October 2013 -- SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- VICTORY TO THE JUDGE

[alchemist]

Rules:​

Write a story inspired by the chosen theme and genre in no more than 75 words, not including the title.​

One entry per person​

All stories Copyright 2013 by their respective authors,
who grant the Chronicles Network the non-exclusive right to publish them here​

The complete rules can be found at Rules for the Writing Challenges​

Because of the recent down time, note the new dates:

Contest ends at 11:59 pm GMT, October 25 2013​

Voting Ends at 11:59 pm GMT, October 30 2013​

You do not have to submit a story in order to vote --
in fact, we encourage all Chrons members to take part in choosing a winner​

The Magnificent Prize:​

The Dignified Congratulations/Grovelling Admiration of Your Peers
and the challenge of choosing the next month's theme and genre​

Theme:​

Pleasure​

Genre:​

Ghost Stories​

This thread to be used for entries only. Please keep all comments to the Discussion Thread​

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Re: October 2013 -- SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

CURSED PLEASURE

"The House." Josh checked her eyes were on him. "First, it feels you. Second, it measures you. Third time...." He drew a finger along his neck. "It takes you. I've been in twice before."
She grabbed him. "Josh! No!"
He shook her off. "Someone has to."
He entered the house. Counted to ten. Left.
She fell against him. "Josh! You're alive!"
He touched his lips on hers. She arched her back.
Fourth one this week.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Re: October 2013 -- SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

Pavane for a Dead Princess

What a lovely ballroom this is. The candles glow so brightly. They wink at me from the mirrors like friendly stars. I love the way the edge of my gown whispers against the floor as I dance. It sounds like the voice of a lover, calling from far away.

My reflections smile at me. I never grow tired of dancing with them. I wonder if the people I dance through will ever know such joy.

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

Re: October 2013 -- SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

The Countered Curse of the Dullahan
​

Seven minutes to midnight, the Dullahan rides. Charging down the roads, head in its arm, it searches for its victim.

A young maiden, no older than sixteen. The Dullahan stops, basin of blood ready. But something stays its hand.

The maiden smiles up at him innocently, handing the Dullahan a flower.

It leaves the victim alive, holding the flower to its armored chest, its grin no longer that of madness, but of pleased happiness.

 

[BigJ]

Re: October 2013 -- SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

Taking Pleasure In Your Work

“Snatch and grab. In and out. Simple.”

“And the ghosties?”

“Standard ethereal spirits.”

“So . . . ?”

“Dual phase energy displacement proton rounds and irradiated kevlar vests.”

“We got the cash for that?”

“I called in a favor.”

“Do I wanna know?”

“No.”

“Fair ‘nuff. Why ghosts?”

“Figured we could use some fun after Moscow.”

“Everybody loves a good ghost hunt. Pay’s good, too.”

“Exactly. Wake the other two up, boots on the ground in twenty.”

 

[Bowler1]

Re: October 2013 -- SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

Ghost Jokers

She looks scared.

Yeah, she does. Have you got the chains ready?

Too right I do, and my good knocking hammer, we’ll make a racket.

Are you ready?

Let’s do it….

WOooooHOOoooo

She fainted, oh my.

That’s too easy. Let’s go next door and do the kids, wake them up again.

That’s bad…we shouldn’t.

Go on, just for a bit, it’s fun.

Ok then, just the once tonight.

WOOOooooHOOooooo

Mummy, I want my mummy.

 

[Remedy]

Re: October 2013 -- SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

Pleasure's Price

It costs me to make her smile.

Every day I mould the thing that will curl her lips: a taste, a memory, a scent or a soothing sound perhaps.

I think she almost broke when I died. I nearly break when she smiles.

Each smile I make for her steals a piece of my wandering time.

When I reach my final moments, I will spend them on her.

One last perfect smile.

 

[Boneman]

Re: October 2013 -- SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

Keep Your Spirits Up​

"Don't you want to hear the swish of tiny feet, the tinkling of small chains?"

"No."

"You'd make a wonderful ghoulfather..."

"Look there's haunting to be done, late nights, howling and screaming - what sort of half-world is that to bring ghostlings into?

"But if I do this..."

"Ah... no... stop... oh... awoooooohhhh."

"Well? Did the ether move for you?"

"Wow... just ectoplasmic..."

The cot creaked, started rocking.

"Aaawaaa!"

"He wails just like his daddy."

 

[Hex]

Re: October 2013 -- SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

After

My eyes open on the blissful dark, far from the flare-broken night above, a night like all the others, filled with screaming and the crash of guns, with boys crying, "Sir! What now?"

Memories of living hell. I release them all, and sink into the cool earth, into the whispering of roots, the slow song of water and, deeper, the irresistible promise of silence.

 

[Mith]

Re: October 2013 -- SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

Who You Gonna Call?​

“Yeah man, I can help, jus’ you be payin’.”

Pull up in my car, sirens blazing, people staring. Kit up, wave at the crowd. Man I LOVE my job!

