For you writers - don't forget to go check out Jason's "Two Lights" short-fiction contest.
Okay, some of you know what this is - to the others: I start the story, you keep it going. You only have to write at least a sentence - more if you're feeling prolific. Come on - even you "readers" can write a sentence. Have fun.
Ginger hugged the wall as she made her way carefully down the hall. The suffocating darkness surrounded her as she mentally counted her steps, desperately hoping to avoid running into the wall at the turn leading to the stairs. Around her the house was quiet, its occupants lost to their dreams, and Ginger intended to keep it that way. Damn, was that 19 or 20? She'd lost count, allowing her mind to drift to that night's events, something she couldn't afford to do right now. Taking a deep breath, she slowly reached out into the blackness, feet carefully shuffling on the hardwood floor so as not to make a noise. Where's that floorboard? She knew that about 3 steps from the wall was a loose board, the first of many obstacles she faced between the turn and the stairs.
45 comments:
As she slowly crept along, she heard the floor above her creak.
(Best I can do right now.)
Write a sentence? A whole sentence? At this time of the morning?
Hm, I'd better come back later when I'm feeling more awake. Just dropped by to say 'hi' now that I'm back in circulation. Some great posts by the way.
Ginger paused, flattening herself against the wall, it surface smooth and cool beneath her cheek. The attic. Who could be in the attic.
She could hear her heart beating in her ears, like the dulling thudding of a bass drum. Any icy shock ran through her body and she didn't trust herself to move. She leaned against the wall and wiggled her toes, working out the kinks, as they where prone to popping whenever she tried to sneak to the bathroom at night, trying not to wake her light-sleeping husband Tom, who was away on business for the weekend.
Again the creaking from the ceiling above. It was no use being afraid; she had the kids to think of after all. Tom kept a loaded revolver between the mattress and the boxspring. She didn't know how to shoot it, even though Tom had tried to take her to the firing range. But whatever the person in the attic didn't know wasn't going to hurt.
Oops, used the wall again!
Ginger slid her hand into the bed ... but it was gone. The gun was gone.
keep going people, doing good.
A loud crack echoed in the silent night. Ginger's stealth useless, she ran toward the sound.
(How's that - and w/ veeeerrrryyy little sleep - see had to delete and do again - seesh!)
The kids the thought exploded in her head. She leapt down the hallway that seemed somehow longer than she remembered. She felt a light headed and dizzy, as if she were in a dream or the queezy somnabulance of nitrous. As if she were watching a movie through her eyes, she watched her hand fumble for the knob of Daniel and Cassie's room. She flung the door open. There in the trepezoid of moonspray, highlighted in the middle of the room between the feet of the two twin beds, sat Daniel, his face covered with plaster powder, with the gun in his hand, pointed toward the ceiling.
ooooh, Scott's getting into this one
I need an outlet man!
Ginger ran in and felt a rush of relief that they were both okay. I don't know whether to shake him or hug him. "What are you doing?"
"I heard a noise in the attic. With daddy gone, I'm the man of the house."
Ginger sighed heavily, forcing herself to count slowly to ten. Their was silence from the attic, throughout the house in fact, except for Cassie's hiccuping in her bed. Then another sound came from above them, a distince footstep.
that would be "there was silence" sheesh
and "distinct"
After hiding Daniel and Cassie in the closet Ginger picked up the gun and headed for the hall once again.
Blackness met her, enveloped her as she stepped into the hall. Taking another cleansing breath she moved slowly towards the attic door. Another footfall sounded above her in the area over her bedroom two doors down. At least whoever it is isn't near the attic entrance, Her hand on the knob, she was stopped by a thud from below her. My God, is there someone below too? She tightened her grip on the gun, torn between entering the attic or exploring the house downstairs.
OH jeez! I come back after being gone for 4 days and now you make me work??? great!!! ok so here goes....
"Where the hell is that big guard dog Tom said I just HAD to have? I really hope that is him I hear in the kitchen!" mumbled Ginger.
"What a headache," she grumbled. "How am I supposed to make a decision? Ok. Eeny, meeny, miney, moe..."
Snort. I tried to post earlier. I was wondering if Scott needed an outlet man or an outlet, man? With the DIY thing he has going :)
Damn, I forgot, Thom's useless brother Dave, said he might come and spend the night. Maybe it was him downstairs and a squirrel in the attic.
Holding the gun tightly, Ginger (what sort of name is that?) headed for the stairs.
What's a DIY thing?
Oh wait a minute... I get it! Boy am I slow.
Sorry Scott!
Awwww, Eve. You linked to me! Very sweet, thank you. :)
And my contribution...
