May 31st, 2012 | 
Author: Flash Fiction Contest: Fairytaleish
Anna Meade (@ruanna3) over at Yearning For Wonderland is running another great flash fiction contest featuring the psychedelic and faery-ish visuals of Pinterest board: fairytaleish.The pinteresting writing contest is simple: 300 words based on one of the many visually-stunning choices on the Pinterest board. Complete rules are here. Only one week this time, so get your entries in SOON.
My humble entry:
Source: emerald-depths.deviantart.com via Jm on Pinterest
Faeysicist
The ancient house looked exactly like I thought it would.
I knocked, muttering, “I must be crazy.”
“Can I help you?” A gorgeous blond woman opened the door.
“Um…I thought…wait, is this Professor Mueller’s house?”
She smiled warmly. “Herr Mueller is my grandfather, Dr. Bonnet. He said you’d be coming today.”
The stories about him were true, then. The centenarian’s prescience was as legendary as his knowledge of esoterica.
We wound through the labyrinthine house, filled with overflowing bookshelves and ancient curios. In the back study, Albrecht Mueller was sunning himself by the window. He smiled at me, eyes sparkling behind bushy, white eyebrows.
“I know why you’re here,” he said.
His surety took me by surprise. “Then you know I won’t stop until I find them.”
“Dr. Bonnet, the faeries left centuries ago. For good reasons.”
I’d heard it all before. We stopped believing. We didn’t need them. We were all grown up now.
“We were wrong,” I stated unequivocally. “The Fae are the key to our future.”
Professor Mueller chuckled, “Ironic, isn’t it?”
“I need the location of the doorways.”
“Even if you find the three paths, you would almost certainly die in your attempt to find the Fae. They are not the wholly benevolent force portrayed in Disney stories,” Albrecht said. “Why would you attempt such a thing?”
It was a loaded question. A self-serving response and the knowledge would be lost to me forever.
“I’ve done the math, Professor. Without the Fae…we’re lost.” I steeled my voice with the truth. “Science has taken us as far as it can. We need the trinity—science, faith, and magic—or we’ll perish as a species. As surely as I’m standing here.”
“Strange answer for a physicist.” The old alchemist grinned. “But correct.”
300 words
@zombiemechanics
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Enjoy and good luck to all the other writers!
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Tags: 10 Responses to “Flash Fiction Contest: Fairytaleish”
First off, the picture is beautiful! Fantastic pin choice.
Second, I love this line: Science has taken us as far as it can. We need the trinity—science, faith, and magic—or we’ll perish as a species.
I had a conversation about this just this morning with my oldest. It’s an undeniable truth.
Overall, I’m intrigued. Great story!
Wow! Loved your choice of art and was delighted with where you took it/us. Great characterization with dialogue. I really enjoyed this, so glad you entered!
Absolutely loved the concept behind this. And this one line particularly is genius, in my opinion! – “Science has taken us as far as it can. We need the trinity—science, faith, and magic—or we’ll perish as a species. As surely as I’m standing here.”
A tale told well in 300 short words…but I still want more!
I second that!
I actually sort of wish this story were true – and I love the image you’ve chosen. The professor reminds of the professor (Diggory) in the Narnian books and there IS no higher complement. Love the concept!
That ‘trinity’ line has got us all, just brilliant! I always enjoy good dialogue, especially when it conveys your characterization so well! Lovely.
I love how you made Professor Mueller wise and respected but not intimidating! Good story!
I love how you synthesize fairytales with science so effortlessly. Thank you for entering!
I love this! You managed to tell so much in so few words, and yet I want more! I can easily see this as the beginning to an epic quest.