To join and / or meet the wizard behind this challenge click below:
http://rachaelritchey.com/blogbattle/
Rules:
- 1000 wordsmax
- fictionaltale (or true if you really want)
- PG(no more than PG-13) Content – let’s keep this family friendly!
- Your story must contain the word(s) from the theme and/or be centered aroundthe theme in a way that shows it is clearly related
- Go for the entertainmentvalue!
- State the Genre of your storyat the top of your post.
- Post your story on Tuesday, by 11:59 PM PST
- Use the hashtag #BlogBattle when tweeting your story, put a link back to your #BlogBattle Short Story in the comments section of this page, and/or include a link to this page in your own blog post(it creates a “ping-back” which will alert me and our friends to your #BlogBattle post)
- Have fun!
Each winner will receive the awesome #BlogBattle Winner Badge to display with their winning story on their webpage.
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Goldilocks?
An unusual number of parked cars clogged the street in front of her apartment. Sandy grumbled and turned left twice to the underground garage, at the back of the building. She reached for the remote but it wasn’t on the visor. “Where the…?” An impatient car horn sounded behind her and inched forward closer. She tapped her horn back at him. Wait. The driver laid on the horn again like there was a fire.
Though early spring and breezy, Sandy’s armpits soaked through her light jacket. Blinking in concentration, she pawed the passenger seat, in the crevices, and on the floor. No luck. Her head snapped at the thump on her driver’s window unable to identify the face bent towards her.
“Open the window.” A man’s voice growled the words, and pixel by pixel, she discerned a human face: short clipped beard, mustache, angry brown eyes, nose skimming the glass. “Well?”
She snapped into action and cranked the handle a couple times. “Sorry. I’ve misplaced my remote. Let me in with yours and I’ll be out of your hair.” She wound up the window, forced a smile and set her hands on the steering wheel. Eyes bulging, he threw his hands into the air. Muttering something colorful, he slapped the window again, and stomped off. Heart racing like a thundering locomotive, her focus on the garage door, Sandy gripped the steering wheel. The double-door creaked and yawned open. Without skipping a beat, she lurched forward and around the corner to her designated spot.
Parked, then out in a flash, she noted the remote on the floor on the driver’s side. She dashed towards the trunk, grabbed her parcels and raced to the elevator. She did not intend to share the pleasure of his company in such a cramped space. Before the door slid shut, a hand plunged to the button on the wall outside without success. Muscles tense and rigid, Sandy shrieked and watched the door slip to its final destination. “Yes!”
The elevator stopped on the third floor. Sandy grasped the handles on her shopping bags and backed into a corner. Old Ma Murphy, as the the tenants called her, tapped her way into the elevator, the splitting image of the famous Einstein. “Hello, dear. Don’t you look a fright. Everything okay?”
Sandy raised a clutch of bag handles to her chest and exhaled. “Sure. I’m good. Had a tense moment with a nasty driver.”
“One reason why I never took up driving, especially these days.” The door creaked shut an inch from Ma Murphy’s behind. She poked her cane at the scruffy carpet. “Mrs. Swain is home from hospital. In need of pleasant company, she said. Going to make her tea.”
Sandy glanced at the red floor numbers. Creak. Creak. They stopped on five. Old Ma Murphy pointed the stick at her packages. “Ever wonder if you spend too much money on nonsense?” She said, “Tsk-tsk,” circled round and shuffled out, shaking her head. “Young people these days.” The door scraped to a close and rocked upward taking its sweet time to the 11th floor.
Her floor was empty. Already smells of early suppers cooking reminded her she’d forgotten lunch. Dropping the bags in front of 1105, Sandy fished for keys in her purse. She came up empty. This isn’t happening. It’s not happening. Hairline damp, she stamped her foot and tried again. Teeth clenched, fingers fumbled and clawed. They closed around the key ring. A door slammed in the hall, but she didn’t look up. Instead, she stabbed the lock and pushed the door with more force than intended.
