Lost in Grief

The day my Mum died I walked through the forest opposite my house, sorrowful and distraught, until I came across the wood crafter. He beckoned me closer, and offered me a cheese steak. His silence soothed me. I ate hungrily. I felt like I had seem him somewhere before, and when he pressed a large glass of water into my hands, I realised he was my sensei. I started to speak but he pressed his fingers to my lips and passed me the drink, which I quickly gulped down.

He pointed to the sofa in his shed, a place to sleep, but I shook my head, tears filling my eyes. He brushed the back of his hand across my cheek, his expression, full of understanding. It was too much. I started to run but he caught my hand and pulled me to him, holding me tightly while I sobbed out my grief.

Maria's Unwelcome Visitor

I started writing this story from Story Bandit's dare but it became much longer. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Maria was teaching a watercolour class in her garden in Devon. She and her students were dry under a huge gazebo while all around them it rained heavily. She wandered around as they worked giving her students encouragement. Her eyes widened as she saw her student Joe’s effort.
“Great...initiative,” she said with a smile.
“I'm having struggles,” he said with a sigh.
“You’re doing great, keep going." She touched him lightly on his shoulder

As Maria moved onto her next student David and complimented his work, there was a loud noise and a a motorbike flew through her garden, destroying fences and the flowerbed that her class were painting. Luckily it stopped before anyone was hurt but Maria was furious. What an idiot.

“What the hell are you doing?” she yelled.
The motorcyclist pulled the helmet off to reveal an attractive man with dark skin and short black hair. His eyes were ringed with long eyelashes “Oops. Sorry.”
“You've destroyed my garden,” Maria looked at the muddy mess and felt like crying.
“Like I said, I'm sorry.” he said muttering, “Women,” under his breath.
Maria gasped, “You...you chauvinistic pig,” she said, narrowing her eyes.
“Well help me dislodge my bike and I’ll be out of your way,” he said, rolling his eyes.
Maria stood at the back of the motorbike and pushed as the man started the engine. The bike refused to move, the wheels turned but didn't move forward and muddy spots dotted Maria’s clothes and face.

“Arghhh,” she screamed. “Stop, stop.”
The man laughed under his breath.
“What’s wrong with you?” Maria shook her head.

As she walked away she slid and fell into the muddy puddle around the bike. She screamed as she fell, covering most of her body in the disgusting liquid. She tried to stand up but the mud was slippery and the puddle was growing in size every minute.

“Someone help me,” she asked, and though her students watched her they didn't move. The motorcyclist stepped off his bike. By this time, the wheels were almost completely under water and the rain kept pouring. He held out his hand to her but before she could take it, he slipped too and fell into the puddle next to her. Maria laughed at his shocked face.

He splashed her and she retaliated, not caring any more how cold and wet she was. She threw her head back and laughed. “What’s your name?” she asked when they stopped playing.
“Adam Cooper,” he said extending his hand for her to shake. “What’s your name?”
“Maria Shapna,” she said with a smile. “You can come inside and have a shower if you like.”
“I've caused you enough trouble.” Looking her in the eye he stroked a few strands of her long black hair and tucked them behind her ear. “Can I take you out for dinner sometime?”
“What?” Maria exclaimed. “One minute you laugh at me, the next you ask me out. I'm confused.”
“I guess that didn't help,” Adam chewed his lip. “But look at you, all these men around you_”
“My students. I teach.”
“Just students. Really?" Maria nodded.
“I'm usually not such a jerk. I promise.” A smile flashed across his face. “Just come to dinner with me, or lunch.”
“Will you fix my garden?"
“Yes. I promise,” he said. "I'm sorry I damaged it."
“Thanks. What do you do for a living?”
“I'm a teacher too,” he said.
“What do you teach?”
“Creative writing.”
“You’re a writer?”
“Um...well...I used to be.”
“What do you mean?” Maria asked. 
“Writer’s block,” he sighed. “I just can’t seem to get past it. So, any more questions?” he looked at Maria enquiringly.
“Not at the moment,” she said.
“Are you going to answer my question about going out?”
Maria laughed, and nodded, deciding to give him a chance.
“You are going to answer my question?”
“I just did.” She smiled.

Adam ran his hand across her cheek and she shivered, her heart racing at his touch. He pressed his mouth to hers, and she pulled him closer, until their bodies were touching. When he released her Maria remembered her students. Looking up she saw them painting away, or pretending to.
“Class is over, I'm afraid," she said. "I’ll spend a bit longer with you next week.”

They all gathered their things together and left quickly, Joe stopped a moment, “Do you need some help Maria?” he asked.
“I'm okay. Thanks for the offer Joe. Adam will help me.” Joe nodded, though he didn't look happy, and left.

Turning her attention back to Adam, Maria said, “Come on, I’ll make us coffee if you help me out of here.”
Adam stood up lifting Maria with him and they walked inside.

A home on Venus

A piece of Flash Fiction written from @StoryBandit's dare below. Slightly over 99 words but never mind!!

Deep underground on the planet Venus, away from the constantly erupting volcano's that ravage the planet, two humans survive. The mission, to live and discover more about Venus, was top secret, and now the one man who controlled the experiment from Earth is dead.

Bella coughed, the heat and thick gases were penetrating their sanctuary more every day. “What can we do?” Oxygen levels were diminishing fast. Faster than they could produce more.
Tyler shook his head, “There’s nothing we can do,” he said, his voice rough.
Bella sobbed, but any tears evaporated instantly in the heat of their surroundings. She sat on Tyler’s lap and kissed his chapped lips for the last time.
“I love you,” she said and her words echoed across the planet as the lava tornado broke through the barrier and ravaged their home.