He breathed a sigh of relief when he realized it was empty except for a large pile of dead leaves that had blown in over time. The cave provided shelter against the wind and blowing snow.
With snow falling, covering everything, there was no way for George to build a fire or gather wood to keep it going. He knew it was going to be a long cold night. Would anyone miss him?
To be continued:
If you want more let me know…
Photos: Dwight L. Roth
This is where the story originated:
Today at d’Verse, Merril introduced our prosery prompt clouds. In prosery we are given a line from a poem of her choosing and it must be incorporated into the flash fiction story as given. The line she gave us was: “But these clouds are clearly foreign, such an exotic clutter against the blue cloth of the sky” – from Clouds – by Constance Urdang
For a free pdf. file of the complete story, email me at: dwru27@aol.com
After climbing up into the clouds
Descending with rain and sunshine
Covering your shoulders, leaves you wise and proud …
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Thanks Ivor! :>) and now it is snowing!!
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Wow .. a bit early for snow ??
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it is only in my story imagination!
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Sounds like a familiar imagination 🌏😊
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Yes!!
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Yes please, more more more!
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Thank you very much!
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This is such a good visual…. he could see his short breaths projecting like tiny steam clouds from a locomotive.
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Thank you so much Elle! I appreciate your noting this!
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You’re welcome. 🙂
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Reblogged this on OPENED HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thank you very much!
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Also love it. Thank you for sharing, and have a nice Thursday! xx Michael
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Thank you very much for your comment!
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Thank you also for the shout out on your blog!
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Continue please. 🙂
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Pingback: The Climb…. three more segments by Dwight L. Roth – DEEZ – News about Art, Books & more
Thank you so much for reposting!
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Dwight,
As Oliver Twist said, “More please!” Your descriptive prowess made it drop several degrees even on this hot August night. Whoever’s waiting for him at home is going to have a long night as well.
pax,
dora
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Thank you Dora! I am so glad you enjoyed it. Only time will tell! :>)
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Pingback: The Climb | Roth Poetry
Yes, more please Dwight. You can’t leave him — and us! — stranded!
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Thank you Lisa… I will see what I can come up with.
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You’re welcome, and awesome 🙂
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:>)
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A cliffhanger! Yes, do share. Can’t leave George out in the cold, indefinitely. 🥶
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Thank you Michele. We must see what happens!
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You have certainly left us wanting more. You might be interested to know that I find it much more difficult coming down
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Thanks Derrick! Yes it is much more unstable. Very easy to trip or step wrong. I am glad you are enjoying my stories.
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Oh, my! You can leave us hanging like this! More, please! Stunning visuals.
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Thank you so much! I will work on it….
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😉
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Yes, I want more!!!! I fear for that tingling in George’s left arm.
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Pingback: The Climb… segments 5-6-7 | Roth Poetry
Excellent story, Dwight! Thank you for writing this. More, please!
I feel like I am RIGHT there with him! All of my senses are on alert/at attention!
(((HUGS)))
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Thank you Carolyn. So glad you are enjoying this story.
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