I haven’t written a short story since the beginning of the pandemic.
Fiction is not my forte. It never was, but I felt compelled to start a series linked to my newly acquired taste for myths and mythologies, and the possibilities of generative AI to create images along with my own photography to illustrate some of these stories.
If you read this newsletter, you know I’m a huge fan of Stephen King. One of the first books I read from his extensive work was a book of short stories “Nightmares and Dreamscapes” still haunts me today, and it opened up a universe of horror, magic, and mystery that I still cherish to this date.
This story is a short homage to those who still believe in the powerful feeling of humanity seeking answers in myths.
19th April, 2019
“I’m tired, but I know that In the shadowed fringes of the densest forests, where the fog clings to the underbrush like a shroud, there lies whispered tales of the Thornshade – a creature of such elusive nature that its very existence teeters on the boundary of myth and reality.
Cryptozoologists, have dedicated years to the pursuit of such enigmatic entities, and Thornsade proven to be one of the most compelling subjects of their research.
The Thornshade, according to the native legend, is a sentinel of the woods, a guardian of ancient secrets. Its form is said to be humanoid, but its head, crowned with an array of menacing spikes, defies any known species. The spikes, according to eyewitnesses, resemble the dense thicket of the forest, as if this creature is both of the woods and a protector within it.
Sightings have been rare and often dismissed as the overactive imagination of a weary traveller. However, physical evidence has begun to surface. Unusual markings on the trunks of trees, too systematic for the random scrapings of wildlife, suggest a pattern or language. Moreover, the occasional discovery of footprints with a bizarre, elongated heel structure hints at a bipedal creature with a gait unlike any known animal.
The most chilling piece of evidence, however, is the sound recordings captured near the heart of the forest. The sounds are an amalgam of low-pitched groans and the creaking of trees in a high wind, creating a symphony that is both beautiful and haunting.
This audio phenomenon only occurs in the deepest part of the forest, where the fog is thickest, leading some to speculate that it is a form of communication used by the Thornshade, perhaps even a way to manipulate the forest itself.
The locals speak of the Thornshade with a mix of reverence and dread. They offer it gifts and whisper prayers to avoid its wrath, believing it to be a creature connected to the very essence of the forest. They say it appears only when the mist rises and that those who have felt its gaze are marked for life, carrying a piece of the forest’s spirit with them forever.
Our research continues, driven by the fragments of truth hidden within the tales and traces left behind by this spectral entity. The Thornshade remains an enigma, a challenge to our understanding of the natural world. But the pursuit of knowledge is relentless. I remain steadfast in my search for the creature that dances in the divide between legend and the tangible.”
As the sun dips below the horizon, casting the last of its ember-like glow upon the ancient trees, the cryptozoologist prepares for another night of exploration and surveillance.
The camp is set up on the edge of where the fog begins its domain, a place where the modern world seems to fade into the whispers of the old and unknown. The equipment is state-of-the-art, designed to capture the slightest anomaly, yet it feels almost primitive in this setting.
Dr.Juno Nightingale, sits by the campfire, her journal in hand. She has dedicated her life to the study of creatures like the Thornshade, beings that inhabit the twilight between fact and folklore. Her notes are meticulous, filled with observations, sketches, and theories. Yet, the Thornshade remains her most elusive subject. Tonight, she feels, might be different. There’s a charge in the air, a sense of anticipation that she can’t quite explain.
As the night deepens, Juno and her team venture deeper into the fog. They follow the markers they’ve placed, leading them towards the heart of the forest where the sounds were recorded. The air is thick, muffling their steps and breathing, enhancing the sensation of entering another world.
Suddenly, the devices pick up an anomaly. The sound begins softly, almost imperceptibly, then grows into the symphony described by the locals. It surrounds them, an orchestral performance with no discernible source. The team stands in awe, their equipment recording every note. Elena feels a shiver run down her spine, not from fear, but from the realization that they are witnessing something extraordinary.
It is then that the fog seems to part, or perhaps their eyes have adjusted to its embrace. Before them stands the Thornshade. It is both terrifying and majestic, its form shimmering slightly as if it were not entirely of this world. Its spikes are more beautiful than menacing up close, resembling the branches of the trees around them. Juno clicks the shutter.
The Thornshade does not speak; it does not need to. Its presence communicates everything. Juno understands that this creature is not just a guardian of the forest; it is an embodiment of the forest itself, a being that has arisen from the very essence of nature to protect it. She also realizes that its sightings, its interactions with humans, are not random but purposeful.
The creature steps back, blending into the fog once more, leaving behind a single, thorn-like spike. As it disappears, the sounds fade, and the forest returns to its silent, watchful state.
Juno picks up the spike, a tangible piece of the enigma that is the Thornshade. This encounter, this gift, changes everything. It’s not just proof of the creature's existence; it’s a call to action.
The Thornshade, in its mysterious way, has shown that the forest needs protection—not just from the tangible threats of the modern world but from the loss of wonder and respect for the unknown.
Originally exclusive to paid subscribers, this post—and others like it— offers readers a deeper, more personal exploration of topics from my general publication.
Paid subscribers also enjoy unique content including photography, creative processes, and alternative narratives first. This peek behind the paywall is your chance to experience the full depth of Rebel Strokes.
Support my creative journey by upgrading to a paid subscription if you're currently a free subscriber.
If that's not feasible, but you appreciate our content, sharing Rebel Strokes with friends and family can significantly help me grow this community.
Thank you for your support!
Love this! Never say fiction is not your forte again!