miss-da-vinci

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Block

I’m sorry I didn’t post yesterday, I seem to have hit a block. I would certainly appreciate some suggestions until I get my creative gears turning.

#apology #suggestions #ideas?

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Canovanas: El Chupacabra 5/5

0072---- CURRENTLY RUNNING THROUGH THE FOREST FROM A MONSTER!

I know this is going to sound like a cliché, but this trip here into the night was a huge mistake.

I’ve lost Arsenio and that other guy. I don’t know where they went. I tried to keep looking behind me to make sure they were still there, but on the tenth or eleventh time, they were gone!

All I’ve been doing is running since then; I need to stop before I pass out.

I’ve stopped in the crevasse of the trunk of a tree covered in green moss.

As I’m still writing, I know there is a huge chance I won’t make it out of here alive. So, I’m taking my last few moments before I take off for one last sprint to write this, as a warning to those who come here in the future.

If anyone finds this, don’t come here this deep. El Chupacabra is real and he is smarter, faster, and scarier than anyone has ever imagined.

Stay away from El Yunque National Forest at night.

Cherryl McGill ----

#Chupacabra #Journal #Explore #shortstoryfriday #part5 #series #shortstoryseries #finalpart

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Canovanas: El Chupacabra 4/5

00729, Canovanas, Puerto Rico – Journal Entry 4: 6:38 PM, May 18, 2019

I’m back!

This time I brought my journal and only came with two other people, the guide and Arsenio. It may not be the safest venture of the trip, but I think it’s better than if we came with no other people slowing us down.

Now that I think about it, that sounds stupid.

Back to the story…

We’re on the trail, our third time, looking for anything we could have missed or anything new. As usual, we haven’t found anything, and it’s been a couple of hours. Arsenio and the other guy have been warning me that we should get back before it gets completely dark outside. The sun is already setting, so I understand their concern (fear). Once it gets dark, that’s when all the less-than-friendly creatures come out to play.

We’ve still got at least an hour before the prime time for back-tracking. I intend to utilize it.

I’m hearing that rustling again, but this time a thump follows. The two men and I freeze in our tracks. I may be scared, but I’m also curious.

I’m tiptoeing closer to the source just past an alcove in the ground despite the protests of the scaredy-cats. I turn on my headlamp to make sure I’ll be able to see this thing clearly. As I get close enough, I shine my light on the point where something should be.

I can’t say this was entirely unexpected.

There’s a white goat, eyes and mouth wide open, with three holes in the center of its chest.

Just like the legend.

The two men are slightly panicked by this find and keep pressing me to leave, saying that whatever did this was likely still here.

I believe them and I conceded to their pleas. But I think I’m too late now. We hear rustling increase in frequency and volume coming in our direction.

At this point, we don’t think anymore, we don’t analyze, we don’t observe…

We run!

#Chupacabra #Journal #Explore #shortstoryfriday #part4 #series #shortstoryseries

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Canovanas: El Chupacabra 3/5

00729, Canovanas, Puerto Rico - Journal Entry 3: 7:13 AM, May 18, 2019

Cherryl here.

I just went out to the forest without any of my teammates.

Yes, I know. It’s too dangerous. What if I had gotten hurt? I’ve already heard that from Arsenio for thirty minutes straight.

I get it.

But… It wasn’t that worth it for me anyways.

I went out there along the path that we took that previous evening. I didn’t find anything else. I skimmed over that path twice, and nothing.

Until I started to head back.

I was around five miles away from the starting point when I heard that rustling, again. I wasn’t about to miss it a second time.

I sprinted toward the brush where I heard the noise. There was nothing there, though. Some faint tracks, maybe, but nothing else.

I have considered it. This thing is much faster than any average human or dog could ever be. It took me five seconds to sprint to the spot where I heard it and it still got away without a trace.

This is starting to look really good for a discovery.

I just hope I’m not in over my head here.

I also heard some growling behind me as I was leaving. I was worried for a second but then hightailed it out of there.

It sounded like a dog, but also not.

I didn’t stick around to find out what it was.

Hold that thought.

Arsenio just came in and we’re all going out for breakfast at a local café.

I’ll be back next time I find something else.

Bye for now!

#Chupacabra #Journal #Explore #shortstoryfriday #part3 #series #shortstoryseries

[miss-da-vinci]

Canovanas: El Chupacabra 2/5

Next part is now up!

00729, Canovanas, Puerto Rico - Journal Entry 2; 8:45 PM; May 17, 2019

Cherryl here, again.

Today was...weird. Definitely weird. I don’t know if I actually caught anything, but I did find something that is worth questioning.

