First Campaigner Challenge

I saw a challenge that Lee at Tossing it Out is doing.
Now, I didn’t know who Rachael Harrie at Rach Writes was, but when I went to her site to read about the challenge and saw the first sentence, well…it made me feel creepy and I LOVE CREEPY.  So, she must be cool.
Here is the First Campaigner Challenge (due February 24, 11:59 p.m. EDT) blurb.
Write a short story/flash fiction story in 200 words or less, excluding the title. It can be in any format, including a poem. Begin the story with the words, “Shadows crept across the wall”. These five words will be included in the word count.
If you want to give yourself an added challenge (optional), do one or more of these:
  • end the story with the words: "everything faded." (also included in the word count)
  • include the word "orange" in the story
  • write in the same genre you normally write
  • make your story 200 words exactly!
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Lessons Learned
Shadows crept across the wall and the floor of the cave outlining hundreds of hairy tarantulas.  Beyond my reach, I could see freedom in a sunset of orange and yellow through the cave door.
“I shouldn’t be here,” I growled at my soon to be ex-husband.
“There’s no one else I’d rather see this migrating miracle with, before we part ways.”  He kissed my head as we sat side by side.
 “Did our last fling need to include arachnophobia?”
 “It’ll be hard for you, Debi, but make no knee jerk decisions,” he chuckled.
A moan stalled in my throat. “Bart, I’m freaking out. The spider fear is from my childhood. Remember?” Then I felt the tug on my sleeve as two youngsters attempted to climb over me to join the others.  
“Move back into the cave.”
“You’re an idiot.”
“You’re the idiot for leaving me.” He pointed to the arachnids above my head.
I couldn’t help it I screamed and scooted backwards with racecar speed, until—I fell. It was the pit in the cave floor and my soon to be grieving scoundrel of a husband that got me, not the spiders.
A lesson learned too late before everything faded.
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After reading my short story/flash fiction of 200 words, if you want to vote for it you can pop over to Rach Writes and Like my entry.  I'm #186-I think.
Happy Weekend!
Teresa

Comments

Arlee Bird said…
I don't really think that I needed to be introduced to hundreds of hairy tarantulas right before going to bed. And caves can give me bad dreams. Oh well, maybe it will give me something to write about on my dream blog. Glad to see that you jumped in this Challenge with your fun entry.


Lee
An A to Z Co-Host
Tossing It Out
Twitter: @AprilA2Z
#atozchallenge
Anonymous said…
You certainly captured creepy. Nicely done.

I'm #88. Comments welcome.
Richard Alan
Hi Teresa .. that's a little cruella of a tale - not sure at all that I'd like to listen to your ghost stories .. I'm feeling a little queasy now at the thought ..

Glad the A - Z is keeping you busy at all hours of the day and night dreaming away! Cheers Hilary
JD said…
Unexpected end! I thought something was up when she brought up the childhood fears, but still! :)
Liza said…
Yeow! The images of the tarantulas was pretty clear...and intense! Nice twist at the end. (I'm 112)
Jess said…
Aaaahh tarantulas!? VERY SCARY!! Great job!!

I'm entry #19 in the challenge :)
Joanne said…
I like flash fiction, your story got me caught up in its "web" of words ;)
Ann Cory said…
Creepy indeed! Nice work!
~Sia McKye~ said…
Nice, Teresa! Makes you wonder why and how they got to this point. You packed a lot into 200 words.

Sia McKye OVER COFFEE
EWWWW, gave me the willies just like it was suppose to.

What fun for you.

Great write sweetie!!!

God bless and have yourself a fantastic weekend!!! :o)
Anonymous said…
revenge served best...

Hate spiders too! But dag...that man is awesome!

Hope you like mine #189
http://writebackwards.we3dements.com
bridget said…
Yeah, I could not be in there. Nice job. Mine is #71
Carrie-Anne said…
Nice story. I'm a lifelong arachnophile and have long wanted a pet tarantula, but I think even I'd be freaked out to see that many of them in an enclosed space.

I'm #123.
Gwen Gardner said…
Way creepy! I don't do spiders *shudders*. Well done:)
Carol Kilgore said…
Eewwwwww ... HATE spiders. Very creepy. I picked my feet up off the floor as I read this. Skin is crawling.

Happy Weekend!
SF said…
Congratulations! You've been shortlisted to move on to stage two of the first campaign challenge!
Indie said…
You had me at hello (or maybe arachnids).

Great writing JW!

Indie
Jennifer M said…
Wow that was creeptastic... I hate spiders. Great job, gave me the heebie jeebies. Kudos.
Unknown said…
Hate spiders too! But you certainly do need to look out for those nasty husbands!

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