#43 – Write a Scene…

…that begins: “Joe was the last person on Earth I expected to do that.”

Joe was the last person on Earth I expected to do that.  It was a shock to all of us when he walked through the door, head to toe covered in mud and blood, his clothes tattered.  “What the hell happened?” Cindy asked him, rushing to help him as he hobbled in.

“I got tired of waiting,” the normally reserved and quiet Joe responded, “Nobody wanted to go out into that rain and tie the gate.  So I did it.”  Joe allowed himself to be guided to the kitchen table as the other women flocked around him with concern.

I exchanged a look with the other guys.  There was definitely a sense of defeat hanging in the air between us.  Each of us had been shown up by the asthmatic 95-pound vegetarian.  If that isn’t a blow to your masculinity, then you’re certainly a better man than the rest of us.  The three of us knew that the days of picking on him were gone now.

Matt and Carl stalked away to the living room to watch the storm from the window, clearly licking their wounds.  I wanted to join them, but at the same time I was actually more proud of Joe than embarrassed.  For the past fifteen minutes, we’d argued over who would close up the gate to keep the cows from getting out and hurting themselves.

We hadn’t even noticed Joe disappear until he was already gone, disappearing in a flash of lightning.  We tried watching from the window, but the rain was so hard that we couldn’t see more than a few feet past the house.  I thought I saw him fall, but I couldn’t be sure.

I shook his hand and shot him a smile.  “Good job, bro.” I told him, “Damn good job.” He smiled up at me, eyes squinting behind his fogged up glasses.  Joe won a victory that day and he knew it.  We all knew it.

Behind the Random: I was in the mood to right something low key today.  No real plan.  Just another go with the flow in the fingers project.  I kind of liked how it evolved.

#168 – Open Your Kitchen Cabinet…

…Write a scene incorporating the first three things you see.

Brad fell backwards, crashing through the kitchen door before sprawling on the ground.  Andrew towered over him, fists clenched up and a sneer on his lips.  “Have enough?” He demanded.

Blood dribbled from Brad’s nose and he wiped it away with the back of his hand.  “Enough?  That wasn’t even a taste.” Brad replied, hate in his eyes.  Andrew let out a yell and surged forward as Brad struggled to get off the floor.  They grappled and Andrews momentum drove them both across the floor and into the counter, knocking its contents to the ground.

Somehow, Brad managed to get the advantage and rolled on top of Andrew.  He managed to deliver several well placed punches to his opponents face, each one causing the world to spin a little bit more.  Andrew groped for something on the floor as he tried to push Brad off.  His hand closed around a can of pork and baked beans and he brought it up to smash Brad up side his head.  It made a loud thunk sound, the can denting from the impact.  Brad let out a pained cry as he fell to the side

“Sonuva…” Andrew muttered as he got back to his feet, shaking his head to clear the fog that clouded his mind,  “I’m going to kill you…”

Brad launched himself at Andrew in an attempt to tackle him, but the bigger man managed to stop him dead and wrapped his thick arm around Brad’s neck, putting him into a headlock.  As Brad struggled, Andrew punished him with several blows to the side, followed by a knee to the chest.

However, as he put his foot down, he stepped on a box of taco shells.  The cardboard crunched loudly as it skidded out from under his weight, forcing Andrew to lose his balance.  Brad took advantage of this and shoved the large man off of him, coughing as he tried to get air back in his lungs.

“That’s it!” Andrew hollered, “I’m putting you down and you’re staying down if I have to bury you!”  A thick fist launched out towards Brad’s face, but his reflexes were faster as he grabbed a jug of vinegar from the counter and smashed it against the incoming assault.  The plastic ruptured with the impact and the acidic liquid splashed outwards and into Andrews face.

Almost immediately, the man fell to his knees screaming as he rubbed at his eyes, the skin of his face growing red with irritation.  Not missing a beat, Brad grabbed a pan from the sink and smashed Andrew in the head, laying him out on the linoleum floor.  The man stayed down, whimpering as he covered his face and shrunk down into the fetal position.

“Next time you think about dining and dashing,” Brad warned him, throwing the pan to the floor with a loud clang, “Pick a different restaurant.”

Sherri, the restaurant manager barged on then came to a stop as she took in the mayhem that had ensued.  “Dammit Brad!  How many times have I had to tell you not  to beat up dashers?  This doesn’t solve anything!”

“Yeah,” Brad replied, wiping the blood from his nose again, “But it’s fun.”

Behind the Random: Yay for random fight scene.  I actually had to make up the ending on the spot since I had no context going in on why the fight was taking place.

#570 – A Scene That Takes Place in Extreme Heat

She strained against her bonds until it felt like her arms were about to rip from their sockets.  Still, she could feel the chains wrapped around her wrists begin to give.  It had felt like centuries maybe even longer since she’d felt any progress in her struggles.  The intense heat around her seemed to fade away as determination fueled her resolve once more.

