By Jayden King
When warm winds blow from the mountain and meet the sea air, a haze forms around the village. The old women, feeling the change in the breeze, remember the ritual. Noises of play die out, replaced by scurrying and hushed commands by frightened mothers.
“Inside! Now!”
At each house a red lantern is lit. The doors and windows are shuttered and barred in turn. When the mist arrives, creeping, it finds only one man. Old, frail, asleep and alone, he’s consumed, no trace left. The curse leaves. There are no more men to take. Only women and children, all safely awake.
Reads like cut down version of a horror novella. Nicely done and atmospheric.
This has the makings of a folk legend and the language is very compact.
Very well done.
Sublime. I have so many questions that now must be answered. What set off the curse? What is the significance of the red lanterns? I thought the red lanterns would protect them, like blood over the door. Clearly, it does not. Are the women purposely sacrificing the men? That would be a twist on the usual tale of a virgin sacrifice. Why are the women afraid of the mist?
The mark of a great story is that it opens up a vault of questions that lead to a discussion around the dinner table. A well-spun tale.
And why does it take men? And how do the women know?
I loved the myth like beginning, the warm wind signalling the change. Beautiful
Enjoyable read… well done…