For months, I had battled with this story rummaging through my head just waiting to be uncaged. This would be a series in parts, a new one uploaded every Mondays. I have never podcasted a story before, I have written short stories in standalones and parts but never podcasted before. So, please drop your comments, your suggestions and corrections if any. I'd really appreciate it. I want to improve as much as possible.
Cover Art: Image 1 and Image 2 edited with Canva.
There has always been a thin line between good and evil. The war has been going on for ages, as long as the beginning of time. Men and women constantly placed at a spot, driven to make a choice.
Carla was no different. Even while she roamed the field of daisies, her blue summer gown a stark contrast to the white canvas of the flowers. Her ebony dark hair, the length of her neck, swaying to the rhythm of the wind.
With both hands clasped at her back, she raised her head to the clear blue sky. Taking a deep breath, her eyes closed, she enjoyed the breeze against her skin. Nature was truly a wonderful thing.
"Life doesn't always have to be so complicated", she mused, "we all have choices. We just have to make them."
For all it's worth, Carla always decided on a compromise. She never settled on the good or bad side, craftily pitching her tent on the gray area. As such, she made enemies, she made friends and she made a world of her own.
Yet as she spoke to herself, she appeared really sad. Her shoulders slumped despite her ramrod posture.
"Sometimes we need to go blind to the world, deaf to the pandemonium for us to find ourselves. Discover who we are." She remembered her mother saying.
"Carla!" A voice cried out from the distance, breaking her moment of peace. Carla's lid slowly gave way to deep blue, soul piercing orbs. She'd recognize that voice anywhere.
"Carla." He called out again. His voice no longer distant. He must have gotten closer.
With slow, calculated steps, she turned to face the man who sought her attention. His ginger colored hair was tussled, as though he had run his hand through the locks so many times. He took bold steps towards her, his strides determined. The sun reflected on his hazel eyes, making them far more entrancing.
Carla took in the heavenly sight; she wasn't immune. Again, she let herself be lulled by his beauty.
Canice stopped a mere three feet away from her.
"You said we always have a choice. I've made mine. That you." He said
"A battle of good and evil..." She thought as she stared into those hazels. Strands of hair fell over his face, sweat glistened on his forehead and still, he was most dashing.
"I did too." Carla finally spoke.
"Well?" Canice urged.
Carla turned away from him and towards the Shadows. The field stretched to a vast length, a thick forest just up ahead.
"I choose to let you go Canice. We aren't made for each other."
Canice's eyes blazed with anger, a tick in his jaw.
"So infuriating. Beautifully stubborn woman..." He thought.
"Would you give me a more acceptable reason?! This is bullshit." He started, his voice rising with his frustration. He continued, "Last I checked, no one is always meant to be together. They make it work!" He finished.
The wind picked up in an uneven hymn with the trees around. Their leaves and branches clapping along to its bid.
Canice closed the distance between them, towering over her by a foot.
"We can make it work, Carla. Just you and me."
Carla's eyes glazed over as she stared into the forest. She could feel his impatience. He is waiting. The danger loomed over her, her fingers trembling. She made a choice and she must see through it.
Without even as much as a glance backwards, she walked away from him. Heading for the forest, where her destiny awaits.
A soft slap sounded as Canice's palm made contact with the flesh on her wrist. She was leaving. His stomach churned as his heart dropped low, the feeling of despair not foreign to him.
"Carla please. I am not above begging. Stay with me. Choose me. Please..."
Silence.
"But I did choose you. I have always chosen you." Carla said and detached herself from his grip, running away this time. Running for her life, for his. Running despite his pleas, despite his cry of agony.
"Life doesn't always have to be so complicated" she thought as she ran, "sometimes we make decisions that tear us apart. Other times, we overlook and decide to deal with the consequences. In this case, my consequences won't be ugly. They'd be downright bloody."
A twig snapped as Carla took her first step into the dense forest, her head down. The alerted Alpha, a massive beast of claws and fur, lowered his gaze. His piercing blues glinting as they raked over her puny form.
With no words exchanged, he turned and began to walk deeper into the forest. With a broken heart and tearful eyes, Carla followed.
For once, she had to choose a side. The side of evil.
▶️ Aureal
