The Apparition

Written for a challenge posed by Lori Fetters-Lopez on her website. She provided the picture below as our inspiration. The picture credits also go to Lori. Check out her work at her website. You can also find her on Twitter @fetterslopez

http://lostinthewriting.net/something-new-this-way-comes/




The apparition came out of the orange-ish cloud silently, like a wraith. In the child’s mind’s eye, it was the most fearsome thing he had ever seen or imagined. He thought about yelling out for his parents, but he didn’t want to bother them. They had been yelling at each other again, and he didn’t want to be the cause of their anger. Eyes tightly shut, he tried to will the creature away. But it came closer, and took form. Looking somewhat like a German Shepherd with black eyes, it seemed to grin at the boy. Behind it the cloud swirled in a seemingly evil maelstrom of color. Biting his lip to prevent his scream from escaping, a tear slid silently down his cheek. This was a whole new level of fright. A silent prayer escaped from his thoughts. The dog’s (for there was no other way to describe it) skinny human-like arms reached out, and wrapped up the boy in a warm embrace. In his mind’s eye, he found solace. Fear was gone.

Who's There?

A story made up of 57 words. I wrote this for a competition. It is based on a true experience that could only have happened on a Monday.

Sitting alone in my office, I’m working. I’m concentrating on fixing this laptop. My mind is focused. I swear nobody came into the office. I wasn’t THAT focused. But I felt it, and it creeped me out. I don’t believe in the supernatural, but I can’t deny this. It gave me goosebumps, that breath on my neck.

The Box

This is my first attempt at flash fiction. I admit I have a lot of growing to do as an author, but I am pretty proud of this one. I wrote it with some one in mind who is going through a tough time. Please enjoy.

Imagine a box. A non-descript box, just sitting on the ground. All around you, people are walking around this box, paying it no attention. But something about this particular box draws you in. It is almost like there is a force within that is grabbing hold of you, willing you to at the very least investigate this box.

You draw near.

Fear enters your heart. It’s an evil world we live in, and boxes are notorious for their particular brand of badness. Maybe that’s why nobody else is approaching this box.

Brave! Be brave! Approach the box and find out what it is all about. Let the chips fall where they may! And as you approach the box, you see it. Your name. Your name is printed on the outside of the box. Now why on earth would there be a box with your name on it in the middle of this street?

Your fear dissipates.

Reaching out, you take hold of the box. You turn it about, looking at all sides. The only striking feature is your name on it. Your hands tremble.

You sit on a near by bench, and ponder your next move. The box sits at your feet. Again you think of the evil that you have seen and heard of. You truly don’t want to get hurt. But then again, what can getting hurt do to you that hasn’t already happened? After all, life is never easy. Take no risks and get no rewards. To Valhalla with them all! They don’t hurt you; they can’t hurt you…at least, not as much as this box could hurt you.

You don’t want to hurt. You want to be alive.

The power within the box draws you in. Your choice is made. You have to open the box, and let the consequences be damned. You alone make choices for yourself. Nobody can help with this one.

Slowly and fearfully you open the box. You peer inside, relieved that so far nothing bad has happened. You see another box.

Your fear is born again. Another box? Really? But the second one looks so different. It is anything but bland. It shines. And if it was possible for a box to glow, this one could be described as glowing. But there is something else. This one is pulsing. Your curiosity is piqued.

You go through the same fears as you prepare to look inside this second box. As you lift it out, your hands are warmed. The box is radiated a low heat, enough to put its warmth into your skin.

You open the second box. You can’t resist. You gasp. This is not what you expected. Inside the box is….your heart. Whole. Pure. Innocent.

Your faith in humanity is restored. For some kind soul has restored your heart. You smile. Your tears are now joyous. You are complete. You can love. Love yourself, and love others.

All because of a non-descript box.

Story Spinner

Hello dear reader

This is a brief introduction to the Story Spinner category.  I mentioned it briefly in my Fifafan 2.0 article, but here is where I will get into the nitty gritty of it.

What is it?  Well, it is something new for me.  My plan is to have a plot randomly generated for me through different websites and programs...and then to write about it.  Judging by some of the results I've gotten from the generators, it could be a lot of fun.  Or it could be not a lot of fun.  But it will force me to write about things I've never thought about before.

Are you wondering why it doesn't go under the My Muses category?  Well, in my most humble opinion, what I am going to write is not a muse.  It is not a blog article.  It is a story.  And thus, it merit's a category all on it's own.

I encourage you, dear reader, to follow this category closely.  And I encourage and entreat you to interact with the stories.  Give me advice, give me criticism, give me encouragement.  I want to grow as a writer.  Not only will you be my audience, but you will be my critics.  So let's have some fun with this.

Hopefully, the first story will be written within the next 2 weeks.

FF