August's Promise

Illusion bleeds and love descends
As days recline
And summer ends

Have you been ever drawn to a place? Belonged to it? No matter how far you might choose to run?

What if you knew it is a shadowed place? A place you should never go?

Rachel Burton knows those shadows. And she believes. And knowing and believing, she will return to embrace the darkness, but not quite touch it.

Until it touches her.

Come with me in August. We are going to meet a very special friend. USA Today bestselling author Anne Frasier will point our way to Rachel's path. It winds where the forest is tall and the memories deep.

*****

My friends, I am incredibly excited to announce that the next short fiction contest here at The Clarity of Night will be a first-ever collaboration! USA Today bestselling author Anne Frasier will join us to celebrate the release of her new and wonderful novel, Pale Immortal.

Not only will this upcoming contest once again give you the chance to be part of a thriving writing community, but Anne will share her thoughts on writing, reveal hidden web content for Pale Immortal, and comment on each and every entry submitted. How unbelievable is that??

Look for the contest announcement, rules, and theme in late August.

In the meantime, Anne appreciated your Midnight Road entries so much, she couldn't help herself but join in. I leave you to enjoy her own variation on our theme.

(Seriously, no matter where your blogging travels take you, check back here in August. You do NOT want to miss this contest!!)

*****

"Midnight Road"
by Anne Frasier

The strange object loomed above them. "I wonder what that is," Fontaine said. But he didn't really care. It was silly to dwell on such things.

"See those wires?" Mary pointed. "I heard they used to carry some kind of power." She slapped a pair of patched jeans against a rock.

"My grandmother says that, but she's nuts."

Mary nodded. "Crazy as a full moon in June."

"Nutty as a nut tree."

Fontaine threw the last of the wet clothes into his basket and got to his feet. "My grandmother refused to go through the mental cleansing."

There, he'd finally voiced his family shame.

"My mother says it's vulgar to cling to memories." Mary stood and picked up her basket. "A cleanse a day keeps the sorrow away."

The sun rises in the East. All children turn toward the sun. Fontaine turned. "A cleanse in time saves a mind."

The darkening sky reminded them of the impending loss of light. Side by side they hurried home, their shadows stretching and shrinking, bending and folding across the midnight road.