Welcome to the Weekly Challenge Number One Hundred And Sixty-Eight, where I post a topic and then challenge you to come up with a 100 word story based on that topic.
The topic this week was… was…. um…
It’s Shrouded in Mist.
The excellent theme music is by Guy David
VOTING
Go ahead and listen to them and then vote for your favorites (multiple selections are allowed):
Justin
The sliver of moon shone onto the obscuring mists. A lone car traveled slowly along the road that wove amongst the fields. It swerved, narrowly missing an escaped miniature pony and ran into a ditch. Dogs barked, but no one came from the farmhouse. The driver climbed out. From the fields of mist arose the hungry dead. The driver unawares until one grasped his shoulder. Scrambling back into the car, the driver spun his wheels, getting nowhere. The horse spooked and kicked, breaking the driver’s window. The dead cut themselves on shards of glass as they climbed in to feast.
TJ
Tiny flecks of dew sparkled on the fine hairs of her forearms, adding to the illusion of sinful gaudy display in the encumbered moonlight. A fine night for a walk, Goody Williams thought, luxuriating in the sensation of her lustrous auburn hair, gathered by day into a proper bun, now flowing freely about her naked shoulders. Any other night the city fathers would surely flog her in stocks but not this night, she mused. Shrouded as she was in night, the deep Salem mists wrapped about her skin, she was free as Godiva and yet modest as her puritanical mother.
Lewis
I heard stories of a wise person once that lived on a mountain.
The path to wisdom was said to be shrouded in mist.
The guru’s sight was able to pierce through the depths of your own.
Your life is an open book without words.
I decided to take the trek to find the man.
I found a village where many people spoke of the same story.
They pointed to the mountain above the town; its peak was hidden by clouds.
The journey up the mountain took two days.
At the top, I found a shack with only a mirror.
Guy David
Heavy mist lifted above the graveyard. Georgy Ghost has risen above his grave, stretched and yawned, then got ready for his morning exercises. “Have to keep in shape” he told Jenny Ghost who’s also been rising. “You don’t say” she said. Her chin had fallen and she had to pick it up and reconnect it to the rest of her face. “You see what I mean?” said Georgy. He made himself ghost coffee, then they heard a loud noise and the patchwork bus came out of Georgy’s grave and made him the bus’s ghost, morning coffee still in one hand.
Mick
The old man walked along the beach, waves lapping over his feet. He had hidden what they were looking for, buried it deep in the sand, awaiting the next generation to take up the cause. His work was done and he was ready for them, no will left to run.
He felt the knife push against his back, but the pain as it pierced his heart was dulled by the pain he already felt at leaving his family alone.
They searched for their prize, but left empty-handed and angry.
Lifeless, his body crumpled to the ground, shrouded in mist.
Norval Joe
Chad stepped forward blindly, the small black box held out before him.
A red pinpoint of light flashed on the screen, and the box vibrated with warmth if he followed its direction, instantly cold if he diverged from its guidance.
He had only a few minutes to cross over and now that he was here, he had no idea where to go.
After hours of wandering, he sat, shrouded in the mist.
A short haired cat, slate grey with silver tipped ears and tail, sat by him.
Chad stared into its copper eyes.
“You’re lost, aren’t you?” The cat said.
Jeff 1
“I thought you said this island was always shrouded in mist.”
“It is.”
“What are you crazy, it is clear as a bell, can can see all the way to New York City from here.”
“Really, that’s an awful long way off.”
“No you Idiot, it is turn of phrase. What I was trying to say is that there is no mist.”
“Oh, I see then.”
“But this place is supposed to be hidden.”
“Why?”
“Because it is Avalon.”
“And?”
“People would start expecting King Arthur to come back.”
“Is he one of the Queens sons?”
“No, he’s king of the Britons.”
Jeff 2
Henry stood alone on the plain and waited. He had been waiting for most of his life, but this was a new one. He had waited to be born, he had waited in line in school, he had waited at the bank and the grocery store. It had really gotten to be a habit for him, he even waited while his mother had died last year and the doctors said there was nothing to be done. His whole life had been waiting. Now he waited for death. When it came it was shrouded in mist.
“Can I help you Henry?”
Lynda
Ven night falls and ze vild volf howls, look to ze full moon high in ze southvestern skies. Zere, upon ze hill, shrouded in mist, you may see it. Follow ze forest road, taking ze first left after ze graveyard. Pass ze vaterfall where ze fallen oak tree rests and continue until you reach ze fork. If you see a man vith a shovel, proceed with caution to ze right. Ven you spy a vooman selling flowers, bid her good evening and ride on until ze road ends.
Zere you will find ze Best Vestern. Tell zem Maleva sent you.
Danny
Sunset – two children play in an overgrown meadow far from home.
“Do you see that Danny?” Katrina stared ahead and quivered at the approaching wall of mist.
“I see it. It’s coming at us fast,” Danny took Katrina’s hand. She squeezed hard and inched herself close to him.
A torrent of wind propelled the thick white blinding mist, engulfing the two kids. Katrina shut her eyes burying her face in Danny’s chest.
“Danny I’m scared,” she shouted, crying.
The screaming wind died. Katrina opened her tear blurred eyes.
She stood alone, sobbing.
The mist had taken Danny away from her.
Anima
Hey – did you see that? I thought I saw…
There’s nothing in there – you’re such a scaredy pants. Every time you go camping it’s the same thing. Remember the “Bear”? I don’t think that old man will ever be the same. And in California you almost broke my leg with your booby traps for Bigfoot. Why do you even leave the house? Just go take a shower already.
I’ve changed my mind – We’re only out here a few more days…
Shrouded in the mist, the giant praying mantis munches on the head of a hapless camper who wasn’t so paranoid.
Planet Z
Wolfram stared at the castle on the hill and argued with his traveling companion Foster.
“I say it’s shrouded in mist,” said Wolfram.
“No, there’s too much mist there for a simple shroud,” said Foster. “Maybe blanketed, perhaps?”
“Why not just say it’s enveloped and be done with it?” snarled Wolfram.
They kept up the argument for a few minutes, not noticing the werewolf approaching.
Foster fumbled the silver bullet and fired far too late to save Wolfram.
“Okay, you’re right,” said Foster. “The castle is shrouded in mist. But you’re enveloped in blood.”
“Fuck you,” said Wolfram, and died.