Prompt 31

[melw]

I was thinking about this one for a while

You are on holiday or vacation. You see a person that you haven't seen in a long time. Who are they and why are they there? What do they mean to you?
Try to do it in a mystery genre and i will give you up to 750 words for a change, but i won't ask you to put in any words.

Good luck

MEL
PS. i might not get this done until late january

[TL11]

I pray I’m not jumping in here too early, but I love this game. So here we go… If I'm breaking any rules like Melw is suppose to go first, please let me know. Okay:)


Last Chance to Forgive
(750)

The smell of burnt flesh tied with the sound of people running around screaming their bodies were on fire, jarred my attention… from a laid out cold position.

Hit in the head by falling debris, startled, I jumped up from the hot asphalt and raced to find shelter. Hot ash stuck to my jeans causing me to wince as the material melted to my skin.

Out of sorts not knowing where I was or what to do, I moved forward through the sludge. Dismembered people staggered by me, their faces burnt half off or an ear severed. Large gashes in the skin. Destruction covered the earth. Had the end of time come?

Where am I. “Where am I?” My voice echoed off the distance. “Heavenly Father!”

Grudging through several miles, I spotted flashes of light. They hasten, soared and darted by me, over and through me. In the distance, a light appearing to be a sign of the Son breaking through, I moved forward in the hopes of reaching him.

In that moment, I heard a screeching voice. Not being able to see where it shouted from, I knew I walked in the direction of the terrified voice.

“Help me. Please angel help me!” I looked side to side and behind me for the man saw an angel, but I did not see the angel he called out to.

Getting closer to the afflicted voice, I saw in the debris, a man cut in half, yet still alive. The stench pouring from his body leaked rancid the smell of putrid sewage and fried hair.

“Angel of the Lord. Please help me. I don’t want to die. Ask your God to forgive me, please!” He was calling me an angel of the Lord. Like that’s possible. I’m here just like you.

“Just because I’m not missing limbs, and able to walk doesn’t mean I’m an angel of the Lord.” I cried to the man. Wait. I recog-- Is this—“Derek! Is that you? What have you done to yourself?” I severed ties with this man long ago. Because I knew, my father— loved him more. My father didn’t want a girl—

While I taught Sunday school, my father went to this man’s college football games, bought him his first car, co-signed a loan to his house, and helped him with his campaign while he ran for governor. The endless list diminished a father and daughter relationship as pride, envy, jealousy and hate had their way in my heart.

Looking down, I saw the excruciating pain in his eyes. I wanted to help him… but what could I do…

So, I knelt down beside him with tears in my eyes, “I love you brother. Please forgive me.” As I placed my hand on his forehead, his life ran up through my veins and there… I saw my brother’s sin.

Not only an Atheist who blasphemed my Lord’s Spirit, but also a player who entertained other Atheist with his tongue. A politician, who lied to get from point A to Z, crushing anyone who got in his way. Corrupt. My brother laughed and mocked God and his Son Jesus Christ. A wicked man indeed. One… God greatly despised. And this was only the beginning of his sorrows.

“Kill me, the pain is too great—kill me, I want to die!” My brother screamed as his voice changed back and forth from man to something satanic.

I jerked my hand away from his head. Instantly, my hand healed. Jumping back, the man turned into a ball of raging fire. The demons inside his heart and flesh wailed, wept and gnashed their teeth.

“If I was an Angel of the Lord I wouldn’t be here—”

“Come into the light. Leave the dead for the dead.” A tremendous voice of many waters said. I trembled for the ground shook when he spoke.

“Yes my Lord.” Ahead, the bright light made the end appear near.

“Doctor, she’s awake!”

Breathing heavy, I sat up and looked around. “Where’s Derek! Is he okay?”

“She’s got amnesia! Jewels, it’s mom. Hunny, your brother died five years ago, don’t you remember?”

“She’s going to be fine,” the doctor said, “she doesn’t have amnesia, just a nasty bump on her head. The MRI read clear. But unfortunately, vacation is over. No more skiing for you. You must get rest.”

Seeing clear now, I looked at the man holding my hand. “Hi dad.”

