(JUNE 26TH PROMPT)

Prompt: “Drive!” Annie shouted. She kept shooting as Maddox rushed to the driver’s side and peeled out, kicking up a storm of dust.

Original post and photo found here.

Katy’s winning story:

Never had she thought that her escape plan would fail so badly. She dug a few more shells out of the front pocket of her jean shorts and reloaded as the Alpha Regiment gave chase on rusted motorcycles. A megaphone stuck to the lips of the Captain exploded with words Annie didn’t want to hear.

“Annie, stop the vehicle and come quietly and no one will be harmed.” Annie rolled her eyes and fired another round, nearly connecting with the Captain’s mechanical steed. His glare burned holes in her own and she swallowed nervously.

“Maddox, please. Just go faster!” Her boyfriend didn’t reply, but the car swerved dangerously, throwing Annie to one side.

“Maddox?” She attempted to pull herself up with the edge of the truck bed. “Maddox!”

Motorcycles surrounded the truck as it veered off the road and slowed to a complete stop. Hands grabbed the gun from her grasp and the Captain held her as gingerly as a vice grip while he zip tied her hands together. Annie strained to see where Maddox was, but only saw some soldiers carrying a black body bag towards the car. Tears blurred reality and she tried to keep her eyes on her shoes.

The Captain held her chin, forcing her to look at him. “No one,” he flicked his eyes in the body bag’s direction, “takes my daughter from me.”

Annie glared venom back at her father, even though she knew he spoke truth. She would never get away from the regiment. With zip-tied hands and the soldiers of the regiment around her, Annie knew she’d have to wait for the next boyfriend to try to sneak her out. Maybe next time. The next boy to fall for her like a siren. It was never about love. It was about freedom.

(JULY 17TH PROMPT)

Photo and prompt can be viewed here.

Prompt: His heart pounded ever louder in his chest as he watched her ascend. Where would it take her? And would it be better there? Surely it would…

KM’s Story:

Anguish slashed his heart as he knelt beside her. Drake had never prayed before, but as he watched her colorless form grow still, turned his tear streaked face heavenward and chanted, “Please don’t take her from me. She’s all I have.”

Her translucent eyelids quivered for a moment before opening. “Drake?”

“Ella, I’m here.”

Her cerulean eyes focused on his face and her gray lips twitched a smile. “It’s time.”

Fresh tears streamed down his cheeks. He pleaded, “No Baby, stay with me.”

She stared intently into his eyes. “You must not cry. Where I go, you cannot follow. Not yet. Your time is not yet complete here.”

He strangled on the sob that rose within his throat. “I cannot live without you!”

“You must.”

To his disbelief, the darkened forest exploded with a brilliant, golden light. The leaves of the trees above rustled, and he gasped as a golden liquid form appeared before him with outstretched wings that were blindingly beautiful. The creature spoke with the melody of a flute, “You will behold her beauty once again, friend. You must complete your journey in this realm so that you may learn and love in the next.”

Ella sighed once and grew still, as the golden creature reached into her body and pulled her spirit into its arms. For the first time, Drake beheld her true beauty and it was breathtaking. She smiled a radiant smile and spoke with the voice of an angel, “I love you.”

“As I love you!” His heart pounded every louder. Broken, but mesmerized, he watched in awe as the creature flapped its wings once and ascended into the skies. Drake looked at her cold, motionless body. “Soon my love.” He kissed her cool lips and smiled with the hope of things to come.

(JUNE 5TH PROMPT)

Prompt: Now that the snow was clearing, I could venture further out for food and supplies. With my bags full of loot and heavy on my back, I looked up and saw her standing there – STANDING! It sent shivers across my skin. “Momma, where’s your wheelchair?”

Photo and original prompt can be found here.

