December 2017 -- 75 Word Writing Challenge -- VICTORY TO PETER V!

[juelz4sure]

Blessing

Tears roll down my face as the tiny casket closes.

Memories engulf me, the look on my daughter's face and the drunkard rolling from his truck.

A hand lands gently on my shoulder startling me, an elderly woman hands me something wrapped up.

My heart stops as I look down upon my sleeping daughter, around her neck is the same locket I'm wearing.

"Buy how," I ask looking up at the empty cemetery.

 

[Joshua Jones]

Sir Albert Dragonbane, Dragon-hunted

Sir Albert sprinted away, jewel stowed, enraged dragon in pursuit. Dodging fire blasts, the knight threw his javelin.

Wounded, the reptile collapsed as Albert approached, sword drawn.

“We sense that enchanted sapphire,” the creature laughed. “We will find and kill...”

“You won't.” He swung his sword.


Albert rapped his mother-in-law's door. “Why, it’s Sir Albert, Knight-most-errant. Find a real job yet?”

“A peace offering?” he asked. She beamed as he presented the sapphire.

 

[Vaz]

Only The Winds.

They can't see me stood at the back. My brother Pad concludes a story of last Christmas involving me, a firework, and the cat; drawing unexpected laughs from my family.

There is no greater gift than sharing laughter with loved ones.

It's something I will miss.

Jeorgia covers the coffin with a last patch of dirt, binding my flesh with the earth.

I fade. Joining the winds on the dark howling plain.

 

[Phyrebrat]

In the Rafters of Tibet

Legs broken, crampons lost, starving.
And it gets worse: There’s something up here with me. Not in my tent, but near.

Screaming hoots roll around the rocky ceiling of the world, a haunting lament that chills me faster than the snow. I’m being stalked; slowly, with caution.

***

I opened the tent yesterday to find a gutted and skinned red panda.
Today, though, it’s a yak.
Enough to keep me fed for weeks.

Hrooooo…

 

[HazelRah]

Captured


The camera flashed, ejecting a slide of white card.

“Let's take another, mum.”

Lucy laughed, “Wait, you don't want to see how this one turns out first?” She wafted the card dramatically.

“Okay! Let's see!”

They crouched together, their heads touching as they peered at the developing image - two happy faces.

Lucy smiled, pulling her daughter into a one armed hug.

No matter what happens next, she thought, this small moment will forever be perfect.

 

[The Judge]

Wanted: a Drone from a Crone


Everyone knows Fairy Godmothers attend a Princess’s birth to bestow gifts. What they don’t tell you is they turn up every birthday after that. You don’t know the meaning of embarrassment till three old bats materialise at your 16th, just as you’re snogging Prince Charming.

And the gifts. Beauty, wit, grace, whatever. Like, every year. Talk about no imagination. So I’ve made a list – Presents for the Present. Neat, huh? So: iPod, iPad, interactive android...

 

[The Big Peat]

The Martyr's Fire

“Present!”

Six rifles point at him.

“Last chance.” Sweat beads adorn the officer’s scarlet face. “Foreswear your shapeshifting.”

His head twitches, his mouth opens, his heart hammers.

He forces the word out: “Never.”

Life is sweet but his people need hope. A hero. He can give them that gift. At a price.

“Fire!”

He sags, blood warm on his chin. One last magic. One…

—-

Wings of flame burst from the corpse and the phoenix rises.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

Twelve Days


“How’s Patricia taking it, your being away for Christmas?”

“Not well, but she’ll be surprised. I set an incrementing recursive loop in the time portal, to deliver a gift each day.”

“Clever. How did you get around the—”

“Oh, CRAP!”

***

“Michael, you idiot!” Patricia screamed, waving off over sixty squawking, flapping birds while kicking frantically at menacing geese and swans, as eight puzzled maids with cows peered out of the portal. “Gold rings, my ass!”

 

[Mad Alice]

The Continuous "Has Been"

Derrick 2.0 ensconced himself opposite the Jewelers.
Snow enlaced the Christmas shoppers. Bright laughter echoed one disheveled young man, dropping to his knees, handing his girl a snowball in proposal and she mockingly curtseyed. The snowball snapped open, revealing an engagement ring.

The brightest star in the sky lit up her eyes.

Derrick 2.0 sighed, getting into his car. The meteor smashed down, Derrick's car protecting the couple.

The girl gasped. "That was close, Derrick!"

 

[Ursa major]

The Time Projectionist’s First Day on the Job​

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“This isn’t the past?”

“We’re in the present, but we’re experiencing the past. If we were in the past, we might change the past’s future. That’s our present.”

“Your so-called time machine is a con.”


When the last of the time tourists had gone – many had asked for their money back – his boss called him over.

“Next time, Jimmy, explain nothing. Experience has taught us: ‘Mention the past/present… and few tour.’”
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[Ursa major]

This Challenge is closed to new entries.

Voting is now open at the link below:

POLL -- December 2017 75-Word Challenge -- READ FIRST POST!

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[The Judge]

Not voted yet?

HURRY UP AND VOTE, THEN!
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