“Jewels, I love you, my beautiful girl.”

“Thanks dad.”

[melw]

It's not too early, good job TL11.

Anyone can jump in at any time. I just didn't expect to get to it yet. Also i don't have much time at the moment.

MEL

[candle]

I hadn’t really looked at the clerk when I ordered my cone from the ice cream cart. Now my hand was sharing a grip on the same cone with the man of my nightmares. Horrified that he would recognize me, I all but jerked the cone from him and turned away. I had to force myself to walk calmly away. Had he recognized me? His sneering smile seemed to confirm he had. I mechanically licked my cone. My shaking threatened to dislodge the mountain of ice cream atop the cone.

What should I do? Should I talk to security at this small island resort? I had known that my stalker had been released on parole. I would have never thought that he would be working on the resort. I had paid for a “relaxing week in paradise”—what a cruel joke that seemed. I could feel my back tightening as I walked the beach, oblivious to the beauty. The only way on or off the island was provided by resort staff. I couldn’t just leave. I couldn’t stay—I wouldn’t stay. I wasn’t going to put myself through the horror again.

My feet had reached that conclusion before my mind. I was already walking up the steps of the office building, still holding my cone. I asked the receptionist to page the Head of Security. I was surprised by the diminutive woman who walked toward me.

“Hello, my name is Laurie.” She extended her hand.

“I am Kate. I am a, staying here this week.” Laurie nodded at my mumblings. “I have an issue I would like to discuss with you in private, please.” I didn’t relish reliving my horror in the lobby.

“Of course; please come in.” She indicated the open office door to my left.

After I was seated, I told her what had happened at the ice cream stand, and my past. “I’m sure it is the same man. I am terrified. I don’t want to stay on the island with him.

From across the desk she smiled placatingly. “Of course. I understand. Let me do some checking on this for you. I’ll get back to you with my results.” She rose. I stayed sitting.

“I’ll wait here.” I gave my attention to my dripping cone. She seemed confounded that I didn’t follow her invitation to leave.

“It could take some time, ma’am. I’m sure you would be more comfortable somewhere else on the island.”

“No.” I answered sweetly between licks. “I feel safest right here. I’ll wait.” I had learned, oh had I learned. Last time the security guys all brushed off my fears, telling me that I couldn’t be sure it was always the same man, that the notes were pranks, that the phone calls were random. I knew better now. I was going to make sure this time that I was taken seriously. I had learned that I had good instincts for danger. I wouldn’t ignore them again.

Laurie came back with some print outs. “Yes, the name he gave is the same as your stalker. But his application makes no mention of prison time, and there are no gaps in his employment history. To verify all his stated employment would take quite a bit of time. The resort’s policy is that the guests must be 100% satisfied with their experience here. I can refund your money, if you like, and offer you a ride to the mainland on the supply launch this afternoon. It will be about a 45 minute ride.”

“I will be satisfied with that. I had wished for a relaxing vacation, but I cannot relax with him here.”

“Of course. If you will gather your things, the boat will be ready to leave in an hour. It is, I’m afraid, not a luxurious way to travel, but you will be comfortable.”

I rose. “Thank you for your help, Laurie.” We shook hands as she escorted me out of the building. Packing didn’t take long at my cabana. I was motivated to get back in a group of people. I didn’t want to be alone. I returned to Laurie’s office with my suitcase.

She walked me to the quay where the supplies were unloaded. I handed my bag to one sailor. Laurie helped me step up the mounting block into the boat. I swayed, and someone on the boat grabbed my hand. I looked up to smile my thanks, and I froze. It was him. And he was smiling.

[TL11]

I really like this alot. For some reason, I was giggling all the way through, I'm sure because of the ice cream and her having it with her through much of the show. And I also laughed because, somehow I knew he would be on that boat, I figured driving it. You did it right. Humor and horror, pretty cool:) I guess no chance for relaxing for her!

[blueoaisis]

Wow Candle that was really good I liked it a lot.

[writerpatty]

This is my first time posting to a prompt, so I hope I'm doing this right. Also, this is one of my first attempts at writing in first person as I'm more comfortable writing in third person.

Could It Be?

