- Keep Breathing
- Posts
- Stories That Keep Us
Stories That Keep Us
wondering, and alive
Hello friends,
This week’s offering is a short story funded by my Patreon supporters. The heart of the story is about how a bit of belief, trust, and magic can save us during the worst of times. And we’ve all lived through bad times, haven’t we?
A few years ago, I went through the worst two years of my adult life, grappling with a brain injury I wasn’t sure I would recover from. I called upon fantasy and escapism, I called upon meditation and brief walks—when I finally got some semblance of balance restored—I called upon magic, and I called upon my friends.
This story is not about any of that, except for where it is. It’s a fantasy story about a woman named Katya, fighting fascists in what I’m sure felt like an endless war. She’s lost everything… and then a magical being appears to give her respite, strength, and courage once again.
The woman tipped her head back and laughed like the ringing of one thousand bells. Katya stood, blinking rapidly, trying to clear her head of all the impulses that told her she was safe here, and to simply relax and enjoy what the woman was offering.
Those impulses that the Professor had diligently trained out of them all. Be wary, was the oft repeated phrase. Those who forgot the lesson usually ended up dead.
Was that what had happened to François? Had her lover dropped his guard? Had a golden woman tricked him before putting a bullet in his head?
“I am who you need me to be.”
Rage kindled in Katya’s heart at that answer.
“Who I need you to be?” she spat the words as if they were bullets. “Who I need you to be is a nurse to bring my lover back to life. Who I need you to be is an avenging goddess to squash the tyrants with their boots on our necks. Who I need you to be?” Katya’s voice cracked, throat tight with tension and the effort to force the words through. Behind the woman, three apple blossoms slowly swirled to earth. “Who I need you to be is something impossible to imagine.”
“Imagine it, then,” the woman said…
You can read the whole story here: With the Strength of Light and Fire. I hope you enjoy it.
Meanwhile: Can you imagine what you need? We are living through a rolling, ongoing apocalypse right now. What are you calling upon?
wishing you the best — Thorn
It’s your last chance to register for The Warrior’s Heart: Showing Up for What We Love. Class starts next week and has several price points to accommodate most budgets.
Reply