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The horseman - part 10 (epilogue)

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Published by rjnewlyn on April 9, 2010 - 12:06
from the ABC set 200 words

I’ve ridden as Death in this world for so long, I can’t remember anything else. Occasionally I sense an earlier existence: some fleeting image, some voice on the wind calling me home. But there is no home. Not now.

In that hazy past, I’m sure the ghosts were more friendly. Now they just stare resentfully after me, as if I were the cause of their misfortune. I’m just the administrator, that poor call-centre voice at the end of the line who gets all the complaints. Take it up with the management – don’t blame me.

It’s true that I enjoy my work now. I tried to keep detached and dispassionate but when you’re surfing a wave of famine or pestilence, it’s hard not to feel exhilarated. And frankly the world deserves what it gets (all that bickering hypocrisy).

But a strange thing happened yesterday. I was dragging a hurricane in from the south, tearing apart some second-rate fishing town, when this kid comes up and throws a stone at me, raging about how unfair it is. I was about to strike him down but was sure I recognised him from somewhere.

I turned and rode away – he’d be stupid to follow.

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Comments

rjnewlyn | April 9, 2010 - 12:10

Thanks so much for everyone's encouragement over the course of this series - it's been a more exhausting undertaking than I'd envisaged, but an interesting one. And thanks for the occasional cherries along the way which have also helped me keep going. Not sure what next but something different at least.

lenchenelf | April 9, 2010 - 12:47

Enjoyed and thanks, atb Lena x

rjnewlyn | April 9, 2010 - 13:14

Thanks very much Lena - that's really great.

Silver Spun Sand | April 9, 2010 - 13:21

A wonderful finale.

I have so enjoyed these, and this last one, will certainly stick in my mind...not that the others haven't, of course. All expertly penned and highly atmospheric and evocative.

Tina

rjnewlyn | April 9, 2010 - 13:26

Thanks Tina. I'm glad it lived up to it and thanks also for your unstinting support and encouragement. Much appreciated.

insertponceyfre... | April 9, 2010 - 16:41

yes, definitely, that last one was really really good. The end was especially well done. I hope you think of the next thing soon xx

rjnewlyn | April 11, 2010 - 00:50

Thanks very much insert... and for all your other encouraging comments. Yes, the thinking hat's on!

Beeme | April 11, 2010 - 22:05

I'm not sure what I expected the ending to be like, but this trumps all of my ideas. It's fabulous, very well written (as always) I enjoyed greatly.

Beeme xx

rjnewlyn | April 14, 2010 - 20:52

Thanks very much Beeme for this and the other encouragements. I'm so glad you liked it. Rob