I tried to keep with up with Jenny but when my best friend was hungry, she had a one track mind. As we climbed the steep hill, the camp’s log cabin dining hall came into view. Jenny turned, grabbed my hand and pulled me along.

“Come on, slow poke. We’re late.”

“I’m coming,” I said, grinning at my friend. “You’d think you hadn’t eaten in weeks.”

The cooler air in the dining hall was a welcomed relief for me and I took a moment to catch my breath, just inside the doors. In two weeks, I’d be starting my first year of Bible College. Jenny and I had come from Colorado to the College’s annual freshman summer camp in what the Southern California College considered the mountains. I grew up in the mountains of Colorado and I knew mountains. These were hills and it was uncomfortably hot.

I caught up to Jenny who already had her tray half full and went quickly, grabbing a sandwich, a bag of chips and a carton of milk. The crowded, cheerful hall was teeming with incoming students like us and it took a few minutes before we found two empty seats. After we introduced ourselves to the others at the table, we prayed and then I took a huge bite out of my sandwich, nearly choking on it when a group of guys walked up to the little stage and grabbed microphones. I dropped the sandwich and gripped Jenny’s arm as a boy with sandy brown hair addressed the room.

“Lowly Freshman, Brother Stockton has asked us to provide you with a little entertainment while you dine on your lunch,” he said as background music began to play.

“Lisa,” Jenny said. “Are you okay? I mean, you look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

I chewed as fast as I could and chased the bite of food down with a big gulp of milk. Taking a deep, shuttering breath, I watched the boy as he sang with the others and said, “I…I think maybe I have.”

I stood up, but she pulled me back down. “Tell me what is going on with you.”

I glanced at Jenny and covered my mouth as all the possibilities ran through my mind. I shook my head at Jenny who stared at me with furrowed brows and concerned eyes.

I leaned in closer to my friend, not wanting the others to hear. “You remember when we met last year and I told you about my boy friend when I was fifteen?”

“Yes,” she whispered back. “Troy, right? The one that went missing?”

I could only nod as tears welled up and threatened to spill over. My heart was pounding, my palms were sweating and my throat felt tight and inflamed. Being as inconspicuous as I possibly could, I pointed in the direction of the stage. Jenny had seen his picture many times. I had a framed color photo on my desk at home and one of his missing fliers with the black and white photo taped to the back of my bedroom door. If Jenny looked hard enough, she’d put it together.

Troy had left my house one day, three years ago, to walk home but he never made there. And he’d never been spotted, never been found. People had given up on ever seeing him again, but Troy’s parents and I had never given up hope. Or so I’d thought. But seeing that guy up on stage, looking exactly like him, I realized just how much I’d given up on the idea of ever seeing him again. I was completely shocked.

“Is that –no. It can’t be!” Jenny exclaimed.

“Stay here,” I said as I stood up.

The walk to the stage seemed to take forever. Troy sang his heart out, smiling at his friends and appearing to be oblivious to me. I stood a few feet in front of the stage, willing him to acknowledge me. The song wound down and they hopped off the stage. Gaining courage, I followed him and tapped him on the shoulder. My heart nearly broke when he turned and stared at me with those warm brown eyes that I’d never forgotten.

“Troy?”

“Huh?” He looked over his shoulder and then back at me, pointing at his chest. “Are you talking to me?”

“Yes. Where have you been all this time?”

“My name’s not Troy,” he told me, tilting his head curiously. “But, don’t I know you from somewhere?”

[melw]

THE STRANGER
998 words

Hugh and Sarah were walking along the path, it had been nice exploring the city with each other. Finding little shops down the alleys and having coffee in cosy cafes. She looked over the river and saw a man, she knew she recognised him, but she was sure he was dead.

Sarah looked to where the man had seemed to have melted into the city. She knew they had only two more days in the city, then they would be leaving. It was unlikely she would ever be back again, she couldn’t face not knowing if that was him.

When they got back to their hotel, Sarah collapsed on the sofa. “I am a little tired Hugh. I still haven’t bought your gift or my parents. Maybe tomorrow we should separate and go our own ways for the morning.”

“You’re right sweetheart. I will have to get your gift too. I think rest will be the advisable to thing to do.”

