Welcome to the fifth week of the Spring Writing Challenge!
You all did so well with your stories last week! There were so many interesting and unique ways you interpreted the prompt. It’s now the fifth week, so it’s time to do it again! Will your story have fairies? Time travel? Ghosts?! Whatever you decide, we can’t wait to see what you come up with.
So, without further ado, here’s your next prompt!
Week Five Prompt – The Sentence Prompt
Write a story that includes the following sentence:
Needless to say, this wasn’t the first time…
Wait…what’s a sentence prompt?
A sentence prompt is a prompt that uses a particular sentence. It doesn’t matter where your story takes place, who’s in it, or what’s said. The only thing that matters is that your story must include the sentence, “Needless to say, this wasn’t the first time.”
Before you start writing, we have some important rules for you to follow.
Writing Rules
1. Please keep the content of the stories you post to a PG rating. Please avoid real curse words. Violence/fighting should be limited and purposeful. Please do not include any spice.
2. Your story must be 1,000 words or less, and must contain the prompt to be counted for the challenge. You’re not required to post it in order to “win” the challenge, but if you want it to count for your team, your story must be posted by Sunday at 11:59 PM ET, and you must include your team name.
Remember to scroll all the way to the bottom of the page and post your story as an “answer” to this question, not a “comment”. 🙂 You’re all doing such a great job! I’m so proud of all the stories you’ve posted.
Happy Writing!
Friend of the Elves
Lucas Helm, Team A
“Of all places, why would the clues lead me here?” Adrian asked himself. The smell of grilled food filled the air. He approached the Smoking Dragon, a tavern famous for its supposed fried dragon legs (even though everyone knew it was just spicy chicken). Adrian opened the door, the smell hitting him stronger now. The view he was met with was sensory overload to the extreme. People of all shapes, races, and creeds were crammed into the tiny bar. Although many were there to enjoy themselves, Adrian was there on business.
It took Adrian a minute before he saw who he was looking for. Next to a tall cloaked figure with a dagger prominently at his side sat a rather fat looking dwarf. Adrian approached the table gingerly.
“Are you, Drakenshort?” Adrian asked.
“Aye, I donna need yer name. I know who ye are already. Ye came knockin’ for information on the whereabouts of a certain someone ain’t ye?” Drakenshort spoke.
“Yes I have. What can you tell me?”
“Aye, it is na ‘bout what I tell ye, but what he can say,” Drakenshort pointed at the cloaked figure next to him.
“And he is?” Adrian asked, not in the mood for games.
“A business acquaintance. I’ll leave ye two to talk amongst yerselves. I’ll take my payment now.”
“Payment!” Adrian exclaimed, “We never discussed anything about a payment!”
“Bahahah! Ye really thought ye could waltz in here and not even buy me a drink! Now that’s funny!”
The dagger stuck into the table, the cloaked figure now standing, “Leave now. You and I both know that I found you.”
“What? Canna the boy at least buy me a dwarven brew?” Drakenshort asked.
Metal coins clattered across the table, “This one is on me,” The cloaked figure grumbled.
“Fine then. Pleasure doin’ business with ye all! And by the way, try to enjoy yerselves once in a while won’t ye?”
Drakenshort left the table, leaving Adrian and the cloaked figure who sighed at Drakenshort’s antics. Needless to say, this wasn’t the first time.
“You are searching for Alice Holloway?” the cloaked figure asked.
“Yes. I lost her two months and four days ago. Ever since I came here…” Adrian trailed off, there was no point in telling a total stranger about his troubled past.
“Then follow me,” The figure stood up, his cloak flowing behind him. In the noisy tavern, no one noticed the departure of these two characters. They walked for hours until it was near midnight and they arrived at the wooded gates to a massive forest. It was here that the figure finally took off his cloak.
In the light of the full moon, Adrian could see the pointed ears clearly, but the face was still obscured by shadow. It all made sense now, the figure had left clues behind enough that Adrian should have known it was an elf by now.
He was astonished, elves almost never showed themselves outside of the forests. The elven man turned, his face now visible. It was sharp and proud with a touch of nobility, but there was also a kindness in his eyes that Adrian had never seen amongst all the creatures he had encountered.
“I am Leaf, noble of the house of Brushenthorn. The one who you seek is just beyond these gates, and while I would find great joy in taking you to her now, you must first be worthy of the elven friendship.”
“What would make me worthy of something like that?” Adrian asked, still in awe.
“Elves do not count words as effective, but instead our deeds carry far more weight. While now we do not have time for a full trial, I shall test your heart. Take this blade and challenge me so I may know your heart.”
This seemed like madness to Adrian, but he knew better than to question an elven noble. Picking up the sword, Leaf engaged first with a quick jab. Adrian was quick to evade it, but did not make the move to parry. Taking advantage of this, Leaf twisted his arm so the blade would catch Adrian on its way back. Adrian felt the sting, but strangely, only his outer garments were cut. Adrian did not want to attack the elf, so he stayed on the defensive for several more minutes until at last, Leaf executed a disarming strike which knocked Adrian to the ground. Held there at sword point he closed his eyes, knowing in his heart that he failed the test.
“You are welcome to our home any time, elf-friend.” Leaf sheathed his blade.
“But… Why? I lost the duel didn’t I?”
“Yes, but you showed bravery in taking up the battle, restraint in not wishing to harm me, and honor in accepting your defeat. These deeds show your character and your heart.”
“I… Thank you!”
“Now come, the Moonlight Celebration is tonight. You will be one of the few humans to ever see it in all of its splendor.”
