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| << July28, 2007 - Hearts and Humor - Just Imagine |
August03, 2007 - Hearts and Humor - Just Look 'Em in the Eye and Say Hi >> |
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Hi, Gang About two hours ago, I submitted my entry for the Writers Weekly 24-hour Short Story Contest. Before the story I have the subject I received yesterday and then my entry. I'm curious to know what you think. It's not as dark as most of my entries to this contest. I think this entry is just spooky. If you enjoy a story, feel free to pass it on to your friends. I only ask that you leave the link at the bottom for them to join us. NOTE: IF YOU WISH TO STOP RECEIVING MY STORIES, PLEASE USE THE UNSUBSCRIBE LINK BELOW. PLEASE DO NOT MARK ME AS SPAM. MY STORIES ARE ONLY SENT TO THOSE WHO SUBSCRIBE TO MY EZINE. I Love your comments. Send them to: msmith4@nj.rr.com If anyone is interested in greeting cards, Ginny belongs to a group of artists. They've teamed together to market their products. Check them out at: http://www.etsygreetings.blogspot.com Ginny's cards and other crafts are at: http://www.ginginsgoodies.etsy.com Be sure to check out my collection of inspirational sites at the end. There's something for everyone. Now for today's story. TODAY'S TOPIC! Mosquitoes buzzed, but kept their distance as the aroma of insect repellent overpowered the smoke coming from the dying campfire. The counselor was getting to the good part of the ghost story and the campers were all quiet, straining to hear the raspy whispers of the protagonist. The sudden sound of footsteps approaching on the pine needle carpet silenced the group. All heads turned simultaneously and the little girls screamed when a man emerged from the tree line, dressed in torn clothing and carrying a pack. The pack started to move as an infant's startled cry joined the panicked chorus... ~~~~~ WORD COUNT Stories for today's topic must not exceed 1050 words. (Your story's title is *not* included in the word count. We used MSWord's word count function to determine the final word count in submission.) *Very Important* Type "24 Hour Contest" in the subject line of your email entry! This will enable us to pull any wayward entries out of our sp*m filter. This is what I came up with He was Gone “Isn’t it beautiful, Larry?” Susan asked her husband. “It’s incredible.” They passed a warning sign with a picture of a deer on it. Larry glanced to his left. The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, separated by deep ravines and valleys, stretched for as far as he could see. “I spent all my life in Kansas. I didn’t have time to travel. I can’t believe how beautiful these mountains are.” “I love them. I haven’t seen them in close to twenty years. If Daddy hadn’t taken that job in Kansas, I’d probably live here.” She reached over and squeezed Larry’s arm. “Then again, I’d probably never have met you.” Larry reached out and massaged the back of Susan’s head. “I love you!” She sighed and leaned her head back against his soothing hand. “I wonder if my cousins will remember me?” “Susan, you talk to them on the phone all the time.” “You know what I mean; will they recognize me? It’s been so long.” “Hun, you emailed pictures to them.” “You’re right. I’m being silly.” They passed a brown sign stating, “Girl Scout Camp - 5 Miles.” Oh my God, Larry! I forgot about the camp. I used to go there every year. If I’m not mistaken, it’s over there,” She pointed to the left. “On the side of that mountain. I bet they’re camping there right now. I wonder if Karen, she was our counselor back then, is still there. She’d be in her 50’s now.” A weak cry came from the back seat. Larry turned to check six-month-old Amanda. “Susan, she’s so beautiful. She looks just like you.” “Larry, look out!” Susan screamed. Larry turned to see a deer leap from the woods on their right. He slammed on the brakes and turned the wheel. The car spun out of control, flipped over a guard rail, landed on its wheels, and careened down the side of the mountain. Larry held onto the wheel and tried to see through the cracked windshield. Near the bottom of the mountain, they slammed into a tree, spun and landed on their roof at the edge of a fast moving river. Larry woke to Amanda’s screams. Susan hung lifeless from her seatbelt. He reached out and shook her shoulder. “Susan?” He asked. “Hun?” He placed his hand on her neck – no pulse. The baby, strapped securely in her car seat, continued to scream. Larry knew it was too late for Susan. He had to protect their child. He pushed the button to release his seatbelt and dropped to the roof of the overturned car. He didn’t feel his head smash against the roof light. Larry crawled to Amanda. Cradling her in his right arm, he forced his way through the shattered rear window. A jagged piece of metal ripped his shirt and cut deep into his shoulder. He felt nothing. He staggered to safety and stood with Amanda in his arms. Susan’s pale face pressed against the window. Her vacant eyes stared at him. In his mind, he heard her speak, “Larry, save our daughter.” He looked up the side of the steep mountain and saw the torn trail they’d created in the brush. Larry knew he couldn’t climb to the top, especially with Amanda in his arms. “If I’m not mistaken, it’s over there, up on the side of that mountain. I bet they’re camping there right now.” Larry remembered Susan saying. He set his daughter on the ground, returned to the car, and retrieved a backpack. With his daughter secure in the pack, Larry followed the rivers edge. Before he turned the first bend, he looked back to see his wife staring after him. “Go! Save our daughter. I’m with the mountains I love.” Larry found a trail and followed it; the sun set. He found a stick and stumbled through the forest like a blind man. A light breeze carried the scent of wood smoke. Larry turned to the wind and followed it to safety. ******************** Mosquitoes buzzed, but kept their distance as the aroma of insect repellent overpowered the smoke coming from the dying campfire. Counselor Karen was getting to the good part of