As Wilom walked over to the woman on the bank, he listed facts about her as quickly as possible, trying to notice as much as possible, to practice. Nervous, he could tell. Hanged, judging by the dark mark on her neck. He’d seen enough of them. But there was something different about her. She seemed restless, and she definitely hadn’t been waiting in a jail cell for days before her execution. Continue reading “Hung Up”
A Visit from a Friend
The ferryman, for once, didn’t row them directly to the bank, but instead took them over towards the lighthouse. Wilom realised that the lighthouse keeper was waiting for them on the bank, holding something. Continue reading “A Visit from a Friend”
Lost Chances
When Wilom finally did see Tanim standing on the bank, he wanted nothing more than to turn back. To hide somewhere on the bank, and beg the ferryman to take this assignment. Continue reading “Lost Chances”
Pathways
Vanda jumped away from the cliff face as soon as she saw the boat arriving, but sulked her way into the boat. She flung herself down on a bench dramatically and held out a silver coin between two fingers. Continue reading “Pathways”
Propriety
On the shore, a man waited. Wilom took a deep breath as he got out of the boat and let it out slowly. The man was standing tall and nervously straight, square shoulders, watching the River with a belligerent intensity. Wilom could tell already he was going to be difficult. Continue reading “Propriety”
Thick Like Water
Wilom jumped off the boat and walked along the shore.
“W … Wilom?”
Wilom stopped abruptly. “Aunt Jali?” Continue reading “Thick Like Water”
Youth
“Be careful with this one,” the ferryman said as they approached the bank. Continue reading “Youth”
Friendship
Wilom did not sleep, so he had difficulty telling how many days or weeks had passed. They crossed the River again and again. The ferryman left most people for Wilom to fetch, except for the very young. Continue reading “Friendship”
Fear
At the bank, he stopped and turned to Wilom. “Go fetch that man.”
“Man?”
The ferryman did not point. “The bank is not wide. Go find him, and bring him back.” Continue reading “Fear”
Experience
After Trey was gone and the boat was crossing the River again, Wilom gathered the courage to stick his hand in the water. It was thicker than regular water. When he pulled his hand out, little rivulets streamed off his palm, slowly, like honey. He shook his hand, and suddenly it was all gone, not a droplet left. It was like the almost-sand — none of it stuck to anything. He repeated this a few times. Continue reading “Experience”
Whimsy and Metaphor 