Irene Duchess

“Dark Cat, Dark Fate - Part 3” by Irene Duchess

Rose watched the hole through bleary eyes.Ever since she had recovered her backpack Rose had been keeping track of the time that passed. It had been two days. She had a small leather-bound journal and a few pencils, along with an eraser and a pencil sharpener.She had also torn out some of the pages, written ‘my name is Rose. I am trapped in a cave and I need help’ on them, made a paper plane out of each of them, and sent them out into the forest, as best she could. Trying to get them to fly in different directions.She...

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“Lost in Refuge - Part 2” by Irene Duchess

I’m jogging down the street.A determined look has graced my face. I don’t think I’ve ever looked determined before. That’s how ‘perfect’ my life used to be. There was nothing difficult to do. That’s what’s wrong here. No one is challenged by anything. Everything’s easy.Before long I start huffing and puffing. I’m not used to running. er—jogging. This isn’t as strenuous as running, I think. When was the last time I ran?I finally turn onto my friends’ street and arrive at their door.I knock, trying to regain my b...

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“Lost in Refuge - Part 1” by Irene Duchess

I’m happy. I mean, why not? Who isn’t happy? What’s wrong here? Nothing, that’s what. It’s perfect. A perfect place for a perfect, peaceful people.I’m currently strolling down the sidewalks towards home, the soaring glass buildings touching the sky above me.Cars drive by slowly, enjoying the peaceful day. Not that everyone doesn’t enjoy every happy day. There’s no bad traffic on the roads, and there hasn’t been since the Deliverance. The day everything changed. Of course, that was long before I was born. I’m glad I never had...

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“Dark Cat, Dark Fate - Part 2” by Irene Duchess

   “When I find you…” Rose groaned as she sat up, looking around in the darkness. “When I find you, I’ll make you regret dragging me down to this endless pit. Every bruise and scrape you gave me. Oh yes. It will not be pretty.”An image of the black cat appeared in Rose’s mind, and she frowned. It was probably gallivanting off somewhere in the forest, free as the wind, while she, Rose, was trapped in an endless misery of death. Which was the cat's fault.Tired, and less then entirely sane, Rose lurched to her fe...

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“A Man and a Mutt” by Irene Duchess

It was so terribly cold. Snow was falling, and it was almost dark. Cold winds whistled over rooftop and chimney, never ceasing its mournful howling. Shadows lurked everywhere in the deepening gloom.The people left were few, and those who remained hurried along the streets in silence, heads bowed. A horse-drawn cart rattled by.No one stopped to pay attention to me, leaning against the side of the building, waiting. Watching. For what, I did not know. I just waited. What else was I to do? Where to go?I pulled my tattered coat around me more, t...

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“Dark Cat, Dark Fate” by Irene Duchess

Rose’s eyes followed the dark cat as it padded silently along the rotten, moss-covered log. It paused at the end and glanced back at Rose.She turned towards it, curious, keeping her eyes glued to the black cat. Its green eyes seemed to stare straight into Rose’s soul.Rose had started her hike a few hours earlier, and a few minutes ago she had spotted the cat. It had stayed with her, often vanishing in the thick forest, then reappearing just as suddenly.It mewed at her, and Rose took a step towards it. Could it be ...

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“"You're Impossible"” by Irene Duchess

Submitted to Contest #186

“What are you doing?” “Me?” “Yes. Who else? That rock? A tree? You’re just… sitting. On the edge of a cliff. Literally about to fall off. Probably to your death.” “I’m just watching the sunset. What’s so bad about that?” “Nothing is bad about it. The sunset is nice, I guess, with the gold clouds, pink and orange and blue sky, there’s nothing wrong with it. Just where you’re sit...

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“A Cold, Dark Night” by Irene Duchess

Submitted to Contest #182

Ivy stood at the back of the large room, wishing she could just disappear. She shuffled a little closer to the large plant next to her, which was almost as tall as she was. She was in the middle of a party, a party which she really didn’t want to be at. And she also had to dress up, which Ivy did not like at all. She was wearing a light dress down to her ankles, which was colored blue. It was plain, but it was st...

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“To The Peaks” by Irene Duchess

Submitted to Contest #181

Twelve-year old Quinn Dasher walked down the street, away from his house. He was supposed to be helping unpack, but right now he didn’t really want too. Besides, they still had almost a month till they had to move. Quinn didn’t understand why he and his dad were going to move, but as least they were going somewhere that sounded exciting, even though he had no clue why they were going to a place so far from anyon...

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“In A Dark Forest” by Irene Duchess

Submitted to Contest #176

Eleven year-old Emma Rosewood stared out the window, searching the dark forest. Only minutes ago she had seen a bright red flash, and was waiting to see it again. Emma wondered what it had been. She knew it was ridiculous, but she couldn’t stop herself from hoping it was magic. It could be, though, right? She was just starting to turn away from the window when she saw another flash—it was in the same spot, this time blue...

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