Sarah smiled and got changed for bed. She lay down and felt Hugh kiss her on the brow and say good night. She had never told Hugh about Liam, never felt any need. Liam was dead and she had done all her grieving years ago. Liam was going to propose, but died in a car accident just before the romantic dinner.

She slept restlessly, kept on reliving the moment that she was told Liam was dead. His body was burned beyond all recognition. The only things they could use was dental records and a little lapel pin that he always wore. It was a special gift from Sarah.

The next morning Sarah and Hugh parted with plans to meet each other just up the road for lunch. Sarah set off for the place where she had last seen Liam the day before. She felt the wind whip up and rain start to fall, as she was in a mall there was no cover. She quickly ran into a bookstore.

Normally Sarah never read many books, unless they were psychology texts. Her reading for pleasure had stopped the day Liam had died. That is why she hadn’t been in the car with him. She had stayed up the night before reading a novel, so he went without her that day.

She walked through the shelves to the back where the book store looked and felt more like a library rather than a book store. She read the titles as she passed the shelves. She smiled when she realised most were old classics, many that she had read. Most of the books at the front were the current bestsellers and had bright and shiny covers. She felt as if she had almost stepped back in time
She saw a man coming down a set of curly stairs that led to a mezzanine floor. She stepped to the side, but then saw his face. She stared at a man that looked like Liam. She touched his arm and as he turned she saw the little scar on his forehead that slipt his eyebrow in two.

“Can I help you Miss?”

“don’t tell me you don’t remember me Liam. Sarah Jane Campbell, but I was Baker before. Liam tell me it’s you? I recognise the eyebrow with the scar.”

“I’m sorry Miss, you have me mistaken.”

“Then can you forget this kiss.” Sarah put herself at risk kissing a man that could be stranger. She placed her lips on his and was sent back to time when she was happy and loved reading for pleasure.”
“No,” the man said against her lips and then pulled her closer. He kissed her like a man drowning in desperation. “Oh Sarah Jay” He said roughly.

Sarah’s heart soared and she knew it was Liam. He was the only one who ever called her ‘Sarah Jay’. He was the only one she had ever allowed. “Oh Liam, I thought you were dead.”

“Sarah you married? I thought you said I would be the only one you could ever love. We promised to never marry anyone else.”

“I thought you were dead, but I needed someone. Hugh was nice enough to love me, even when I couldn’t fully love him.”

“Sarah I told you I would never leave you for too long. The case is coming up in two weeks and then I am free to come back. How long have you been married?”

“A year, we are expected a child in 6 months, I never imagined you coming back.”

“I only went into witness protection for you Sarah Jay, and now it doesn’t matter. I will be back in few months, but don’t worry I won’t bother you and your new husband.”

“But Liam,” Sarah looked at him imploringly. “please don’t leave things like this.”

“Not please don’t leave things like this Liam Turner. Tell you girlfriend how you feel before it is time to meet you master.” The man was holding gun, the barrel was protruding from the folded newspaper. “It would be a pity to ruin all these books.”

Sarah edged away but felt a hand on her neck and voice saying “No you don’t sweetheart.” It was Hugh “I knew you would eventually lead me to Liam, it was just a matter of time. You were a nice little diversion.”

“Hugh! How could you?”

“Funny how people get so hurt in cars, or maybe we could have you go bush walking. We have some poisonous snakes, spiders and scorpions back in our lab.”

Liam had been given a emergency alert bracelet and he touched it as soon as he saw the man holding the gun. He heard the men coming and heard the command “Drop” and with a lunge at Sarah put them both on the ground and a few bullets whizzed bye them.

She turned and saw the blood stains on the two men who had held them. She was safe and with the man she truly and forever would love.


MEL

[melw]

That was good Patty, This is what these prompts are for to challenge ourselves, sometimes i write in differnt genres and first person when i not very comfrotable with that.

Well done all

MEL

[Binbi]

Hey this is my first time at this! It was so cool! I'm addicted to prompts lol I'm sorry if this doesn't abide with the rules of the prompt. When I read it, this character popped in my head and started telling her story. I hope you like it. I know it's not a whole story. I wasn't sure if it had to be or not.

