Writing Prompt: Tree and Bookcase

Gretchen tapped her foot on the desk impatiently. There were fifteen minutes left of class. It may as well be fifteen years. The day seemed to be going by so slowly. It always seemed to on the days that she was allowed to go visit her special tree. It infuriated her. She didn’t even understand why she had to take these stupid classes anyway. What purpose were they going to serve? 

Time finally passed and the bell for the dreaded class finally rang. She was one of the first people out the door. She made her way to her locker and hastily packed all of the books she would need and practically ran to her car. She was just about to open the driver’s side door when a muscled body stepped in her way.

“Why the hurry, Gretch?”

“What does it matter to you?”

“It matters because three times a week you hastily leave school like there’s a fire. Nobody knows where you go or what you do.”

“And I intend to keep it that way. Please move.”

“No.”

“Todd! Stop. Look. Can we please just talk about this later? Please? I have to go.”

“I intend to find out your big secret, little Gretch. One way or the other. You’re not the only genius in the school.”

“I’m am not a genius. I’ll tell you anything you want to know. All I’m asking is that you let me leave. NOW!”

“Anything?”

“Yes!” 

Todd smirked. She knew with that look that she was doomed. If he found out where she really went, it would be all over the school. What she was and what she did weren’t exactly illegal, but she wouldn’t be seen highly. Witches tended to be more feared than praised where she was from. Even though they were the ones that kept the town running.

“As you wish. See you tomorrow, beautiful.”

He blew her a kiss and walked away. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Sometimes he was too much. She got in her car and hurried as fast as she could to her tree. She just hoped she hadn’t wasted too much time dealing with his nonsense. Her time with the book she needed was very limited. 

Once she got where she needed to go, she parked and ran as fast as she could to the tree. She spent a few minutes whispering the spell that kept everybody else out. Once the tree opened for her, she dashed inside. She was bound and determined to make every moment last. She ran to the bookcase and saw it there. The book she looked forward to reading three times a week. She grabbed the book and went to sit in her favorite spot. She opened the book and began to read.

Writing Prompt: Snowflake and Parade (In honor of Christmas)

Piper bit her lip to keep from groaning in frustration. She couldn’t understand why this happened every single year. Couldn’t they figure out a system that worked? Of course they couldn’t. They wanted everybody to stand in line for hours and be cranky in the end. Why should anybody be happy on special days? When she was old enough, she was running for a spot in the committee that was in charge of all of the events.

“Would you relax, Pipp? We aren’t going to miss it. This happens every year and every year we wind up still being early.”

“Easy for you to say, Lane. You’re a main star of the show. The moment they see you they will rush you to the front of the line.”

“And I will grab you and pull you to the front with me. I thought that’s why you always insist on standing in these lines with me in the first place?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Lane rolled her eyes at Piper just as a man came running towards them. He was struggling to get past the people in the line. Everybody seemed very reluctant to let him through. The girls shared a glance with each other making it a point not to laugh too loud and give themselves away.

“There you are Miss Lane! Must you do this every year? We need you out at the parade in ten minutes!”

“But I need to get my drinks before I go up. You don’t want me to dehydrate and faint, do you?”

“Oh very well. Come on. Move it! Both of you. Follow me.”

The groans that followed the girls as they made their way up the line to get to the front gave Piper an indulgent feel of satisfaction. It was rare that she was given any kind of special treatment. Not that she cared. Lane always got special treatment being the town prodigy and talent. It didn’t really look like anything to brag about quite frankly. People fussing over you and not giving you any space. No thank you.

Once up front, they immediately ordered. The cashier waved away their money. Another perk about being around Lane. Nobody wanted to charge her for anything. Apparently her performances were payment enough. They had just picked up their foods and drinks and were preparing to make their way to the parade when the first snowflake fell. Right on Lane’s nose of course. Piper resisted the urge to kiss the snowflake as it melted. 

“So are you ready to render the town speechless… again.”

“I guess. I’m kind of nervous.”

“Lane Dixon. Afraid of performing in front of the town. Get out of here. Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?”

“Shush.”

