Welcome to the fourth 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 fourth week, so it’s time to do it again! Will your story have an epic battle between good and evil? A long-lost evil brother? Whatever you decide, we can’t wait to see what you come up with.
So, without further ado, here’s your next prompt!
Week Four Prompt – The Theme Prompt
Write a story that’s about a
Bigfoot Reunion
Wait…what’s a theme prompt?
A theme prompt is a prompt that’s about a particular subject! 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 be about a Bigfoot Reunion.
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!
Team A | Lydia Fiore
My Neighbor Bigfoot
The family is quiet on the drive to their new house. The parents sit in the front, the father driving and the mother holding a paper map; there’s no WiFi out here to use Google Maps. Their nine-year-old daughter Alice sits in the back, chin in her hands as she watches the countryside go by her window. They’ve been driving for hours, and the conversation and car games have long since died out. The silence is only broken with the occasional direction from Alice’s mother.
“Only a little longer,” her father says after a few more moments. “Just a few more turns and we should be there!”
“I wish we were moving on to a farm, with chickens and cows,” says Alice. “It would be much more interesting than just another old house.”
Her father laughs. “We’re stretching our abilities just by moving away from the city and being near farms. We’d never be able to own one ourselves.”
Alice sighs but she knows he’s right. Her mother is a books-Pilates-baking type of mom, and her dad is an accountant. They wouldn’t know the first thing about operating a farm. And the new house does sound pretty cool. But still– cows!
“Turn here,” says Alice’s mother. They turn from the main road onto a worn, leaf-strewn path overshadowed by tall trees. “Our new house should be just around the corner.”
Alice is nearly vibrating with excitement, and she doesn’t have to wait long. The car turns the corner and slows to a stop in a clearing from the trees, on an overgrown lawn. She unbuckles and jumps out of the car as soon as her dad puts it in park, nearly knocking over the suitcases stacked on the seats beside her. She runs around the side until she’s in front of the car, eyes bulging as she takes in her new house.
Only– its not the house, as charming as it is, that first draws her attention. It’s the ginormous footprints right in front of her, starting from the edge of the clearing and continuing around the side of the house.
She hears her parents get out of the car and come stand beside her. The air is tense and silent for a moment. Then her dad speaks, his voice a little faint. “Lizzie, what did you say this street was called again?”
A rustling of paper from her mother. Then, in an equally faint voice; “Oh, Greg. It’s Bigfoot Lane.”
Several things then happen at once. Alice’s dad grabs her by the collar and tries to haul her back to the car; a loud crash sounds from behind the house; her mother screams. Alice wrestles free of her father’s grasp and turns to see what made the crash.
And there he is– Bigfoot. Alice has seen a few pictures on the Internet, enough to know what stands in front of the house. But none of them can compare to a Bigfoot in person. He towers a few feet above her already-tall dad. Alice feels her mother’s hands grab her arm, but she couldn’t move if she tried.
Then the Bigfoot speaks. It takes Alice a moment to process what he said– just a simple greeting. Then she processes something else. His voice– high pitched and feminine. Almost like…
“Hello,” repeats the Bigfoot, and Alice’s mom’s grip tightens on her. “Who are you?”
Alice waits for her parents to respond, but both of them seem to have lost their ability to speak. She clears her throat. “H-hello, ma’am–”
The Bigfoot’s face brightens– maybe. It’s hard to tell what expressions a Bigfoot is making. “I’m flattered,” she interrupts. “I almost always get mistaken for a man.”
“Do you… do you live here?” Alice’s dad seems to have recovered his voice.
“I do,” says the Bigfoot. “Well, sort of. The house is a nice disguise for the den behind it. By the way, my name is Ellie.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” says Alice. “I’m Alice.”
Ellie nods at her. “Might I ask what you three are doing here? I love visitors who don’t run screaming as soon as they see me, but this isn’t the most opportune time. I’m hosting a family reunion and they should be arriving any moment.”
One of Alice’s mother’s hands leaves her daughter’s sleeve to press itself over her heart. “You mean… there are more of you coming?”
“Quite right,” says Ellie. “Aunts, uncles, cousins– the whole lot of them. They’d love to meet you, but I can’t promise you’d leave uninjured. The kids are a little rough with their toys, you know.”
“I’m sure,” says Alice’s dad, discreetly wiping sweat off his face. “Well, we wouldn’t want to interrupt your- your reunion. We’ll just, er, leave.”
“But Dad,” says Alice, grabbing his sleeve as he turns back to the car. “This is our house. We don’t have anywhere to go.”
Her dad looks a little like he wants to slap her.
“This is your house?” Ellie asks, sounding pleased. “Why didn’t you just say so? I’ve always wanted neighbors. Well, don’t let me stop you from settling in!” She takes a few lumbering steps away from the front door.
“But… your family reunion,” says Alice’s mom.
Ellie waves a hand. “They won’t bother you if you stay in the house, I promise. They don’t have to know you’re here.” She winks.
“Well, thank you…” says Alice’s dad, looking like he’s desperately searching for an excuse.
“Come on, Dad!” Alice says. “How often is it that you get to witness a Bigfoot reunion?”
“Exactly!” Ellie says. “Let me help you with your car.”
Case closed. Alice’s parents know better than to argue with an eight-foot Bigfoot; especially one who’s currently dragging their car into their garage.
That night, Alice listens to the sounds of Bigfeet partying as her parents tuck her in. “I take it back,” she says. “There’s no way a farm would be more interesting than this.”
- inspired by the anime My Neighbor Totoro!
This one is so fun!
This was so cute! I love the homely My Neighbor Totoro vibes. And Ellie and Alice’s interaction was very sweet. This story is very lovely
thank you Jordyn!! aww that’s truly the highest praise you can give a writer 🥹💞 thank you sm!!
thanks Izzy!! <3
thank you so much Eunice!! aww haha I’m glad you think so, I love the anime sm!! tyyy <3 🫶
You totally had me on the edge of my seat when she saw the footprints!! This is beautifully written ✨
I love how you really made the scene feel like it was happening right in front of me!!