Teeth grit hard together, threatening to crack from the pressure.  A low growl rose up from her throat as she pulled with renewed strength.  For the first time since she’d been locked away, freedom didn’t seem like some mirage.  Pain wracked her shoulders and back, but she ignored it.

The flames around her flared up around her until they were practically blindingly white.  The chains stretched and cracked until they snapped with a powerful explosion.  Free at last, she rose up and soared through the flames, laughing madly.

Flying at extraordinary speed, it only took moments for her to burst out of the swirling blasts of nuclear fire into the coldness of space.  After spending eons locked away within her burning prison, the vast infinity of the void was a welcome relief.

How long has it been, she ponders to herself as her eyes track across the endless abyss.  It took her a moment, but finally she saw the tiny blue dot, drifting millions of miles away.  It was about time she returned to Earth and made her presence known once again.

And this time, no pesky heroes would stop her.

Behind the Random: Sort of inspired by Rita Replusa from the original Power Rangers show, it also reflects with it’s counterpart in #571.  Instead of someone with wicked intentions being locked away, one escapes to wreak havoc once again.

#419 – Turn to the Obituaries Section of the Newspaper…

…and choose one person to write about.  Imagine a scene in that person’s life.

His ideal little world, wrapped up in peace and comfort, became a hell that day.  Suddenly, everything he ever knew changed radically and before he knew it, he was being held up in the frigid air.  There was a sharp smack, a sudden pain, that shot up in back and into his head.  The sensation made him cry out in surprise and fear, sucking back his first real breath.

The world spun around him, a flash of colors and lights that made no sense to him.  He didn’t know it, but gone was the existence he once knew.  Everything was different now.  Something soft and warm wraps around him and he feels him self sink lower and lower until he finds rest.  As he becomes more comfortable, he stops crying and looks up to see a smiling tired face peering down at him.

“Welcome to the world, Nicholas.  It’s nice to finally meet you face to face.” She says to him and everything seems okay.

Behind the Random: I thought it was fitting to write about a man’s beginning when he’s passed.  A lot of what I wrote is what I’ve seen in the media as I’ve never had the ‘privilege’ of being present for a child birth so I don’t know how accurate that is.

Thank you to Nick for giving me this inspiration and may he rest in peace.

#621 – Write a Scene…

…set in a different location, using all the details from #620.

Log #926102

26.54.3192

Invisible to the naked eye, the ship landed with barely a whisper.  I checked to make sure the cloaking technology was holding before I set out to explore this new world unexplored world.  All the readings indicated what scientists at home had theorized; the atmosphere of the planet was similar to ours, creating a hospitable environment.

Our long range satellites had discovered the planet two years ago and billions of dollars were spent to send one man and one ship across the galaxy.  It was a point of pride for me that I was chosen.  I was going to be a hero.

