January 9, 2014

Writing Style Attempt: Short story Fiction

 

To the opposite of what she had suspected, Lynn’s small hands were the perfect match to the horizontal crags in the brick red rock of Waimea Canyon.

Kaua’i as Brit had wildly orated during the 20 minute drive, sat atop a deep rooted volcano that emerged from the ocean below 5 million years previous. Waimea Canyon, according to her, was the result of a steady process of erosion from said canyon and had eventually been fully formed through time. Lynn listened lightly while taking in the miles of unfamiliar vegetation on the side of the byway that lead to their destination. Lynn had researched the canyon herself the night before, after Brit had fallen asleep to the tune of 8 beers and Brian Wilson’s Smile, and read about the deep volcano that Kaua’i was born from and stubbornly held down its residence on top of.  4 Million Years ago, when the then million old volcano was pumping its lava, something happened that changed its life forever. Or at least until our current modern times. This something, this hiccup of sorts, put the massive geological machine on hold and created a fissure that would become Waimea Canyon.

Lynne liked to imagine the scene as such: The mighty volcano – so sure of its importance and strength – so sure that it could continue to spew and stay as massive as it was forever – never saw the hiccup coming. In one instant, there was a lapse of air, a trip on the sidewalk, a crinkle in its diaphragm, a failed inhalation and crack – like a lung in collapse – the volcano spilt unevenly and fell. Creating the now beauty that is Waimea canyon.

When Lynn put her palm to the red dirt below her, she felt a sense of relief reverberate through the land. When she put her hand to a thick trunk of a seemingly out of place tree, she felt a pulsing love and a release of earthly endorphins. Each bush touched, each flower caressed, vibrated to her a declaration of gratefulness to the blood dirt – once black flows of lava – and its seemingly magical ability to seed and grow each and every single one of their bodies.

Lynn smiled and whispered, I understand.

As Brit forged maniacally through the trail, Lynn spread her fingers wide in order to absorb every texture available and every molecule of foreign air she could at such a quick pace. Her ears were aroused by the elevation and began to hear more than just the sound of the ocean and the neighing of the goats climbing the opposite wall of the vast canyon. There was a tickle of excitement and fury amongst the flora that made her giggle. There was something about this massive geological happening that Lynn could relate to. She pressed her cheek against a small flourish of moss-like greenery and exhaled. The plant exhaled back.

            “I hope one day too, I can be this grateful and grow out of something that was set free.”

Lynn stood straight and spinned slowly counter clockwise, eyes wide, to create a panoramic memory.

            “Yo!” From at least 1000 feet ahead, Brit stood, hands firmly planted into her hips. “I told you to keep up or else. What the fuck are you doing?”

Brit wouldn’t understand. So Lynn ceased her memory in motion and jogged to catch up.

            “Isn’t it fucking great?!” Said Brit. “It’s so good when you can feel it right here!” Brit pounded the top of her thighs with her fists then shot ahead full gait further down the trail. Lynn followed on Brit’s heels, not forgetting to look up and out as best she could at the pace she submitted to.

            “Have you seen these?” Said Lynn as she caressed a large, soft leaved bush in passing. “It literally sprouted out of a wall of earth.”

            “Yeah, those are nice.” Brit dismissed.

            “I’m so amazed that a volcano collapse could bring forth such diverse flora. This used to be black lava and now it’s red blood.”

            “It wasn’t a collapse. It was an eruption. I was power and expulsion. It was getting rid of the faulty shit.” Brit had that voice on her.

            “Right.” Said Lynn. “Where should we eat dinner when we’re done?”