Strange Twists of Memory - Third Place Winner

Throughout the rest of the month, I will be posting the short story contest winners' stories here on the blog every Monday, with the culmination being the first place story on the usual Story Day.

*pauses*

I don't think there's much else to say. XD So, enjoy this unique short story by Noah Cochran. :)

Strange Twists of Memory by Noah Cochran

The air is cold. So cold. The icy air seeps from the white slabs of stone beneath our feet. It rolls off the endless gray walls. Even the metallic carts weaving too and fro herald a cold touch. The sky is one great sea of metal. No warmth can be found there. It is endless and final. Nothing can escape it. My mother calls me. We must push forward. Trying to ignore my weary feet, I go after her. The path is long. I wish it would end. My limbs drag at me. It is as if they wish to pull me down; to bury me beneath the white slabs of stone.

Other people are here too. Some are like me, but most seem happy. I can’t understand why. Do they like the great metal sky? The cold breath of the walls? Am I the only one who feels the expansive emptiness?

I follow their gazes with my own and understanding comes. They are distracted by the flash and bling--by the great walls of flamboyance. The walls are everywhere. They loom over me, threatening a great cost. But the others do not look threatened. They do not see past the pleasing facade the walls proffer. They do not see the cost we must pay.

I feel small beside the walls. Their endless reservoirs of strange items command everyone’s gazes. Even mine. We have walked for hours, but the walls do not give way. I begin to wonder if they will ever end. I ask my mother. She says they do. I am not sure I believe her.

The white stone holding us reverberates with a loud clatter. I jump away from the nearest wall, trepidation seizing my heart. Behind me, a man has knocked something from the wall. It lies upon the stone, shattered into a thousand glaring shards. My fear is replaced with worry for the man.What will happen to him? Will the owner of the walls bring punishment?

Mother calls me away, telling me not to stare. She doesn’t want me to see what will happen to the man, I am sure of it. More worry twists my gut. I do not want the man to be punished. Most people look straight over my head, but not this man. He looks right at me, fear seeping from his eyes like tears.

I force myself to ignore my worry and walk onwards. With each passing moment, I grow more sure that the walls will never end. My stomach aches. It’s been so long since I’ve eaten. Mother must be hungry too, but she doesn’t show it. The walls offer sustenance, but I don’t dare take it. I try to keep my mouth shut for mother’s sake, but the burning desire in my gut grows too strong.

“Mom, I’m hungry,” I say. “Please, can we get some food?”

Mother looks at me. Her gaze is placid. How can she be so calm?

“Not now, dear,” she says.

My heart plummets into the cold abyss. I force myself to be quiet. Mother will be upset if I struggle.

“But at the end of this wall, we will see the taster man,” mother finishes, and my heart soars back up.

The taster man. Oh, how I’ve longed to see him. He gives us such delicious treats. In this cold, hard place, I have no other hope but to see him once more.

Then I look at the wall ahead. It is the ice wall. I shiver, but mother has already tugged me onward. I try to keep my eyes steadily forward, but fail. The ice walls are far too alluring. Within their great chests, countless things are frozen. Abruptly, I have the desire to get inside and see what it’s like. I must be going mad. Maybe it’s the strange air, so fresh and clear. And so very cold.

I force the biting thoughts away and push onward. When we finally reach the end of the ice wall my heart leaps. There are no more walls, and before us stands the taster man. All the worry and confusion plaguing me flees like a cured illness. We approach the taster man and I smile at him. He smiles back and offers us a small cup. I love his little cups, but it’s the treats within that holds my attention. They’re so unique and delicious. I want more, but know full well that the taster man can’t give us two.

When mother and I finish eating, I feel my limbs grow lighter. Satisfaction settles over me like a warm blanket.

With happy steps, mother and I walk out of Walmart.

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Congratulations, Noah!! What do y'all think? Did you expect the ending? Can you relate to his perspective? Aren't taste-tests the best?? XD

Until next time,

Take courage, pursue Christ, and smile while you still have teeth!! ^_^

-Joelle