Pretty Things

by THX 0477

In surprisingly quiet fashion, Gordo trudged through the swamp. Humidity what it was, he was trudging through the air nearly as much. His thick eyebrows knitted together. His uneven, misaligned eyes scanned the moonlit scene.

All romanticizing aside, it was an ugly world. But Gordo already knew that. He’d known that from the day his momma left him on a brothel’s doorstep. He’d known that every time some other kid left the orphanage, and he stayed behind. He’d known that with every averted gaze and whispered slur.

But there were pretty things, and Gordo liked pretty things. That’s why he was out on such a night, half damp from fetid swamp water and half damp from sweat. A pretty thing was missing. A pretty thing was lost in this ugly place.

A snapping twig, and a slosh of muck bespoke an presence of one unfamiliar to this backwoods place. Unfamiliar was likely pretty. Pretty things didn’t belong here. Pretty things couldn’t survive here.

And Gordo liked pretty things.

Comments

Average Reader Rating: 5.0 stars out of 5

  1. Pretty Things

    Artist_Girl's Buddy Icon Artist_Girl

    Posted 15 days ago

    I like the descriptiveness. I usually don’t get into such stories, but I kind of liked this one. I like your style of writing.

  2. Pretty Things

    Ana Cristina's Buddy Icon Ana Cristina

    Posted 15 days ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    I liked the mood of this piece, foreboding though it is. I find myself both sympathizing with and fearing Gordo. One of your more interesting characters.
    LoA

  3. Pretty Things

    thebetweenspace's Buddy Icon thebetweenspace

    Posted 15 days ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    Unfamiliar was likely pretty. I feel like difficult times are ahead for poor Gordo. Will he be a victim or a monster, with all he’s been through. Very dark character. You almost feel sorry for him.

  4. Pretty Things

    Laine P. Grey's Buddy Icon Laine P. Grey

    Posted 11 days ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    Wow, I loved the contrast. I am very interested in finding out where this goes.

  5. Pretty Things

    Tad Winslow's Buddy Icon Tad Winslow

    Posted 8 days ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    I had to read this slower than normal becuase of the consistent complexity in the narration—which is to say it is chock full of good, dense writing. Do I detect a change of pace from your normal voice? Are you trying a new style? On to the next one…

  6. Pretty Things

    Jenunique's Buddy Icon Jenunique

    Posted 7 days ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    Love this, and I admit, I started at the back and worked my way here. (Also admitting that I cheated in the comment challenge, skipping commenting until I got to this one. :D)

  7. Pretty Things

     Kermitgorf's Buddy Icon Kermitgorf

    Posted 4 days ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    Im reminded of frankestein monster for some reason., I backtracked here to read from the start, can’t believe i didnt catch this series from the beginning b4 now.

Want to comment on this ficlet? You need to sign in!