The Mushroom Man-Short Story

In August I went to a writers’ conference. One of the days we had a brainstorming session together. At this time I was developing the idea for my NaNoWriMo novel, so I asked for help. Two of my friends began developing an idea about this man who only ate mushrooms. 

At the time I thought the idea would never fit into the story. But the more I thought about it…I realized the idea was pretty genius. So, Luke Ketern (more widely known as The Mushroom Man) came to be. 

I wrote this story to develop his character! Hope you enjoy it!

***

The silence was always terrible, but it seemed worse than normal to Luke. The night seemed as if it were holding its breath, waiting for something. 

But what?

Nothing out of the ordinary had happened for years. A lot of years. 

Luke had stopped counting at the fifteen-year mark. He had no idea even how old he was anymore. 

How many terrible years had he spent in this wretched city? How long had it been since he had caused the limp in his leg? How long had he been hiding?

Luke shook his head. It didn’t matter anymore. 

He propped his chin up on his palm, studying the wall. The broken boards were barely held together, but somehow this shack was upright and not a pile of wood on top of him. 

It was a place to live, despite how lonely it was at times. 

If only she had made it out. Mia would have fixed all of it. But she hadn’t made it out. There was nothing Luke could do to fix it. He knew that by now. 

At least, he thought he did. 

He shut his eyes, trying to shove the memories away. He didn’t need to relive it again. 

He got lucky, it didn’t take much effort to get rid of the memories. A high-pitched scream cut through the darkness like a knife. 

Luke stumbled to his feet, his eyes growing wide. As far as he knew, wind didn’t make noises like that. 

There was a loud bang then a muffled grunt. 

It sounded like several people engaged in a fight. 

Luke took a deep breath. They were close. Should he even try to step in? It could end terribly? Was it worth it? 

Probably not, he should just mind his own business like everyone else in Regnum City did. He should continue to fill his role of a ‘crazy man who sits on the street eating mushrooms’. Nobody needed to know he wasn’t insane. 

Another scream pierced the thick air. 

He needed to make his decision. It could be too late if he waited too long. 

Luke moved before he made up his mind. He snatched his cloak off the floor, shook it, then pulled it over his shoulders. 

He placed his hand on the doorknob then paused. 

Was he really doing this? Trying to be a hero and help? He wasn’t that kind of person…not anymore. 

He could at least look. As long as he stayed hidden. Kept himself secret. 

He threw open the door, wind blowing his cloak back and ruffling his hair. He stepped out onto the dark, dirt road. His bare feet caused his steps to be silent as he slowly crept around his home. 

A thud and a shout brought his attention to a half-broken stone wall beside him. 

The fight was behind the wall. It really had been close. 

Luke clenched his jaw. What in the world was he supposed to do now? Just jump in there and say “Hello! Come attack me, too! I had nothing better to do than stand here and let you kill me!” ? No. 

He limped closer to the wall. All he knew was that he had to do something. 

“Let go of me!” A feminine voice cried, followed by another thud. 

Luke had managed to pull himself up the wall, before he could stop himself. If he didn’t step in, who would? 

He perched on top of the wall as he scanned the situation below. 

A tall woman was single-handedly fighting off five Shadow Lizard patrol members. 

She had fiery auburn hair that flowed down her back and almost shone in the dark. In her hands, she clutched a gun and held it between her and the patrol. She was clearly tired and she had several small wounds. 

Luke had never seen her before. Either she had never been on this side of the  city once (which was unlikely), she stayed hidden all the time, or she was not from Regnum City. 

The woman looked with defiance at the patrol members, ignoring their guns which were all aimed at her. She just pointed her own stolen gun at them. 

“We’ve been through this. Unless another one of you would like to have a broken nose, I suggest you allow me to go,” She snarled. 

The patrol members didn’t say anything in response, they just stared with emotionless faces at her. 

One of the men stepped forward, but was met by a sharp kick to his leg. 

The woman glared. “I’ve been told I have quick reflexes. Want to try me again?” 

The man took a clumsy swing at her face. She only ducked and kicked him in the stomach. 

He stumbled back, coughing and sputtering. 

All four of the other patrol members stepped forward in unison. 

The woman might be a great fighter, but there was no way she could fight off all five patrol members. 

Luke shook his head and pulled his cloak over his head. It wouldn’t take much. Just stay in the shadows and be quick. 

He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. Then he jumped off the wall. 

He hadn’t even gotten the chance to open his eyes when he felt the familiar weight on his back. He looked back to make sure his cloak covered the silver wings. 

Then he turned back to the situation below him. Nobody had noticed him yet, thank goodness. 

He flexed his wings then checked on the woman. A quick descent then dart back over the wall. 

He could make it look like she just disappeared.