the ghost story and the campers were all quiet, straining to hear the raspy whispers of the protagonist. The sudden sound of footsteps approaching on the pine needle carpet silenced the group. All heads turned simultaneously and the little girls screamed when a man emerged from the tree line, dressed in torn clothing and carrying a backpack. The pack started to move as an infant's startled cry joined the panicked chorus... “Help my baby.” He said. Karen rushed to his side. “Are you OK?” “Help my baby.” He repeated. “We had an accident.” She led him to a place near the fire and returned to those tending the mosquito-bitten baby. “I think she’s OK,” she said to one of the other counselors. Karen turned back to the fire. “Did you say there was an accident?” The man was gone. ******************** Karen picked up the newspaper and read the headline. ”Former Resident, Susan Hill, Killed – Search for Missing Child Ends” “Susan Hill?” Karen asked out loud. The name was familiar. She continued to read. The search for a missing child comes to a happy and mysterious end. Former resident Susan Hill and her husband, Larry Smith, both wearing seatbelts were found dead in their car at the bottom of a ravine, after family members reported them missing. Authorities, alerted that Mr. and Mrs. Smith traveled with their six-month-old daughter, who was not in the vehicle at the time of the gruesome discovery, began an extensive search. Unable to find the child on the mountainside, they dragged the river bed. The search was called off, when local camp Counselor, Karen Grady, called authorities and reported, “A strange man came to our camp. He handed us a backpack with a young child in it.” She continued, “As the girls tended to the child, I turned to ask the man what happened, but he was gone.” Michael T. Smith mtsmith@qwestonline.com 2425B 6TH Street Fort Lee, New Jersey 07024 201-835-3478 Word Count: 1009 If you enjoy a story, feel free to pass it on to your friends. My only request is that you include the link for your friends to join our family. To join our family, go to: http://subs.zinester.com/86758/ As promised, here is a list of great inspirational sites. I subscribe to all of them. You will love these sites. A good friend of mine has a new book out. You should check this out. Carol's been through rough times. She tells it all in her latest book. Carol Roach M.Ed, B.A. Publisher: Storytime Tapestry Author: Angels Watching Over Me:http://www.lulu.com/content/644485 Picking up the Pieces: A Woman's Journey: www.publishamerica.com To join Carol's story site, go to Storytime Tapestry at: http://archives.zinester.com/98907/ From my wonderful writing friend, Jan. She writes wonderful stories about her life and losing her sight. Janet Perez Eckles Faith and Love with a Latin Flair www.janetperezeckles.com Here's a good one by Linda Della Donna Freelance Writer www.littleredmailbox.com www.griefcase.blogspot.com www.storybone.blogspot.com "...and sometime when I wasn't looking, I got a new life." By my good friend Keith in Australia: http://www.agiftofinspiration.com.au/ My friend Phil runs http://www.peoplestuff.com.au/ Phil's awesome and brutally honest Zev, yes another friend, runs http://empoweringmessages.com/stories/ Heart Catchers is a wonderful site. www.DianeDeanWhite.com www.Heartwarmers.com and www.petwarmers.com are two wonderful story sites. http://hodu.com/ http://www.mydailyinsights.com/ www.ripplemaker.com http://www.sermonillustrator.org http://www.SkyWriting.Net Here's a newly discovered one I like: http://www.archive.zinester.com/9516 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WarmFuzzyStories/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WithInSight/ If you, or anyone you know needs prayers for health concerns, struggles,etc visit www.janetperezeckles.com Janet's prayer group will respond. That's all I can think of right now. If I come up with more, I'll add them. Enjoy!!! I love your comments, Send them to msmith4@nj.rr.com. I'll include some in every post. Comments on my story, "Are You Hiding Under Your Tent?" Mike it's so nice to know you're totally human and have the courage to own up to not being perfect. You certainly aren't the only one who would like to go back to being that little boy/girl at times when life isn't going the way we wanted but we just can't afford the luxury of hiding until all is better. It's good Ginny took control making the two of you face up to reality. I love your stories and appreciate you taking the time to share them with us. I started receiving your stories quite awhile ago but lost them when I changed computers. It took awhile before I found one of your stories on another site. Many 'Thanks' again. Vel ************************** From my dearfriend Sandi Dear Mike, I'm sincerely sorry to read about your recent fall. How is your ankle now? Hopefully the pain and swelling have subsided, and with Ginny's able care and attention, you're feeling much better. Please be more careful, kind friend. By the way, I certainly loved your 'hiding under the tent' essay and can identify with many parts of it in my own life. Thank you for your insightful, creative, gifted writings! Blessings, Sandi. *********************** Hi Mike & Ginny! Hey...it's me....over here! Awesome story, as per usual! My friends just love hearing from me especially when they receive your stories and we just can't get enough! God sure blesses you. Remember FurrBee (spelling)? I'm 61 yo and my husband bought it for me last year. I'll never outgrow being a child...at least at heart! My mother-in-law, who will be 91 this November, asks for it every time she comes to visit...it brings her so much joy! Too bad we don't live closer.....we have a Mr. Potato Head too! Fondly, Cheri To unsuvscribe, go to: http://www.zinester.com/cgi/unsub.cgi?86758&0& To read more of my stories or to sign up for my twice-weekly posts, go to: http://archives.zinester.com/86758 |
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August03, 2007 - Hearts and Humor - Just Look 'Em in the Eye and Say Hi >> |
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