The Sounds of Silence | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: The Sounds of Silence | Previous Challenge Entry
By Ken Grant
07/18/17
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Demetrius Carlyle strode purposefully down the narrow dirt path through the woods. Or was this a forest? He had never been sure which was correct or maybe it was just a regional thing. He was a city person, a research chemist who spent nearly his entire life in a laboratory buried deep within his building's cavernous structure, and besides, he wasn't much of a wordsmith anyway. He was far more comfortable in the world of mathematical equations.

"Stop it. Stop talking to me!"

Demetrius was stunned both at the outburst and at encountering another human being in so desolate a location. He had assumed that the woods were so peaceful, but this guy was definitely not peaceful. The sounds of nature had been like a chorus that had slowly begun to remove the weight of city life, but, just as he had begun to relax just the slightest bit, this guy showed up and drove him right back to his anxiety-riddled life.

"Is something wrong?"

The man, if he could be called a man, he actually looked more beast than man, looked at Demetrius with a steely gaze. The stranger was shirtless wearing only worn tan shorts and similar-colored hiking boots. The overall appearance indicated that he had been out in nature for quite some time.

"The voices. They won't stop."

Demetrius paused to listen, but heard nothing at first but the same sounds of nature that he had been listening to while moving down the path. But, just when he was about to give up, a random string of gibberish cascaded through the air.

"It won't stop."

The man stared at Demetrius for a few moments longer before stomping off. Demetrius considered going after him, but the strange sounds were too interesting not to investigate.

"So much for a pleasant walk in the woods."

Demetrius tried his best to calculate the direction of the sound. A couple more blasts helped him to triangulate the proper way. The woods bit at him severely as he moved off of the clearly defined path. He considered stopping but his inquisitiveness outweighed his personal welfare.

"What is that?"

With his focus on trying to avoid being injured more than necessary, Demetrius nearly ran directly into an old shack than leaned a little too much to the left. A crude antennae on its roof was most likely the source of the strange gibberish. He approached what appeared to be the front door and beat on it heavily.

"Go away."

The voice had a desperate quality.

Demetrius banged again and again until the door finally opened just a sliver to reveal an old man with large, olive eyes and shocking red hair. It made for quite a sight and momentarily Demetrius was at a loss for words.

"Why are you making that noise?"

Demetrius finally managed to ask as his anger rose.

"They won't stop."

"Who?"

"The birds, the insects, all of them. I came out here for peace, but they won't stop."

The man slammed the door shut leaving Demetrius standing in blank amazement. He thought a moment before making his way back to his cabin. He quickly packed his belongings and headed back to his lab where the sounds might not be natural, but they were known and that was good enough for him.

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