Fan fiction (alternatively referred to as fanfiction, fanfic, FF, or simply fic) is a broadly-defined term for stories about characters or settings written by fans of the original work, rather than by the original creator. Wikipedia
This month's RomanticFridayWriters challenge is writing fan fiction. As it is Valentine's month, Donna Hole and I named the challenge - We Love Lovers. Not all entries may reflect lovers past or present, but I've always been fascinated by Scarlett and Rhett, Elizabeth and Darcy, Heathcliff and Cathy...thus, my entry...a monologue...an additional scene from Wuthering Heights with a twist.
Heathcliff is one of the Byronic Heroes. You can read my post comparing him to Edward from Twilight here if you're interested. I did a series on these brooding heroes in the past. Here is an excerpt from one of my posts:
We all love him or hate him – he’s the tall, dark brooding hero. The Byronic hero, based on the fictional characters of author Lord Byron, is a mysterious man, intelligent, sophisticated, educated, magnetic, charismatic, socially and sexually dominant while at the same time being detached from human society. We suffer his moods accompanied by his bouts of temper. His past is often troubled and he is riddled with self-destructive secrets.
Lord Byron himself, according to his lover Lady Caroline Lamb, was ‘mad, bad and dangerous to know.’ Recent examples of this type include Batman, Dr Gregory House from the television series House, MD, and the late actor James Dean.
The Byronic hero is sometimes called an anti-hero because of his negative qualities. Gilbert and Gubar compare him to a bewitching monster like Milton’s Satan – “He is in most ways the incarnation of worldly male sexuality, fierce, powerful, experienced, simultaneously brutal and seductive, devilish enough to overwhelm the body and yet enough a fallen angel to charm the soul.”
DISCLAIMER: "Mt story 'Who is the Ghost Now?' is a work of fan fiction using characters from Wuthering Heights, the 1847 novel by Emily Brontë. The story below is a work of my imagination and I do not claim ownership of the story or the characters. I will not profit financially from this work. Thank you Emily Bronte for your contribution to the world of literature."
Who’s the Ghost Now?
Can you hear the wind blowing in from the mountain peaks? Can you see
the grey glint of snow in the faraway clouds? Can you feel the ice crunching
under your feet?
No! Your thoughts are elsewhere!
You are so infatuated with Edgar Linton you’ve forgotten everything else!
You never invited me to your special day! Why? Were you afraid
I’d create a scene?
Cathy! How could you do this? You love me, I know you love me! At least you
used to love me. When did that change?
I never saw this betrayal coming.
We’ve loved each other since we were children, ever since your father adopted me and treated me as part of the family after your mother died. Everyone treated me with kindness except your nasty brother Hindley. How he loved to torment me, just because I was different. And just because I was so much stronger, more useful to father than he was. But I was never good enough to be his brother—father should have left me in the gutter to rot and Hindley would have been happy.
But Cathy, my darling, how could you desert me? How could you give yourself to another man? I could bear it if he was worthy of you, but he’s not! I could forgive a little flirtation while I was away overseas bettering myself, but marriage! Cathy! We were meant for each other! It is you and I who should be marrying today!
Old Ellen caught me at the door last night. A whiff of me anyway as I passed through. Gave her a shock I'm telling you, ha ha. Couldn't resist revealing myself to her--even asked her for the key to the roof. She was unhappy to oblige.
I can be so-o-oo persuasive.
Now I have you in my sights. I see you and that loathsome
crowd you hang around with. I hate how they touch you…how they fawn over you.
Enjoy their company while you can.
You, my Cathy, are a vision in white, pure as the driven snow. But we
know better, don’t we? We have our secrets! Only you and I know what went
on when we spread our cloaks on that carpet of soft spring flowers in the
woodlands.
No one need ever know!
You’re leaving the house for the chapel. Look at those pathetic followers bowing and scraping to your every whim. I’ll ignore how they press against you, brushing snow
from your white cape and your beautiful hair. I want to kill them all!
My Cathy!
Do you love me?
Do you remember our days, carefree and wild, running on the moors like lambs in the
springtime? How soft the grasses were as we collapsed in a heap of tangled arms
and legs. How sweet the flowers were as I crushed you to myself, covering you
with my cloak. How tender your body felt, as I caressed you through the soft stuff of your gown. Oh Cathy! You did love me! Why couldn’t you wait?
I was penniless, a nobody. Well, I made my fortune, just like you wanted. I’ve come back for you,
but too late! Was that dirty, ragged, black-haired gypsy not enough for
you? Did you need the handsome, rich Mr Edgar Linton after all?
Cathy, you never loved me. To you I was just a wild child, someone to tame.
After that visit to the Linton’s, you changed. You wanted the refined life, a
life of silk frocks and fancy dinners -- not the life you’d have with Heathcliff,
your savage!
Don’t leave me Cathy!
Did I scream out loud?
I see you turn towards my window.
I see the fright in your eyes.
Have you seen a ghost, Cathy?
Did you not think I’d return to claim you?
I see your confusion.
What a sight I must be. Some demented ghoul looking down on the wedding
party. Someone who could tear you all apart in a moment.
But I will bide my time.
Don’t think marrying Linton is the end of our story, Cathy.
I’ll be back to claim what is rightfully mine. You’re part of me. We’ll never
be parted. Never!
You love me, not Edgar Linton!
I hope you enjoyed my monologue.
Full Critique Acceptable
WORDS: 705
If you want to read/post fan fiction on the net,
here is a link...
For other entries to this challenge, click on the names in my right-hand sidebar or click on the RFW link.
Editor Bio: Nick Wilford is a writer and stay-at-home dad. Once a journalist, he now makes use of those rare times when the house is quiet to explore the realms of fiction. When not writing he can usually be found spending time with his family or cleaning something. He has four short stories published in Writer’s Muse magazine. Nick is also co-running a campaign to get a dedicated specialist college built in Scotland. Visit him at http://nickwilford.
