She glanced out into the crowd Continue reading “The Singer” →
The prompt for Day 5 of Writing 101 have us write about an encounter when we stumble upon a letter. Please note that this is completely fiction. Continue reading “Writing 101: Be Brief” →
Seriously???
Telling jokes have been one of my biggest weakness ever since like the dawn of time. I am simply incapable of telling a good joke. Even when I was in Toastmasters and I had to stand before everybody to tell a joke because I was chosen to be the Jokemeister of the meeting. I’d recite my joke and silence would ensue. I could hear cricket chirping in the background.
I don’t even get the joke, why should they? After all, I had forgotten my task and left it to the last minute to scour the web for a good joke.
Anyway, I am not even going to try to tell a joke today. Instead, I’m going to resurrect one of my old humorous tales from way back in my archives.
By the way, I didn’t know this until last week but I have published over 500 posts! Of course, those include the ones I imported from the other blog as well but still, I wrote each and every one. Over 500! Wow, I’ve certainly never expect to get this far. Anyway, enough chitchat, here it is…
Have you ever seen that car commercial where the little boy sits in the backseat asking all kinds of questions? Like, why can I see the sky or why is my butt hot?
Well, Michael is one and the same. He is 10 and one curious boy. When he began elementary school at the age of 7, out of nowhere, questions would start popping from nowhere. After that, everyday, right after he got into his mom’s car after school, questions would start flying. At first, his mom was just ecstatic about her son’s curiosity. “That the way kids learn these days.” She told herself but after three years of enduring Michael’s ridiculous questions, she had just about enough.
One night, right after his mom tucked him to bed. She leaned in and said, “Now, give mama a kiss goodnight.”
Michael frowned and shook his head, “I can’t, kissing you means I kissed a girl.” His mom looked at him, confused. “Mrs. Rachel says we are not allowed to kiss any girl until we are 16.”
“Now, kissing mommy does not mean kissing a girl. Now give me a peck on the cheek.” Michael obeyed. He lifted his head and kissed his mom’s cheek. “Now, go to bed.”
She walked to the door and was about to switch off the lights when Michael asked, “Why, mommy?”
“Why do you have to go to bed? Because you have school tomorrow.” His mom automatically answered, tired.
“No, why we are not allow to kiss any girl until we are 16?”
“Uh, uh,” His mom stammered before she thought of a great answer, “uh, why don’t you ask Mrs. Rachel tomorrow? Now, you need to go to sleep.” She switched off the lights and shut the door and took a giant breath of relief.
Today, daily prompt has asked an intriguing question. What is Love? What is Love, by the way?
Here’s the ending to my fiction/non-fiction retell of my first crush. I think it’ll answer the question by itself. Happy Saturday.
We grew closer and closer to each other, in a playful kind of way, of course. In P.E., we jogged together and sometimes, when I was tired, we’d walk. Although neither of us would admit it, I can tell he likes me. If he didn’t, then he’d ditched me long ago, in eighth grade, perhaps.
It was very sweet and I’ve never felt sweet before. I knew it wouldn’t last. Nothing ever lasts with me. I was dead on. Everything came crashing down in a landslide that afternoon when I arrived home to find suitcases lying all over the living room floor.
“What’s going on?” I’d asked.
“We’re going to China!” My step-dad had announced excitedly. He had never been out of the country before.
“What?” I’d shrieked and Cindy had stood beside me, frozen. “When?”
“Next week.” My step-dad’d answered.
“What about school?” He stared at me, surprised. Since when are you so concerned with school? His look had told me. I tried hard not to show that I want to go to school just to see Jaime, it would tell them I have a boyfriend and they’d made it crystal clear I’m not to have a boyfriend. I changed the subject. “Why all of the sudden?”
“Your mom got a great deal a few months ago.”
“And you didn’t bother to tell me this until now?”
He’d shrugged. “We forgot.”
“But if we go, then I’d be way behind in school when we get back.”
“Oh, you won’t be go to school. We’re also moving to Texas.” My jaw had literally dropped. They’ve been talking about moving to Texas all through my middle school years and now when I’ve found my happiness, they decided to do it?
The following week would be brutal and sad. I told Jaime I was moving to Texas, he had replied, “That’s okay, we have plenty of tools we can use to stay in touch.” Who was he kidding? My parents monitored everything, who I call, who I talk to at school. We could never stay in touch.
Then we just drifted apart. He no longer wanted to be near me now that he knew I was moving and I was left to walk the lap alone in P.E., running my fingers along the chain-link fence that separated the school from the outside. At lunch, he’s nowhere to be seen and I was left to eat with Cindy and Anna. I felt alone and betrayed. If he’d liked me, he’d stick by me no matter what. If he’d liked me, he wouldn’t leave me just sitting here or walking laps alone.
That Thursday, the day we’re supposed to go to China, I spent my morning checking out of my classes and the school, returned everything that belonged to the school, and retrieved my belongings from my gym locker. Through that morning, somehow, I felt like a part of me was holding out for Jaime, hoping we’d get a few more minutes together before I leave for good but no, I never saw him again.