“You’ll do great Lane. You’re always great. You’re smart and talented. This town seems to think they have a special gem in you. You’d think that everybody is going to strike it rich once you hit it big or something.”

“And yet I aim to be a teacher.”

“Hearts will break.”

“They’ll be fine. They have you to strike it big. Miss I am going to become a famous writer.”

“I can’t be a famous writer if you don’t make it big as a scientist or musician. Who will I follow and write about if you don’t?”

“Piper. You promised.”

“You’re right! Besides. I’m only joking. On a serious note, whatever we do, we do together.”

They made their way to the street where the parade was being held and parted ways. Lane had to get with people for any last minute set up for her float and Piper had to find a nice spot up front so she could get an up close and personal view of everything passing by. Another perk about being drug through the crowd early with Lane. As they were drifting apart, Piper grabbed Lane’s hand.

“Lane. I love you. You know that right?”

“Piper don’t be crazy.”

“Then don’t date Harvey.”

“How did you? Nevermind. We’ll talk about this after the parade ends.”

“Okay.”

Writing Prompt: Bravery and Watch

Nick took a look over the night’s schedule as he prepared his coffee before beginning his shift. He stifled a groan. He was in for a long night. There were two people on his shift and both of them were pretty much useless. They only signed up for the night shift because they thought it would be easier. Nick knew better. Just because it was quieter didn’t make it easier. He knew what lurked in the dark. He had seen some of the worst of it in his time overseas. 

He was loyal to his country. He served three tours. On the third tour he was wounded horribly. He managed to recover, but he knew he would never be able to serve again. The country gave him a medal of bravery and then promptly forgot he ever existed. It threw him in a depression that lasted over a year. 

He probably would have remained in his depression if he hadn’t stumbled upon the help wanted ad that landed him in his current job. The company was looking for guards to watch over their factory. They had three shifts that desperately needed openings. On a whim, he went in and applied. 

The owner was the one that took the application. He requested an interview with Nick on the spot and hired him immediately for night shift. Nick was beyond surprised. He had no experience with guard duty at all. He could only assume that the owner was impressed with his military background. Either way, he wasn’t going to argue. He was happy to finally have a purpose again.

He spent two weeks getting himself familiar with the blueprints of the factory and the books. He wanted to make sure he knew everything fully. By the time he started his first shift, he felt like he knew the entire policy and could walk the entire premises blindfolded. He was ready. He was more than ready. He was hopeful. 

He had been with the company for five years now. He was now in charge with hiring and training the guards. He was also in charge with setting the schedules. He could easily sit back and let everybody else do the actual watch duty, but he insisted on being out in the field with them. He did his best to make sure everybody was taken care of and had the schedules they desired. He was more than happy with the team he had assembled. 

Well, most of them anyway. The two new guys just weren’t holding their weight. He didn’t like doing it, but he knew he was going to have to let them go. Two different nights, he sent a person in to test their security. They failed both nights. He couldn’t risk that. Just because things were uneventful for the most part didn’t mean they would always be uneventful. 

Writing Prompt: Angel and Eagle

Evangaline looked down at the yard below the cloud she was on. The little puppy was running around playfully while her owner was sitting on the porch watching her. She knew how much the little girl loved that dog. She heard her telling her friend that it was the best gift she had ever been given. It made Evangaline’s heart sing to hear such praises of her gift. Not that the little girl knew that the gift was from her.

Soon, Evangaline would show herself to the little girl, but not now. Now was not the time. Soon the girl would face great tragedy and she would need Evangline. It would change her world forever. Evangaline wanted her to feel the happiness she felt now for as long as she possibly could. Her heart broke at what she knew was to come. 

An eagle flew up and perched on the cloud beside her. She looked over at the eagle. She knew exactly what it was and exactly why the bird was there. She refused to acknowledge the bird until he made contact with her first. Not because she was afraid of him, but because she wanted to annoy him just a little bit. He was always annoying her. It’s time for her to turn the tables on him for once. 

Dammit Eva. You know I’m here.  You could at least say hello.

Oh. I was daydreaming. I didn’t even see you come up Horace.