Adri’s story:

She stood, a silent sentry in the snow. Getting cold, I decided to bring my bags into the house to put everything away and prepare dinner. “Mama, are you coming in?” She nodded, following me in. “I don’t understand, mama,” I said while preparing our meager meal. “How did this happen?” I smiled, pleased that she had finally gotten her wish to be out of the wheelchair. “How did you get better?” In a breathy voice she answered, “I’m free. Nothing tethers me.” I felt my face twist in confusion and turned to examine her more closely. “Mama…” I began hesitantly. “The city masters came,” she continued in the same soft tone. “They set me free from my prison.” Tears gathered in my eyes, and I rushed to my mother’s normal sitting room. The room that gave her the best view of the barren streets around us. Gasping, my hand flew to cover my mouth in despair. “MAMA!” I heard myself scream. Turning to face away from the image of death in front of me, the walking, talking version of my mother gave me a sad smile. “I was a burden. Now you are free of me.” Shaking my head in denial, tears continued flowing. “You…you can’t leave!” Raising her hand toward me, her image flickered, like a glitch in a computer screen. The images around me disappeared and all I could see was black. A man’s voice echoed through the darkness, “This is what will happen if you don’t follow orders. Do as we say, and your mother will survive. Become our operative, and we may help your mother walk again. Don’t and…well…” The voice trailed off and, tears still falling down my face after the too real virtual simulation, I agreed.

(MAY 23RD PROMPT)

To check out the photo and prompt, go here. Read Katy’s story below.

Prompt: Nobody survived except the boy alone. No one knew how or why. He took a step toward them and tilted his head…

I felt like a dog catcher trying to lure a stray whose owner had beaten it, then abandoned it. Someone had left this boy for dead. We were trying to be quiet and careful because we didn’t know what happened to everyone else yet. He didn’t see me peering at him from behind the corner, but my associates had definitely caught his attention. Idiots…. I had no patience for the clumsy group the Doctor had hired to round up survivors. The boy tilted his head again, crouching on all fours like an animal. Maybe we are dog catchers, I thought as I watched my team walk towards the boy, speaking down to him in a soothing manner. When one man, Marty, I think, got within two feet of the child, the boy pulled his lips back in a snarl. If he had feline ears, they would have been flat against his disgusting, grimy hair. I swallowed nervously. The boy’s teeth were stained red. Marty ignored the warning signs like the stupid oaf he is…was…and reached out to grab the boy’s arm. The snarl opened into a feral smile as the boy leapt for Marty’s throat and latched on with hungry jaws. Marty clawed at the boy, his eyes widening in surprise. And faster than I thought possible, Marty was down…unmoving. I accidentally tripped over my own feet and watched as the boy’s head swiveled in my direction. I ducked behind a toppled desk. Did he see me? A crack between the wall and the desk revealed the boy standing slowly—deliberately as the rest of my team ran away. His voice echoed in the empty halls as the feral grin spread wider on his bloody maw. “I love hide and seek.”

(MAY 2ND PROMPT)

This is one of my (ER Arroyo) favorite winning entries we’ve had! Check out March’s story below and view the original photo and prompt here.

Prompt: She had only ever stepped outside once in her life, and that time she’d only made it halfway to the dilapidated gate before her parents caught her and brought her back inside to rescue her from the Dangers. Now that her parents had gone to the Next, she had no choice. She knew what she was walking out of, but had no idea what she was walking into.

The girl tread on light feet, mud beneath her toes. The Fog hung heavy on the ground, blanketing time-worn headstones—almost still, like common fog. She shivered in her thin shift.

As she passed the gate, her breathing turned fitful. The Fog around her stirred—undulated, billowed. She clenched her fingers, as clouds coalesced into form, taking the shape of a hunched crone—slate-hued and wavering. A face of seething smog, hair like wisps of mist. She moved, even while motionless.

“Who’s this?” the Ask crooned, in a voice made of wind. “Who, who?”

The crone sprung, swirled around the girl, a tornado of question, sending her dark hair skyward. The girl squeezed her eyes shut. “Who, who, who?” thundered in her ears.

Then, stillness—abrupt and strange. The girl opened her eyes, hesitant. The Ask hovered just before her, staring with a gunmetal gaze. Eyes that were not eyes. “Who?”

“Just a girl,” she answered, in a quiet voice.

“Girls have names, as all things do. Like hills and songs and sickness. Who?”

The girl could taste The Ask in her mouth—sweet, cloying, horrible. “I have no name,” she said. “I am nameless.”