Jithin, PhoTrablogger, the host of Flash Fiction Chain, had decided to continue the previous flash fiction chain due to an inconclusive ending. The following parts are inspired by the above image. Due to her busy schedule, Priceless Joy has asked me to write Part 15 of the chain and since she had asked so kindly, I couldn’t refuse.
Other characters:
If you’re not caught up, may I recommend you to read the previous part before venturing this part.
“H-hi,” Anna stammered at the sight of the man on the other side of the door. It took a second for her to notice his bruised lip and cheek and all of a sudden, she was speechless. She cleared her throat. “Alex, wh-what are you doing here?”
Alex shoved his hands in his jeans pockets and shrugged and then followed by a light chuckle. “I just want to check to see if you’re okay and I’m sorry for what happened yesterday what with…”
“Oh, no yesterday wasn’t your fault.”
“But how are you? I’ve been worrying about you all night.”
Really, Anna wanted to ask but instead, she replied. “Oh, I’m fine, just fine.” His eyes wandered while she stared awkwardly at the wooden floor and wondered. Can Alex be it? Is he the person I’d been wanting to fall for all along?
“So, you want some breakfast?” He nodded in the direction of the kitchen and smiled. “The caterers’ gone which means I can finally show you what I can do.”
Anna laughed. “I’ll be the judge of that.” She shut the bedroom door behind her and followed Alex down the hallway to the kitchen.
The caterers had managed to pack up and leave within minutes after the wedding. Upon her arrival in the kitchen, Anna was amazed at the transformation. She remembered when she arrived three days ago, the kitchen was a complete mess, flour and egg shell were all over the beautiful granite counter-tops and even the beautiful porcelain tile floor was dusted with flour and powder sugar. Alex pulled a skillet from the rack above the range. “So what would you like?”
Anna sat down on the other side of the counter and rested her hands under her chin. “Hmm, what can you cook?” Alex went to the fridge and grabbed the carton of eggs. He transferred it to the counter when they heard a blood-curdling scream. Alex froze and Anna jumped off the stool. “What’s that?”
Alex swallowed. “I think it’s coming from upstairs.”
At the landing, a maid rushed to them. “What’s wrong?” Anna asked.
The maid shrieked frightfully, “He’s dead!” She cried.
Chills crawled up Anna’s spine as her heart hammered. “Who’s dead?”
The maid led them down the corridor and pointed at the library. The door stood ajar. Anna slowly pushed the door open and gasped. Lying face-down in the middle of the room was Toby. She covered her mouth, shocked. Was this after the fight? She pondered as she entered the room.
Moving closer like she wasn’t afraid, she clenched her fists and bent over his bodies. Who would do this to him? She skimmed over his ruffled blond hair and slightly ripped jacket. Something caught her sight. In the middle of his back was a small hole. This wasn’t not a bullet hole, she was sure for she’d seen an actual bullet hole before. It was from something thinner but thicker than a needle. She scanned the room, hoping for a clue and there it was, lying on the other side of Toby’s lifeless body was a thin arrow. Its feather tip red and the pointy end was in the shape of a heart.
Uh oh, who could be Toby’s killer? Stay tune for the next part written by whoever it is.
16. Itchy Quill
17. Dr. KO
Jithin, PhoTrablogger, the host of Flash Fiction Chain, had decided to continue the previous flash fiction chain due to an inconclusive ending. The following parts are inspired by the above image. Continue reading “The Wedding Bells Part 14 (Flash Fiction Chain #6)” →
I am once again super excited to participate in this Flash Fiction Chain hosted by Jithin of PhoTrablogger. The following parts are inspired by the above image. Continue reading “The Wedding Bells Part 2 (Flash Fiction Chain #6)” →
Brooke! Claire’s voice rang through Brooke’s head like the echo of a gong. She jumped and frantically looked around, searching the place the voice was coming from. Suddenly, she felt a sharp pain. It was like someone had pierced a thousand needle through her skull. She blinked, stumbling to the nearest object and held on.
“Brooke? What’s the matter?” James had raced to Brooke’s side followed by Rose and Sofia.
She shook her head. “Claire” was the only word she could manage.
James grabbed her arm and led her out into the dimly lit hallway. The girls followed behind. She leaned against a column. “What is it? What’s wrong with Claire?” James asked anxiously.
“Where is she?” Rose followed.
Brooke’s head felt heavy like a ton of bricks. She stumbled forward feeling unbalanced. Was whatever was happening to Claire affecting her too?
Brooke! Claire’s piercing scream sounded again.
“Find her.” James demanded in the same tone he had used when they were trying to find Claire in Zander’s maze of hallways.
“I know, I’m trying.” She replied, frustrated.
“Well, try harder.” His grip tightened and Brooke let out a whimper.
“Don’t push her. Can you see? She’s enough pain.” Rose pulled James’s arm away.