Eva…..

Whatever is the matter, Horace? Are you having issues with feeling ignored?

I don’t know what I expected from a damn angel. You all are just the same. You live to make all of us uncomfortable and cranky. 

Oh, you do compliment me so. What do I owe the honor of this wonderful visit, my dear?

I was just checking in. I know the time draws near. Have you made contact with Eliza yet?

No. Don’t you think she deserves a little more time in blessed innocence? 

Eva. No. She needs to know what she is and what she will become now. Before it’s all too late. She will lead the world to greatness. It has to be her.

Blah blah blah. Do you always have to be so repetitive. I can basically recite the entire thing verbatim at this point.

Why can’t you take anything seriously? Just for five minutes. Please. Why? 

I am taking it seriously. I watch over her every day. She’s safe. She’s happy. Isn’t that enough for now?

For now.

The time is coming. Soon. I’ll make contact with her when the time is right. I don’t plan on falling from the plan. This time.

Are you sure? 

Horace. Don’t be an ass. I get it. I messed up the first three or four times. But it turned out they weren’t the right ones anyway. So I did us all a favor in the end. Why can’t you just let it go?

Try having to keep records of every single event known to existence. Then tell me to let something go. These humans really could learn to read a history book now and then. It keeps repeating itself.

Then why don’t you go and force them to change?

Fat lot of good that would do. 

Horace!

What? It’s true. The intelligence level of the human population dwindles drastically every day. You should see half of these idiots hooked to their devices all day long.

I think it’s great they have something to be happy about. Something that makes them feel connected to the world. 

Devices that connect them to the world, but disconnected at the same time. Isn’t it funny how that works? People would rather send texts than have actual conversations these days. 

You’re right, Horace. I know. That’s not our job to correct. Our job is only to make sure that the world doesn’t destroy itself. We can’t let Evil win. Not again.

At least YOU see the importance of not letting history repeat itself. You remember the time of ultimate destruction, do you? 

I do. My heart still breaks just thinking about it. 

As it should, Eva. As it should. Soon, great horror will be upon us. I hope that you and Eliza can work together to put a stop to it. 

Me too.

Writing Prompt: Chaos and Bridge

Sun stood on the sidewalk and watched the cars drive by. She looked out at the long bridge and sighed. She was not ready to make the journey she was about to have to make. She had already traveled many miles. It was when she truly got to thinking about everything that was about to go down that the panic set in on her. It made driving absolutely impossible. She had no choice but to pull over and sit for a bit. 

The chaos which had consumed her life for the past several weeks was finally going to come to a close. She was both relieved and heartbroken over it. She had had an ordinary life. She had a wonderful husband and two beautiful twin girls that were about to start college in the fall. She thought that her husband and her were about to enjoy a very peaceful time getting to know each other again after their daughters had left. That was until she came home and found him getting to know their next door neighbor, Brad.. 

The next several days after that were consumed with yelling, tears, and long conversations. She learned that her husband had never really been interested in women. He married Sun because it was expected of him from his family. He and Brad had been together for many years. He had planned on telling her once the girls had moved to college, but he never dreamed of her finding out the way she had. Had her yoga class not been canceled, he and Brad had intended to talk to her that evening over dinner.

She could have accepted he was gay. They were best friends above anything else. What she couldn’t accept was the fact that he had gone behind her back for years. She couldn’t accept that he couldn’t trust her not to tell her something so important about himself. That, above anything else, is what hurt her the most. It shattered her heart to know that the man she poured her heart out all these years to couldn’t even bother to tell her something that meant more to him than anything else in the world. She had no idea how she was going to go forward from here. 

With a sigh, she got back in her car. She had no idea what her future held, but she knew that dwelling about the past wasn’t going to do her any good. All she could do is get back in her car and continue her journey from here. As she was crossing the bridge, she had to resist the urge to just swing to the right and plunge into the water below. Her world may be crushed right now, but she knew that she would rebuild. The pain would only be temporary.

