Author: Shawn Van Tol

Far to the North (Chapter 13)

Anna and Hemmett stand together beside a narrow road. Burly pine trees, fully clothed in ice and snow, surround them as though they’re unwelcomed intruders. Above, gray clouds swell with ill intent. Buried in silence, they listen for the sound of coming travelers. “What does it mean?” Anna asks. “The line being cute.” Hemmett scowls … Continue reading Far to the North (Chapter 13) →

Advertisements

A Quick Note

I start a new job next week, and with it comes a completely different schedule. No more working nights, weekends, holidays, etc. I'm coming back to the land of the living and doing the unthinkable of working during the day and sleeping at night. While I'm very happy about that change, it's going to disrupt … Continue reading A Quick Note →

Far to the North (Chapter 12)

“Hey,” Hemmett says. “You ready?” Anna looks over her shoulder at him, not turning her body away from the view in front of her. Seeing a distant longing in her eye, Hemmett pauses. “They’re leaving now. We should get going too. Our walk will be harder without the luxury of the road.” Anna nods. “Okay. … Continue reading Far to the North (Chapter 12) →

Far to the North (Chp 11)

“ArrrrroooOOO!” Anna bolts up from her bedroll with a gasp. Eyes wide and heart pounding, she stares at the inside of her canvas tent with a certainty that all is coming to an end. Wilder is trampling through the campsite in a frothing rage, stampeding in her direction with head down and horns ready. His … Continue reading Far to the North (Chp 11) →

Chapter 10 (Far to the North)

Falling from a starless sky, heavy snowflakes flutter down, swallowing sound and muting the world. They blanket the forest, bury fledgling pines, and cling to rocky shelves in growing piles before spilling over. In the silence of it all, alone and afraid, Clarence stands. His fragile body trembles with cold under the growing storm. Small … Continue reading Chapter 10 (Far to the North) →

Far to the North (Chapter 9)

The poles of the telegraph junction huddle together like a lost patrol regrouping in the forest. At their center, looping lines form a webbing of cables before splitting from the station, each connection ducking its way through the trees to rush toward distant towns. Hemmett climbs down from the final pole, ninth in all, while … Continue reading Far to the North (Chapter 9) →

Far to the North (Chapter 8)

With Wilder satiated and Anna forgiven, the Walkers continue north. From the day’s onset, Anna struggles. Her legs move as if filled with fresh concrete, thick and heavy and threatening to dry to permanent stone. Stiff muscles pang with soreness in spots she never knew existed. It’s these damn snowshoes, she thinks. Stupid things. They’re … Continue reading Far to the North (Chapter 8) →