Blinded by the pain, Brooke fell forward. She felt her head hit the ground but her eyes remained open, frozen. She was blinded by the light before her. It was too much.
She used to be able to withstand pain, she remembered, no matter how tremendous and torturous. She remembered the pain she went through during those weeks when she was strapped down on Zander’s lab table, she survived that, didn’t she? That kind of pain was the kind that make people wish they could just die at that very moment.
But this? She realized. This was a pain far greater than anything she had ever endured and it’s too much. Whatever this is, please stop, she willed but it seemed only to intensify. No more no more, she begged.
Then another thought dawned on her. Is this what happens before death? The Great Slumber? The Sleep we shall never wake from?
This was written as part of the challenge “Write now…Yes Right Now” hosted by Photrablogger. The handwritten part, not the story obviously. Actually, the story was handwritten too but it’s been edited so many times that I don’t think anyone can read it.
Therefore I decided to write the title of this post in both English and Chinese (my native language) instead. I haven’t practiced my characters for a long long time, can’t remember the last time I’ve done it at least. Anyway, I hope you’ve enjoyed this short excerpt from something I’ve been working on.
I am super excited to participate in this Flash Fiction Chain hosted by Jithin of PhoTrablogger. The following parts are inspired by the above image. Continue reading “The Tiny Soldier Part 3 (Flash Fiction Chain #5)” →
I am super excited to participate in this Flash Fiction Chain hosted by Jithin of PhoTrablogger. The following nine parts are inspired by the above image.
Maggy: 19 year old Granddaughter of the Owner of the House
Robert: 27 year old House Cook
Steve: Fifty-something House Caretaker
Grandpa: Owner of the House (Dead and Bejeweled, Sacrificed as an experiment by Frank Somerset)
Frank Somerset: Mad Scientist and Maggy’s Grandfather
Nita: Narrator
Read all the other nine parts before venturing this part.
Part 2 : Written by Travelling Hat
Part 4 : Written by Kelvin Moses
Part 8 : Written by Wandering Story Teller
Part 9 : Written at will by Rashmi
“What happen next?” Nita’s cousin asked eagerly as she looked out the window, rain had begun to fall outside. Nita was pausing the story both for dramatic effect and the fact that she had no idea what happened next. She had no clue her hyper cousins would be so into the story.
She cleared her throat loudly, inhaled a deep breath, reached deep into her mind and continued…
Maggy smiled in her sleep. She rolled over and could feel the roughness of the hay. Her eyes burst opened and she bolted up, suddenly remembering everything from the previous night and how she’d come to be nestled among these hay. She glanced around and realized she was in the barn about two miles from the mansion.
Rob’s arms stretched high up in the air, his t-shirt pulled up revealing his lean abdomen. “Good morning.” Maggy said.
Rob turned around, a little startled, and smiled brilliantly. “Good morning to you too.”
“What’s for breakfast?” He blinked. “Oops, forgot.” She covered her mouth and giggled. It didn’t take long before they both burst into laughter.
Snap…
Their laughter ended abruptly when they heard that. Maggy gasped. “What was that?”
Rob pulled her up from the pile of hay they’ve been sleeping on. “Come on.” Quietly, they made their way to the back of the barn and hid themselves behind a thick stack of hay.
Footsteps entered the barn, sets of footsteps, Maggy could differentiate. She was sure she knew who they belonged to but she needed reassurance. She turned to Rob with pleading eyes. Can you see who it is? Her look told him. He nodded and slowly inched forward to get a look at the intruders. When he did, he immediately sprang back. Maggy opened her mouth. Is it them? She was going to ask but Rob threw his hand over her mouth. “Shh,” he whispered quietly and guided her out the back door.
The moment they’re out, Rob pulled his hand from her mouth and they broke off in a sprint. Rob was a quick runner but Maggy, on the other hand, was running out of breath. At the bottom of the hill, Maggy stopped, her hands rested on her knees. She panted. “Rob…wait.”
Ahead, Rob continued running but he soon realized Maggy was no longer behind him. Maggy? He thought, stopped, and looked back. Maggy was at least a hundred yards behind. She was kneeling on the grass, panting. His eyes shifted from her to something in the distance. Two figures stumbling toward her. Good lord, he thought. They’re coming.
Maggy stared at him as his expression quickly shifted to anxious and worried. He waved his arm frantically, motioning her to go toward him quickly.
Maggy turned around and gasped. Frank and Steve were staggering quickly toward her. She turned back to Rob who was already jogging toward her. She was caught in the middle. She picked her up and began jogging toward Rob but her legs were like jelly. Jeez, pick it up, won’t ya. She urged her legs.
Her stomach growled from hunger and her heart pounded in her ears both from panic and exhaustion. She stretched her hand toward him but when they were just a finger away, she felt a triple sting in the small of her back. The remaining strength in her legs suddenly felt completely drained as everything before her swirled. Her knees fell on the grass as her eyelids drooped.
Faintly before the darkness gave way, she saw Rob fell to his knees as well, the end of three red darts stuck out of his left shoulder.
This is Another Story