September 2014 -- 75-word Writing Challenge -- VICTORY TO TERESA EDGERTON!

[Mr Orange]

Ariki o te Puia



Whakarongo, listen. I am Ariki.

My burning blood made this land.

Then people came from Hawai’iki in wooden waka. They hunted ruthlessly on my shoulders, but they were few.

The Pakeha were next, riding billowing clouds and stripping my lands. The white man’s destruction knows no limits.

My whanaunga, my kin, rumble that devastation is everywhere.

Whakarongo! I am Ariki o te Puia, and with my whanaunga I will rise and start this world anew.

 

[Remedy]

There Will Never Be Another Drake Like Him

Dead of night.

My childless father walks across grass, crouches beside our cage, lights a cigarette.

Danger lurks in the shadows. My voice, no power to warn.

Father watches the lightning storm, uses his calming voice. Soothing.

He thinks the storm worries my girls and I. Danger lurks in the shadows.

Lovingly, his finger through the bars. My wet beak nibbles affection.

Quiet footsteps to the house, our goodbye.

I turn to face the polecat.

 

[martin321]

Dropship Sweethearts

Everyone names their gun. It's bad luck not to.

Mine's Lucy. Sleek black body, smooth curves, and a mouth to die for. Nobody messes with my girl.

Monty sleeps with his plasma rifle. Calls it Big Richard. I worry about him sometimes.

Harrison's minigun is called Bertha. Ugly as sin and a helluva handful, but you should hear her scream when she gets going.

We're moving out tomorrow. Then we'll really hear our girls talk.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Foreboding​

The furnishings here have a sly, secret look. At sunset, I light a candle and pray it lasts the night. I have always been persecuted by inanimate things.


The hall table rears up on shapely legs as I pass, glaring at me with malignant eyes. The grandfather clock clashes his false teeth. A gilded mirror leers.


Then a draft whispers across my skin. My treacherous candle wavers ... and goes out.


In the dark, something laughs.

 

[Culhwch]

Felis Familiaris

‘Who’s a pwetty widdle kitty, then?’

Susan was at it again. George buried his head in the newspaper.

‘Who wants a kiss from his daddy?’

’Susan.’

‘Just a widdle cuddles from his daddles?’

‘Susan.’

‘Oh, George, you can be so frustrating sometimes!’ cried Susan, stomping from the room.

Sighing, George considered the cat. He’d just never connected with the little furball.

‘I hate you, George,’ the cat said, glaring back.

 

[Boneman]

Kitchen Sink Drama


She cried over onions, for goodness' sake.

We'd been vegan for two decades, because Mary had a little lamb.

I blame the scientists for that one, damn genetic mixing was bound to turn out badly.

Peter Rabbit stole carrots; She hunted down farmers and despatched them because they... you know... shot the bunnies and ate them.

Hot dogs, even vegetarian ones? No way.

This rack of ribs? Delicious.

Organic, natural, made by mummy. Erm... from...

 

[The Judge]

LOVE


“Engine’s a bitch,” the vendor said.

I’d no choice. I needed a cheap ship for the Earth-Kessel contract.

I coaxed her engine, stroked her jets, whispered she was a good girl, I loved her, she’d make our fortune.

She never let me down. I loved her. She made our fortune.


I’m dying now. Hospitalised. Staring at the sky. Lost without her.

Sudden, brilliant light. Her engine, imploding.


My heart’s breaking.

Hers has already broken.

 

[Ursa major]

​

Be Prepared…​

Ironic, meeting them at Edwards Air Force Base. But I guess Edward planned—

“Mr President. It’s safe to approach the alien’s ship.” Of course it is. They’d destroy the world in a flash – literally – if they wanted to.

As I walk across the concrete apron, my nervous entourage about me, the starship’s ramp descends.

A small figure appears – their president – and waddles towards me. I fight the urge to shout, “Teddy!”

​

 

[Hermit the frog]

Little minds





“Dad, why’s there a bee in the oven?”

“You mean a bun, sweetie.”

She must have overheard her mum.

“Dad, there’s a weasel on my arm.”

Her sister is examining her arm, frowning.

“You mean a mole, darling.”

A high pitch shriek and I run to the front room.

The third is holding her leg and crying.

“There’s a crab in my muscle.”

“You mean a cramp honey. Where do you squids get these words.”

 

[TheDustyZebra]

Three and Twenty Black Days, Even as We Try


“I came for you when you were new.”

“Yes, but I was fresh and strong.”

“I came again when you were in your prime.”

“There were many brilliant approaches, then, but none from you.”

“It should be easy, now that you’re nearly done.”

“Ahh, but the rest have taught me much, and I can be very tricky now.”

“So it’s a tough battle no matter when we try?”

“That’s why they call me a Challenge!”

 

[Ursa major]

The September Challenge is now closed, and voting is open at the link below:

POLL -- SEPTEMBER 2014 75 Word Challenge -- READ FIRST POST!​