The Call

A Creative Writing Series Based on Random Words Generated

Firstly, I would like to thank all the recommendations on how to start a creative writing piece. Specifically, thank you

Saga Sen

for your suggestion of writing a microfictions and using a random word generator.

Five random words were generated for this piece: weed ; up ; beach ; skip ; and exclude.

Traces of her disappeared with each step, toes pressing into the damp sand, gently kissed by the tide. To her relief, the joyous shrills of children and adults alike faded into the distance. The afternoon sun crept behind a canopy of clouds but still she wandered with only one goal in mind.

A feeling called out to her from across the beach, a soft but hypnotic call that touched her soul.

She had to find it.

Her eyes scrutinised the ridges of rocky coves slowly approaching for some sort of answer. She peaked between the nearest rock formations expectantly. She looked up and down and pouted. It was too shallow to house anything of note.

Nonetheless, the adventure had to go on.

Seaweed sprouted in the distance like weeds, changing the hue of the shoreline waters. A gust greeted her, which only seemed to encourage the thrill of the unknown.

Noticing movement, she crouched by a tidal pool to observe. A few tiny fish bolted around as if planning a revolt against a crab half burrowed in the sand. One of the tiny fish darted over to her so as not to exclude her from the conversation. She smiled and nodded along. Seagulls debated above her. Waves splashed tamely against the rock pools as if trying to capture her attention.

But then something out there called to her.

She turned her gaze to the motionless waters stretched out as far as the eye could see. It felt like time itself had paused to witness the happenings. On the surface it almost seemed inviting but a deep sense of foreboding stirred within her.

She stood up, startling the creatures beside her.

She couldn’t resist the call.

She stopped at the edge of the rocky reefs. Peering down, there was all but darkness that swallowed light and life.

The water rippled. A distorted image was coming into view.

It appeared as a face looking back at her. It must have been her reflection. At least that is what she thought it was. She felt her heart skip a beat.

The abyss demanded an answer.

The call screeched and seized her.

And then…

Silence.