Dumped on the Beach

Writing Challenge: Write based on the guidelines given for Rachael Harrie's Third Campaign Challenge.   

My response is below. It meets all the criteria. :0)

Dumped on the Beach
By Dawn M. Hamsher

Jallia lay on the smooth compact sand, still breathless from her swim. Her body glistened in the morning sun. Rolpier lay flopped beside her.

“Every day is the same. Swim in. Lay out. Swim again,” he said.

“Yes, isn’t it glorious? The next big one will be coming soon, so you better rest.”

“Jallia, your synbatec optimism is driving me crazy.”

Further up the beach, they heard a boy yell.

“Eww gross! What’s that smell? Oh man! Dad, Dad, look it’s a dead jellyfish! It’s all transparent and gushy.”

Then a woman yelled. “Brady, don’t you touch that thing!”

Rolpier sighed. “Lucky devil. He’s out of his misery.”

“I’m really not sure why I hang out with you. You’re such a wastopaneer! You should be up there with him,” Jallia said angrily.

Just then a wave washed up and swept Jallia out to sea. The water also reached Rolpier, but it only carried him a foot before depositing him again.

“Hey Jallia! You don’t mean it. Don’t leave me!”

Jallia ducked under the water, not looking back. Her tentacles tactised gracefully behind her as she purposefully propelled forward. She was deep underwater when the next words broke on the beach.

“Hey Dad! I found another jellyfish and this one’s not dead yet!”

Imago, The Great

Rachael Harrie’s Campaign Challenge #2

Write a blog post in exactly 200 words.
Include the word "imago" in the title.

Include the words: "miasma" "lacuna," "oscitate," and "synchronicity"
Make reference to a mirror in your post.

 

My entry has all of the above.

 

Imago, The Great
by Dawn M. Hamsher

Imago frowned. He flipped pages, searching for the illusion’s finale, but found only a lacuna in the old tattered book of magic. Immediately, he looked at the portrait of his graying mother. She would have done this –to protect him.  

For years, Imago had carefully learned the tricks written by his father and grandfather. His embellishments on those family jewels had earned him the name Imago, The Great.

This illusion had been his father’s greatest challenge, even his death, and Imago had to conquer it, missing page or not.

***

A few in the audience began to oscitate. Imago had to act fast.  

He removed his hat with flair.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, you will not believe your eyes.” 

Imago placed two jars. 

“I will attempt a feat...” 

He placed a full-length mirror. 

“That no man has ever lived through.”

He broke the bottles.

“Keep your eyes on the mirror.”

As he slowly lost consciousness from the miasma, Imago saw his gray rabbit hop to him. In its mouth was a yellowed book page. With his final breath, he laughed at the ironic synchronicity.

***

The applause was thunderous.

Two men and one woman took their bows from inside the mirror.

IF YOU ENJOYED THIS, CLICK HERE AND VOTE FOR #50 - IMAGO, THE GREAT.

Campaign Challenge - The Door

First Campaign Challenge -- Write a short story/flash fiction story in 200 words or less. Begin the story with the words: “The door swung open”. For added challenge end with the words: "the door swung shut" and make your story exactly 200 words.

I took on the added challenges!  My response is below.

.....................................................................................................

The Door

By Dawn M. Hamsher

The door swung open. I took a deep breath and stepped inside. I stood on the red carpet. I was still alive. Did I really think I’d be struck by lightning?

 

My heart was pounding as I walked down the hall. My hands clenched and unclenched. I licked my lips over and over.

What was I thinking? Why had I come?

 

I wanted to turn and run, but then I saw it. There on the altar was the cross. 

I think someone spoke to me, but I kept going. 

By the time I got to the railing and knelt, I was shaking all over. I broke down. I can’t remember what I said or did. I just remember feeling so empty, like I had dumped 20 years of my life.

Then an arm wrapped around me and a woman said, “He does forgive you and he wants you back.”

It’s hard to explain what happened next. A warmth filled me and I felt what the woman was saying deep inside my soul. All the bad stuff I had done no longer chained me down. 

When I left, I was changed. My old life was gone as the door swung shut.