The Ceremony of the Sanguines | 5-Minute Freewrite (Day 1927) | Prompt: what nasty thing could happen on such a lovely day

A lovely day. The thick forest brush hindered Lyndley's attempts to explore. In the background, the light blue sky lured fluffy white clouds dancing in unusual patterns while searching for a play date in the slight breeze. Lyndley caught sight of this and positioned his camera for a perfect shot of the occasion, even if the subject of the photo was not on the agenda.

However, a tall curved rock structure obstructed his view.

Lyndley approached cautiously. On each side, vines weaving from top to bottom covered its width. He'd not seen this structure before. Curious, he inched closer.

A faint outline of markings resembling scrolls repeated themselves. Extending his hand, he moved leaves and debris to examine the unfamiliar designs.

Lyndley expected the structure would be solid. However, moving toward its center, his hand effortlessly penetrated an opening. Surprised, he carefully parted a hole through the moss large enough to see inside.

A cave. Although it appeared empty, he smelled fresh air circulating.

He hesitated. Standing at the entrance, he readied his camera and photographed the discovery.

But he couldn't resist. What if he made a significant discovery on his own? he thought.

Lyndley pulled out his flashlight. A short passage came into view, revealing another opening only a few feet ahead.

He'd already decided.

Following the short trail, he reached a dead end. But his journey didn't end there.

^{Generative Art Image created by me}

Lyndley raised his head. Slowly absorbing his surroundings, a dark, dreary sky with ominous clouds greeted him.

Several other massive rock structures lined each side of the large opening to the sky. The scene resembled a hidden cove.

A high wall. He climbed the short distance up to the smooth ledge. Peering over its jagged edge in front, a shallow body of serene, blue water flowed in from beyond the cave.

Four giant rocks sat on a long slab connected to the left side. Decorated with the same markings he discovered on the outside entrance, they resembled clay vases.

Carefully lowering himself down the other side, his boot touched the edge of the water.

As if triggering a signal, the sky opened.

Several giant birds materialized, circling in a pattern, then began their slow descent.

Beautiful shades of aqua covered their bodies. An intense glow emanated from the birds. The glow cast a bright blue light atop the wall near where he stood.

Temporarily blinded, he didn't notice as the birds maneuvered into position.

With wings folded, they descended, spiraling downward at speeds that seem to reach fifty miles per hour as though intent on crashing into the water.

They didn't crash as he anticipated.

Lyndley regained his sight in time to witness and capture the astonishing scene.

But it was the sounds that diverted his attention as the outline of the sky turned black. Shrill and piercing, the noise shattered the silence of the cave.

The lead beast landed on the first dome-shaped vase.

That's when he noticed the creatures weren't any birds he'd studied. These animals resembled giant pre-historic beasts with enormous beaks and twenty-inch claws.

Turn and run was his first inclination.

However, fearing detection, his heart beat faster as he quietly moved into the shadows.

Lyndley had no idea what the beasts next move would be. But from there he stood, gripping the side of the wall and praying seemed a good idea.

His prayers were interrupted as screams broke out.

But they weren't screams from birds or animals. He recognized the sounds.

One by one, the beasts landed to deposit their prey. That moment he realized the prey was not animal, but human. Long limbs counting four lay motionless.

Huge flies the size of buzzards circled, then settled at the base of the pits.

Suddenly, limbs flew out in all directions. Lyndley recognized human hands and feet flailing about as though trying to prevent the rest of their bodies from descending into the pits.

Perhaps the high speed diving ceremony was a way to confuse their prey into submission. The helpless victims lays limp. The stone objects must have openings. That way, the prey could slide down the pits without struggle.

Lyndley's hands flew to my mouth as not to reveal his presence. But it was inevitable. The site was too disgusting; too unbelievable.

In that moment, he gave no thought to his own life. He screamed loudly as though he could distract the beasts from their deadly mission.

Of the four fully-clothed humans, one looked up in Lyndley's direction. With outstretched arms, he cried for help.

Startled, the beast's head flew up. Its ebony glazed eyes locked onto Lyndley. Without a word, its gigantic beak reached down near the human's body.

With one swift jerk, the human's head rolled down the slab into the water, floating toward Lyndley until it landed at his feet.

The human's eyes looked up again at Lyndley as though he'd failed him.

Camera still recording, Lyndley dropped it at the side of the human's head.

He turned and ran.

Panting and stumbling, painful scratch marks appeared on his arms as he reached the entrance.

But he didn't stop nor look back, afraid he'd suffer the same fate.

Lyndley kept running until a few miles from the cave.

Unable to remember where his vehicle was stored, he collapsed from exhaustion.

Upon waking, he looked around, stunned at how beautiful the day appeared. Who would believe what nasty thing could happen on such a lovely day?

However, the ghastly scene he just witnessed was beyond nasty. It was gross, right out of a horror movie.

Sitting behind a tree, he pondered on his experience, then reached for his camera.

Shoot...now I'll never have proof, he thought, as he didn't intend to return.

He attempted to analyze the experience. How many more bodies had been deposited in those pits? Did I happened upon a portal to a time where prehistoric creatures ruled the Earth? he wondered.

Without proof of his experience, he'd permanently damage his credibility as an amateur researcher if he reported what he witnessed.

However, he did confide in his best friend and research partner, Mark Hansling.

"I only wanted..." Mark interrupted in a condescending tone.

"to be a famous discoverer. Thinking of Sir Carter, were you?" Mark's straight face disappeared as he broke into laughter.

"Something like that. Now don't remind me how dangerous it is. And don't tell our professor. I'll probably get expelled from archeology class."

Mark convinced Lyndley to return to that mysterious place to look for the camera. He'd accompany him. For now, they'd remain silent.

However, Lyndley couldn't let it go. He was compelled to conduct undercover research on the bizarre-looking creatures, else he was convinced he'd have nightmares the rest of his life.

I'll call the creatures and my adventure, The Ceremony of the Sanguines. That sounds more romantic than the horror I witnessed, he thought.