Trouble in Paradise
Brittany lay back in her beach chair and slipped on her sunglasses. The white Guccis had been a big splurge but totally worth it. She loved the way the rhinestones sparkled in the sunlight. They screamed "Look at me", just what she wanted.

She sighed as the warm, Mexican sun baked into her skin. She could almost feel the golden tan start to come out. The gentle sound of lapping waves filled her ears. Vacationing in Cancun was just another benefit of being born to rich parents. As her father would say, "Money could buy anything", or at least paradise.

She glanced over at her mother who was dozing beside her. Patricia Hatfield had aged elegantly, thanks to the millions she spent on cosmetic surgery and top-of-the line beauty products. She gave her daughter everything her heart desired, and Brittany loved her for it. Brittany always thought she was the best mother in the world.

Brittany swept her gaze over the crowded beach, scouting the hordes of people for anyone worth her time. Someone caught her eye. A man dressed in a black business suit was standing a ways off, unnoticed between a pair of palm trees. His dark features were staring intensely at her. Brittany shivered. This wasn't the kind of attention she was hoping to catch.

"Mom," she hissed, shaking her mother's arm. "Do we know him?"

Her mother turned towards the direction Brittany nodded. Patricia's face paled and her slight frame shook.

"No, no," she moaned, pressing her hand to her mouth. "Kurt promised me they wouldn't."

"Who, Mom, who is it?" Brittany was worried by her mother's obvious fright. "What's the matter? Who is that man?"

"He found us," Patricia whispered.

"Who?!" Brittany grabbed her mother's shoulders and gave her a firm shake.

"Your biological father."

Brittany jerked her head back up, but the man was gone. Her biological father? That just couldn't be. Her father was the multi-billionaire, Kurt Hatfield, the owner of Hatfield Software. She drew in a deep breath. No. Her mother must have been mistaken.

Too upset now to sunbathe, Brittany gathered up her beach tote and pulled her still-shaking mother to her feet. She put her arm around her shoulder.
"Come on," she coaxed. "Let's go back to the hotel and have a nice cold drink. We could both use a nap."

As the chauffeur held the door open, Brittany helped Patricia into the limousine. She felt a strange feeling like someone was watching her. She looked over her shoulder out the back window. The man was standing in the parking lot staring at her.

xxx

Brittany stared in the mirror at her pretty face and long, straight blonde hair. Her features, which once she thought she had proudly inherited, seemed strange now. Why had she thought her nose looked like her mother's? How could she not see that her eyes were a much deeper brown than her father's?
Her mind swirled with the news that had been revealed to her that afternoon. She thought back to the conversation.

"I'm adopted?!" Brittany dropped into the chair behind her. She felt as though she'd been sucker punched in the middle.

Her mother and father sat on the couch opposite to her. Patricia sniffled daintily in a lace handkerchief, and Kurt looked far more haggard than his fifty-two years.

"We couldn't have any children, and I so desperately wanted a baby; so your father bought you for me," Patricia sobbed.

"You make it sound as though I was a piece of clothing from Macy's," Brittany snapped. "When were you planning on telling me?"

Kurt cleared his throat and shifted uncomfortably. “Your mother and I thought it best not to say anything to you, because of your….father’s,” he stumbled over the word, “past.”

“He was in prison, dear,” Patricia explained. “You had no mother, and we couldn’t just leave you with that man.”

Kurt leapt to his feet. “We must leave now. Go back to where it’s safe. It’s the only way.”

“Why?” Brittany asked. “If my father’s in prison, why are we in danger?”

“No questions!” Kurt snapped. “Just pack your bags and be ready to leave as soon as possible. I must arrange for an earlier departure for the jet.”

Now, Brittany stared around her at the expensive designer clothes and luggage. It was all a lie. Her whole life had been one big, stinking lie. If she wasn’t Brittany Hatfield, celebrity heiress, than who was she?

Another shiver ran down her spine as she thought of the man at the beach. Was that her father? Why were her parents so afraid of him?

She grabbed her bags and ran out of the hotel room. Money could buy anything, even safety. Right?