Writing Prompt 14

[Laina]

Your mission Mr. Phelps, should you choose to accept it...........

LOL

Okay here's the scenario. There's a boy named Brady and a girl named Emilee. Emilee and Brady are ten years old. They came upon a dead body as they walk home from school. What happened? 500 Words. Have Fun!

Brownie points for using the words:

Fingernail

Marshmallow

Chewing gum

Lady Bug

Purse

Blue

[Katharine]

(370 words)



“Eeewww, what’s that?” Emilee wrinkled her nose at a pile of clothes piled up next to the building. “What’s that person doing there?”

Brady drew a sharp breath. The sleeve of the blue flannel shirt looked like it was stuffed, as though somebody’s arm were still in it. He wouldn’t go any nearer, but stopped on the sidewalk to look.

“It’s just somebody’s clothes. You know, those homeless guys leave stuff all over. You better not pick it up – they get mad if you touch anything. My mom says they’re just trying to protect what they’ve got, even if it’s not much.” Brady nervously rubbed his fingernail on the side of his thumb. Emilee was right; it did look kind of like a body.

Unable to restrain her natural 10-year-old curiosity, Emilee circled to the other side of the pile.

“Brady, there’s even a purse under there. What if they left their money in it? It’s gonna get stolen.”

“What, you think you’re going to find the owner?” Brady snorted. All she wanted was an excuse to poke around. Girls – they could be so nosy. “Come on, Emilee, let’s go. Want to come over and have a snack? My mom made marshmallow pie yesterday.”

“Yeah, and your brother prob’ly ate it already when he got home from school.” She kept looking, craning her neck to see more.

“Do you smell that? It smells like… I don’t know what.” Emilee tipped her head toward her classmate. “Come here. See what you think.”

Brady took a half step back, away from the clothes. They didn’t look right, but he wasn’t going to poke around and get in trouble.

“Oh, the smell is worse. Don’t you think it could be—“

Brady cut her off. “Here, want some chewing gum? It’ll make your breath smell better.”

Emilee whipped around to face him. “What do you mean, I have bad breath? That is so rude!”

“Emilee, I didn’t mean that, but can we just go now?” He didn’t mean to whine, either, but couldn’t help himself. “I don’t like this, and my mom’ll be waiting for me. Whatever happened to counting ladybugs and junk like that? Can’t we just walk home, for gosh sakes?”

[jacks girl]

500 words

Anne

“Man it’s hot.” Brady said as he kicked an empty coke can he found on the way home from school. It was 98 degrees and the dirt road that led to home was very dusty because it hadn’t rained in days.

“I bet mom has some lemonade ready by now.” Emilee said taking her turn at kicking the can as she tossed her BLUE PURSE over her shoulder. “I love home made lemonade.”

“Yea a couple ice cubes and it’s perfect.” Brady said taking out a stick of gum, he unfolded it and looked at the fake tattoo that was inside the wrapper. “Here this one has a LADY BUG that’s a girl tattoo.”

“Thanks, it’s pretty.” Emilee said licking the back of her hand and pressing the tattoo to her MARSHMELLOW white skin.”

Brady kicked the can again then Emilee took another turn and the can went over into the bushes.

“Man sis your aim is terrible.” Brady said and ran over to get the can then yelled for his sister. “Come here! AH man this is terrible. Look!”

“What is it?” Emilee said sounding bored as she looked down at her bruised fingernail. She was sure it was just another dumb frog. But when she went over to where her brother was standing she covered her mouth. “Oh my. I knew this would happen. I knew it.” Emilee bent down and looked at the small crumpled body.

“I’m going straight home and tell Johnny that I found a dead body on the way home.”

Emilee shook her head at her little brother. “You’re crazy is that all you can think about is out doing that stupid kid with his wild stories.”

“Johnny is always bragging about stuff cause his dads a cop. May be I can get his dad to come out here and investigate what happened.”

“I don’t think so.” Emilee said shaking her head as she felt the tears start to fall. “We all know what happened to poor little Anne, it’s not a great shock. I told you just the other day that someone was going to be driving down this road and hit her. She’s always out in the road. It’s so sad, but Jesus in heaven will welcome her home.”

Emilee straightened up and looked down at the gray hair and a tear ran down her freckled cheek. “We better go tell dad he’ll want to know. After all she’ll need a proper burial and Dad will do that.”

“Yea Dad loved Anne, I did too.” Brady said.

“We better go but we better take the baby.” Emilee said hic-cupping out a tear.” Emilee said making a face. I don’t want to touch her.”

“You think I do.” Brady said.

“You pick up those frogs all the time. Do it.”

“Girls you are such babies.” Brady said and he bent over and pulled the small opossum from its mother it curled up around his fingers and he smiled and rubbed its soft fur.