Wait! Ginger thought. Am I too stupid to live? I haven't even called 911 yet! And just what am I thinking skulking around the house on my own? Shouldn't I be holed up in the closet with Dan and Cassie with that shotgun Grampa gave me for Christmas last year? He always did say all I needed to do was point and shoot and the buckshot would take care of business.
But wait, where did I put it?
(was wondering if anyone else noticed Ginger was starting to be TSTL!)
JUst as Ginger thought of returning back upstairs to search for the shotgun, a flash of light swept across the wall leading up the stairs.
what's TSTL? I'll finish this up when everyone is done - y'all are too much
oh wait - Too Stupid to Live - I got it - sheesh
Sorry I can't join the bird.
Brandy said you liked Hugh..Do you have this one?
Hugh Jackman
Oh what the hay... here goes nothing....
Trapped!
She grappled with her options.
Phone's in the bedroom. They're so close now, I can't even take the risk of running up or down.
The light cut a swath closer.
The stress was causing her toes to tighten, threatening to pop again and give away her postion.
Darn!
Ginger was starting to feel truly helpless.
What to do?
She gasped with sudden inspiration.
Wait a minute. I remember now. The practical joke the kids pulled.
She mentally snapped her fingers.
Yes!
Where's that duct tape?
OK Eve wrap it up for us...I can not wait to find out who is downstairs...obviously not that big guard dog...unless he knows how to carry a flashlight???
Wait a minute. I've watched enough scary movies to know that I am not too stupid to live. Forget the duct tape. Digging into the pocket of her robe she pulled out the cell phone and dialed 911. A whispered conversation with dispatch assured that help was on the way. Ginger knew that she had to do something though, she wasn't about to go hide in the closet like Rock Hudson. I've got it. Hands on the wall, she quickly made her way back to the kids room, rooted through their drawers, found the kite string, some scissors and Danny's model airplane glue. After checking on the kids, who were busy playing on the Gameboy, she made her way back to the foot of the stairs. My maidenname isn't MacGyver for nothing. The light downstairs now came from the dining room. Whoever it was had moved away from the stairs. Using the light from her cell phone, she quickly strung the twine across the top of the stairs. Pulling it taut, she secured it in place with the quick-drying glue, careful not to get it on her fingers. A noise from above reminded her that their were two threats. Scooting back across the hallway to the upstairs utility closet she found the can of paint that was left over from painting the master bedroom. I didn't watch Home Alone a gadzillion times for nothing. It's a good thing the attic door opened inward. With her twine she put the paint can in place. This ought to be good
"Here's to you Mrs. Robinson, good job." The officer tipped his hat as another officer led the two men away. "We've been looking for these two for years." Ginger gave a big sigh as she watched Elvis and Jimmy Hoffa being put in the police car. The sun was just coming up over the horizon and she felt the need for a drink. Looks like a Tequila Sunrise to me.
Hahahahaha! Love it! Elvis and Jimmy Hoffa! And maiden name McGyver? Someone is in a quirky sense of humor mode!!
Sorry I'm late for the story, but I read it all and it was great!! With some chuckling moments! =D
Way to go Lady McGyver :)
but wow! you had Elvis arrested??? What is wrong with you :)
Too funny!!! It was fun to watch the story progress through the day :)
talk to you in the morning...it is my bedtime!
Yeah Brandy - I'm in a mood.
Kelly - oh darn, you missed it. Maybe next time.
Hey Glenice, we posted at the same time. Yeah, well it was all I could think of with such short notice. I wanted to get it done before anyone else blogged in - I didn't want the ending to be posted the same time as someone else posted another part. Anyway, this was fun, we'll have to do it again sometime.
Good night everyone.
Wahoo. You wrapped it up nicely Eve!
That is SO Cool!
I was thinking McGyver when I put in duct tape!!!
He's one of my favorite characters!!
Great ending! Now we know what happended to Hoffa - He messed with Ginger! LOL
And Elvis has Left the Building!
Couldn't resist..sorry *grin*
Glad you liked Hugh.
Thanks y'all.
Michele - I would have gone with your duct tape, but I wasn't sure what you had in mind for it. And I thought about "Elvis has left the building" right after I hit login and publish.
MacGyver rocks!! Good wrap up, Eve. Glad to see Ginger called 911. I was worried for her. ;)
What a clever ending, I absolutely love it! LOL
Thanks Susan. I enjoyed your contribution too.
LOL--very well done :) Duct tape rules the world. Did you know you can get it in all sorts of funky colors?
Yes, have you seen those pictures of dresses made out of duct tape?
That was fun. I'm just getting around to reading all the way thru the wrap up. I did come in during the writing of the story but couldn't think of anything clever so I snuck (sp?) out the back door.
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