WATER
I am the
sprite known as Agua.
Sucked
through a pipe and imprisoned in this chlorinated hell.
Every day
people invade my space, the crash of their entry vibrating through every cell
in my body.
I hide in
the corners to avoid their thrashing limbs, but there is no escape.
Only when
they leave can I swim in the shade between their hard squares of light, longing
for the tree shadows and weed-scented river of home.
One day I
will drag a body under and hold it.
Perhaps
then they will drain this watery prison and set me free.
....................................................................
I have always found empty swimming pools eerie, and the unidentifiable swirls in Rochelle's photograph inspired my story this week. What's more, I hit exactly a hundred words first time!Thanks to https://rochellewisoff.com/ for hosting Friday Fictioneers tirelessly week after week, even when away in the Holy Land - hope you're having a great time, Rochelle!
Mournfully atmospheric, Liz
ReplyDeleteThanks Neil - I am pleased the sadness came through.
DeleteVery atmospheric, Lizy. Maybe hers is the voice we hear echoing around the pool.
ReplyDeleteCould be, and thank you for commenting. Is that you, Wordy?
DeleteYikes!
ReplyDeleteMaybe someone will come in wearing one of those knitted costumes and she can soak herself into that and escape that way?
What an interesting thought, PAtsy!
DeleteThis was beautifully done. My heart cries for her.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dale - I ache for her too.
DeleteLovely and magical, Liz - although I did feel sorry for her.
ReplyDeleteSusan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Yes, one can't help hoping she finds another way out.
DeleteHer plans's a good one. As long as it's not me...
ReplyDeleteOr me!
DeleteTrapped in the local pool for eternity - a new kind of hell!
ReplyDeleteAll that noise¡
DeleteA sorrowful story indeed. The pain she suffers is tangible.
ReplyDeleteRosey, a joke and some wine!.
Thank you Keith - it's bad enough being human in an indoor swimming pool.
DeleteI like the idea of the hidden character.
ReplyDeleteThanks Karen.
DeleteYour offering is mysterious and attuned to nature. Who is to say the water isn't thinking those things? Very well-written.
ReplyDeleteThat's very kind, Jade, thank you!
DeleteGreat idea--a captured sprite living in the hell of the chlorinated pool. Really good.
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda x
Deletethis story just pulled my heartstrings. well done.
ReplyDeleteThank you, plaridel.
DeletePoor Agua, imprisoned in a stinky chemical-filled pool and longing to swim free in fresh water. I hope she finds a way to be free someday. Magical story!
ReplyDeleteThank you Brenda. Let's hope she does it without resorting to murder!
DeleteI feel for the poor waterspirit... may she be released before she has to drown someone.
ReplyDeletePoor creature, she's totally out of her comfort zone.
DeleteDear Liz,
ReplyDeleteImprisoned in a pipe in a lap pool. That wounds like a miserable existence. Imaginative and eerie.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks Rochelle, and welcome home!
DeletePoor Aqua. I hope she escapes her prison soon. I love the little picture of her. A good story and well written, Liz. :) --- Suzanne
ReplyDeleteThanks suzanne. The picture is from the internet, of course!
DeleteFeel sorry for that water sprite and certainly makes you think about swimming pools in a different way, even though it's fiction.x
ReplyDeleteThanks Carol - next time you're in a pool, check the corners!
DeleteThe material and aggregation is excellent and telltale as comfortably. dissertation writing services natural pool builder spicewood tx
ReplyDelete