Fantasy Drabble #347 “Tradition”

“Why are we doing this?”

“What do you mean?” Mother was trying to manage the balloons and little Riki, so she only half-heard Jens’ question.

“Why are we going into the forest today? It doesn’t make any sense.”

“Don’t talk like that, Jens. Someone will hear you.”

“So what?”

He might hear you. You don’t want to be chosen.”

“No, I don’t. So why are we going? Why don’t we just stay home? Every year everyone goes into the forest and a few people don’t come back. Why?”

“Because He calls.”

He stopped walking. Eventually, he turned and went home.

25 comments:

  1. Very sinister, with the echoes of a modern ghost story! Like it!

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    1. Thank you very much for reading and commenting! :-)

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  2. To be chosen is ominous.....

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  3. I'd stop walking in those woods. Yes sir. ;)

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  4. Oh, this is a bit unsettling..cool write..

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  5. Spookily succinct. You do these mini stories so well. Some mum!

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  6. gulp

    :::swallowing hard:::

    Think I'll stay away from that spot.

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    1. It's just always scarier when you don't spell things out, isn't it? :-)

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  7. The tone of "Tradition" made me think of "The Lottery," by Shirley Jackson. With the difference that the character chooses something different. I really like that. Some traditions are gloriously fulfilling... others can kill so many things.

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