As a young boy, I would walk out into the dark to feed the animals in their barn. And once I was sure that something was there, waiting to spring out and get me. I stopped and stood listening, and my hairs were dancing, I could feel a ripple on my skin, and my imagination was running wild. When I turned my head, there were 2 yellow eyes staring at me only a foot away. A black cat was perched on the fence. The fact that it was my own cat, Angus, did nothing to lessen the shock. But then I grabbed him and gave him some scratches and a hug and he followed along with me the last bit. In an alternate version, perhaps he was hungry that night...
I think this is almost a universal experience among cat owners. I had a similar one, but not with my own cats. I had heard what sounded like a child calling for help in the night. I went out onto my front porch and listened. Yes...if definitely sounded like a child. But the words were confused and almost...alien. I looked around in the darkness. It sounded like the child was lying down in the grass, hidden by the shadows cast by the tall trees in the yard. I crossed to the spot as the crying went on...and after a number of seconds of frantically looking...cold fear began to creep across me. For the voice seemed to be coming from below the ground ...and with each passing second, became more sinister and strange. My mind reeled with the realisation that the strange, creeping unreality of nightmare had broken out of the realms of sleep and inundated the waking world...and the gateway to madness yawned. Seconds later, I recognised the sound and where it was coming from. It was actually a cat, stranded under the house. Normality righted itself.
@@TheBlackDogChronicles Love me some creative comments, comment stories, or whatever we call them! I often use comment sections to practice free-writing, spilled ink, Gonzo style short stories, etc.
I'm a hiker. I regularly hike in the High Sierra. Anyone with any sense knows that you prepare for every eventuality. Poor Armstrong did not think to bring an extra flashlight, just in case? That said, this is one of my favorite stories, I never get tired of hearing you read it! I can relate, because many times, as I am walking, I am reminding myself how rarely hikers are attacked by bears or mountain lions!
I had a lot of fun with this one. It did take a long time to put together (especially the planet scenes) but I felt it was worth it. I have always loved this story since my early teens, so I am very happy that you enjoyed it. :)
As ever, you tell an immersive tale. I dare say all of us have been in a situation like this, walking alone in the dark with twitching shadows and dread-sounds everywhere, and the imagination working its worst. Once it's over it's a ridiculous thing, but until it's finished, all sense and rational convictions are greatly diminished to say the least. Where this story is concerned, it's interesting to see how such a grim mindset follows us to the stars. It's also interesting to see
You are right Richard about the fact that the story is relatable, most of us having experienced it at least once. I actually converted such an experience into a story with is on the channel, which is called 'Between the Trees'.
@@TheBlackDogChronicles Indeed, that one sprang to mind when I was listening to this yesterday, as did the recent 'probably-not-ghost-sightings buuut...' on my recent runs. EDIT: No it didn't, I was thinking of 'From Out of the Mist', to my shame I don't think I've listened to 'Between the Trees', I shall rectify this.
Yes. The three stories that I have written that are loosely based on real-life experiences are 'Black Dog', 'Between the Trees' and 'From Out of the Mist', which is the one that is the least adjusted from reality. There is a portion in 'The Choices She Made' which is based on an occurrence in real life as well.
Ah mr. Carr, the treats, treats and scrumptious treats you favour us with! Somehow this one made me think of Fear of the Dark, by Iron Maiden, once one of my fave bands. But cosmic and alien horrors have since taken over control of my subconscience. Thus, distant outposts deep in the void are my kind of stuff. You know, the Star, by Arthur C. Clarke, was once put to screen for the Twilight Zone series and only that version have I seen. So... should you narrate the story, your reading of it would be the first time I hear or read the original. But it is more philosophical than scary. Have you seen the episode?
I haven't. I have only been able to see singular episodes of 'The Twilight Zone' and 'The Outer Limits' through someone's old VHS recording or some other means (like RUclips). It is amusing to me that I knew what the 'The Twilight Zone' was through the Rush song on the album '2121' before I had ever seen the show, and I think my brother had a comic from the sixties or seventies that was inspired by it. I have a few anthologies of Arthur C. Clarke (I think the first science-fiction writer I avidly read in my teens) so I will look and see if I have a copy of that story. Thank you very much for the suggestion and your continued kindness in coming along and listening. :)-(:
Well read, but this is surely one of Clark's very worst stories, padded with rambling and faux-suspense. There was a whole genre like this, the lone man with his never-ending, repetitious interior monologue. Zero imagination, zero to do with space, really, just a guy walking in the dark, worrying.
That is a very interesting critique. To the contrary, when I first read it I related to it very strongly. But it is always fascinating to me how two people can encounter a tale and have vastly different points of view. You are very kind to let me know though, thank you.
As a young boy, I would walk out into the dark to feed the animals in their barn. And once I was sure that something was there, waiting to spring out and get me. I stopped and stood listening, and my hairs were dancing, I could feel a ripple on my skin, and my imagination was running wild. When I turned my head, there were 2 yellow eyes staring at me only a foot away. A black cat was perched on the fence. The fact that it was my own cat, Angus, did nothing to lessen the shock. But then I grabbed him and gave him some scratches and a hug and he followed along with me the last bit. In an alternate version, perhaps he was hungry that night...