Sometimes, on the cusp of sleep, the girl thought she could remember a name she once had. Her mother’s voice calling out to her—two syllables, sing-song. Nothing more.

“No name,” the Ask breezed, then cackled. “This nameless girl had clever kin. Cannot take a nameless thing to the Next. No name. Who, who?”

“I only wish to pass,” the girl said.

The Ask swirled, gusted. “The nameless may pass. A girl won’t be nameless long. All things have names, girls too. Who who?” And then was gone.

The girl stepped forward once again, the question still echoing in her mind.

Who?

Our latest writing prompt was won by BOD member Carrie Avery Moriarty. You can find the original prompt and photo here.

PROMPT: The beacon light was my driving force for weeks leading up to this moment. But somehow staring at it now, in all its glory against a backdrop of rubble, I couldn’t trust it. Then the door behind me creaked open.

The beacon light was my driving force for weeks leading up to this moment. But somehow staring at it now, in all its glory against a backdrop of rubble, I couldn’t trust it. Then the door behind me creaked open.

With a deep breath I said, “Hello Sloan.”

“Didn’t think you’d make it, sugar.” His drawl was sweet, and I knew he was eyeing my backside.

I looked over my shoulder at him. “Couldn’t help myself. Did you think you were the only one looking for the prize?”

“You think it will get you anywhere?”

“If it gets me out of this hell they call a game, I’ll take a chance.”

He sidled out of the mausoleum to stand beside me. “See anyone else along the way?”

Did he seriously think I would tell him who his competition was? Then I looked at his face. “Not a soul.” It was the truth, but I knew he didn’t believe me.

“Sugar,” he began, dripping with sarcasm. “If I know you, you’ve got something hidden under that jacket. You gonna share?”

I pulled a bottle out and handed it over. It wasn’t worth the fight.

“Do you think it’s really there?” he asked after taking a swig.

“Probably not,” I replied. “They wouldn’t be that stupid.”

“Then again, maybe they think we’ll think it’s a trap.”

“And put it right there, with a beacon leading everyone to it?”

“Would you put it past them?”

I thought about that for a moment, then realized that’s exactly what they would do. I began walking toward the light, Sloan right beside me. I guess there were worse things than having him at my side. He might come in handy.

“You gonna take me with you?” he asked.

I turned and looked at him, took a deep breath, and lied through my teeth. “I wouldn’t dream of leaving you behind.”

The thing was, he bought it. He’d never leave this game. That’s why they put me in here, to give him hope and keep him playing.

(APRIL 17TH PROMPT)

The original prompt and photo can be viewed here. Check out Brea’s story below!

Prompt: This was it. She had to be here…and Jake would find her. As long as someone else didn’t find Jake first.

April hunched down in the broken patio doorway. She hoped she would be able to see Jake, but no one would be able to see her. This was it. She had to be here…and Jake would find her. As long as someone else didn’t find Jake first.

She had spent years preparing for this moment. The one she had foreseen in her visions. The moment when she would finally reunite with her long lost son. She had been so careful. Each decision she had made with special consideration of getting him back. She hoped he had been preparing as well. The way she had taught him. The future is fragile though. Despite all her efforts she had seen several possibilities of this moment. Reuniting with Jake was only one. Another was the Force catching him before he could get away. Yet another was the Force catching her and her life ending in torture and interrogation. She shuddered and pushed both of those scenarios from her mind.

April froze as the unmistakable crunching of someone walking in debris below caught her ears. It was time. Her breath rushed out of her as more footsteps joined the first. She moved as slowly as possible back into the destroyed room. Something went wrong. The Force was here.

Suddenly a hand clamped over her mouth and someone grabbed her from behind.

“Shh, mom. It’s me,” The unmistakable voice of her son whispered in her ear.

She immediately pulled away and turned to grab his face in her hands. Tears filled her eyes with relief. They hugged briefly before he pulled away.

“We have to go. The Force…”

She nodded and followed him into the darkened hallway to face a future she had not seen. One full of possibilities.

Last week, BOD Member known as JaynetheScourge SlashImpaler won our latest Writing Prompt! Check out the original prompt & photo here, and read the winning story below!