A new question then rose to Luke’s mind. What if this woman was guilty? What if she deserved whatever the patrol would do to her? 

But what if she didn’t? Better to take the chance and save her. After all, he could always just throw her back over the wall or something. 

Luke nodded once then began his descent, pushing his wings. He only had a small time frame to do this. With a miracle, he could pull this off. He had hidden his wings for a long time, his flight was slightly wobbly. 

He darted towards the ground, his heart pounding. 

He reached out and grabbed the woman’s arm. She was surprisingly light as he willed his wings to lift them both off the ground. 

Slightly slower, they rose.

There was a clatter as the gun she held fell to the ground. 

He picked up his pace. 

Luke flew them over the wall, then dropped her onto the ground. He landed in front of her. 

She stared with wide eyes, blinking at him. “Wha-” 

“No time. Come,” Luke replied, running towards his house. 

The woman followed, still looking shocked. 

He shoved open the door, letting her inside. Then he limped to the opposite side of the room. He felt along the ground, his finger sliding into a hidden metal loop. He gave a sharp tug and the trap door opened.

“Come on,” Luke said softly, then ducked into the cellar. They needed to stay hidden. 

It was completely dark underground. He felt his way along the wall until he found the lantern. He lit it and a soft, orange glow filled the small room. 

In a moment, the woman jumped down with a thump. She wasted no time in closing the cellar’s hatch. 

Then she turned and studied the cellar. There was not much to look at besides his collection of mushrooms. 

“I see you like mushrooms,” the woman said, almost speaking his thoughts. 

Luke nodded, not meeting her gaze. He had his wings disappear quickly. Hopefully, she hadn’t noticed. Maybe she just thought he was a good climber. It all happened very fast. 

He sat down on the ground and the woman followed suit. 

“I had it handled, you know. Why did you even do that? You don’t know why the patrols were after me,” She asked, raising an eyebrow and flipping her hair off her shoulder. 

Luke looked up. “Why were they?” 

The woman smirked, then pulled a small pouch from her belt. She untied the top and poured its contents on the ground. “That’s why.” 

Luke’s eyes widened slightly as he studied the piece of technology. Only Shadow Lizard members used tech like that. She had stolen it. 

“So you are a thief,” He muttered under his breath 

The woman’s eyes flickered with amusement. “You could say that I suppose.” 

“Why? Why mess with it?” Luke asked, crossing his arms. 

“Why should I even tell you? How do I know you aren’t trying to turn me in? Just because you are an old man, doesn’t mean I can trust you,” The woman scoffed. 

Luke narrowed his eyes and said nothing. 

There was a pause as the woman scooped the device back into her pouch and returned it to her belt. 

“What is your name?” She asked finally. 

Luke clenched and unclenched his fist, debating if he should tell her. “Luke,” He finally blurted out. 

“Amber,” the woman said, reaching out to shake his hand. 

Slowly, he shook her hand. 

“Do you live in this shack?” Amber asked, looking around. 

Luke tipped his head in a sort-of nod. 

“Why did you save me?”  Amber returned to her first question. “You never answered me. How did you get me over the wall that fast?” 

Luke almost sighed in relief. She hadn’t seen his wings. “You needed help. So I helped.”

“You are one for vague answers.” Amber rolled her eyes. 

Luke shrugged. 

“I am smuggling some people out of the prison,” She finally said quickly. 

Luke looked up in shocked confusion. “I thought you weren’t going to tell me.” 

Amber averted his gaze and shrugged. “I…I found this city…I knew I had to help. So I broke in. I managed to learn about what is happening. I joined a group of rebels…I am partnering with them to break people out of the prison in secret.” 

Luke nodded slowly. “You are doing the right thing. It is what this city needs.” 

“How…how did you end up here? In this city?” Amber asked, pushing a lock of her hair out of her face. 

Luke shifted his position, shaking his head. “I…It’s a long story…” 

“Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked,” Amber said quickly, standing up. 

“Where are you going?” Luke asked, furrowing his brow. 

Amber took a deep breath, pressing her lips together. “I have a mission. I have waited too long already. The rebels will be waiting for me…oh, and Luke?” 

“Yes?” 

Amber pulled something out of her pocket and held it out. 

Luke took it. It was a ball of crumpled paper. He slowly unfolded it. An address. 

“In case you want to join our mission. You’re a great person and you could help us a lot. Just find this place. Steven and Railey will help you with the rest,” Amber said with a smile. 

Luke nodded again. 

Amber returned the nod then spun on her heel. She turned and walked back to the hatch. “I hope I can see you again, Luke. I like you. And thanks for saving me.” 

Luke gave her a small smile. 

Then she was gone. 

He looked down at the paper in his hands. Now he had an even bigger question to ask himself. 

***

Until next time, 

A.J. Syngraféas