Writing Prompt: Woman and Sun

Brad looked up at the sun. He was convinced it was shining brighter than normal today. He tried to voice his concern, but nobody would listen to him. A few of them even suggested that he may need to look into professional help. He was annoyed with their attitudes, but he let it go. He had bigger things to worry about. They may not be able to see the signs of something big coming, but he could. 

Feeling restless, he decided to go out and do his walk through a little early. The wall was secure for the most part, but anything was possible. Brad had been in the field long enough to know that everything has weak points and the enemies would always go out of their way to find them to bring people down faster. 

He was halfway through his walk through when he saw a woman wandering around the woods. He was confused. Nobody should be around this area but the soldiers. He made his way towards her so he could investigate further. The closer he got, the more he realized how wrong the situation actually was. She was hurt badly. His instincts screamed at them to help her.

Once he was almost upon her, she finally looked up and noticed him. With a shriek of terror, she ran and hid behind a tree. Her body was trembling so bad that he would have found her even if he hadn’t watched where she went. He decided to let his guard down and get a full feel of the situation.

The emotions hit him immediately. She was alone and terrified. Something horrible had obviously happened to her. The pain followed next. It seemed that somebody had badly battered her. He didn’t want to do what he knew he had to do to get the story, but he willed himself to do it anyway. He delved into her mind. What he found took his breath away. 

Many of his soldiers had found her cottage and broken in. They demanded she give them all of her valuable possessions. When she refused, they beat her until she submitted. He was fearing they may have done worse things after that, but he was relieved to find that she was not ruined in that way. 

“M’lady. Please. I will not hurt you. You are safe now.”

“I don’t have anything! Please. Just let me go!”

“I know what happened. Please. I just want to help you.”

“How…”

“I am a mage. One of the last of my kind. I am in charge of those who attacked you. For that I am deeply sorry. I will make sure that what they did doesn’t happen again. I will also see to it that you get your belongings back.”

“A… mage? But that’s not possible. There hasn’t been a mage in…”

“Twenty years. I know. At least not one that the public knows about anyway. My family has went through great lengths to keep our secret. I’m sure you know why.”

“Yes I do. My family has had to do the same thing. Many of the women in my family have the gift. We are terrified that he will find out and come for them.”

“That is a very valid concern. It’s the very reason I created this training ground. I want to prepare people to fight. To save our people that were taken away from us and return them home.”

Writing Prompt: Faith and Tiger

Faith double-checked her patient list for the day. She did a double take. Surely there was a mistake. She read through the list four more times. It remained the same. Samson Howell. It just couldn’t be possible that he would be somebody she would be doing a check up for. She made her way to the front desk to talk to the receptionist.

“Trudy, I think there’s a mistake with my patient list for today.”

“Are you saying that my booking skills aren’t meeting your standards today, Miss Briggs?”

“No need to be formal with me Tru. Even if you’re miffed with me. I would never question your skills. You know me better than that.”

“Then what is the meaning of your question?”

“Well, it would appear I have a Samson Howell on my list.”

“Oh yes. He got here about an hour ago. Specifically asked for you. Refused to have anybody else look at him.”

“Oh dear. I guess I better go check in on him right away. Thank you, Trudy.”

She heard Trudy’s sassy no problem as she hurried back to Samson’s room. Once there she knocked tentatively. His brisk tone telling her to come in sent a shiver down her spine. It was definitely him. Delicious and untouchable Samson Howell. The question was, what was he doing in her urgent care and why. She opened the door and quickly shut and locked it.

“Samson. What are you doing here?”

“I am in need of medical assistance. I thought that was obvious.”

“Don’t play with me. I know your kind has your own doctor. You don’t need to come see us human doctors.”

“You wound me. I am part tiger. I’m not a monster. Why do you hate me so?”

“I don’t hate you. I’m just confused as to why you’re here. If anybody else had looked at you, there’s no telling what would be going on right now.”

“Precisely why I had the forethought to request Dr. Faith Briggs specifically. I refused to see anybody else. I may have even given a certain Trudy a little special something to ensure I’m seen by nobody but you.”

“Damn that Trudy and the ability to pay her off. Okay fine. What can I assist you with Mr. Howell.”

