STORY INFO
Racing Shadows
-
Author
Rebecca Miles
-
Categories
-
Danh mục
-
Update
1 year ago
-
Part Chapter
1/??
-
Reads
109
Content
TW: Grief and mourning Hoofbeats thunder across the dark plains of the sky. The clouds toss, revealing the white of the moon’s eye, rolled back in fright. I crane my head out of the window but my hair is flying wildly about my face and I can see little, only the deepest dark. It’s been waiting for me: banished by the city lights, the votive candles I burn, but gathering here: an army of shadows, massing, ready for the assault. Somewhere, in this impenetrable uproar, is our new house; it’s ...
Outstanding reviews
Loss and hope, perfectly balanced in this tale. There’s a parallel between the cottage and the MC, both brought back to life. I love the fantasy quality of this story, and your imagery (as always) delivers a powerful flow. Can I say it has horsepower? 😂
Ha. Absolutely!
Ha. Absolutely!
Thanks so much Danie for such a detailed reading. I really like the idea you raised about the horse's bravery. They are such brave creatures ,yet can take fright so easily; if I had the word count (perhaps if I spin this out as a longer work) I'd love to delve into what were the circumstances around the former girl's paralysis- what was really his part. Yes, his shadow is also very long, a haunting for him too I suppose. I'm glad they could race them together.
Thanks so much Danie for such a detailed reading. I really like the idea you raised about the horse's bravery. They are such brave creatures ,yet can take fright so easily; if I had the word count (perhaps if I spin this out as a longer work) I'd love to delve into what were the circumstances around the former girl's paralysis- what was really his part. Yes, his shadow is also very long, a haunting for him too I suppose. I'm glad they could race them together.
With all your questions, perhaps there's a novel in here! Interesting idea isn't it, animals especially horses are so emotionally responsive, it would be fascinating to spin out a longer work where the horse has it's own story where it seeks resolution. You've planted a seed. Your comment about Betsy made me smile; I think with her wellingtons and no-nonsense approach to life she'd be more than up to lifting more than the tone of this! Thanks as always for the invested reading.
Lovely writing Rebecca. You capture the sadness and melancholy of the MC really well. The dialogue and dialects of the characters are distinct and believable. And the ghostly magical ending is like something out of Sleepy Hollow. Brilliantly crafted tale.
Thanks Derrick. Would you believe I've never watched Sleepy Hollow. I don't watch much TV, or series of any sorts; I figure if I did, I'd binge and never write anything! I'm glad the dialect worked; voice is always a tricky thing to get right, isn't it.
This is gorgeous. It starts so powerfully and this description: "The clouds toss, revealing the white of the moon’s eye, rolled back in fright" so foreboding. The richness of the imagery throughout is so satisfying. This phrase: "...you don’t want to be keeping your Ma and me company when the whole world is a-waiting for you," is lovely but also such a brilliant reminder to the MC that the world is still "a-waiting." A sensitive 'ghost' story and one that ends so beautifully, with her clearing the shadows. Dynamite.
Thanks so much Laurel. I did enjoy writing this; the haunted house trope didn't speak to me at all, but I've been drawn to mysterious midnight horses ever since I was a girl so this pretty much wrote itself. I wonder what you made of my Springdales: one part Hardy's rustics, one part Dickensian thumbnail sketch and the last The Secret Garden perhaps!
Loved them. Mrs. Springdale comes fully realized by the "higgledy piggledy" teeth alone and then the fantastic observation: "Found your way rather than lost it," which I loved. A wise woman. But I also loved the son hollering his approval of Lauren's midnight ride with so much energy on top of the very energetic ride itself. And, yes, I had trouble wanting to do the haunted house prompt. You took the road less travelled by.
Another masterful story, Rebecca. Love the poetry of the prose in the first paragraph and the last segment. Great work!
Thanks Jonathan. Horse stories aren't for everyone but I'm glad this one kept you in the saddle;-) Heading over to yours (I know there's probably lots on offer from you) soon.
The writing in this was riveting. Great parallels between her life and the new place/ story. The way you delivered the climax was truly epic.Amazing read. Good luck with this one. Thanks for sharing.
If you can't have epic at Halloween when can you have it, eh! Thanks ever so much for the vote of confidence.
Hi Rebecca. I like your take on the prompt with this beautiful story about the spirit of a horse. I’d love to meet this horse. What I like most is that the story works on more than one level. Themes of grief, loss, courage and friendship run throughout, offering hope that the young MC will be able to move forward. Also some enjoyable and recognisable dialogue. 😊
Hi Helen, sorry for the late reply. I'm actually over in England for a few days, no charity shop shopping as of yet though;-) Yes some big themes the horse was bearing this week; and, like you, I'd like to meet this one and perhaps go for a gallop!
Hi Rebecca,I hope you enjoy your time in England. The weather is changeable. Supposed to be a massive storm ahead, but at the moment it’s bright and sunny. Fingers crossed it stays more sunny and storms won’t be too bad 👍
Hi Rebecca,I hope you enjoy your time in England. The weather is changeable. Supposed to be a massive storm ahead, but at the moment it’s bright and sunny. Fingers crossed it stays more sunny and storms won’t be too bad 👍
Thanks Aaron. Dialect can be tricky, especially with children, but yes this is British not American. I was also going for a timeless feel, a bit like the heath where they live and the ageless mystery horse. I knew I didn't want any modern slang jarring it but of course then it feels, with the dialect, quite old-fashioned. Although perhaps in a ghost story that might be a good thing! Cheers for the interesting comment!
Racing shadows erase them. When you ride, you ride high. Nicely done once more.
Thanks Mary. I like the idea of riding high over those shadows. Heading over to your page now.
An enchanting and uplifting tale! Well done, Rebecca.
Thanks ever so much Shirley, nothing like a bit of enchantment, eh!
I love the parallel of the Phantom who haunts her galloping into her dreams and the phantom horse who frees her from her woes beyond her dreams. She didn't want to move to this new cottage, she wasn't done mourning her father at home, but she's found a freedom from it, or rather a connection in The Aerie - and a new friend in Tom! I could nearly feel the wind across my face as she road off into the night, racing those shadows! I needed a bit of that inspirational wind this week - thank you dear sister scribbler!
I love the parallel of the Phantom who haunts her galloping into her dreams and the phantom horse who frees her from her woes beyond her dreams. She didn't want to move to this new cottage, she wasn't done mourning her father at home, but she's found a freedom from it, or rather a connection in The Aerie - and a new friend in Tom! I could nearly feel the wind across my face as she road off into the night, racing those shadows! I needed a bit of that inspirational wind this week - thank you dear sister scribbler!
TOP Story