I love joining in the fun of our #kidlit community writing contests. It's one of the best things about writers...their support and encouragement of each other. Many thanks to Kaitlynn Sanchez, Lydia Lukidis and Alyssa Reynoso-Morris for hosting this fun kickoff to Fall.
The rules are pretty simple. Choose a picture from the options on Lydia's blog as inspiration and write a kid-friendly story in 200 words or less.
I was immediately drawn to the picture below and wanted to write something for an older audience. I hope you enjoy my story and remember to be careful After Dark!
By Darla Christie
Word Count: 199
A fatal mistake. I knew better than to be out after dark.
A shiver down my spine warns me…. they are here.
How can I escape? Screaming won’t bring help. People ignore the screams of the reckless every night.
I’ll never outrun them. They have poor eyesight, but sense movement and strike with horrifying speed.
Light is their weakness, and my only hope. I slip my hand into my pocket. The first rule of survival, and one I drum into my brothers’ heads, always carry a flashlight.
How could I go foraging without one?! I will never live this down.
If I live.
Sweat rolls down my face as panic threatens to overwhelm me. My brothers are waiting. “I can do this…. I must!”
Cautiously, I take a step toward home. Every muscle screams to run, but I must not.
I grit my teeth and force myself into slow motion.
Step. Breath. Wait. Step. Breath. Wait.
Suddenly, light glows on the street.
My brothers remembered the beacon!
I run, covering my ears to block the screeches. They’re close, but the light is closer.
Lungs burning, I reach the light, turn and see them recoil back into the darkness.
Copyright © 2022 Darla Christie - All Rights Reserved.
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