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As a writer, you act when inspiration strikes. Sometimes inspiration lasts long enough for you to write a cohesive piece of literature. Other times, it touches for only a moment...just long enough to give you a taste of what your story could have been. Bits and Pieces is a collection of Riley's short stories + unfinished works...all created from a breath of inspiration that lasted only for a short moment.
In a deep ocean there was an island. The area surrounding was plagued with war and famine, but this little island stayed at peace. It was somewhat spoiled, like a child getting what it wants whenever it desires. It didn’t have any conflict and no technical troubles. It never had famine and was completely deaf and blind to struggles. Everyone who lived on it was satisfied and happy. This story tells the tale of a harrowing experience...through the eyes of one young man.
Ben was born into a prosperous and content family. They were very rich and powerful. They owned all the mines, mills, and fishing boats. Ben’s father, Sir Edward, was a tall, skinny, quiet man who spent his days in an office working. Ben’s mother was a plump woman with a large red nose and enjoyed bragging that she ran the family, even though she refused to work, and spent her days sitting on the sofa bossing people around. Ben didn’t mind getting bossed around...he actually enjoyed it.
Being told what to do took his mind off of things. You see, children on the island sat around bored as their parents attended balls and expensive dinners...every night. Some boys would draw on the mountains with charcoal, but Ben liked to sit outside his house on the mountain and stare out to sea...completely quiet.
He was twelve years old when three boats arrived at the docks. They were sleek and dark with many guns. He looked in wonder as three figures walked off the ships. People stared at the figures as they made their way towards them. Two of the men had swords and the other carried a scroll. “Who are you?” said a voice that issued from the figure with the scroll. “Who are we? Who are you?” said the mayor, a large, sturdy man with a loud mouth. All three figures rattled with fury. “How dare you?!” Shrieked all three of them as they charged. As they ran towards the crowd, their hoods were swept back by the wind revealing pale faces with sharp teeth.
Their heads sported a single eye and the two sharp horns on their heads gleamed in the sun. They were the very definition of terrifying, and had almost arrived at the mayor, when one stopped suddenly and shouted, “Wait! Don’t touch him! Master won’t want that, but Master will want him checked.” “Right!” shouted the two other figures. They grabbed the mayor as they screamed in unison “Bring in Zentok!”. Immediately, a plank was lowered from one of the boats. A tall, skinny two-headed figure walked out. In its long, bone-like hand was a chain. Following the skinny thing was what looked like a hairy, three trunked pig. The mayor stated calmly in the direction of the figure with the scroll, “Please take your creatures, let me go, and get off my island.” “Not until you’re checked.” said the figure.
The bony creature got to the deck and handed the chain of the three-headed beast to the figure with the scroll. “Prepare to have your mind searched.” and with that, he pointed a long, white, bony finger at the mayor. Zentok walked over to him and stared straight into his eyes. All the hair on its back pointed at the mayor. Then something happened that made everyone want to vomit.
The mayor’s head had jiggled...and began to wiggle. A look of intense agony appeared on the mayor’s face. It grew worse and worse as he screamed and fell to the ground sobbing.
Zentok, however, had looked away. The bony thing grabbed Zentok’s chain and asked in a cold voice, “What did you see?” After a moment, he responded “There’s nothing bad. No rebellion, no trying to get help. He’s perfect.” “Very well, we will leave.” and then staring at the crowd he declared, “We will be back.” As they left, Ben felt like somebody had drilled a hole in his heart. It was a strange feeling that Ben promptly suppressed.
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