“I need you to come to my home with me. There’s a sickness that’s spreading that nobody can figure out. Not even our doctor. You’re the best in the field. We know if anybody can find out what’s going on, it’s you.”

“I- What? I-”

“Please just say yes, Faith. You’re the only one I trust with this. Something bad is going on.”

“Fine. Tell me everything and leave nothing out.”

“Two weeks ago, a child became ill. Nothing was really thought of it at the time. We all get sick now and then. It’s part of life. It wasn’t until he changed into a tiger form years before he was supposed to that we realized something was wrong.”

“Is he….”

“He’s fine. He’s forever altered thanks to the early transition, but he’s fine. We think that somebody is poisoning our people so that they can speed the process up. We aren’t sure why or how.”

“You said nobody knew about your kind outside of your area.”

“I said not many people knew. Obviously we have to turn to outside sources now and then. We wouldn’t exist today if we didn’t.”

“That’s fair. What can I do though?”

“You can come and investigate our foods and waters to see if they have been tainted.”

“What’s in it for me?”

“We will pay you. Handsomely. You can also have your pick of any man or woman to have relations with that you wish.”

“What makes you think I would want to procreate with your kind.”

“To start with, I can read your thoughts. Also, I still remember our time together, my little vixen.” 

Writing Prompt: Holiday and Battle

Hallie was fuming. She couldn’t believe that Chris had snuck in yet again to try to ruin everything. She hadn’t even begun planning for her party yet. Why did Chris think she was so special that she deserved to have everybody know about her party long before it was even beginning to happen?

Okay so yeah. She allowed people to get gifts on the day of her party. So what? The people had to buy the gifts themselves! Hallie’s party was so much more fun. People got to dress up and share candy with each other! What’s more exciting than that? 

Hallie began to feel a little selfish. Most of the family was overshadowed by Chris. It had been like that since Chris was born. Especially poor Turk. He suffered the most from the impact. Once people had cleaned up from celebrating Hallie’s party, their focus went immediately to Chris’ party. Poor Turk. She couldn’t even begin to understand how he dealt with it year after year. He was so generous and kind. So thankful for everything he was given in life.

What was more disconcerting is the things Hallie heard. The family was beginning to be more and more disgruntled every year. She feared that if things didn’t calm down soon, there would be a big Holiday family battle. She was terrified of this. She may be mad at Chris, but that didn’t mean she wanted a battle. She loved Chris very much. She just felt that Chris was entirely self-centered. It would appear that many of the other Holiday family members felt so as well.

Val was the most vocal. She was tired of everybody making fun of her party. They claimed she wasn’t a true member of the Holiday family. She was just adopted in so that the family could get money off her. Many of the family got suspiciously quiet after she stated this. It was almost like they agreed but didn’t want to say anything out loud. 

Hallie and Val were the closest out of anybody in the family. They shared a love of chocolate and candies that the rest of the family didn’t get. They all loved candy and had it at all of their parties, but they didn’t obsess over it like Hallie and Val did. Hallie’s mom, Esther, liked to joke that their middle names should have been Reece. When they were younger, they didn’t get it as much as they do now. 

Hallie sighed as her phone rang. She knew without looking at it who it was. Years ago, she had assigned everybody their own ringtones so she could know who was calling. It has come in handy. Especially when she’s been busy preparing for her big party. 

“Hello, my darling Chris. What pleasure do I owe this lovely call?”

“I need answers. Patrick just called me and told me everybody was mad at me again! I just don’t get it! I’m so good to everybody. Why are you always so mad at me?”

“Maybe because you never care about any of our parties? Only your own?”

“It’s not like that and you know it! It’s just that my party requires much more concentration than y’alls. I tend to get absorbed in it sometimes. I’m sorry. I can’t help it that I’m the most favored and important.”

“This is the attitude that makes people mad. Can’t you just say you have more to plan and leave it at that? Why do you have to constantly remind people that you feel more important than everybody?”