Inside, she leaned against the closed door, eyes and ears on alert. Something odd hung in the air. A sixth sense held her back, wary. There couldn’t be anyone else in the apartment. She’d made enough noise to wake up the dead, hadn’t she?
The kitchen on her right, she tiptoed inside. No one and nothing. Why is it, she wondered, when you think an intruder might be in your house you don’t run for help? Instead, you choke on your heart, crossing fingers no one’s there. She grabbed the meat cleaver off the counter and almost called out, ‘Is someone here?’ Stupid question. Would an intruder answer, ‘Yes, me, the intruder.’ Living- and dining-rooms clear. Nothing worth stealing anyway.
Short of collapsing from tension, Sandy crept down the hallway. Had she shut the bedroom door before going out? She turned the knob with exquisite care, and pushed in the door, not allowing it to slam. The hair on the back of her neck prickled. One door left: the bathroom. She listened. Not a sound. A strong aroma of orange blossom bubble bath enveloped her.
Beyond terror now, Sandy wrenched the door open. A body took a dive beneath the bubbles, red-painted toenails trailed in the air. She’d recognize them anywhere.
“Clarisse. What are you doing here?” Hand thrust in the water, she shoved the head down, panting and collapsed on the floor. “How’d you get in?”
The body popped up, short hair clinging to scalp and face, gasping for air. A pale hand swept across her eyes and over her forehead, teeth gleaming like piano keys. “What a way to greet your little sister. Don’t you check your texts? We’re celebrating your promotion.”
“How’d you get in?”
“You gave me a key, silly.” Clarisse arched ink-black brows and rolled her eyes. “I buzzed and buzzed until a cute guy with a beard and mustache let me in.”
Sandy dropped the cleaver and covered her face. “You almost gave me a stroke.”
“Drama queen. Out—and then it’s your turn. We have a double date tonight.”
“Who? Not…”
Clarisse wiggled wet eyebrows.
The End
© 2015 Tess @ How the Cookie Crumbles
January 18, 2016 at 8:50 pm
Another tense one Tess. Good job. I know how this person felt. Always a hassle when you can’t find something you know is there.
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January 18, 2016 at 8:55 pm
That is such a common occurrence–can’t find an opener and an angry motorist has no patience. Now, next time it happens, I’m going to think of this story and cringe.
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January 19, 2016 at 12:45 am
Tess there you had me on the edge of my seat again! The goosebumps are now fading from my arms. Sheesh girl you are going ot give me a heart attack one of these days. 🙂
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January 19, 2016 at 2:32 am
Tess, you are so good at this scary stuff!
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January 19, 2016 at 2:50 am
Tess, this is such productive, informative and well detailed!
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January 19, 2016 at 6:42 pm
Thanks so much for reading and for your kind comment. 🙂
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January 19, 2016 at 3:24 am
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Teresa Karlinski with one of her tense pieces of fiction.. had me looking over my shoulder. thanks Tess
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January 19, 2016 at 12:25 pm
Ha ha ha. Glad you enjoy the tension. Takes so much for the re-blog. ❤ ❤
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January 19, 2016 at 12:52 pm
Sorry, Sally. That’s supposed to read THANKS. Between a cat climbing all over me and fighting WP, I’m making a mess of things. Hope whatever is going on in the background hurries up and stops. 😦
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January 19, 2016 at 3:28 am
❤️
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January 19, 2016 at 6:41 pm
Thanks so much, Jen. ❤ ❤ ❤ Hope you are well and life is on a somewhat even keel?
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January 19, 2016 at 4:01 am
I couldn’t help but smile at the line ‘red painted toe nails trailed in the air’ all the tension was quickly released with that line. great story..
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January 19, 2016 at 6:40 pm
Ha ha. Thank you. I had to laugh as well.
