(no subject)

[in_the_blue]

By request, I bring you a writing challenge.

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Rules:

Fandom: any fandom, original or not.

Word count: 700 or less

Main theme: At night, every sound is magnified.

Ratings: No restrictions.

Duration: Challenge opens now (April 17) and closes at 11:59 p.m. in whatever time zone you inhabit on Wednesday, May 7.

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Post your ficlets as comments to this entry. Feel free to do as few or as many as you want, and if you see one you really like, be sure to leave a review or a comment. Everyone's welcome, so have fun. Thanks to miriammoules for the request.

Don't forget, more prompts specifically for the Lost fandom over at 815survivors.

Comments

Under African Skies

[miriammoules.livejournal.com]

Thanks to the women's groups at so many different churches. I hope I've done you justice

"I forget how big the sky is, sometimes, when you consider I live my life between hospital buildings and the alleys between blocks of flats. At its worst, the light is present for a couple of hours at most in the worst corners.

"It takes a trip home to remind me, even a walk up Primrose hill isn't enough. To see the heavens from horizon to horizon without interruption is a blessing of the sort that you don't get when you live in a city tower block, somewhere near the bottom of Hampstead and the top of a railway line.

"I even have a little balcony here. Have you seen it yet? As good a garden as I can get on it. The night-scented stocks and honey-suckles make for a good scent on a summer's evening.

"I can see everything from here. It's why I'm the Neighbourhood Watch. I can watch the shelter, too, provide an extra pair of eyes that most people don't know are there.

"It's how I knew what was going on. You see, I can tell what's going on. Very little in that building is truly hidden. The voices carry on the breeze, caught on the wind and amplified by my balcony. A whisperer's gallery, helping the air bare tales.

"At night, every sound is magnified, from the dropping of an ash tray in anger, to the rustling of foil by dealers in their cars. I can see them passing packets in their four by fours and hear the crunch of bones as someone feels the business end of a baseball bat. Or a crowbar. If I'm lucky, I get the number plate, I pass it to the police. I've learnt to keep notes. Sometimes it takes time to be believed.

"Sometimes I think that when I am old I shall retun to Africa - sit under an African sky watching the feathered vultures. Different vultures. They kid themselves that such problems are not African problems. Of course they are African problems. It isn't even always the white man's fault - we sold our brothers to them. That they bought them, took them, brutalised them - that is another debt.

"It is a favourite saying at the women's group that "When I am old I shall go back to Africa... but I am not old yet.I do not feel old..." thought she is her oldest relative. This island has given us much - love and hate, a new appreciation fo sunshine and a distinctive loathing for rain.

"I remember as a child how we would run out and dance in the monsson rains. When we came here I couldn't undersatnd why people didn't enjoy it... I still miss the proper appreciation for rain...

"I don't know which Africa I shall go back to. The Nigeria of my father, the Ghana of my mother, the Zimbabwe of my birth or the Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho of my present family. I hear there are good things for a good manager and I am nothing if not a good manager.

"I settle down with Jesus, and ask them if, in His own time, He could point my way from my tower block. He smiles on me and calls me "Sister, you still have work to do."

Jabulile smiled at the Deacon, who wasn't paying her the least attention. "Sister, take a seat and have some tea. Have you been to Africa?"

It seemed to do the trick. She snapped out of her dream. "Yes. I know what you mean about the sky. If you came home to Ireland, you would see a big sky, watch the sun setting over the edge of the world."

"So there are other places I could find an African sky? you'll have to tell me more..."

From the Deacon-verse

Re: Under African Skies

[in-the-blue.livejournal.com]

♥

That's kind of gorgeous.

Re: Under African Skies

[miriammoules.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Hope I did the challenge justice.

I still need to write something in the LH verse.

Re: Under African Skies

[proudofthefish.livejournal.com]

I am very intriuged

Re: Under African Skies

[kit-the-brave.livejournal.com]

It's totally gorgeous! What is the Deacon-verse?