Below is a short scene I wrote for a Literary Journalism class. While writing it, I focused on characterizing my two friends with me and on a sense of place.
My butt and upper thighs were already numb. My fingers joints felt locked, even stuffed deep into my pockets. The frost-tipped twigs cracked beneath our feet, and small creatures rustled beneath snow covered leaves. Leo tugged on the leash, straining to follow after them. A slight tug back and he stopped, looking up at Rayne’s face before returning to interesting smells closer by.
“We keep going this way,” Annemarie said, gesturing to the left path.
“It’s so much further than I remember,” I complained. “I was basically still asleep that one time so I must have just slept, walked or something. At least it’s light enough to see.”
“Yeah.” Rayne nodded.
I took a look over the other two. “I should have dressed warmer. I dressed more for a hike.”
Annemarie ran a hand down her long coat that kept her butt and thighs warm. “This is my mom’s. It’s better than mine.”
“Don’t get mud on it this time,” Rayne warned.
“Yeah she was not happy about that.” Annemarie laughed. “It took me forever to get out.”
I broke into a jog as the trees pulled back, revealing the hill crest. I ran half for the view and half to get my blood flowing, pushing some feeling back into my toes. I sighed. “I can’t see anything guys.”
“Yeah well no wonder.” Annemarie fired back. “You guys made me get up at an ungodly hour.” I laughed and a grin pulled the corners of her mouth up.
“We didn’t wanna miss it this time,” Rayne cut in.
We walked down the slight slope to the bluff, overlooking… who knows what. Based on the standard geography around our homes, there was likely a river at the bottom of the cliff. Far off in the distance, dark hills stood out against the slightly lighter sky. As we stood there, it already got a bit lighter, the contrast between the hills and sky growing.
Without movement, sleepiness crept in and I shuffled over to the tall, stone bench. Annemarie joined me and Rayne waited as Leo inspected the bushes and the ledge below us. Both Annemarie’s and my feet hung in the air whereas normally only Annemarie’s did. I scootched closer to Annemarie who wrapped her arm around mine and leaned in close. The sky continued to lighten as the cold sunk in and birds started to sing their good mornings.
Rayne and Leo wandered over and joined us on the bench. “Closer.” I said through chattering teeth.
Rayne obliged. “Y’know with anyone else besides you guys, I wouldn’t even be sitting on this bench. I’d be way over there.”
“Yeah but I’m cold.” I gestured to the sheer parts of my leggings that their legs now covered. “I’m stealing your guys’ warmth.”
“If it had been anyone else besides you guys, I would be asleep.” Annemarie added.
Leo came and jumped up on our laps, streaking mud all over our pants.
“No.” Annemarie shoved him off and I pulled his front legs onto my and Rayne’s lap. His tail thumped against the frozen ground.
“Hey, is that a horse?” I pointed.
Annemarie squinted at the dark shapes moving in an almost-visible pasture past the river.
Rayne nodded. “I thought I saw them a bit ago, but it was too dark and I couldn’t tell if I was making them up.”
“No, that’s definitely a horse,” Annemarie added. I pulled out my phone and tried to take a picture but it was too dark and too far away.
Leo got restless and Rayne stood back up to let him explore more. Light trickled over the hills and our faces began to glow red from the long light waves and the cold. We got a few selfies, trying to include Leo. Most of the selfies include him licking one person’s face or the others. They’re perfect.
More colors poured into the horizon, the pastures, and river below. We got some silhouettes. We stood on the edge and shouted our worries and our joys into the rising sun. As it peaked its head above the hills, we turned away. It was too bright and its warmth soaked through our frozen skin, alerting us to just how cold we’d gotten.
thoughtswords 