I checked the airlocks of my suit.  Despite what all the equipment was telling me, who knew what kind of airborne alien germs would be in the air.  The suit would also keep me invisible from both the denizens of this world and their primitive equipment.  Satisfied that I was ready, I waited for the entry hatch to slide open with a hiss and ventured out.I had landed in the middle of a green strip of land surrounded by what was believed to be the dwellings of the inhabitants of this world.  Vegetation similar to my own planets, of various types and sizes.  From what I was able to surmise, it was in the middle of the fertile season for this area of the planet.Before one domicile, there appeared to be an ornate symbol.  From the top of a large rock, water sprayed upwards and into a well around it.  I studied it for a moment, curious about the purpose of this display.  Was it a place of worship or mysticism?  Surely it wasn’t something as pedestrian as mere decoration.  It seemed like such a waste of time, energy, and material.My sensors detected something in the air.  At first, I thought my fears of a dangerous bacteria was confirmed and I brought up the HUD in my visor.  Instead, I was alerted that strange noxious elements were mingling in the air, moved by the wind from an industrial area we’d spotted not too far away.  It seemed odd that living spaces would be kept so close to a dangerous environment, but we knew next to nothing about the people who called this world home.  Perhaps they were immune to the poisons floating about them?  That was the popular opinion within our brain tank.Strange vehicles rumbled past me as I explored the land.  Some were large and box-ish while others were more compact, clearly made for speed.  The alien life forms piloting the vehicles did so with their appendages, manipulating a wheel to control the machines movements.  It was odd to observe, like watching an infant learn to walk.  From what I could surmise, none of them had flight capability.  Whatever our sensors detected soaring through the skies, it was not these contraptions.Further exploration uncovered several large buildings nestled closely with the much smaller holdings.  A thorough scan revealed that it was a place of gathering for the pursuit of knowledge.  It appeared to target the younger of the species, as archaic as that sounds.  It’s strange to think of a race not utilizing sub-neuro transmissions to educate.  Very eye opening.Speaking of the youth, they were everywhere I looked.  Running and frolicking without abandon about the lesser vegetation with no clear control.  They would make a noise I can only describe as annoying and loud.  Odd metallic structures were scattered around the living area, serving a place for the young to congregate and interact.  Their purpose remains a mystery to me and I will investigate later.I attempted to make a soil extraction, but discovered that, despite the abundance of vegetation in the area, the ground was uneven.  Further investigation revealed that the plantlife was far more unruly than I suspected.  It grew at a fantastic rate and spread quickly.  So much so that I had the opportunity to observe some of the native lifeforms engage in a control effort to quell the swelling ranks.  Why the species don’t simply eliminate the problem is just another question I have no answers for.During my mission, I’ve had opportunity to inspect the alien forms closer.  They appear to vary in size, shape, and color.  They also differ by gender, but thus far I have only encountered two.  Curiously, they don’t all speak in a common language but instead on insisting to use dialects alien to each other.  The sensors of my suit picked up more elements in the air, each coming from a different area and mingling together to create a cacophony of olfactory overload.  According to readings, the sources are organic in nature and may actually be the dietary requirements these people consume, though once again the variety of it surprises me.  I’d like to thank the creator of the suit at this point, protecting me from whatever oddities this backwards people subject themselves to.I investigated the area for three days, monitoring the area from the safety of my ship when the sun dropped below the horizon.  Oddly, even in times of rest, the denizens of this world remain active, though not as in great of numbers.  It appears that the cover of darkness is an excellent opportunity for the alien forms to engage in activities considered taboo by the majority.  This was actually quite fascinating, as it gave me a chance to watch local protection services in action.  Over the three days, I managed to capture over a dozen interactions between the transgressors and the oppressors.This has been, perhaps, the most important piece of information.  While there is still much more observing to do, which will be easier once our satellite has achieved orbit and can begin it’s own global observations.  With some luck and patience, we will learn everything we need to know about this planet so we can prepare our own forces for initial landfall.I will report back once I have learned more.  Hail the All Earth Empire and may it’s universal influence continue to expand across the cosmos.

Behind the Random: Well, that’s what I get for not following the directions.  The way I did the original post made it a lot harder to do this one but I think I managed to muddle my way through it okay.

#83 – Write a Scene…

…that begins: “It was the first time I killed a man.”

It was the first time I killed a man.  I still remember my heart racing when I found him in that alley, shaking down some poor kid for his money.  My hands shook so bad, I had to clench them into fists and put them in my jacket pocket.  Vomit threatened to explode from inside me, but I managed to push it back.

I let out a slow breath and stepped into the light, allowing my shoes to scrap the asphalt to get his attention.  He stared at me in disbelief for a moment before finally piping up, “You got a problem?”

I frowned, my teeth clenched together in barely contained rage.  “Yeah, I have a problem.” I returned as I began to approach the two men, “Y’see, every night I lay in bed and I listen to people fighting and robbing and killing each other on my street.  Then I roll over and I go back to sleep.”

The thug shoved the kid to the said, threatening to cut him if he doesn’t get out of here, before turning his attention back to me.  “The hell are you talking about?” He demanded, coming towards me in a threatening manner.  Nervous energy crackled up my spine, but I tightened my fists.

“It wasn’t my problem, I thought to myself, it’s not my job.” I continued on, ignoring his question. “Every night, I ignored the sirens that passed and the screams for help.  It wasn’t worth getting into trouble for.”

As I got closer, the would-be mugger got nervous and pulled out his knife.  The polished metal gleamed in the light, making it look far more menacing than it was.  I almost stopped when I said it, but I forced my feet to keep moving.  “Yo, stupid.  Come any closer and I will cut you.”

I shook my head, “You did.  Or don’t you remember.  Has there been so many victims, so many bodies, that you can’t even remember anymore?” My smile is humorless as I regard him for a moment, still coming closer.  “It was a year ago.  A guy and his girl coming home.  You were standing in this alley, watching and waiting for your chance.”

“The hell are you talking about?” He demanded, pointing the knife at me.

“Murder, my friend.  You took our phones and our money, but that still wasn’t good enough.” I answer him, “You took your big knife there, and cut her throat in front of me.”

His brow creased for a moment then a look a clarity crossed his face, “You think I’m going to remember cutting up some broad?  That’s like asking me what I had to eat last month.  So what?  This about revenge or something?”

I let out a sharp laugh, more to release the tension building up inside me than anything else.  “Revenge?” I ask, incredulously, “Revenge?  No no.  This is something more than revenge.  You see, you taught me a valuable lesson that night.  I’m not going to just sit back and watch as the world goes to hell around me.”