[Laina]

LOL Kath ........... bad breath. Great story!

You too Jacks. Loved the ending. Didn't 'spect a pos'um!!!

I love these writing prompts!

[Tommie Lyn]

Great job, Katharine and Jacks.

Uh, Jacks, you better not read my story. I'm putting this warning so you can skip over it... (don't know what kind of mood I'm in lately -- whatever it is, my stories seem to be getting more gruesome. {shudder})

[Tommie Lyn]

Hockey Sticks and Collectible Cards

Word Count: 480


Brady dragged a stick along the blue pickets of Mrs. Mamie's front fence as he ran past her yard. The sound was like fingernails on a chalkboard to the old lady, and within a minute, Emilee and Brady heard her voice yelling at them when she emerged onto her front porch.

"You kids better quit that! Y'all're gon' be sorry some day! Like that Evans boy! He was always clacking that hockey stick of his on my fence!"

“Why'd you do that again?” Emilee stomped along after Brady. “You know she hates it. I had to run so fast I dropped my new Hannah Montana card with the ladybug I got from Mahala.”

“No big deal,” Brady said.

“Yes, it is! I swapped Mahala my marshmallow cookie and a pack of chewing gum for it!” Emilee stopped, put her hands on her hips and glared him. “You're gonna have to go back with me and find it.”

“Forget about it. Them cards is stupid anyway. But . . . wonder why she said that about Bobby Evans?”

“You made me lose it. You're gonna help me find it.”

“Aw, stimpleburger!” Brady's expletives were homegrown and changing but they kept him out of trouble with his mama.

He turned, shoulders drooping, and followed Emilee back the way they'd come. When they neared Mrs. Mamie's house, they slowed to reconnoiter. And saw Mrs. Mamie on her porch, cleaning the dead blossoms from the jasmine vine which grew along the railing.

“Look,” Brady whispered. “She's still there. Let's go.”

“Nope. We'll just have to wait til she goes in.”

Brady saw his mother's car turn the corner and come down the street toward them.

“Quick! Hide in the bushes! If Mama sees us . . .”

The two dove into the undergrowth at the edge of Mrs. Mamie's property, flopped onto their bellies and watched as Brady's mama glided to a stop in her Honda at the curb. She exited, reached in, got her purse and a Meals on Wheels covered casserole and her heels click-clacked up the walk to Miss Mamie's steps.

“Okay, now what, Miss I-gotta-have-my-stupid-card?” Brady whispered through clenched teeth.

“Let's sneak to the dirt road behind her house. We'll come back for my card later.”

They crawled through the tangled undergrowth, pausing twice to free themselves from the grasp of briars and bushes.

Brady stopped.

“What's that smell?” he asked, although he knew what it was. What he didn't know was the source of it.

“Something dead.”

They crawled further and the smell got stronger.

“Phew! I think it's coming from Mrs. Mamie's house.”

And as they crawled past the back steps, they came face to face with Bobby Evans, lying under a bush, his body impaled on his hockey stick.

[melw]

A Blue Purse
Word count 496

Brady was chewing gum, blowing big bubbles. He and Emilee were walking home down the dirt track. It was the way they always walked home after a day at school.

“Brady, lets go to the creek, it’s cooler there.” Emilee said as she headed down the slippery path.

“Wait up Lady Bug,” it was his nickname for Emilee. Brady heard a scream and ran down the path after Emilee.

Emilee was backed up against a tree and slid to the ground. She was as white as the marshmallows her mum made. “L-look,” Emilee pointed with a shaky finger.

Brady turned around and stared in shock. There was a body, lying very still and covered in leaves. He said in a whisper, “Is she dead?”

“I don’t know, look there’s her purse. Let’s find out her name.”

“I’m not picking it up.”

“Please Brady,” by now Emilee had started chewing on her second fingernail. “I can’t do it.”

Brady slipped closer and reached out a hand and managed to just pull the handle of the purse. It was blue with pink dots on it. “I am not going to open it Lady Bug.”

“Okay let me,” Emilee said trying to sound brave. She hoped her hands weren’t shaking. She opened the bag and looked through the contents. She pulled out the license and stared in shock.

There was noise of someone coming. Brady dragged Emilee down to the creek where they was a cave. The entrance was covered with bush just like the batman cave on TV.

They both held their breath while they heard footsteps above them near the body. “Let’s bury her properly.” A gruff voice said.

“Why don’t we put her in the river?”

“Not a chance, besides here no one comes down anymore. Now where did you put her purse?”

Emilee looked at her hands; she was still hanging onto it. Brady pulled her along and whispered in her ear. There is another way out of here.”