They walked through the woods, soon it became alive with dancing light and color. Music permeated the branches. Soon, they arrived at the forest center, a sight that would make New Year’s Eve in Times Square seem like a child’s birthday party. Elves danced all around the the rhythmic forest sounds that blended into a beautiful melody. In the center of the dancing elves, stood a human girl.
“Alice?” Adrian walked up to her.
“Adrian!” She ran up and embraced him. He hadn’t noticed it until now, but she had changed. She was clothed in an elven dress, decorated with flowers. A crown of leaves sat upon her head, complimented her eyes which were alive with joy. After all that had happened, Adrian was just glad to be with her again. He looked her in the eyes, the same eyes that had brought him so much joy over the years. “May I have this dance?” He asked.
Had to cut out a lot of descriptive text to make this fit the 1000 word limit, so if it seems a bit choppy in places, that’s why
These do take some measuring what can be included yet still finish the scene. Good work.
This didn’t really seem choppy to me, just missing a lot of detail due to space constraint. Seems like it would be quite a nice story in an expanded version. As it was, it had a lot packed into it. Great job.
Thanks for sharing your work this week. I enjoyed the story. There were a few rough spots that could have been smoothed out with expanding the word count, but it was a cute story. I found myself wanting to know what happened to the girl (how she was lost to the boy in the first place) and things like that. All great things to consider if you want to expand on the prompt!
I really enjoyed this. It made me want to read more.
TEAM A
SUSAN BY ADELAIDE RIGGS
Near the local dirt road in a lush field, there was an abundant variety of grasses, wild flowers, and small creatures. All who dwelled here lived their lives with simplicity and gratitude. This included Susan, a beautiful flower whose color reminded everyone of a ripe summer lemon (but she was not quite so sour).
One morning, Susan was in the clearing enjoying a soft breeze when suddenly the air rapidly changed direction. Fragile as she was, Susan fell on her face, unable to get up. Panicking, she tried calling for help but the ground muffled her voice. Susan was helpless.
Just a minute later, a tiny, round old woman wearing a bright red cloak with black polka dots came into the clearing. It was Mrs. Dotty! She noticed the girl laying on the ground.
“Oh my!” exclaimed Mrs. Dotty as she hurried over to Susan. “What ever happened to you, dear?”
“I fell and ca-can’t move,” replied Susan quietly. “Could you he-help me?” Then she began to cry.
“Yes, yes of course! Be patient my dear. I’ll go as fast as I’m able to the house of Dr. Chippy.” And with that, Mrs. Dotty turned and quickly scuttled away, her red cloak fluttering behind her.
Susan was alone again, and very anxious. She wondered if she would never rise to see the blue sky again. Despite these thoughts, she tried to focus on her respiration. After what felt like months, she heard a pitter-patter, and out from the tall grass appeared Dr. Chippy with little Mrs. Dotty riding on his back.
“There she is, Doctor!” said Mrs. Dotty, pointing with one hand while the other five hung on tight. Needless to say, this wasn’t the first time he had been summoned, however this was the first time he had dealt with little old woman riding on his back.
“I see, I see! Please do not yell, you’re already near enough to my ear!” replied the doctor. Dr. Chippy was tall, dapper, orderly man, with a decent amount of good humor. They approached Susan.
“Hello?” asked the girl.
“Hello! So sorry about your condition. I’m Dr. Chippy, and we will help you get up.” These words made Susan feel better.
“Pardon, but where is the other one?” inquired Mrs. Dotty.
“Well, Perk should have been behind us. Excuse me for a second.” The doctor filled his cheeks and gave a couple sharp whistles.
In a moment, a boy appeared next to them. He looked rather lofty, and had a smirk on his round face. Mrs. Dotty jumped up and landed in a ball, her arms and legs tucked in.
“Perk!” said the doctor sternly as his son began to laugh. “This is a serious matter. I did not ask you to come along to play games!” Susan thought it was quite funny, but would have enjoyed it more if it weren’t for the condition she was in.
“Ok, let’s get to it,” said the motivated doctor. “Madam, you fetch some water from the brook and grab some witch hazel on your way back. Perk, you’ll need to climb onto my shoulders so we can lift this poor girl up.” Immediately Mrs. Dotty flew down the hill to complete her orders.
Just as Perk was about to climb upon his father’s back, Dr. Chippy noticed a break in Susan’s back. “Oh my, we will need some long grass to bind that wound. Got it, Perk?” “Sure, dad!”
Overhearing the doctor’s concern, Susan’s nerves were on the rise. “A-am I going to be OK?”
“I believe you’re going to be just fine,” consoled the doctor.
Perk made quick work of gathering some long grass and wasted no time in hopping up onto his father’s shoulders. They worked together to lift Susan up off the ground and stand her upright, Dr. Chippy encouraging Susan throughout the process.
Mrs. Dotty arrived not a moment too soon with the water and witch hazel, the latter of which was applied to Susan’s fracture.
In a jiffy Dr. Chippy had bound her wound with the green bandage and all was well.
“Oh, thank you all! I feel so much better, except it feels like my eye might be bruised,” said Susan.
“Well miss,” Dr. Chippy responded, “it does look pretty dark.”
“Black, I’d say,” added Mrs. Dotty.
Dr. Chippy applied the witch hazel to Susan’s bruise, but it did not seem to work.
“I’m sorry, but there is not much else I can do. What’s your name, miss?”
“Susan.”
“Susan,” Dr. Chippy looked her in the face. “Your black eye is beautiful.”
“Black eyed Susan.” said Mrs. Dotty….