Proton pack ready, trap all prepared. I ain’t afraid of no ghost.

Beam on, catch it, trap it, contain it. That little sucker is mine!

Whoo!

“Ever have a ghost problem call me. My name’s Ray Parker and bustin’ makes me feel good.”

 

[ratsy]

Re: October 2013 -- SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

Pale Memories​

He watched her from the corner of the room. She was pretty; small and brunette. He imagined she smelled like lilacs. She teased him with her presence, though she didn't know it.

He floated in the air, for weeks. Something kept him anchored to this place.

Then he noticed a picture on the wall. It was him...and now he understood.

When she said his name while she slept, he warmed. Small pleasures.

 

[Juliana]

Re: October 2013 -- SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

Choice​

“My way is best, let them go out screaming…” said Pain, cruel smile on his handsome face.

“They often scream for me, too,” remarked Pleasure, mildly, brushing long, silken tresses from her perfect brow. “Anyhow, there’s sometimes pleasure in pain, so I say my way wins.”

Death stood up and pulled on his hood. “I’m sick of hearing you two bicker. Come on Boredom, you can serve me tonight.”

 

[reiver33]

Re: October 2013 -- SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

With Eyes Of Midnight Blue

She appeared, a mere swirling suggestion of womanhood, her voice a sultry whisper. “I remain chained to this world by acts incomplete. Dare I find release in your arms?”

I shivered, caressed by fire and ice, aroused beyond reason. “Yes, oh, yes.”

Young, naked, with alabaster skin and raven hair, she wound herself about my torso. “Even at risk of your immortal soul?”

I gasped. “Anything.”

We kissed. “Then I, a murdered succubus, thank you.”

 

[Mirannan]

Re: October 2013 -- SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

I hope this works. To squeeze it in, it gets a bit ungrammatical:

Promotion
Started out just another escort mission. Much flak, saw friends die.


Nearly got hit once or twice, but there’s nothing like flying combat. What a rush!


Close burst, blacked out for few seconds. Time to return – fuel.


Grass of airfield like emeralds. Landed, met people not seen for yonks, lots of girls, had great party. Thought Sandy dead?


Got up raring to go. Message on Tannoy: “Squadron Valhalla’s Own – Squadron Scramble!”

 

[TheDustyZebra]

Re: October 2013 -- SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

Joint Tenancy


That place is haunted -- the old librarian died there.

When any man would enter, he'd rattle his chains; it made the blood run cold.

He'd moan, groan, till they ran out, screaming.

Last year, a young lady came.

She rattled his chain. He entered; it made her blood run hot.

She moaned, groaned, till she passed out, screaming.

She bought the place, on the spot.

Old Casanova's her ghost, now.

She doesn't come out much.

 

[mosaix]

Re: October 2013 -- SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

Letting Go.

I’m so proud. She’s warm, intelligent, attractive, always listens to her dad and I’ve watched her slowly growing into a young lady.

Tonight’s her first date, a nice lad.

She whispers, “Dad, thanks so much for everything, but I think it’s time. You know…”

“Sure, I know and I knew you would when the time came. Look after yourself.”

She smiles, brushes away a tear, turns and walks towards him.

I’m so proud.

 

[MattC]

Re: October 2013 -- SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

Death? Mmm...​

Some of us are afraid of dying. The long bright tunnel of uncertainty is to the living, what the collected works of Shakespeare is to an illiterate.

Mystery, confusion.

Fear.

My peers (do I call them that, those monstrous wailing things trapped between the planes of life and death?), moan that it is all unfair; they still want life.

But I remind them: it's not death that matters.

It's how you die.

Oh...
...Yeah, baby...

 

[Tywin]

Re: October 2013 -- SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

Streetwalker

If you’re in Englewood alone on a dark night, you might hear the whisper of an offer, and a feel a hand on your thigh.

Don’t be afraid, that’s just Shanae, working her corner like she always did.

Shanae was Leroy’s top girl. A real pro.

So relax, the old wraith still knows her job.

But when you’re done, weak-kneed and sweating, drop a twenty for her, or you might meet Leroy too.

 

[Mr Orange]

Re: October 2013 -- SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

The Pleasure of Release



I run cold, lifeless fingers down the back of his sweaty neck. The fat pig squeals with unfamiliar fear. His terror fills me with delicious warmth, dulling the pain.

Do it…

Trembling with dread, he flings his rope over the familiar oak beam and stands on the stained, plastic chair.

Do it!

His body jerks, swings, then is still. Happiness overcomes me.

The rope burns on my neck and wrists fade.

Finally, I can rest.

 

[paranoid marvin]

Re: October 2013 -- SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE

Love Goes By Haps


'If thou dost want for love's delight'
The old crone told the boy
'Then hie thee to the mere tonight
And find there endless joy'

Into the moonlit depths he stared
His lovelorn heart to save
Until a maiden pale and fair
Beckoned from 'neath the waves

'Come close my dear' her voice rang light
He leaned down from above
With arms outstretched she held him tight
And drowned him with her love