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!
( whoop whoop i finished early 😀 )
Team A
“ All rise for the oath of our people! “, I heard Greg’s voice boomed as I blinked into existence. The others’ eyes were closed, standing on the black void to chant in Void speech, like the little cult followers that they were. I quietly crept to the back of the small crowd, mouthing along to the oath as I went. I studied my blurry lower half as I went. If only Voids didn’t need to be so monotone. The black nail polish I put on blended right in to my Void form. The last word of the oath lingered after everyone was finished. A echo in this night sky realm. “ Derek, you are late. “, Greg said, waving his hand. Most of the Void people dissipated, leaving just the five of us major Voids. “ It took forever for me to find a quiet place to come here, man. My little niece was hounding me for more nail polish. “, I said, draping my arm over my face in the most dramatic way possible. Greg humphed, floating onto his throne. Yes, the most powerful Void since the beginning of time is named Greg. Don’t ask me why, I’m not his mother. I sat down, crisscrossed, as far from Greg and his glare as I could get. “ Don’t worry man, I get it. Remember last meeting? I said I was sick. Really? I was having a daddy-daughter day with my two year old. “, Jaron whispered to me. I smiled a little at that. K.C glared at me from where she was sitting beside Greg, somehow she had managed to clip a pink bow on the swirling grey mass that was her hair. Greg sighed, his spiked black crown was lopsided on his white locks. Even those were in perfect place, ending just above his monotone suit. “ Our first business will be of the anomalies, has there been any in your area, Lilac? “, Greg gestured for her to rise. Gertrude, or Lilac, as she likes to be called ( totally makes sense ) stood, brushing off her long, flowing skirt. I could tell she hated it, from the way she grimaced everytime she took a step in it. “ There has been none, sir, expect for perhaps a strange joust between two skeletons that has repeated too often to be a…human influence. “, she sat back down, blowing a lock of hair out of her glowing eyes. “ K.C? “, Greg said. “ Nada. “, K.C huffed, plopping back down as fast as she had shot up. Jaron had nothing to report, either. Greg looked at my eager face, “ And finally, Derek? “, he said, as if it hurt him just to utter my name. “ Well….”, I stood, snapping my fingers. A scroll appeared in my hands, “ Let’s see….there was a a nether portal that spawned over lava, a lightning strike that summoned chicken jockeys. A storm that rained nail polish…a BUNCH of brain-washing and mob-mixing, you all know my mother by now, anddddddd a couple dozen villagers coming down with something we like to call ‘ dance fever ‘ “, I announced happily. “ And how many of those were of your causing? “, Greg said. “ None…? “, I said, trying to look as innocent as possible. “ Derek, you are under a oath of truth when you enter this domain “, Greg glared down at me with those red eyes of his, reminding me a little too much of my mother’s business logo. “ About half of them. “, I said meekly. Trying to plaster regret on my dark inky face. Greg sighed, one of those why-do-I-even-talk-to-you sighs. “ Derek-“, he began, pausing as if to decide exactly how he should punish me. “ Can I add something? “, I said, trying to hide a smile. “ What is it? “, Greg was exasperated by now. “ I’m also responsible for this. “, I said, as a loud rumble echoed through the void. “ What in the-“, Greg tilted his head, listening to whatever the otherworldly forces had to say about my stunt. He glared at me, “ Due to certain events, I must adjourned this meeting. Return to your proper bodies at once. “, with a snap that sounded like some old man’s back break, Greg was gone. Jaron gave me a look, “ What did you do this time? “. Needless to say, this wasn’t the first time a meeting got ended because of me. I grinned at him, and at K.C, who was giving me world class I-will-kill-you glares. “ I ended the meeting early. You’re welcome. “, I said, closing my eyes before K.C could come strangle my Void self. I opened them again to see the boughs of a pine tree over me. I sat up, shaking snow from my hair. I picked my sunglasses off of the frozen ground, slipping them on my head. The sun was close to setting. I let myself turn back into Void form, floating above the trees. I set off at my top speed, the landscape blurred beneath me as I flew home. After all, i couldn’t be late for dinner. Ayla would kill me, if I did. And I’d really hate if I died before dessert.
Hi Annebelle. Thanks for sharing your story this week. It was really hard to read without any formatting, especially paragraph breaks where dialogue occurred. There is a little gear looking icon at the bottom of your post. If you click it, it should allow you to edit your post. At the very least, you might break up the dialogue paragraphs to make it easier for others to read the story. Hope this helps 🙂
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….