Salvation
It was unusually bright in the jail cell.
A white light pressed against the bars like skin spilling out unto the floor.
“Harken?”
“Through my fault,” his voice whimpered, but no matter how hard I stared into the brilliance, I could not find him.
Harken was due to face his end.
No more pulling him out to meet with his lawyer, no more begging, no more championing for his innocence.
This would be the first time I would actually look at him. Whenever I patrolled his corridor, I would train my gaze ahead as he followed after me in his cell, pulling on the bars, insisting that they had the wrong man, or yelling the Our Father prayer after me.
I would clench my fists, biting back my anger until I was finally away from him and his theatrics.
The bars creaked as the light grew brighter, humming.
He would always be found, begging on his knees, his face washed with tears as he prayed.
“Harken!”
“Through my fault.”
I turned my head down, focused on the rippling light that was pooling across the concrete floor.
“Answer me, Harken!”
“Through my most grievous fault.”
The hum filled my senses, rippling across my skin, ramming into my ribs with every step I took, the heels of my boots grinding against the floor.
“Harken!”
Harken’s voice did not answer.
I pulled the club out of its sheath.
The hum became a brazen voice, roaring, “NO!”
Breath was smacked out of my lungs as I was pushed back, falling to the floor. My body heaved as I hurried to breathe, gaping at the burning radiance that had now swallowed the corridor, making it seem as if I were held in the white light.
“You will no longer touch this body,” the voice hissed.
I struggled onto my side. I searched for the jail cell, but saw nothing else but light.
“He is saved,” the voice spoke.
The radiance fledged, retracting from the corridor walls and floor, fledging into beautiful feathers of wings that stretched through the bars and across the stone floor.
“Who will save you?”
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Artwork by jxirxn.
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Story inspired by a weekly 7-minute writing prompt from The Writing Tree
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Such a brilliant writer
Hi Dear Kate, this is simply lovely
Totally loved enjoyed reading this
I like to connect with poets here
As a poetry lover, I just subbed and glad I found you.
I'd like if you could check out my piece and kindly connect (Sub) back if it sticks.
I promise you'd love it.
https://lawrenceomoregiejr.substack.com/p/to-my-substack-family-561?r=3g3d4k&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
https://lawrenceomoregiejr.substack.com/p/the-abuser?r=3g3d4k&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Do have a great read and a lovely new week
As we grow together here