I knelt beside the railing, squinting to see through the surface of the murky water. A minute passed before I saw it again, but it was clearer this time. A ripple from the far end. Something was in the water.

The little wave of movement flowed across the surface towards me. A sleek head surfaced, hair darkened by the dive.

‘Did you find it?’ I called down.

Murph shook his head as he tread water.

‘Nothing.’

I pressed my forehead against the cool metal of the railing and swore softly.

Murph pulled himself back onto the catwalk and wearily rubbed at the marks the goggles had left.

‘Give me ten minutes to rest and I’ll try again.’ I nodded in agreement. He’d been at this for hours. I didn’t know how much longer he could go on. I tightened the tourniquet a little. My leg had lost feeling a while back and my swollen foot had gotten a bluish quality.

The constant clatter and scraping from the other side of the door suddenly ceased. We both stopped breathing. Silence reigned for a long minute. Then the ringing thunder of metal striking metal echoed through our little watery chamber. They’d found a new way through the door. An excited wordless chatter rose up while whatever they’d found hit the door again. And again.

Murph pulled the goggles back on and dropped out of sight beneath the waves without a word. I peered into the depths after him, but all I saw were clouds of silt.

Our latest writing prompt winner was Brea Behn, author of YA Dystopian Romance, Wolves in the Woods.

You can view the original photo and prompt here on Facebook, and check out Brea’s winning story below!

Alex Tuoku was a slave, but brief moments like these — where he was able to give himself over completely to the music, even if for the entertainment of his captors — these were the moments he lived for. It was all he had. He’d always known he would never get off this planet, but today he was snatched up after his set and then everything changed.

“Who are you people?” Alex asked as the shuttle lifted into the air. The rescuer closest to him pulled a black helmet off revealing a tumble of blonde hair the same color as his own.

“Aliah! I thought I would never see you again.” Alex said pulling his twin sister into a hug.

They were both crying when they pulled away.

“How did you find me?”

His twin sister smiled. “We’re twins silly. I’ve always known where you were. Sorry it took me so long to get here. I had to get some quinar together to buy a crew. It took some time.”

They chatted for hours about his shows, his fame all over the galaxy and his life as a captor. The shuttle landed suddenly then and the bay door opened.

Aliah put a hand to Alex’s face. “Now it’s your turn to be free Alex.” “Aliah what did you do?” Alex was held back as his twin backed off the ship and into the waiting arms of a pion. The scum of the trading world. It was hard to read his reptilian face, but Alex was pretty sure he was smiling.

“I will come for you Aliah!” The doors slammed shut blocking his view as his sister was escorted away.

In his head he heard her words like when they were little: “I know you will Alex. I will be waiting.”

Check out this second win for Amber Butler! View the original prompt on Facebook here.

They’d come so far. Her tired head rested on his lap. She had started fat, strong, covered in white hair that shimmered in the ceaseless sunlight. Whether the sun had faded with her, or her with the sun, no one knew.

What they did know was that she was going to die.

He watched as the heartbeat that had pulsed beneath her translucent skin for a millennia slowed, as its light evaporated like the water and the food and the sun, as breath left her lungs.

He hadn’t meant to cry, not for her. He had one job. In thirty generations of masters and apprentices he, and only he, had one single, coveted job.

Dear god in heaven, he didn’t want it.

He wept, shocked at his ill preparedness considering all his preparation, and eased her beautiful, lifeless head into the snow. The sun was almost dark. He began to count.

He had ninety seconds.

He stuck the knife in below her rib cage and yanked upward, tearing apart this majestic beast who had fed humanity with her heartbeat for a thousand years. He drew it out, faintly glowing, barely beating, and flung it far out to the hungry sea. The waves rose to swallow her sacrifice and the light was lost to the water.

Twelve.

Eleven.

Ten.

The ocean brightened as her heart began to beat for the earth, and the sun rose and shone warm, and the ice began to melt, and he knew that hundreds of miles away, wheat and corn and apples were shooting up to feed the few starving millions who remained.

He was glad. She would have been glad.

But he couldn’t go to see it. Not yet. He just sat down beside her, put her ancient, cold head in his lap, and cried.