Let me start at, what I consider is, the beginning.

The team and I were at the edge of the forest handing out equipment: cameras, knives, etc. We were all about to go into the forest when Arsenio asked a question:

“Has anyone seen the mic?” I asked:

“What mic?” He responds:

“The giant fuzzy thing on a metal pole. That mic? It’s one of those that they use in movies.”

“Why do you have one of those?”

“So, we can capture any unusual sounds in the area.”

“I thought you weren’t a believer in the ‘junkyard puppy’?”

“I didn’t say I wasn’t interested in what’s in there.” He referred to the forest in front of us.

“Sure,” I said, skeptical of his explanation. “Whatever you say.” He’s always been a curious one, and open to having his mind changed.

We all proceeded into the forest as soon as we were ready. Our “guide” was in the front leading us through the more visited areas first. Nothing happened there. We all walked through the normal path and stopped at the end. The man then said something along the lines of: “We are now going into the restricted areas.”

I don’t understand Spanish that well. For all I know, he could have said: “There’s ice cream down there, let’s dig in.”

Anyway, he led us past the sign that was supposed to warn people not to go beyond that point. We went past it.

We walked for a few miles and nothing was happening. I think some of my teammates -- at that point -- were ready to pack it in and go back to the hotel for the night. To tell the truth, I was about ready, too.

I’m glad I didn’t.

I heard a rustling in the shrubbery to my right. I looked over there, but I didn’t see anything moving.

I got more curious.

I slowly approached the bush, wary if there was something behind it. When I got up to the bush, I pushed aside the shrubs’ limbs. I looked around the scenery, right to left, but I saw nothing there. I happened to look down...

That was when I saw it.

There was a very big and long footprint. It looked like it could have been from a very large wolf or dog.

I know dogs don’t get that big, but I wasn’t familiar with how big wolves could get or if they lived here.

As soon as I found that, I called the others over to have a look. They all seemed nonchalant at first. Our resident Zoologist, Dr. Fabian Chayka, immediately took an interest, though. He dismissed everyone’s skepticism due to the assumption that it could have been a dog or wolf.

Wolves are not indigenous to this forest because it has a tropical climate. Wolves prefer a cooler and drier climate further north.

A cast was taken of the footprint and it’s being analyzed as we speak (or write) by the same Zoologist at a lab that the natives let us borrow.

Shortly after we found the print, it started getting dark. We didn’t feel like getting stuck in the forest at night, unprepared.

I’m now back in my hotel room. I can’t help but wonder what the results of the analysis will be.

It doesn’t matter now, though. All I can do right now is sleep while I wait.

This is Cherryl McGill, who is now going to sleep.

Goodnight.

#Chupacabra #Journal #Explore #shortstoryfriday #part2 #series #shortstoryseries

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Canovanas: El Chupacabra 1/5

This is part one of a series comprising a short story. Enjoy!

00729, Canovanas, Puerto Rico - Journal Entry 1; 12:00 PM; May 17, 2019

My name is Cherryl McGill and I’m writing a detailed account of my experience in the El Yunque National Forest, otherwise known as Bosque Nacional del Caribe. I and a team of other explorers came here to hike through the sectors of the forest that are not at all advised to traverse.

That’s why we enlisted a person, who wishes to not have his name recorded, that knows the forest well enough to guide us through most of the way.

I, personally, came here because of my interest in Puerto Rico’s legend of the Chupacabra.

The Chupacabra is a monster that is described as a dog-like creature with large fangs, spiny protrusions going down its neck to its long tail, and sharp talon-like claws on its front and back legs. It’s rumored that the Chupacabra’s front paws actually have a more human quality to them, allowing them to better hunt and kill their prey.

It was first reported in 1995 when sheep and other animals, including pets, were found dead. All of them had the blood drained from their bodies, the only evidence being three bloody holes in the animals’ chests leading directly to their hearts. At first, it was speculated that a satanic cult could have been responsible for these killings. More sightings reported of the creature in the area raised the suspicion that the mythical beast might actually be real.

People call me crazy for coming here based on a fairy tale, including my own team and family. I don’t care. If I don’t see a blood-sucking dog, oh well. It’s not the end of the world. If I do, I get to prove everyone I know wrong.

In the present, I am in my hotel room writing in this journal and preparing for our first trip into the El Yunque National Forest. I don’t know if I will find anything right off the bat that will be substantial proof of the Chupacabra, but I can hope.

I now hear a member of my team knocking on my door. His name is Arsenio, I think.

