Gems

It emerged, radiant, from the shadows of the surrounding trees. I stared at it, utterly still, as it nosed at the deep green shrub before it, nostrils flaring delicately as it scented the blood red berries growing in abundance.

The creature was dazzlingly white, seemingly shimmering with an ethereal glow in contrast to the dark forest around us. Its lips quirked back and a grey tongue snaked out, tasting the berries before stepping forward to pick them from the bush.

It was a stag, I thought, with two great, rust brown antlers reaching high above its head. Where it differed though was the second, thicker set of horns that protruded just below the first, and curled down the side of its face like those of a ram.

It gave me an odd sense of reality, seeing something so familiar and yet so foreign. Like so many things in this world, I supposed. The same… but not.

My fingers gripped the rough bark of the tree I hid behind, and I craned my neck slowly to peer around a little more. A strand of ash blonde hair fell to tickle my face, and I hastily brushed it back.

The stag raised its head suddenly, one velvety ear tweaking in my direction as it tilted its head. We both stood frozen, neither daring to move. I held my breath as it turned its head, jet eyes searching.

Without warning it bolted, staging a huge leap that took it easily twenty feet across the mottled browns and greens of the forest floor – an impressive feat from standstill – to land with a thump of hooves before crashing through the underbrush.

Magnificent. It was magnificent, and I felt a pang of… something, as the sound of its hooves disappeared, leaving me in silence once more. Loss, I thought, I felt loss.

I was alone once more, in this alien place, with its strange creatures and that odd sense of being adrift. I sighed heavily, feeling uneasy. At least now I knew the berries were safe to eat though… and probably wouldn’t kill me.

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    Carrie OLeary
    Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
    1 year ago

    This story is exquisitely beautiful, Emily. I was so absorbed in the story that I felt that loss along with your protagonist. Another of your tales that I can’t wait to see complete. A wonderful piece of writing; very well done.

    Julie Harris
    Julie Harris(@julie-harris)
    1 year ago

    The shimmering white stag is magnificent. I can just see it, against the dark green of the forest and the red of the berries. Is this part of a novel? Great writing, Emily!

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    1 year ago

    Hello, Emily. This story is very beautiful. And the title is also very beautiful and engaging – The same but not. I’ve experienced something like this so many times that I thought it was the same, but it wasn’t. A well-written story. 

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    Reply to  Emily O'Leary
    1 year ago

    You’re welcome, Emily. I am wondering about that too. 

    Christer Norrlof
    Christer Norrlof(@christer-norrlof)
    1 year ago

    This is such a beautiful piece of writing, Emily. The details you present, colors and more, make the situation very real and close. Good luck with your novel!

    Thompson Emate
    Thompson Emate(@thompson-emate)
    1 year ago

    Wow! A nice and interesting story, Emily. The descriptions are so vivid that I can imagine myself in the scene. Well done. Can’t wait to see the complete novel. If I may ask are you any way related to Carrie O’Leary?

    Thompson Emate
    Thompson Emate(@thompson-emate)
    Reply to  Emily O'Leary
    1 year ago

    Wow!! That’s great. You are both wonderful writers. Lovely!

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