This week’s blog hop and six-sentence story was one I felt quite hesitant about, because every time I reread it, it somehow manages to become more and more depressive. I’m not entirely sure why—maybe it comes from writing for and while loops in university to the point of wanting to throw up—but if I had to sum this story up in one word… it would be “loopy.”
Musically, I’ve really been into the new release from one of my beloved artists, DIR EN GREY—Mortal Downer. It’s the kind of band I would recognize within half a second of a song; I think it’s beautiful when someone creates music for almost 30 years and, even though every album feels a little fresh and new, there’s still that something, even a tiny bit of that something, that makes you go "Ah, that's why I love them."
The weekly writing challenge is hosted by GirlieOnTheEdge, and you can find links to other participants’ work through the link-up.
Rules of the hop:
Write 6 sentences. No more. No less.
Use the current week’s prompt word.
The link is live from Wednesday at 6:00 PM until late Saturday night.
Spread the word and support fellow writers!
PROMPT WORD: SHUFFLE
Six-Sentence Story - Shuffle. Cut. Deal
The reversed Eight of Cups, Eight of Swords, and the Hermit stare back at me on the burgundy velvet as the reader tries to tell me my fate based on a single draw.
Her words, however, seem to trail off into the sizzle of the incense beside me, and it feels as if time itself pauses.
"Can we do another spread?"
As if mocking my destiny, she draws the cards one by one and places them on the table: Death turned on itself, the Hanged Man, and the Hermit seemingly laugh at my desire for a second opinion as her interpretation rings in my ears like a broken record.
"Again!"
And just as I am sure this time the fate will be turned, she pulls just one card and waves Death in front of my face, her voice edged with annoyance: "The cards never lie, my child; I can shuffle and draw them again and again, but they will only ever show you the same truth."
There's more of my work:
If you like short stories I have them scooped up into one category (including the six-sentence stories).
The Nervous Poet at the SSC&B can be followed here.
There is also poetry.
More personal entries can be found at the Blog.
There's also the IT studies blog in Estonian and "Chaos in Spring" on YouTube, Spotify and other streaming services.
Choose life regardless what the cards say.
Hm. That’s a bit different take on it than what I was thinking while writing it,
I now think she should just walk out too and choose life but well.
Thank you for reading and commenting!
Nice one, and yeah, one may shuffle the deck but the cards don’t change. They’ll speak their truth.
Poor thing. She needs to vary her interpretation, I think. Knowing that you are entering a period of great change is not such a bad thing- unless you are dead set against it… I loved your take!
Thank you so much for your comment!!! ?
I agree that change, while scary and transformative is not always a bad thing. Like one of the sixes this week said, if you have roots you are a tree.
Humans are not meant to stand still and trying to resist may cause more harm than good.
while I concur with my fellow Commentationers,” Frank and Violet, I had a somewhat different take, two words: “Noir!!”
The style gets me every-fricken time. Loves that shit.
Reflecting further on your Six, my sense is that your protagonistae has a tough day ahead, thanks to this reading. (imo) no matter how sincere she might be to disregard it, there is no avoiding the weight of such a pronouncement. at least not if your MC got the reading ’cause she wanted to.
fun Six
* not a ‘real’ word
Thank you so much, I rarely get such compliments and it made me smile big.
Tarot is something funny and mystical but I think it’s humans that give it meaning so if she gets stuck in the reading…
I think you are right she may have a difficult day.
Nice one, and yeah, one may shuffle the deck but the cards don’t change. They’ll speak their truth.
Thank you so much! Yes, they will speak their truth
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i like that thought…. ‘again’ on repeat… the sun rises and the sun sets…. the cycle of the moon waxes and wanes… even though it all appears the same it is definitely different… the cards speak and then i walk away…. great six sentence story…
Thank you so much for stepping by and for your kind words yet again. I really like your stories too! A lot! And your comments!
And yeah tarot can be a bit nuanced like that.
Thank you 🙂
I love that she’s not satisfied with her spreads — like playing the machines at Reno — again, play it again. Maybe she’ll see what she wants — or interpret it so. But the ‘house’ always wins. Thoroughly enjoyable read.
Thank you so much for your comment ? am grateful and happy you liked it.
Tarot cards… always true (maybe). But this was an excellent Six, either way!
Thank you so much Chris!
And I had someone say once that tarot cards are only true if you believe they are.
Try as you may to change what lies ahead, where fate is concerned what will be will be.
I agree with you that what is meant to be will be, thank you for your comment ?.
Defiance. I love that the MC is not accepting the cards. Three times a consistent spread, she’s the one to choose or not choose a path whether in spite of, or because of the cards. “Stomach aches” are not always bad. Sometimes they’re reminders, though difficult it may be, we are on the right path.
She sure is defiant, thank you so much for stepping by!
Choosing life anyway, even with changes, sounds like the only response. Excellent six, you set the mood well.
Thank you so much!
And I completely agree, choosing life does seem like the only option for her.