He is telling me that we are leaving in about five minutes and to get down to the lobby with the rest of the team. He adds a comment at the end that I bet he didn’t expect me to hear.

“Let’s go find your junkyard puppy.”

Haha. Very funny.

I’ll come back to this later, hopefully with something awesome to write down.

Cherryl McGill, signing out.

#Chupacabra #Journal #Explore #shortstoryfriday #part1 #series #shortstoryseries

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Little Moon

Little Naomi is sleeping in her bed clad in purple footy pajamas with cartoon kitten print. Moonlight is shining on her head through the crack in her window’s curtains, but she does not stir. Naomi is in a deep sleep, and at the same time is somewhere else.

A realm with a galaxy night sky, snowy white grounds, and different-colored prism rocks and trees. Aurora Borealis flows like waves from the icy mountains in the distance. Little Naomi is running with a bright smile on her face, giggling at the colorful and shiny sights. Her short, curly black hair bouncing with each stride. Her baby blue eyes luminous with so much joy and wonder.

Behind a tree, where Naomi can’t see, is a woman in a brilliant white dress watching the girl with a wistful expression. Her long brown hair frames her fair face. The most distinguishing trait is her eyes, the windows to her kind soul. The woman steps out from behind the pink and purple prism tree to greet the child.

Little Naomi hears the footsteps of the approaching woman and turns around. Her eyes light up as she recognizes the beautiful lady and Naomi runs into her awaiting arms. They share an embrace like it’s the last time they’ll see each other. Their meetings are only once a year, the night before Naomi’s birthday.

The two break their hug and take a walk through the prism forest. Naomi points out the wildlife, so different from the real world’s. A Rainbow Jay speckled with white spots building a nest for her future chicks. A bright pink Bunny hopping out of its hole. A Viper with diamond scales and ruby red eyes going up a tree. It’s all so amazing in Naomi’s eyes.

They stop at the end of the path and the woman looks down. Naomi meets her gaze and knows it’s time. Her smile fades and her eyes start to glisten.

“I don’t wanna leave.” Naomi says. Each year is always the same.

The woman gives Naomi a sad smile and pulls her in for one more hug. The galaxy sky starts to disappear and fade into bright sunlight. A tear falls from the little girl’s face, the woman wipes it away.

“Don’t be sad. You’ll see me again before you know it, my little moon.” The woman blends into the now blinding light. Naomi raises her arm to shield her eyes.

It’s morning as the sun shines through the crack in the curtains onto the little girl’s face. This time, she opens her eyes to her galaxy painted ceiling. Naomi is still sad that she had to wake up. Each time she’s in her dream realm, she never wants to leave. Naomi doesn’t quite understand why she can’t stay, but she always looks on the bright side. She’ll be there again in another year, and she has the patience to wait.

Little Naomi looks up at the ceiling and smiles as she remembers the woman’s kind, baby blue eyes, exactly like her own.

“I’ll see you next year, Mommy.”

#shortstoryfriday #galaxy #littlegirl #dreamrealm #birthday

[miss-da-vinci]

Review - The Haunting of Hill House

I just finished watching season one of the Netflix series, The Haunting of Hill House. Overall, this season has a very well-written storyline with lots of twists and turns. The moments of horrors are thought-out and crafted perfectly. In combination with the interest and suspense that is created with the family’s unresolved issues and hidden secrets that come to light. It has many tear-jerking, tragic scenes which tie everything together.

The only thing I think would make it even better is more information about how the house came to be the way it was. We know who was behind it all, the spirit who made Olivia go mad and had Nelle unintentionally commit suicide. I still have some questions. How did Poppy die? How did the house become a place festering with a hunger for souls? And, of course, what will happen to the house now? Will it remain dormant and rot away into rubble and nothing, or will someone else get curious and wake it up again in the future?

Anyways, I am looking forward to the second season come 2020. The Haunting of Bly Manor. It is said that it will be adapted from another book, like season one was adapted from the novel by Shirley Jackson with the same title. Season 2 will be adapted from Henry James’ The Turn of the Screw.

I cannot wait.

(Sources: https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/the-haunting-of-bly-manor-everything-we-know-so-far/ and https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2018/10/netflixs-haunting-hill-house-neuters-1959-novel/573595/)

#the haunting of hill house #the haunting of bly manor #review #netflix #supernatural #horror #excited #season 2 #season 1

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Main Tumblr

This is my main Tumblr, where I love to write. Feel free to suggest some prompts. I probably should have introduced this one first, but oh well.

#my writing #chapter stories or one shots #nothing inappropriate please #for all ages