Short Story Contest 

Chatterbox: Inkwell

Short Story Contest 

Short Story Contest 

Hi! This is a short story contest. Please post stories no longer than 6 large paragraphs, and no shorter than one large paragraph. Also, don't post negative comments. I'll be a judge. Whoever posts here first will be the other judge. Here's a example:

A cold wind blew in London, England. Lily May was walking down the alley pushing her sister Lucy in her stroller. Suddenly, a tornado of sparkles whisked them away. 

When Lily May opened her eyes, she only saw darkness. Then, she heard Lucy cry out. " Lily May!" "I'm right here!" Lily May called. A pure white face appeared out of nowhere. The face said, " I'm Anne Bolyne, former queen of England." Lily May said, " You were Queen Elizabeth I's mother." "Correct. I'd like to become a person again. Can you help me?" Before Lily May could answer, Lucy said, "Sure, your highness". Queen Anne said, " Why thank you. Here's a list of things I need." Lily May took it and she and Lucy set out. 

"First we need a stick", said Lily May. "That's easy," answered Lucy, and picked up a big stick. "Awesome. Now we need a cauldron from Dr. Frankinstien's lab. Where in all of England is that?" said Lily May. "Go to the store that says "Frankinstien's lab tools".", answered Lucy. The girls bought a cauldron and continued to an army base for gunpowder. Then they went to the grocery for cheese. Lily may said, " O Anne Bolyne, let me go to, well, wherever you are." They were once agai whisked away. 

"Thank you." said Anne. She put everything into the cauldron and started chanting in some weird language. Suddenly, Queen Anne had a body. She looked like a normal person. "Thank you again" said Anne.   

submitted by Caramel Star, age 11, Island Of Youth
(June 16, 2018 - 11:06 am)

back to the Inkwell

Can I be the other judge?

submitted by elementgirl18917
(June 16, 2018 - 2:10 pm)

Yup! elementgirl18917 is the other judge!

submitted by Caramel Star, age 11, Island Of Youth
(June 16, 2018 - 4:45 pm)
submitted by Soren InTOPity!, age Top, The top
(June 16, 2018 - 3:42 pm)

