A Night Fear

It was a night like any other with the exception of the full moon which seemed oddly larger than normal. A few friends sat in a circle hypnotized by the dancing flames of a campfire. The ocean seemed to be as flat as a lake, aside from the cool breeze that came from the mountains. 
I don't know if it was the moonlight, the campfire, or the few drinks we had, but our minds seemed to be working hand in hand with our fears. 
It was nearing the midnight hour when we first began to hear the faint sounds of drumming in the far distance.
Angela, the most practical of us all, saw it first. Her normally tanned face instantly drained of all its color as she stared off in the distance she lifted a single finger in the direction of her torment. Following her gaze, I began to see what it was she was seeing. My heart began to pound fiercly, my legs felt as though they no longer belonged to me, and for life of me I couldn't bring myself to stand.
Robert, the jock of our group grabbed my arms and pulled me up like I was a ragged doll. Everyone in our group was now standing in both fear and in awe at what we were seeing.
My mind instantly returned to childhood days when our parents and grandparents spoke of this ghostly sight. Night marchers were something I thought the elders create to keep us kolohe kids out of trouble, but here I was, witnessing it firsthand.
The drumming, “Boom…Boom…Boom, Boom, Boom” pierced through the silence of the night. 
All the hairs on my body stood up, like someone had just scratched a chalkboard with nails. The sight was amazing, and had I not been there I would never have believed myself.
About 25 yards away, a procession of translucent beings beating on invisible drums were making their way from the mountains into the ocean.
It is said that on certain nights these night marchers begin their ghostly procession, and although none of us were harmed on this particular night, it is wise to stay out of their way, and above all stay off of their path least you become part of their ghostly journey to the beyond.

Re: A Night Fear

ooh! I have chills. I really liked this Nohealani! Night marchers… the name gives me the shivers. I felt drawn in by this snapshot of experience. When I finished reading, I wanted to know more. I wanted to hear the conversation before and after the arrival of the night marchers, what happened next, were they signalling a passing, or announcing one. more more!

very nice dive!
Leigh-Anne
xo

Re: A Night Fear

This wsa delicous in its simplicity and brief dive into the assignment.  I liked not really having a clear picture fo who or what these night archers were or wanted. There was ebough subtle hints to set the tone and energy without taking the readers imagination away.

Her normally tanned face instantly drained of all its color as she
stared off in the distance she lifted a single finger in the direction
of her torment.

Great details and this line covered so much territorry in such concise manner.

I think this is great as it is but also leaves plenty of room if you chose to add to it and dive even further.

Peace
michael

Re: A Night Fear

Ooh.  Yes.  Creepy-good.  I want to know more, too.  Was it a party?  Was it just an ordinary hang-out session?  Why had the group fallen silent?  Was that normal?  Was there something weird about the flames?  What happened after the Night Marchers passed?  So many questions. 

Of course, it's a great snapshot, too, as is.  I'm immediately there. 

Re: A Night Fear

Nohealani, I like this very much as a miniature, a single scene (although of course it could be developed into something larger). You set the stage well for something otherworldly to happen—the larger than normal full moon, the dancing flames hypnotizing the friends gathered around the fire. So easy to see, and I've been round lots of campfires. The smoothness of the ocean surface reminds me of the lull between in- and out-tides, an ocean holding its breath while waves gather strength to pound back to shore. A time where anything could happen, I've often thought. Then, the ghostly transluscent marching band, beating on invisible drums that could, however, be heard.

All the hairs on my body stood up, like someone had just scratched a chalkboard with nails.

For sure, I wouldn't have wanted to be there.

Nice work.

Ruth