WOW! Such wonderful entries this week! Good job everyone!
From Sarah:
This was tough - I'm glad I don't have to do it all the time! I really
enjoyed all the takes on the second picture; it's a combo lock for the
walk-in gate in my apartment complex.
I'm a huge speculative fiction fan and love action, so my winner is
Lissajean. Congratulations! I can't wait for next week.
Here's Lissa's story:
I raced to the call box. Which number was it? Why couldn’t they be labeled? As far as this reality went, I needed out. It had started as such a dream, but now it was a nightmare. I needed time to think. The beast was growing and changing so fast. I heard the claws scrabble against the cobbles a few streets away, echoing through the alleys.
If I pressed the wrong button, I could end up anywhere. Sure, the garden behind the wrought iron fence looked innocent enough, but anyone could see that it was completely static – no breeze, no nothing. As soon as I made a commitment I had to either go there or stay here. Staying here wasn’t an option. The beast slammed into some trash cans. It must be having difficulty navigating the cobbles. Good.
I wracked my brain. Three was that deserted island, right. I think I’d figured out how to make that raft now. Wait. No. That was only three if I was coming from the moon colony. From here it was – Oh, I can’t remember! The crash of trash cans and a yowl from a cat told me that I had better figure it out right now.
The gate opened. Marjorie. Her eyes grew big and her mouth dropped open. “Gavin? Finally. You’re here!” Her smile was like the sun.
“I have to leave.”
“No. Not again.”
“I’m going to be eaten alive.”
“Where to?”
“I don’t know.”
“You just don’t want to tell me.”
“No, I can’t remember which number goes where.”
She laughed. “Does it really matter?”
“I guess not, as long as it’s not the alligators or the bats. I’m not even sure I can get to either of those from here.”
“Feed the alligators those squatty birds. They’re dumb as rocks.”
“Thanks.” My fingertips brushed her cheek.
“Try to stay put for more than 24 hours next time.”
“I do try.” We both turned when the beast howled as it rounded the corner. “Come on, lucky number four.” I pressed the button and walked through the gate.
If I pressed the wrong button, I could end up anywhere. Sure, the garden behind the wrought iron fence looked innocent enough, but anyone could see that it was completely static – no breeze, no nothing. As soon as I made a commitment I had to either go there or stay here. Staying here wasn’t an option. The beast slammed into some trash cans. It must be having difficulty navigating the cobbles. Good.
I wracked my brain. Three was that deserted island, right. I think I’d figured out how to make that raft now. Wait. No. That was only three if I was coming from the moon colony. From here it was – Oh, I can’t remember! The crash of trash cans and a yowl from a cat told me that I had better figure it out right now.
The gate opened. Marjorie. Her eyes grew big and her mouth dropped open. “Gavin? Finally. You’re here!” Her smile was like the sun.
“I have to leave.”
“No. Not again.”
“I’m going to be eaten alive.”
“Where to?”
“I don’t know.”
“You just don’t want to tell me.”
“No, I can’t remember which number goes where.”
She laughed. “Does it really matter?”
“I guess not, as long as it’s not the alligators or the bats. I’m not even sure I can get to either of those from here.”
“Feed the alligators those squatty birds. They’re dumb as rocks.”
“Thanks.” My fingertips brushed her cheek.
“Try to stay put for more than 24 hours next time.”
“I do try.” We both turned when the beast howled as it rounded the corner. “Come on, lucky number four.” I pressed the button and walked through the gate.
Congratulations, and thank you for entering!
You'll get to pick the three word prompt for next week's challenge (or switch it up with a picture), AND be the judge! Please send me an email so I can send you the "get to know the judges" questions.
Email: emailjessarusso [at] gmail [dot] com
BIG thanks to this week's judge, Sarah!!!
Yay! Congrats!
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