Glad you enjoyed my little prank. 🙂
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January 19, 2016 at 5:29 am
Our minds love to go to dark places first.
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January 19, 2016 at 6:40 pm
Ha ha. I guess that’s more true than not. Darker places offer more excitement and that’s not my 16-year-old self talking. 😀 😀
Thank you for the visit, TBM, for reading your great comment.
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January 19, 2016 at 5:48 am
Great tale Tess – almost made me slip off my branch reading it 😀
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January 19, 2016 at 6:38 pm
😀 😀 😀 Oops! ‘Almost’ is bad enough. I wouldn’t want you to hurt yourself anytime, and not because of a story. The truth: I paced and paced, strategizing how to shake you up a a little… just a little. Nothing serious, understand? Whew!
Thank you for reading, Sir Ape. 😀 😀 I appreciate your support.
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January 20, 2016 at 3:58 am
LOLOL – It’s OK Tess – I have a soft behind and usually land on it anyway 😀 😀 😀
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January 19, 2016 at 6:21 am
Ha! That would be about my luck. Well done Tess. I was scared to death and standing right there with her. Mega hugs!
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January 19, 2016 at 6:31 pm
Your comment means a lot to me, Teagan. Thanks so much for reading and kind support. I truly appreciate your kind words. ❤ ❤ ❤
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January 19, 2016 at 7:24 am
So very well done Tess! And won’t that date be fun!!!
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January 19, 2016 at 6:30 pm
Ha ha. Depends who the guy in the mustache and beard is. I have a feeling darts will fly… 😀 😀 😀
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January 19, 2016 at 7:47 pm
I’m imagining some men like that. Darts might be okay if they don’t strike and end up getting past that. 🙂
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January 19, 2016 at 8:35 am
I’ve had days like that. This was extremely enjoyable. 😀
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January 19, 2016 at 6:29 pm
Thank YOU, Glynis. I know some days you wonder what’s wrong with the universe and why this bad day is happening to you. I’m tickled pink you enjoyed the read. ❤ ❤ ❤
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January 19, 2016 at 8:35 am
Great tension built and never let up … even the ending! Poor, poor Sandy.
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January 19, 2016 at 6:27 pm
Wonderful to hear, Joanne. Thanks so much. Poor Sandy, indeed. I almost gave myself a heart attack writing this. Ha ha.
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January 19, 2016 at 7:01 pm
Those unpredictable characters don’t always go where you expect them to 😉
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January 19, 2016 at 12:07 pm
Wonderful suspense with this one. Enjoyed it. And I loved this line: “pixel by pixel, she discerned a human face”.
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January 19, 2016 at 6:26 pm
*blush* Thank YOU, Carrie. I may be repeating comments. If so, apologies. 😦
Had trouble this morning typing and sending comments. Started Friday. Almost ripped my hair out. Okay now.
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January 19, 2016 at 12:55 pm
Sounds like the little sister is a force of nature.
Great, suspenseful story, Tess!
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January 19, 2016 at 6:24 pm
Thank a zillion, Mike, for sticking around and reading. I appreciate our support. 😀 😀
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January 19, 2016 at 8:42 pm
Of course I stuck around. I love your stuff.
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January 19, 2016 at 1:54 pm
I enjoyed that Tess. The ending was great after all that tension! 🙂
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January 19, 2016 at 6:23 pm
😀 😀 😀 Thanks so much, Judy. Your kind comment means a lot to me. ❤
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January 19, 2016 at 6:44 pm
I may be sending a response a second time. Thank you, Edwina. I’ tickled you enjoyed my prank.
I’ve been fighting with the internet and my laptop (both anyway) since Friday. Couldn’t type comments, or the letters took forever to appear, or no letters at all.. Bah
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January 20, 2016 at 1:46 am
How frustrating! Stupid internet, and laptops, conspiring against you!
