- Midnight Tales -

“Would you look at a that” The old man said. He sat on the second story of a ryokan over looking the ocean. Outcast far in the distance. Floating above the ocean was a dark cloud. In it swirled grey, white and black with sharp lighting striking through from time to time. He took a sip of his tea and cleared his throat. We sat on the floor with a small table between us. The room had no wall on one side, just a small wooden railing separated us from the outside world. In front, the coast line dipped in and out with rocky cliffs that protruded out from the lush greens. The ryokan was small. Only seven rooms existed which ran along the back of the building facing the mountains. This was a remote place. Up steep paths, screaming across cliffs that went straight into the sea. Heavy and dense, the forest surrounded the whole place. It was private,ancient and unknown. Travelers that came through the mountains seeking different gods and ideas found their way here. In the mountains that nature had kept, this ryokan stood to welcome those who wandered.

I had been looking for something my self. A change of pace. An adventure. A solution to my problems. Or maybe, I was just looking to get lost. What ever the reason was, I had found my self here, in this place, drinking sobacha with an old man looking towards the ocean. I simply sat here. I didn’t have any other cares in the world. I was being.

“Yeah, look at that.” I said quietly then took a sip of my tea. It was warm and dry tasting. Clouds reflected off its golden surface. I closed my eyes and let the warm breeze wash over me.

Inspired by そば茶 Sobacha (Buckwheat Tea)

I drift from one room to the next. Impossible architecture fills my senses, but familier feelings haunt my mind. I step in a large room. White marble pillars span into clouds hanging in the ceiling. I see my self, but it is not me. Or at least I don’t think its me. They run through a scene. Making mistakes. Falling down. Getting back up. This person, this other me, seems stuck in an endless loop till they remain on the ground. Static. Unflinching. I turn to another me. Sitting at a table they negotiate some deal with a shadowy figure across from them. They smile and shake hands. The whole scene freezes with the hands locked. I exit the large room passing by these scenes playing out. Some look like success, others failure and some dont look anything.

As I enter the next room I feel pressure hit me from behind, forcing me the floor. I brace myself, but the pressure keeps building upon my back. I stumble and get to my feet. Again the pressure builds and hit this time harder. This time my arms don’t react fast enough. I hit pavement. I don’t even know where I am anymore. It looks as if I am in an alley way. My vision becomes blurry. What can I do? I try to push my self off from the ground, but a force press upon my mid back. I look forward into the darkness. A figure stands. Looking at me. My eyes meet his. Their mine.

The room is dark. I let out a breath, wiping my eyes with my hands and crank my head to look at the clock. It’s 4:00 a.m.

Inspired by Reject by windwaker

The car turned onto the stretch of highway just before the sun hit the top of the sky. The sky was blue, filled with large clouds that provided sudden slivers of relief from the summer heat. Todd peaked into the rear view mirror. He admired himself, aviator glasses and styled black hair, then looked to the road behind him. Empty. Barren. The scenery was the same. Desert, some trees here and there. A mountain out in the distance keeping watch on him. He kept his eyes on the mirror. His hands kept steady.

Then he saw it. It was large, oddly shaped for a car. Taller then a car should be, but smaller then a truck. Some where in the middle of what one might think is the right tallness for a car. The windshield covered the whole front and then ran along the doors of the car in one solid piece of glass. The front leaned out like a Bentley. The whole vehicle was solid black with a silver sheen. If one was not looking they would miss it. Todd slammed on the acceleration. His heart pounded and he finally looked towards the road in front of him. The desert passed faster and faster. The car shook from the sheer speed that he was mounting. He peaked back at his rear view mirror. The car was right on him. It filled his whole view. He clenched his teeth and shifted gear trying to pull away.

Effortlessly the black car pull to his side and started to pass him on his left. It was silent. Barely moving as it glided next to him. The solid piece of glass reflected his own car and his breathless expression back to him.

“Come on” he yelled. “Come on and get me you son of a bitch” he laughed and smiled wildly. He white knuckled the wheel and turned it sharply. The black car avoided, pulling in front of him. It was long. It was a herse. Todd wiped his mouth and then the sweat from his forehead. The car pulled away even at the speed they were going. He let go of the acceleration. The black car glided into the distance and disappeared.

Todd pulled his car off to the side of the road. He burst from the car, breathing heavily and catching himself on the hood.

He took a in deep breath and looked towards the endless road. “I’ll catch you one day”

Inspired by Jason - The Midnight, Nikki flores

The house was in flames that shot up into the sky and whipped around as the wind picked up. Glass burst from the windows and screams could be heard form the neighbors as people rushed to watch in shock and amazement. Knocking came at the door. Flames spit from the edges but the man knocked calmly.

“Your house is on fire, won’t you let me in” he checked his watch and started knocking again. Wood cracked and part of the house started to sag. The heat burst from the hosue and the crowd back up. Yet the man stood. A firetruck could be heard wailing, but it would be to late.

“Get away from there” A man yelled from the corner. He shielded his eyes as the flames became more exposed. The man at the door turned slightly and knocked on the door again.

And it opened.

A women. Blazing just as her house was, stood as relaxed as possible. She gave a smile which radiated even more and the fire seemed to respond to the gesture, whipping back and forth roaring into the night. It drowned the siren which has just pulled up.

“I was wondering if you would ever open up” The man said leaning against the charred door frame and taking off his hat “well, shall we get out of here? I have reservations for us” he said with a grin. The bystanders and the firefighters yelled and hollered. The house nearly falling over into itself burned hotter and more intense. A firefighter was approaching the man, yelling and calling for him to come away from the door.

The man walked through the door frame and the women started to shut the door.

“Let’s blow this pop stand” The door shut completely the flames burst and the house imploded in a torrent of fire, ashe and smoke. The door frame cracked and fell towards the street. The man and women were not on the other side.

Inspired by Night Skies - The Midnight

Welcome to the small table sitting on the edge of reality. A cup of warm liquid of your choice sits in front of you.

For me, I prefer a honey black tea.

In this place, you will hear stories, stories that might excite the mind and open the senses. As the twilight sets,the spectral fire provides all the light needed.

Sit back.

Drink up. And enjoy these tales from the edge of your own dreams and nightmares.