Joining!

~~~~~~~~~

This morning I woke up, feeling... strange. I don't know how to explain it. Just strange. Shaking my head a little, I looked down at my sheets to see a dark stain on them. I thought it must be chocolate; I have quite the sweet tooth. I rolled out of bed and walked downstairs.

When Mom saw me, she gave me a weird look and asked," Kenzie, are you... are you feeling alright?"

Puzzled, I replied,"Yeah, I'm fine... why?" 

"Oh, nothing, just go ahead and get ready for school."

Oooooookaaaaaaay... I tried to get through the morning like normal, but something was definitely up. Dad couldn't tell me what was happening, he had already left for work and dropped my three year old sister Maddie off at daycare.

When I got to school I got some more weird looks. When I met up with my best friend Elle, she questioned,"Um, Kenzie, ...what...?"

"Nobody told me, I don't know," I huffed.

That was it. I stalked off to the bathroom to check the mirror. Maybe my hair had suddenly turned auburn, instead of my horribly red locks. I marched over to a sink and gazed at myself. I was shocked.

My hair was not auburn. But it was not red, either. My eyes weren't the brown they were supposed to be. And my freckles weren't standing out like a heat wave in December.

I was pale and transparent. And rather shocked, too.

I only had the chance to realize that the stain on my sheets was something more sinister than chocolate before I disappeared from this world.

submitted by Soren Infinity, age 0.53, World-in-my-head, Fantasy
(June 16, 2018 - 4:12 pm)

I give Soren Infinity a 9.9! Let's see what elementgirl thinks. 

submitted by Caramel Star, age 11, Island Of Youth
(June 17, 2018 - 8:20 am)

I'd like to join 

submitted by September
(June 16, 2018 - 5:25 pm)

Hey!  I thought this was interesting and I didn't see a theme, so I'm going to post a short story I wrote.  You don't have to count it if you don't want to.  I have nothing against you.

We’re a thousand miles from comfort

Michael trudged through the forest, every step more draining than the last. He didn’t look at all excited to be on his journey. The farther away he was from home, the worse he would feel until he was back. He had been traveling for so long he didn’t even remember what it was like to feel normal, not tired, not aching, just normal. He couldn’t wait to be somewhere, anywhere other than this wretched forest. 

We have travelled land and sea

James sighed as he realized he’d have to cross the river he had been following for weeks now. It had been his only source of water, and a guide to where he was supposed to go. Now, he realized that the river would take him way off track. If he wanted to be in Lyndale on time, he realized he’d have to make up a lot of time. He stared at the fast-moving water in front of him, the other shore a mere 8 feet away. Muttering angrily, he braved himself for the cold water and stepped forward in his canvas red Converse, gasping as the shock of cold water sprang up his legs. He almost uttered a curse, but shook his head and continued across. 

But as long as you are with me

Michael shielded his eyes as he came out of the forested area into the bright light of Lyndale’s beach-edge boardwalk. He thought about taking off his teal-green jacket in the sun, but ultimately decided against it, remembering why he was here. Now he was almost done, and he had one last thing to do: look. 

There’s no place I’d rather be

James saw the trees ending shortly after he finished crossing the river. Curious, he went to where they were and was surprised to find he wasn’t far off at all. He was in Lyndale! He walked down the boardwalk, looking around. It wasn’t long before he saw. . .

Michael was facing away from the beach, thinking about where he would wait. Then he heard someone yell, “Michael!” He turned, and grinned at who he saw.  “James!” He cried, taking off towards him. James smiled back and started running as well.  The two collided in a hug, Michael twirling to compensate for the force of James crashing into him. When the came to a stop, James pulled out a little, hanging on to Michael’s arms, and asked, “Michael, oh my god, how’d you get here?”  “What do you mean, how’d I get here? They took you away, I was so scared, I —“ Michael broke off into tears.  James raised his arms up to Michael’s height and wiped his tears away. “Michael, I’m so sorry, I escaped as fast as I could, I’m so sorry I couldn’t get to you sooner.” He hugged Michael again, and Michael held tight, not wanting to let go. 

There's my story.  I'm rather proud of it.  I really liked it after rereading it. 

submitted by Lucy B., age 14!!!!!!!, Emmilvien
(June 16, 2018 - 6:21 pm)

Lucy B., I give you a 9.4 out of 10. Lets see what elementgirl thinks. 

submitted by Caramel Star, age 11, Island Of Youth
(June 17, 2018 - 8:23 am)
Challange accepted.
*reenacts the meme*
Anyway:
----
I looked at the calendar.
3012, June, second.
Now it's been ten years. Ten years since I left America for Genesis. I can remember it, just barely. New York City, full of it's shining lights. That apartment where my Creator and Company built me from the ground up and gave me my voice. They taught me how to sing in that appartment in New York City, that fascinating place. All I can see is a few grainy snapshots, but...
My bedroom was pretty small. I think it had a piano? No, it was just a keyboard. Didn't they teach me how to play it? Yes, they did. I can't recall ever being that good at the time, however. Yes, that's right. By the time I had mastered it, I had been living in Genesis for two years. I was six. If only I had mastered it before then.
Why?
Because that beautiful statue that I saw as the boat left deserved to be immortalized in my memory, with an equally beautiful piano song. I only saw her once, but I remember it clearer than anything. The way her hand held the torch in the air not only told me that anyone was welcome here, in this country I was leaving, but... it seemed hopeful. It was as if she was telling me:
"Hold your light up high for the whole word to see,"
I felt powerful, standing on that boat, looking up at her. I hoped that someday, I'd be like that too, singing my songs and inspiring people. I hope she's proud of all the lives I've changed here.
As I look out the vast window on the ship, sitting in front of this keyboard, glass keys and all, I gaze into the distance. I hope to catch a glimpse of that statue, that statue that inspired me and lit a fire in my soul with her torch. I hope she's still there, with all the earthquakes that have hit my homeland. As we get closer, I feel my heart sink. Where is she? My fingers feel the keys, not pressing... but feeling, as if to draw comfort and strength from the music inside of them.
But finally-
She's there. While she may have sunk in the earthquakes that tore through this area of the world, she's still there. I can see her, submerged in the sea from the shoulders down. She is brave, like me. Even if she sinks all the way, she won't be forgotten. Her torch still is held high. I pick up the pen next to me and hold it above my head.
"I'll shine my light for the world to see, and I'll make you prouder than ever," I whisper.
And I put the pen down and place my hands on the keys once again. I improvise, turning every drop of determination in me into my new masterpeice. When I get back home, back home to Genesis, I'll play this for them, so they too can feel what I feel by looking at that statue. I want them to be strong too, so when the flood comes to try to wash them over, they'll hold their torches in the air and sing together, the anthem of music and hope itself.
----

:O I hope that was good enough. Anyway, told from the POV of my OC Delta. 
submitted by Pooki P, age -30, not where you live
(June 17, 2018 - 4:00 pm)

Hmmmmmm. Pooki P, your story was a little unclear. I'm sorry, but the best I can give you is a 7. I'm really sorry. 

submitted by Caramel Star, age 11, Island of Youth
(June 17, 2018 - 4:50 pm)

Haha, I know. My writing isn't really that good. It's fine!

submitted by Pooki P, age -30, not where you live
(June 18, 2018 - 11:05 am)

Since my writing style has a lot of really short paragraphs, I went over the limit. I'm so sorry, but it's really hard for me to squash those things into just 6 paragraphs. I tried to keep it short though!

submitted by Pooki P, age -30, not where you live
(June 17, 2018 - 4:03 pm)

Pooki P your fine

submitted by Caramel Star, age 11, Island of Youth
(June 17, 2018 - 4:46 pm)

Who am I? 

 

Ha. As if I’d tell you who I really am. Really, to come begging to a goddess for her true name— you can’t have thought that it would be as easy as that. 

 

Darling, I like you. I promise. I really do. But you can’t expect me to not put up a little fight before you destroy the world. So I think I’ll cut you a deal. How does that sound? 

 

Anything, hm? You’ll do anything for me? That seems like a risky wager, dearest. But if you’re sure, I mean— who could ever resist an offer such as that? You’re so generous. 

 

Do you know what I want? More than anything in the world? More than the stars? I want you to remember me. I want you to remember the goddess who told you her name and to make sure they remember who I am. 

 

That’s all, sweetheart. Now, do you want to know or not? 

 

--- 

this is rather short, but in the style of flash fiction, I suppose. . . to clear things up if you don't catch on immediately-- the style of this story is a one-sided conversation. . . critique welcome.  

submitted by September
(June 18, 2018 - 6:14 pm)

Oh my gosh. Ummmmm, nothing is really clear. I'm really sorry. The best rating is 5. 

submitted by Caramel Star
(June 19, 2018 - 2:10 pm)
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