Emptiness

He stared into the dark emptiness of the eyes across from his own. They filled him with a sense of familiarity, but with that he felt no comfort. When he looked deeper into them, hoping for answers, all he saw was a cold blankness that instilled uneasiness and fear in the depths of his existence. It was a feeling that the more he focused on the more it overwhelmed him and a shudder coursed through his body.

As he widened his view of the face he was examining he saw lines that came with age and thinning gray hair tousled on his head. With the narrow cheeks that led to a firm, chiseled jaw he still projected a bold masculine presence despite his obvious age of seniority. He knew the face, but he couldn’t recall anything else about it. Looking at the man in front of him he couldn’t remember the simplest detail. No name, no birthday, whether he had children or what he did for a living.

As the frustration took over his mind and body the shaking came back. A tear ran down his cheek as the sense of loss and loneliness embraced him. He grabbed the closest object he could get his hands on and threw it at the taunting face in front of him.

The sound of shattering glass resonated through the room and the shards fell into the sink. He broke down and sobbed over the now hundreds of tiny reflections that looked up at him. A frantic knocking came upon the door. When he opened it there was a frightened looking older woman who instantly started inspecting him for injuries and asking him what happened.

“I’m sorry ma’am,” he responded through his tears. “The man in the mirror is just such an enigma now. He got the better of me.”

“It’s okay,” she said as he sobbed in her arms. “It’s me, your wife, Judy. It’s all going to be okay.” She cried, knowing she was lying.

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The trifecta word this week was enigma. 

Just friends

This weekends trifecta challenge is to write three truths and a lie in 33 to 333 words.

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No matter where I go or what I do, it doesn't matter how many people come in or out of my life, you are and always will be the most amazing person I've ever met.

No matter how many sunrises or sunsets I witness, the countless night skies filled with glorious full moons, you are the most beautiful thing I have ever laid my eyes on.

No matter how much time goes by, or how much distance there may be between us, my love for you knows no boundaries.  It is eternal and unconditional.

Of course I understand...Just friends...That’s exactly what I want too.

The Shooting

This weekends trifecta challenge is to create a scene that involves three people and tell it from the perspective of each character using only 33 words for per person.

The following is my entry.

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“POLICE! DON’T MOVE!” he hears from down the hall. Then, two shots ring out. He runs as fast as he can. He sees his partner shaking. The suspect down, with gun in hand.

“POLICE! DON’T MOVE!” he hears from behind him. He turns to see only one cop. Taking his chances he lunges at the officer. He pulls out his own weapon. Then, everything goes black.

“POLICE! DON’T MOVE!” he yells as loud as he can. The suspect grins and violently jumps at him. He saw the suspect pull it out. He stepped back and instinctively reacted. He shot!

The Chase

He chases her as she pants with exhaustion and terror.

He grabs her, rips at her flesh.

Pain searing through her body.

She cries out…“HELP!“

Nobody does.

She’s devoured by her savage stalker.

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The challenge:

"Write a horror story in 33 words, without the words blood, scream, died, death, knife, gun, or kill. Good luck."

Betrayal at home

After two long tours he was finally going to be home. As much as he couldn’t wait to leave when he graduated high school, he was eager now to get back. When the train came to a stop he put his hat on, threw his duffle bag over his shoulder and with a deep breath walked to the door. The crowd outside jumped and cheered when they saw him emerge on the platform. He stepped off the train, walked into the crowd and was instantly surrounded by family and friends. People were offering handshakes and hugs while others just cried with tears of joy that he was home safe. Even those at the station who didn’t know him were taken by the power of emotion at the event.

His girlfriend jumped to him, wrapping her arms and legs around his body and squeezing him as if she would never let him go again. He kissed her and the spectators cheers became even louder.

This is what makes it all with it, he thought to himself. People like this are who we're fighting for.

After the roaring crowd died down he stood tall with pride and thanked everyone in the town for the amazing welcome. It was moments like these that made him forget about all the things he had been through. It reminded him there is still good in the world.

He climbed into a car with his girlfriend and again everyone cheered for him as they drove off together. When they got back to her house he tossed his bag in the corner and kissed her again. He dreamt of this moment so many times. Played it out over and over in his head. Finally he held the woman he loved in his arms again.

He looked at her with love in his eyes, reached into the pocket of his uniform, and ran his fingers over the ring he had been carrying for over six months. “I have something important to ask you,” he said nervously.

“What is that?” she asked in a flirty voice with her arms still around his neck.

“I…I...” Stuttering with even more nervousness he paused.

She giggled and said, “What is it baby?”

As he started to speak again he was interrupted by the ringing of the phone. Half relieved and half annoyed he reached over and answered it. “Hello?”

When he heard the other person’s voice he immediately knew who it was and spoke again without giving his friend a chance to say anything. “Tommy,” he said excitedly, “where the hell were you when I got off the train?”

As soon as she found out who it was on the other end of the phone her face became cold and concerned.

“Wait! Stop! You did what?!” he yelled.

She backed away from him and started to cry.

“But you’re my best friend, and she’s my girl. I can’t believe this.” He slammed the phone down and looked at her, this time with betrayal and pain in his eyes. “I loved you,” he said to her. “I went through hell over there, and the whole time you were doing that?!” He picked up his things and walked to the door. Before leaving he turned to her one last time, looked her in the eyes and said, “How cheap can you be?”

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Above is another trifecta writing challenge.  This week's word is 'cheap'.  As always we are using the third definition of the word.

Protest of duties

The following is a response to this week's Trifecta writing challenge . 

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Protest of duties

In hopes of a treaty with the neighboring lands, the great King Archibald, Lord of the realm Garidus, offered the hand of his first daughter Princess Catarina to the son of his born nemesis King Ignatius. For generations war existed between the two realms and this was their chance to make a better future for their people.

Princess Catarina was a being of immeasurable beauty. She wore long blonde hair that when braided, which was the common style of one holding her title, it reached her waistline. Her eyes were of the most radiant blue anyone had ever seen and it was said that when looked upon by them one felt she could see the secrets buried in the depths of their soul. She carried herself with poise and spoke with intelligence. With all these qualities it was understandable that whenever she left a room she carried with her some hearts.

It was the day of the engagement banquet when she finally spoke her protest. She walked into the court, with her head down, and requested an audience with the king in private. Concerned, the king granted her request immediately and they went to the royal study.

“Father,” she said, humbled, with her eyes driven into the ground, “I beg of you, don’t make me go through with this union!”

“My dear daughter, I thought this was settled. It is for the good of the realm.”

“But father, Prince Brayden is such a, forgive my language, a vile creature.

“Catarina, what gives you such an impression?” he asked.

Still looking at the ground she said, “Father you have heard the stories just as I. The savage battles he’s led, the amount of carnage left by his troops. It is apparent he cares of no one but himself.” She paused then looked up at her father. “You say it’s my duty, but I want to marry for love, not for politics. I want to marry someone with a warm heart, and a clean soul!”

Lost

This weekend’s trifecta challenge is to write a story entitled ‘Lost’ in exactly 33 words. The word ‘lost’ can only appear in the title, not in your 33 words. For more details see the trifecta writing challenge at www.trifectawritingchallenge.com
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My response:

'Lost'

Her voice echoes around him, resonating from every direction.

Impossible to pinpoint the source he cries out to her.

His scared voice trembles.

She can’t hear him!

Where is she?!

Where is he?!