“You think you can stop me?  Little punk like you?” The thug chuckled, but I could see he was getting nervous.  I don’t imagine too many people were so calm and forward when a knife was introduced to the party.  He was backing away, but I was moving faster and closing the space between us.

“That’s the plan.” I replied, almost on him.

“Hmph.  Good luck with that.” He retorts, thrusting out with his blade.  I grunt as it stabs through my gut and I can feel the sharp edge slice through my flesh and muscles.  Primal instincts kick in and I push away from him, pulling the knife free.  The thug laughs darkly as I stagger back, pressing my hand against the flowing wound.  “That’s what you get when you get in my face, freak.” The thug warns me, his confidence back.

I let out a weak laugh, “Yeah.  About that.”  Before his unbelieving eyes, I straighten up.  Through the torn shirt and jacket, a black liquid seeps from the wound in my stomach.  “You did a better job the first time.”

I move faster than he can register, knocking the knife from his hand with a sweep of my arm, and I have him by the throat.  He let’s out a surprised strangled cry as my fingers dig mercilessly into his neck.  “You still don’t remember, huh?  Stabbing me and leaving me to die in that alley next to my girlfriends cooling corpse?  We’re just another notch on your belt?”  The killer just made a gurgling sound as his eyes began popping out from his sockets.  “Well, maybe this will refresh your memory.”

Footsteps from the alley grabbed his attention and I shifted to the side so he could see the men and women coming out of the darkness.  Easily a dozen of them, each carrying a look of rage and disgust on their faces.   And hunger.  The same hunger that gnawed away inside of me.  I was afraid that I would give in to it before I got to say my piece.  Luckily I was almost done and could let it take control in a moment.

“We’re taking the streets back from the scum,” I told him.  “Starting with you.”

I spin sharply and bodily throw him towards the crowd.  He stumbles twice before colliding with Laura, my love in life and in death, who drags him to the ground.  Others join in, tearing into him.  I stop and I listen the his screams, begging for help, and I look around.  No lights turn on and no one comes running.  I allow myself a smile before surrendering to the burning need inside of me and join in with my fellow undead.

He was my first kill, but as long as wicked men walk this earth, he would not be the last.

Behind the Random: I enjoyed writing this one a little more than I thought I would.  Obviously, since it’s over 1000 words long.  I’m a huge zombie fan, but I’ve gotten tired of the standard Z stuff, so when the idea of vigilante-style zombies popped into my head, I had to go for it.  I’m sure it’s been done, but it hasn’t been done by me.

#638 – Pick a Story from Today’s News…

…imagine one of the people mentioned in the article reading it at the breakfast table that same day.  Describe the scene.

Bill Simon snorted through his nose as he skimmed the article on his iPad.  “Stupid people protesting.  Can’t they be grateful for what they have?”

“What’s going on?” His friend asked across the table.

Bill sighed and set his iPad aside to resume his breakfast, “Oh, just the unwashed masses protesting against the ‘unfair’ wages and work conditions Walmart provides.” He said, making no attempt to hide the disgust in his voice.  “Do they think that they can really affect Black Friday sales?”

His friend laughed, “Maybe they should make better life choices so they don’t end up working at Walmart.”

The CEO of Walmart shot his friend a look, “Bite your tongue.  It’s people like that that make the base of Walmart.  Without them, Walmart wouldn’t be nearly as successful.  We should give them the respect and dignity they deserve.”

Both men stared at each other than burst out into laughter.  “You almost looked like you meant it this time.” His friend chuckled, wiping his eye.

Bill sighed, “Not that it makes any difference.  Don’t these morons realize that the average Walmart customer doesn’t care about them?  All they care about is cheap prices and the latest sales.”  He takes a long sip of his coffee and smacks his lips approvingly, “So let them have their silly demonstrations.  It doesn’t change anything.”

His friend grinned, “You’re really something, Mr. Simon.  Keep it up and you’ll go places.” He then checked his watch, “Oh damn, I gotta get going.”  He got to his feet and plucked his hat from the table, “Same time next week, Bill?”

Bill stood and extended his hand to his friend, “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

The man took his hand and gave it a firm shake, “I’ll be sure to let Mr. Walton know how you’re doing.  Take care, Bill.”  His friend then turned away and vanished in a blast of hellfire and sulphur.

A smug smile on his face, Bill sat back down and flipped to the next news article on his iPad.  “The fools…they have no idea the forces they stuggle against.”

Behind the Random: Is there any corporation that embodies Big Business more than Walmart?  Always at the center of controversy for it’s treatment of customers and employees, the company has webpages dedicated to unveiling its wicked ways.  And do people care?  Not really.  Why?  Because half the people love it for its low prices and convenience and the other half don’t need to shop at Walmart.

Not that I’m biased or anything…

I’m sure this should go without saying, but this is satire.  I don’t actually think Bill Simon is in league with the Devil…well, not officially anyways.