Day 6: The Tunnel



Do not walk through the tunnel,” the sign at the top of the hill reads, although the peeled pink paint isn’t very threatening. 

“Do NOT walk through the tunnel” a second sign boasts, this one is carved into wood and is covered in claw-like scratches. 

“For your own safety do not walk through the tunnel” this sign is a little further down the path. It’s painted in something that looks like glitter but gives off a faint smell of peppermint. 

“Walk through the tunnel, the worms have a greater need of your brain than you do” the next sign is in the middle of the road. Except it is more of a billboard than a sign, it’s letters are enormous, each one intricately painted by hand. 

“You may attempt to run through the tunnel, as it will give what lives inside a thrilling game of chase. Do not walk. The beasts would consider it rude.” This sign was posted outside the tunnel entrance, moss and ivy coiled around it, somehow avoiding the golden letters that conveyed the message. 

“Continue to run through the tunnel,” this message did not come from a sign but a deep whisper from the shadows. 

“Please, this way is the safest” another voice calls down a different path. A path that hadn’t existed moments ago. It’s pavement is golden but the walls are made of steel. 

“A mistake” both voices hiss

“Do not climb the tunnel walls, it is unsanitary” words engraved onto the stone roof, untouched by anything that lives in here. 

“Exit with caution.” This sign is blood red and slashed open in several places. 

“You can stop running now” This time it’s not a sign or a voice, but a thought as the world re-emerges the way you left it.
/////

 Concept: It's Day 6 of NaNoWriMo, you haven't missed a day yet but you know if you miss one you'll probably miss another, then another, and suddenly it's December. It is now 11:30pm and you have half an hour to write a story from scratch. Looking in your drafts you see a short story that while finished might need a little work. Having nothing but blind faith you post it and somehow it gets more likes than anything else you've written.

 You don't know what you learned from this, other than people really like ominous tunnels.

 This was Day 6 of my NaNoWriMo project where I am writing a new short story every day in November! Originally all of these were posted to instagram, but the 300 word limit was a little confining so I've come here to post everything I've written and a little bit more! 

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