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January 19, 2016 at 2:41 pm
You have an amazing way of putting us right into your story, Tess, right there, I love it. Thank you. 🙂
Hope this week is treating you well. 🙂
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January 19, 2016 at 6:22 pm
Hey, KOOOL Lady. Thank YOU. I appreciate your positive input and the fact you visit and read as well. ❤ ❤ ❤
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January 19, 2016 at 3:57 pm
Oh you minx, you got me all tensed up!
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January 19, 2016 at 6:20 pm
Honest? Makes me happy. You know what I mean, right. Thanks so much, Gilly. I appreciate your kind support. ❤ ❤ ❤
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January 19, 2016 at 4:58 pm
Great imagery. In particular I loved the part that described the sisters teeth “like piano keys.” Very nice.
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January 19, 2016 at 6:19 pm
Thank YOU. I see her as a little fireball, don’t you? Appreciate your visit and comment. ❤
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January 19, 2016 at 5:25 pm
Your stories just get better and better!!
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January 19, 2016 at 6:19 pm
Thank you, Darlene, for visiting and reading. I can only hope I’m learning. ❤ ❤ ❤
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January 19, 2016 at 6:49 pm
Oooh. Rapid fire tension and then the mystery at the end. Great story!
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January 19, 2016 at 7:03 pm
*blush* I’m ticked you enjoyed it. Thank YOU. ❤
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January 19, 2016 at 9:41 pm
Tess, I had to read fast to find out what happened! Great tension build-up ! You’re a master at end “twists.” Chryssa
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January 19, 2016 at 10:14 pm
Nice suspenseful moment on top of a tense set up. Well done on building a mood. 🙂
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January 19, 2016 at 11:32 pm
Another great almost spooky piece Tess. I love your suspense, you never disappoint! 🙂
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January 20, 2016 at 2:59 am
Reblogged this on Barrow Blogs: .
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January 20, 2016 at 8:54 pm
Thank YOU, Judith. You’re my favorite person today. ❤
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January 20, 2016 at 9:35 pm
I like being a favourite person, Tess – if it’s only for a few minutes. LOL Jx
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January 21, 2016 at 11:49 am
Ha ha. Heavens, not only for a few minutes. NO. All the time! ❤ ❤
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January 20, 2016 at 4:28 am
Whew! That was tense! Nice one, Tess 🙂
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January 20, 2016 at 6:19 am
What a great one Tess. Isn’t it amazing how all the small things add up and create in our minds a terrible outcome. I love how you do this. Wonderful.
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January 20, 2016 at 9:46 am
Great sense of atmosphere and menace. You’d make Hitchcock proud.
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January 20, 2016 at 11:45 am
Brilliant it was a great slow build of stress and strain .
Really enjoyed it! 🙂
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January 21, 2016 at 7:10 am
Great tension. was waiting for that angry driver from the beginning to show up again. But you kept it unpredictable. Good job. 🙂
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January 21, 2016 at 11:46 am
Thanks so much. I was surprised he showed up again too. I didn’t really have a plan for him. 😀 😀 😀
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January 23, 2016 at 1:03 am
Great Tess, was engaged right till the end. Love your style!
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January 23, 2016 at 10:37 am
Thank you, Lucy. I like YOUR style too. 🙂
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January 23, 2016 at 10:41 am
Phew! Happy Weekend to you 🙂
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January 24, 2016 at 8:52 pm
The little sister is the culprit! You had me guessing on that one. 🙂 I’m not sure if she was brave or not for searching the house and not calling the police.
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January 24, 2016 at 8:54 pm
Ha ha. Little sister is a handful, I guess. Don’t we do strange things when we think someone might be hiding in our house like ask if anyone is there? Duh.
Thanks for reading. Glad this held your interest. 🙂
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January 26, 2016 at 12:14 am
It’s such a classic duh asking that question, lol! XD Makes me laugh every time a movie or tv show does that!
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January 31, 2016 at 7:03 pm
haha!
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