Writing Prompt: Loyalty And Water

Charlene looked at the people gathered around her. Times were tough, and everything was about to get much worse before it got better. The worst part is that she discovered that a few of her people were working for the other side. She had no idea who they were or how to find them. She had her most loyal followers scattered amongst the people to listen and observe. They were all disguised to look like someone else so that nobody would notice them. 

“Thank you all for coming on such short notice. I know that everybody has to work and make sure their families are taken care of. Especially during these hard times. I won’t keep you long.What I have to say is important and could not wait. Somebody has betrayed us. In the middle of the night, somebody set fire to the guard tower. Four of our finest guards, including my very own brother, were killed because they had no way of escape.”

She paused to listen to all the shocked gasps all around her. She tried her best to fight tears. She had been crying since the news reached her late in the night. Seth was her twin and her very best friend. He was also the most brave and loyal guard of the entire kingdom. His loss would be felt by many. Not just her. 

“We have experienced many tragedies lately. It breaks my heart to know that there are those who are with us who do not have our best interests at heart. I believe there are those who still have a pure heart and whose loyalty will bring us all up. Help us get back to where we need to be. I can not do this alone. I count on each and every one of you. If you know anything, please come forward. It can be discreet. Your safety is my number one priority and always will be. That being said, if nobody has anything to say, you may leave. Those who wish to speak, may stay behind and meet in my chambers.”

She watched as everyone but a tiny girl with long blond hair shuffled out of the building. It seemed like it took hours though she was sure it didn’t take any longer than fifteen minutes. Once the area was clear, she looked towards the girl startled to find it wasn’t a girl at all but a woman her age.

“How can I help you, my darling?”

“Oh no, my dear ChiChi, it is I who can help you?”

“How did you know my nickname? I haven’t been called that in a very long time.”

“Since your Mother died. I know. Seth was too heartbroken over her death to ever call you it again.”

“How…”

“We don’t have time for that now, child. Danger is coming and if we don’t act fast, all will be lost.”

Writing prompt: You wake up in an enchanted forest….

She woke up feeling weird. She felt like things were out of place. The good thing was that she had slept better than she had in a long time. She didn’t even want to open her eyes. It wasn’t until a weird smell hit her nose that she realized she couldn’t hold off the inevitable. Slowly, she opened her eyes. Immediately she knew something was very wrong.

She was laying in the dirt surrounded by trees in every direction. The place was very calming and peaceful sounding and smelling, but she wasn’t supposed to be here. How did she get here? One moment she was at her best friend’s birthday party. The next she was going to her car and her world went black. 

She had to think. She had to remain calm. Panicking would get her nowhere. She had to think. Let all her critical thinking courses come in handy for once. She took a good long look around her. There was nothing really to see but trees and ground. Occasionally a rabbit would bounce by her and a bird would fly over her head. 

She couldn’t help but really appreciate the beauty surrounding her. She lived in the city where there weren’t really many trees around at all. There were too many buildings. There were many trees in the parks, but there were only a few parks around her. As she was pondering on the differences, she noticed something that shocked the breath out of her. The leaves on the trees were turning colors.

She sat mystified and watched as they went from green to blue to purple to pink. She couldn’t make any sense of it. It was like she had been transported into another world entirely. She knew that trees weren’t supposed to do this. It reminded her of a movie she once saw where this girl fell into a hole and was transported into a world unlike anything she’d ever experienced. That didn’t happen to her. At least not that she can remember. She wished she knew what happened! 

Greetings Milena

Milena jumped. She quickly glanced around. She didn’t see anybody, but the voice that was in her head was loud. She didn’t know what to do or how to react. She decided that the best course of action was to hide and hope for the best.

There’s nowhere to hide that I can’t find you. This is my forest, my pet. And you… are my keeper. 

“I’m sorry…. Your what?”

You are my keeper. You are destined to help maintain me and my forest for all time. 

“What do you mean? Surely you had somebody else here before if that’s the case. Why can’t they do it?”

They have left this world, sadly. When they did, the forest chose the next keeper. You.

“I don’t understand.”

Of course you don’t. That’s completely understandable. You will, my child. In time. You can also choose a mate to live here with you if you wish.

“A mate. That’s kind of barbaric.”