Flash Fiction Round 3

[Prof. Sindor Aloyarc]

A terrifically humble and radiant prize. Came with a spider in her swan song. “Some Pig” boasted her web, along with everyone else in town. The way he looked at her, the crown was already won. A “banana peels and soggy sandwiches” kinda friendship. Even after the crowds had ceased. (50 words)

[Prof. Tarma Amelia Black]

Web, swan, crown

"They fly so high" she sang, walking and wearing her daisy chain crown. Her dress seemed made of tattered swan feathers sewn together with spider web. Did she know that the tune and dress had a magical enchantment? If she continued singing, the song would turn her into a swan. (50 words)

[Prof. Sky Alton]

Beans are winging their way to our writers.

This week's prompt is...
Wave, Target, sunrise

For example:
Her navigation system bleeped.
“This is SS Sunrise. Target acquired,” she reported.
She flipped a switch and was instantly slammed back against her seat as her tiny shuttlecraft hurtled forward, riding a wave of crackling energy that would deliver it right into the heart of the battle. (47 words)

[Prof. Sindor Aloyarc]

Attention on target, one flick of the wrist was all it took. A wave of sparks returned the glowering harpy to stone.

The child’s meek, questioning voice was warm, in contrast to his icy reply.

“They were afforded ’til sunrise. No more.”

Her small hand found his as they departed. (50 words)

[Prof. Tarma Amelia Black]

Wave, Target, sunrise


"There it is" he said, spotting the ship in the light of the sunrise. The boat, on the other side of the line of waves, appeared to be a small target. He aimed ... and shot his vorpal arrow anyway. (39 words)

[Prof. Sky Alton]

Beans on the way shortly...

This week's words...
mystery, wagon, key

She leaned out of the rickety wagon.
“Roll up, step inside the cave of mystery,” she called, “who knows what you might find within. The key to unlock a heart, endless riches, the secret of life itself…”
The people passing by averted their eyes and she sighed.
“Suit yourselves.” (49 words)

[Prof. Tarma Amelia Black]

mystery, wagon, key

"I have a lock, I have a lock" he chanted. "The mystery is ... where is the key?" He rummaged through the wagon, scattering items hither and yon. "Where IS the key?" he groaned in despair. He couldn't get into the wooden chest until it was found! (46 words)

[Prof. Sindor Aloyarc]

The key to the thing wasn't what came in the delivery, the mystery was the prairie schooner itself.

Never saw the wagon coming or going from town. It would simply arrive, attended only by oxen, then disappear the moment nobody was looking.

Witchcraft? The Almighty?

…We all had our theories. (50 words)

[Emily Spencer]

Beans have been sent!

This week’s words:

Book, flew, purple

Before opening the book, she admired the embossed purple cover for a moment. She turned the page and soon her imagination turned her into a dragon and she flew over the castle and roared with delight.
(39 words)

[Katherine Laurier]

The purple abandoned house that they had jokingly read about in a book was right here. It didn't look bad at all. In fact, it was beautiful, but they felt a chill in their bones just looking at it. Crickets chirped, birds flew by. "Cool. Let's go in!" (48 words)

[Prof. Sindor Aloyarc]

I flew to the window, nearly breaking the glass throwing it open. The sky was transitioning from shades of orange-pink sherbet to a dark, inky purple.

“Finish the book!” I bellowed, in syncopation with their family vehicle’s engine beginning to growl.

Wasn’t certain if she heard me.

But she smiled. (50 words)

[Prof. Tarma Amelia Black]

Book, flew, purple

I read the book, enthralled by the premise of the story. While I wasn't sure if a dragon could be purple, black and gold, I definitely knew that it flamed and flew. Would it, could it, fly into this world? I hope so! (43 words)

[Emily Spencer]

Beans have been sent!

This week’s words:

timetable, fool, cup

Already on a tight timetable, I didn't need the hassle of running back for my cup (ok, goblet really). What a fool I was! Here's hoping I don't miss the train. My sister will kill me if I'm not there for her party tomorrow. (44 words)

[Prof. Sindor Aloyarc]

Emberlyn’s chest shuttered as Valence raised the cup. This was it. They’d never be able to reverse it.

The timetable being the problematic part (beyond the obvious depletion), neither was a fool.

Some wisdom is overfamiliar with regret.

Witnesses looking on breathlessly, their shining forms began the grueling, miraculous entwinement. (50 words)

[Prof. Tarma Amelia Black]

timetable, fool, cup

According to the allegedly impeccable timetable, now was the appropriate moment to add borage to the stirrup cup. Right. What fool, she thought to herself, would go out to battle dressed in a tonnag and knee socks, along with the other garb? (42 words)

[Emily Spencer]

Beans have been sent!

This week’s words are:

Parallel, Sail, Assume

Never assume that two straight lines run parallel to each other. I set sail one night to prove this theory and ended up in another dimension. Now I just need to figure out the way home again. Timely-wimey stuff indeed! (40 words)

[Prof. Tarma Amelia Black]

Parallel, Sail, Assume

I'd assumed that the wild cat would walk parallel with me for a while. But no, a gust of wind came, and as if her upright tail was a sail, she lightly blew across my path and I had to stop or else bump into her. (46 words)

[Prof. Sky Alton]

As children, our lives were perfect parallels and I naively assumed they would continue that way. But on the first day of our last year at Hogwarts, I learned her parents had sent her away. ‘She sailed too close to the wind, that one.’ was all anyone ever said. (49 words)

[Emily Spencer]

Beans have been sent!

This week's words are:

Constant, Disappoint, Shiver

It was her constant worry that she would ultimately disappoint her parents with the career path she had chosen. Swallowing her misplaced guilt, she felt a shiver go through her as she stepped into the kitchen. "Chef Emily, reporting for duty!" (41 words)

[Prof. Sindor Aloyarc]

Their choice is some pill to swallow, but the alternative sends a shiver bone deep.

“One day,” she says, “this constant aching will dwindle. Disappear.”

Waves of disappointment crash in around me as I offer my consent.

Yes. She’ll become queen. Certainly if I have anything to say about it. (50 words)