In Blossom’s Surrounded, By Eilish Waugh, First Place Winner of the Short Story Contest

This is the first place winner of the short story contest! Eilish won two illustrations and posting of the short story on the blog. I hope y’all enjoy!

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Kylan looked up to the sky.

“February 28^th , only one day until…”

She smiled the rays of sun hitting her face, it felt good to be in this moment.

Her horse whinnied and she patted his neck.

“C’mon Starflight, one last time?”

Starflight reared his head cantering through the cherry tree fields, she threw her arms into the air the breeze rushing past her. 

It felt good to be alive on a day like today.

Starflight jumped over the fence and a mirthful giggle escaped from her lips.

“I’ll miss this.”

Starflight slowed down, leaning down she hugged his neck and whispered. “I’m gonna miss you buddy.”

Starflight bowed down and she slid off his back onto the grass. He circled her and then trotted over to the fence and pushed her wheelchair over to her.

“Thank you, Starflight.” She heaved herself into the wheelchair and turned it around to face him.

He nickered, and she placed her forehead against his his. She blew into his nostrils and he blew back.

Everyone in the world of Aitos was born with a horse companion, when they left the world, to the one beyond.  Their horses went to the Haven of the Departed, where all horses sung for those who had passed.

No one knew the time they were going to pass, but it would be soon because your horse would be sadder than before, and it’s mane would be turning a subtle white. 

Starflight’s mane was pure white now,  Kylan knew her time would be tomorrow, she could feel herself fading, her soul was tired, and she longed to feel the healing peace of the Maker

“I hate to leave you here buddy.” A small tear rolled down her cheek, and Starflight whinnied sadly, licking up her tear.

“It’ll be nice to see everyone again…especially… Kaitos.” She smiled sadly as memories of her older brother flooded her head.

He had never had a horse companion, no one knew why, perhaps the Maker had just decided that he didn’t need one.

He left the world before anyone thought he would. His final resting place was by the lake where cherry blossoms fell into the water.

“I’m coming soon.” She watched the cherry blossoms blowing in the breeze, she began to wheel herself to the lakeside. It was a glorious sight.

Nodding to Starflight, he gently tugged at her shoes and put them on the grass next to her. She held onto him for support as she gently lifted herself out of her wheelchair onto the bank of the lake, the water splashed across her feet, it would be nice…nice to feel again. 

Starflight whinnied and Kylan looked up, the sun had begun to set, the first stars were beginning to appear, a cool breeze blew across her face.

“…” she was awestruck, the beauty of the night was breathtaking, a shooting star flew across the sky… the sky illuminated by stardust. 

Starflight nudged the wheelchair over, Kylan heaved herself up on it, then wheeled over to the small cross made of stone with a ruby in the middle in the ground. A small engraving was etched on it.

In the loving memory of Kaitos Sylan, 26. May he rest in the Makers arms.

Kylan clutched her hands over her heart, and tears rolled down her cheeks. Starflight gently brushed his head against her shoulder, she looked up, he was holding white blossoms in his mouth. Kaitos’s favourite.

She took them, then with difficulty lifted herself onto the ground beside the grave, she placed the flowers tenderly by the cross. Fingering the locket around her neck she unclipped it,  holding it in the palm of her hand, tenderly opened the locket, a picture of Kaitos was to the right, and to the left was her favourite verse from the scrolls. 

She remembered when she got the locket. And what Kaitos had said when he gave it to her. “Remember this verse sis, even in the hardest nights, this is the promise the Maker makes to us.”

“I remember….Kaitos.” 

She hung the necklace over the cross leaving it open. 

The sun was rising on the horizon, and Kylan sat by the grave with Starflight watching the sunrise. 

She felt the sun soak into her skin, and closed her eyes.

“I’m coming ….brother.” She whispered, as the last of her life slipped from her.

Starflight turned to her, and a gust of wind blew them both, cherry blossoms blew past them, and just like that, she was gone.

Kylan looked up, she was in a place of brightness, light, clouds and sunshine, she stood up and looked around.

“Welcome home sis.”

She turned and uttered one word.

“Kaitos….”

***

About the Author:

Eilish Waugh is a passionate young artist who uses her experiences to convey meaning and emotion into every picture she draws. She loves writing for fun and dabbles in first person YA Fantasy fanfics. Through the rough seas of her life she’s learned to take her pain and use it to create pictures and stories that make people feel.

When she’s not working, she enjoys down time of watching Star Wars the clone wars, reading fairytale retellings and sporadically cleaning the house.