I think this is almost a universal experience among cat owners. I had a similar one, but not with my own cats. I had heard what sounded like a child calling for help in the night. I went out onto my front porch and listened. Yes...if definitely sounded like a child. But the words were confused and almost...alien. I looked around in the darkness. It sounded like the child was lying down in the grass, hidden by the shadows cast by the tall trees in the yard. I crossed to the spot as the crying went on...and after a number of seconds of frantically looking...cold fear began to creep across me. For the voice seemed to be coming from below the ground ...and with each passing second, became more sinister and strange. My mind reeled with the realisation that the strange, creeping unreality of nightmare had broken out of the realms of sleep and inundated the waking world...and the gateway to madness yawned. Seconds later, I recognised the sound and where it was coming from. It was actually a cat, stranded under the house. Normality righted itself.
@@TheBlackDogChronicles Love me some creative comments, comment stories, or whatever we call them! I often use comment sections to practice free-writing, spilled ink, Gonzo style short stories, etc.
Bravo!
Many thanks for taking the time to comment. =^.^=
I'm a hiker. I regularly hike in the High Sierra. Anyone with any sense knows that you prepare for every eventuality. Poor Armstrong did not think to bring an extra flashlight, just in case? That said, this is one of my favorite stories, I never get tired of hearing you read it! I can relate, because many times, as I am walking, I am reminding myself how rarely hikers are attacked by bears or mountain lions!
That is a very good point. I have never thought of that. I guess being a spaceman, you get a bit too used to the non-terrestrial! ;)
Another wyrd tale & those illustration/art are beautiful ... the crunching of his feet on gravel ... wonderful 👍👍👍👍👍👀🥴😵😨
I had a lot of fun with this one. It did take a long time to put together (especially the planet scenes) but I felt it was worth it. I have always loved this story since my early teens, so I am very happy that you enjoyed it. :)
Thanks for this
It is my pleasure, Crystal. Thanks for your long support of the channel.
Loved it!!! Keep up Huw!
Thank you very much, sir! I will keep at it, so long as I have the strength. Heehee. Or...until the shadows finally get me.
Really good
I have liked this story since my early teen years.
Beautifully done. 🥳👏
Thank you!
Nice ending. You always put a lot of extra effort into these stories. Thanks!
I was hoping that it would give people a bit of a thrill. :D
As ever, you tell an immersive tale. I dare say all of us have been in a situation like this, walking alone in the dark with twitching shadows and dread-sounds everywhere, and the imagination working its worst. Once it's over it's a ridiculous thing, but until it's finished, all sense and rational convictions are greatly diminished to say the least. Where this story is concerned, it's interesting to see how such a grim mindset follows us to the stars. It's also interesting to see
You are right Richard about the fact that the story is relatable, most of us having experienced it at least once. I actually converted such an experience into a story with is on the channel, which is called 'Between the Trees'.
@@TheBlackDogChronicles Indeed, that one sprang to mind when I was listening to this yesterday, as did the recent 'probably-not-ghost-sightings buuut...' on my recent runs.
EDIT: No it didn't, I was thinking of 'From Out of the Mist', to my shame I don't think I've listened to 'Between the Trees', I shall rectify this.
Yes. The three stories that I have written that are loosely based on real-life experiences are 'Black Dog', 'Between the Trees' and 'From Out of the Mist', which is the one that is the least adjusted from reality. There is a portion in 'The Choices She Made' which is based on an occurrence in real life as well.
Arthur C. Clarke a techno prophet R.I.P. mike F. 😎
I couldn't agree more! I revere his work still as among some of my all-time favourite visions of what may be.
Ah mr. Carr, the treats, treats and scrumptious treats you favour us with! Somehow this one made me think of Fear of the Dark, by Iron Maiden, once one of my fave bands. But cosmic and alien horrors have since taken over control of my subconscience. Thus, distant outposts deep in the void are my kind of stuff. You know, the Star, by Arthur C. Clarke, was once put to screen for the Twilight Zone series and only that version have I seen. So... should you narrate the story, your reading of it would be the first time I hear or read the original. But it is more philosophical than scary. Have you seen the episode?
I haven't. I have only been able to see singular episodes of 'The Twilight Zone' and 'The Outer Limits' through someone's old VHS recording or some other means (like RUclips). It is amusing to me that I knew what the 'The Twilight Zone' was through the Rush song on the album '2121' before I had ever seen the show, and I think my brother had a comic from the sixties or seventies that was inspired by it. I have a few anthologies of Arthur C. Clarke (I think the first science-fiction writer I avidly read in my teens) so I will look and see if I have a copy of that story. Thank you very much for the suggestion and your continued kindness in coming along and listening. :)-(:
I found this video via a comment you made on an older version of this.
Yay! I am glad you came along to listen. I hope you enjoyed it and will return back to listen to more. :)
Damn, you're good 👍.😨😬🥺😰
:) You are so kind. It means a great deal to me that you are so generous with the words you give. It makes a big difference to me, so thank you. :)
@@TheBlackDogChronicles You are more than welcome. I'm only telling the truth.🌟🕊️🌟🕊️🌟🕊️
Well read, but this is surely one of Clark's very worst stories, padded with rambling and faux-suspense. There was a whole genre like this, the lone man with his never-ending, repetitious interior monologue. Zero imagination, zero to do with space, really, just a guy walking in the dark, worrying.
That is a very interesting critique. To the contrary, when I first read it I related to it very strongly. But it is always fascinating to me how two people can encounter a tale and have vastly different points of view. You are very kind to let me know though, thank you.