They went through the damp insides of the cave; there was a small sliver of light in front of them. They both clambered over rocks and found themselves on the other side of the park.

They were back near school, they ran into the school, but it was locked. All the teachers had gone home. They ran towards the police station.

There they ran into Sergent Wilson, shakily they told their story. He listened before quickly sending out the dogs to track the killers.

Emilee and Brady’s parents had been worried about them. Now they were heroes to the town. Lady bug and Brady who as the years went by they grew up never forgetting what they had seen the warm spring day.

Lady bug looked up at Brady. “Detective Fraser, can you hand me that evidence bag?”

“Sure Detective Green, what have you got?”

“Another blue purse.” They just looked at each other remembering the blue purse they found many years ago.

MEL

[jacks girl]

Thanks for the warning Tommie. Real life stuff don't bother me as much as the spiritual realm of things. I can usually handle brutal murders as long as it's not a real ugly gore. I did like the old days when the guy was shot and he fell down no blood just a small hole compared to the ugly CSI"s and the like on TV now. but now on the other hand bring in the spiritual world ghosts and such and i'll run and hide. LOL!

I don't think i want to live next to that old lady... LOL!

I'll read yours next melw

[jacks girl]

Good story melw I like the way you jumped into the future at the end. I also liked the cave.

Jacks

[Laina]

Very nice Mel, I like the cave too

Tommie I sure didn't expect that! Very creative.

[Laina]

I'll Be Your Best Friend
Word Count - 500

The bell rang. Wooden chairs scuffled on the old plank floor. The students gathered their lunch pails and books. The murmur of soft voices filled the room.

Mrs. Holloway rose from her seat. “Students, I’ll be here for another hour if you need help or want to play on the school grounds. Brandy and Emilee, may I please see you?

Brady gazed at Emilee’s head and pulled a pigtail. “Uh oh, now we’re in trouble.”

Emilee slapped Brady’s hand. “Shush. Why should we be in trouble?”

Mrs. Holloway seemed blue today. Brady positioned himself in the chair farthest away so Emilee took the seat right next to the teacher.

“Brady, I want to remind you to not bring your Black Jack to class. This is the second day in a row I’ve caught you chewing gum.” Mrs. Holloway extended her palm.

Brady stood, pursed his lips, fished in his pocket and handed two pieces to Mrs. Holloway. “Yes, ma’am. I’m sorry.” He sat and looked at the floor. He watched a bug crawl towards the door wishing her could so the same.

Emilee kicked her legs in front of her. She admired Mrs. Holloway’s beautiful long fingernails as she flipped through papers on her desk.

“Emille I see you are doing a report on ladybugs. Is that right?”

“Yes, ma’am that’s right. I’m almost finished with it. I’m using a nursery rhyme with the report – is that okay?


Ladybug! Ladybug!
Fly away home.
Your house is on fire.
And your children all gone.
All except one,
And that's little Ann,
For she crept under
The frying pan.”

Mrs. Holloway smiled. “That will be fine Emilee. What about you Brady, are you done with yours?”

Brady beamed. “Yes ma’am. All finished.”

“Fine. The both of you are my best students and I want you to set an example for the others to follow. Not only turning your work in on time, but also in your behavior.”

Brady cheeks turned bright red. “Yes, ma’am. Can we go now?”

Mrs. Holloway stood. Brady stood a little too quick and toppled his chair. Emilee bent over to help him stand the chair on its legs.

Mrs. Holloway smiled and lifted the chair off of the floor. “Go ahead, the both of you. I’ll replace the chairs.”

Brady and Emilee raced to the door. They both turned and said, “Bye Mrs. Holloway.”

“Let’s race Emilee.”

“Nah, you always win. Let’s go to the tree fort. We haven’t been there in awhile.”

“One, two, three go.” Brandy ran ahead. He fell to the ground.

“You okay, Brandy?” Emilee ran to meet up with him.

“I tripped on something.” Brady scanned the path and saw a furry leg.

Emilee scurried and reached the leg and found Brady’s Old Blackie swarming with flies. “Don’t come any closer Brady. It’s Blackie.”

“Noooo.” Brady’s eyes pooled. “He’s my best friend.”

Emilee slipped her hand in Brady’s. “I’ll be your best friend. I’ll even share a toasted marshmallow with you tonight.”

[jacks girl]

Poor Old Blackie. Good job where did you get the poem. did you write it?

[Tommie Lyn]

Very good, Mel and Laina. I enjoyed your stories.

[Laina]

Thanks Tommie.

No Jacks.......it's really a nursery rhyme. I remembered Lady Bug Lady Bug, but couldn't remember the rest so I had to look it up!

Yeah poor old Blackie. What would we do without our furry friends, huh?

