I saw it there in the distance. A streak of luminescence in an otherwise dismal world. I hungered for it; staring unblinking. It moved closer—that brilliant glow. Holding out my hand, I touched the edge of his collar. It was then I realized, the light came from his soul.
Our eyes met, and as his hand folded gently over my own. I felt a pleasurable prickling sensation race over the surface of my skin. He must have noticed me shudder. His eyes sparkled as he smiled in the dim.
“You were alone before?” he asked.
I nodded.
“So was I, once. All alone. But no longer.” He gestured beyond where we stood. In the near darkness, I could discern the silhouettes of a mass of people, silently rising and falling like driftwood in a soft tide that seemed to reach to the horizon.
“Who are they?” I asked. “I…I can’t see…”
His hold on my hand tightened, then clamped down like the jaws of a rabid dog. I screamed as the prickling sensation bloomed into the heat of an undying torch. His inner light glowed brighter and brighter until I could see a crowd surging towards us; a wave of human torment breaking at our feet.
In an untold number of unseeing eyes, I could see myself, writhing in the chaotic misery I’d inflicted on others in my life time.
“I don’t want to see!” I pleaded.
“You have to see,” Lucifer replied. “And I have to help you. I am the Light Bringer.”
SlasherMonster Magazine 
Enjoyed the depth, what could be read into the words, I see his light, like life, we age, and we can’t avoid it, like looking into his light, it’s inevitable.
LikeLiked by 3 people
You are very supportive of all the writers and helped make this challenging project such an adventure! Thank you Matthew Tonk Tonks (such a cool last name, by the way!).
LikeLiked by 3 people
Haha thank you, it’s a pleasure to be apart of it all, so many fascinating, interesting ideas coming out of the shorts, you can’t help but enjoy it all 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
You still have a very frightful one coming up next! Thanks for helping shape this project.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hellishly great expanded story! I thought at first, “oh, how romantic” and then the vice squeezed all the romanticism from my thoughts, and Dante’s “Inferno” came blazing down. Brilliant, Og! xo
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you, Rose for allowing me to expand your incredible fifty word story. It’s the first time I’ve ever tried anything like that and it was an honour. Matt and yourself always come up with the best ideas. Great image for the story, too.
On another note, I think Tonks can read my mind, which is incredibly disturbing for both of us.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Very fun to see what you came up with, Og! Matthew Tonks is quite the writer. Perhaps you’d like to expand one of his stories?
Fly formatted the image. I like the tumbling devil. 😈
LikeLiked by 2 people
Fly did a great job. (Thank you Fly.) I would like to expand one of Matthew’s stories. He has about a billion…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Fly is pretty amazing.
Yeah, a billion is pretty much right! We’d love to post it on SMM if you decide to do that.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It really speaks to what you and FTM have done with SMM that so many talented people read and contribute. It’s a great communal spirit, everyone benefits. Matthew Tonks also promotes a lot of talented writers and artists on his site. It’s a great thing to see writers and artists helping one another and having fun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No problem! Your expansion to Rose’s story lifted it to greater heights, and both the stories infused life into the graphics.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Exceptional.
Well done Oglach.
A brilliant expansion on
Rose’s wonderful 50 word story.
Amazing imagery.
And the accompanying graphics
are really very very good, Fly / Rose.
Gimme a break people.
I’m covering all bases here. 😎
LikeLiked by 3 people
Lol! Home run!! Yes, a true gentleman you are, my debonair English friend.
What a morbidly fun team we all make! Haha. More joy to be had! Woohoo!!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Beautiful prose. So elegant and chilling. Graphics are well done, as always.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Ah, dear Karina, you add so much humor and talent to SMM. Many thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are so kind! Thanks so much for your encouragement.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved the story. You know the word “slashing” brings a smile to my face, don’t you? I didn’t see the twist at the end but I saw the clues woven into the story after rereading. Very interesting twist on “light bringer.” I don’t suppose we can handle the truth, can we? Happy slashing! xo
LikeLiked by 3 people
I’ve read some of your dark poems and would love to have you submit one to SMM. We’ll have a slashingly great time! Thank you for your visits and kind words. xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m very flattered, thank you. I felt they might have been quite depressing. I’m working on one at the moment, which I feel is a bit dark so I appreciate the invitation. Let me polish it up and see what happens. xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful! Please keep in touch. 👻
LikeLiked by 1 person
“I could discern the silhouettes of a mass of people, silently rising and falling like driftwood in a soft tide that seemed to reach to the horizon.” — A well crafted line, and it induces vivid mental imagery!
LikeLiked by 2 people
How did you do it? Starting off with what seemed to be romantic then giving it a one hell of a kind ending
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hi Mich! Thank you for reading the story. The first paragraph is my fifty words story, which Oglach expanded on, and that’s where it morphs into dazzling imageries of light, sufferings, realization, and guilt. Very chilling and yes, one hell of an ending. Thanks again for your words, and please consider submitting a dark poem or story to SMM. 👻
LikeLike
I honestly suck at short stories..my opening is usually strong then i cant find my way of ending it.that’s why whenever i try one and ask my grown up kids to read it they will say..”that’s it???”….nevetheless i will try though…
LikeLiked by 1 person
No worries. It doesn’t have to be a story; it can be a poem! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha this is so metal. Great work guys 😀
LikeLike