[MsDee]

Word Count 509


Shortcuts


The school bell could not ring fast enough for Emilee and Brady who sat in Ms. Blumstein’s Science class. Her droning on about the lifespan of a lady bug was torturous. It always surprised Emilee how her science teacher got so excited about the mundane. I bet she could find something scientifically fascinating about something as simple as a marshmallow, she thought.
The ear piercing bell rang and Emilee exchanged looks with Brady. They agreed to meet after science class and walk home together. Ms. Blumstein’s attempted to get the homework assignment out in time as her students rushed out of class. The sound of books slamming and chairs skidding across the floor drowned out her futile efforts at assertiveness.
June was the last month of the school year and with summer quickly approaching it was difficult to hold a child’s attention in the classroom.
The school building was spilling out with students who excitedly walked or ran home eager to begin their weekend. Some children ran to waiting station wagons and mini vans filled with anxious soccer moms or tired weekend dads. Emily and Brady always walked home together. It was their thing ever since third grade when they were given permission to walk home on their own. The small town of Liberty was as safe as Mayberry. All that was missing was Aunt Bea placing a freshly baked apple pie on her window sill to make the scene complete.

“Why don’t we take the shortcut through Sammy’s candy store? I want to pick up a pack of baseball cards." Brady asked.

“I don’t know.”

Emilee was wary of shortcuts, being a big fan of horror stories, she knew that shortcuts were never a good idea but it was a little passed three in the afternoon and she thought, what’s the worst that could happen?”

“Em, If you come with me, I’ll let you have the chewing gum this time.”

“Gee, a hard as rock strip of gum is tempting. I wouldn’t want to pass that up.” She said sarcastically.

It was a sunny day and taking the shortcut through the gravel road behind Sammy’s candy store might be a good idea although solitary it would get them home faster and out of the scorching sun. Brady was excited about the baseball cards in his fresh pack.

"Whoa, I got Sammy Sosa. Yes!”

“Oh no!’ said Emilee

“What do you mean “oh no” Sammy Sosa is the best!”

Brady looked at Emilee and her face was as white as a ghost. She was pointing to something by a heap of gravel. Brady realized she was not talking about the baseball player as he watched a dozen flys buzzing around what a body. He walked closer to get a better look when Emilee pulled him back.

“What are you crazy?”

“Who is it?”

“I don’t know. All I know is that taking shortcuts is always a bad idea. Just ask her”

“Her?”

Emilee knew the body was that of a woman. There was no denying it. Her vibrant red fingernail was proof.

[jacks girl]

Great story, you kept me interested I liked the way you worked ladybug into the story.

If you want next time you can put the words that we are supposed to use in bold or highlight them in color. I'm not meaning to be picky or anything but it makes it easier to read if you double space between the paragraphs through all the story as you did at the end.

So glad that you joined us pick out some of the old prompts if you want too if any of them sounds interesting to you.

Jacks, by the by what do you write most of the time.

[MsDee]

These are fun!
I didnt read any others until I finished my own. Is that a good idea?
Thanks for the tips Laina!
I loved some of the twist in the other stories and how we all pretty much got in touch with the ten year old inside of us all LOL
Besides Laina did anyone else import something from their past into the story?
I imported the chewing gum and my desire to live in mayberry and be adopted by Aunt bea LOL

[jacks girl]

Most of the time I don't read others until I've done mine I don't want to feel that I have copied anyone. LOL!

Check out some of the others or I have a brand new one out there no one has looked at I been to busy to do it myself.

So glad to see you joining in. I'm a country bumpkin so i guess I always toss in something from my country living like the dirt roads we used to have when i was small. I put a lot of myself on one of the others where I wrote about the day the sky turned green.

not sure which prompt that was but it wasn't long ago. I used a couple of my real friends Randy and Pat who were twins and used to come down and play cars with me, yea not dolls CARS.. LOL!

jacks

[Tommie Lyn]

Good job, MsDee. Glad you enjoyed doing the prompt.

I've found prompt writing to be valuable. It keeps me writing (there are times when I'm editing instead of writing, and prompt writing keeps my "writing muscles" limber and warmed up during those times). Plus, just as with other activities, the more you write, the better you get at it.

And by letting go and letting it flow, with nothing big at stake, you turn your creativity loose to develop what it will -- and sometimes, you may find that you've written a gem, a "keeper."

[Laina]

Great job Dee! I'm so glad you joined in the prompt. We hope to see you contribute to the new prompts too.

There is no right or wrong. If you want to read first and then post your story, that is fine. Or if you want to post your story and then read, that's fine too. I have done it both ways. Sometimes by reading the other stories, it has gotten my creative juices flowing.