Welcome to Week Three! Can you believe we’re at the halfway mark for the 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 third week, so it’s time to do it again! Will your story have aliens? Zombies? Maybe it’ll have a dragon in it! Whatever you decide, we can’t wait to see what you come up with.
So, without further ado, here’s your next prompt!
Week Three Prompt – The Starting Sentence Prompt
Write a story that starts with the
following sentence: So this is what drowning feels like.
Wait…what’s a “Starting 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 start with this sentence: So this is what drowning feels like.
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!
Will you notice if someone is like 1-25 words over the 1000 word limit (asking for a friend hahaha)
what if i accidently posted my story as a comment last week lol? does it still count?
Hey Izzy and Ava,
If you accidentally post your story as a comment instead of an answer, you should get an email to alert you! It will still count for points for your team, but no one will be able to vote for it.
And, to answer your question for your friend 😉 As far as word count, for your story to count for the challenge, it does need to be 1,000 words or under. Great questions!
Team A Herbert
Giselle’s Message Part 3 Drowning
So this was what drowning felt like. I didn’t recommend it.
The dark water closed over my head. I kicked, but it was like swimming through pudding. I couldn’t move my hands—ropes were too tight. My mouth stayed clamped shut, but I could feel the water pushing at my lips, demanding entrance. Cold wrapped around me. My lungs burned.
God, help me! Please!
I’d made a hash of my life. Spiritually, at least. I’ve provided for mother and aunt Sarah the only way I knew how. I’d kept my employer’s rules. Kept his secrets. But delivering Giselle’s message—what Father would have wanted—had cost me everything.
Murdered by Lord Winternorth’s men.
The dark water seemed to drag me downward. My lungs were on fire, but my skin felt icy. Which way was up and which was down? My chest tightened. My arms floated, heavy.
God, please save me!
My heart pounded in my ears.
Then—a hand. Someone grabbed me, hauling me upward.
Air. Glorious, salt-laced air. I coughed, gasped, choked.
God, thank you! Thank you!
A strong arm dragged me to shore. My bound hands touched the wooden planks of the dock.
“Easy, easy there.” a man said. A coat fell around my shoulders. “You’re safe now.”
I looked up.
Moonlight lit the last face I wanted to see. No mask this time. Funny that I should know this face at all.
“Mr. Godfrey!” I scooted back.
He pulled a knife from his pocket. “Sorry to disappoint you, Miss Fairfax.”
“I was just startled. Thank you,” I said, offering my wrists. “Thank you very much. I’m very grateful not to be drowning.”
“Don’t mention it,” he said, sawing at the ropes. “Actually—don’t tell my father.”
“Why not?”
The ropes fell. I rubbed my wrists, still trembling from cold and shock.
He groaned, standing to full height, soaked. “You can tell him everything—just not that I jumped in after you.”
I pushed my hair out of my face.
He took my arm. “Come on, you’ll catch cold.”
He hauled me to my feet.
I stumbled after him. But where?
I pulled away. “I’m fine.”
“With all due respect, Miss Fairfax, you were just thrown into the sea. You’re coming with me.”
“I couldn’t possibly. You don’t understand—”
“Then explain.”
What had he draped over me? I peered at the fabric in the dark. It was a greatcoat. Caleb Godfrey’s greatcoat.
He had just risked his life to save me from drowning. Then he had covered me with his own dry coat while he stood there shivering in the cold.
My eyes stung. God, thank you for sending him.
“I can’t talk about it here,” I said.
He nodded. “Then where?”
I bit my lip.
“If we don’t find fire in ten minutes, we’ll lose fingers,” he warned.
“Take me home,” I murmured. “Please.”
He blinked. “Won’t your people ask questions?”
“They’ll be asleep. If we’re quiet, no one will notice.”
We slipped through the moonlit streets, both dripping wet.
“Aren’t you cold?” I asked. “Don’t you want -”
“I’m fine.” He replied. “I’m not the one that nearly drowned.”
I drew his coat tighter. He was a gentleman like his father.
We reached my door.
“We must be silent,” I whispered.
I unlocked it and crept inside.
I led him to the hearth where coals still glowed. The floor creaked under his foot. We both froze.
But the bedroom door remained shut.
I kissed mother’s pale sleeping face.
“I’m home.” I whispered.
I fetched Father’s clothes and a towel. “I’ll change in my room. You can have the other.”
He nodded.
I dried off, and changed. God had sent Caleb Godfrey to rescue me. G had accepted my prayer. He would help me.
After praying, I felt fortified. I went out.
Mr. Godfrey rose, always the gentleman. I tensed. I felt small, unworthy.
“Would you like some tea?” I asked.
He nodded. “Thank you.”
As I heated water, I asked, “How did you know to dive in after me?”
“Father was worried. I followed you. I saw them capture you. I was careful not to be seen.”
I rubbed my arm. My eyes on the still water.
“Father has been very patient.” He said. “But you had better come clean. They almost killed you, what -”
“That wasn’t them!” I turned to him. “It was Lord Winternorth’s men! I helped your father and now I’m paying for it. If I hadn’t delivered Giselle’s message—”
“Abby love?” a weak voice called.
I froze. Mr. Godfrey’s eyes went to the door.
“Excuse me,” I whispered.
I comforted Mother, soothed her fears, and returned.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I shouldn’t have raised my voice.”
“Should I go?” he asked.
That would be easier.
“No. I offered you tea.”
He smiled. “Maybe some other time.”
“No—you need something warm.”
“Thank you, Mother,” he said.
I frowned.
“Sorry. I haven’t had one in a long time.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize.”
“It’s good tea,” he said quickly.
He jerked his head towards the door. “Won’t they ask questions?”
I shook my head. “She won’t remember. And—”
Why was I still talking? He didn’t need to know about me.
The governor’s son, in my father’s clothes, sat in my kitchen drinking tea. Aunt Sarah would call it a scandal. The newspapers would call it the same. I called it dangerous.
He finished his tea and rose. “Thank you for your hospitality.”
I nodded, rubbing my arms.
“May I have your word that you won’t leave this house without telling me tomorrow?”
“You’re not my father,” I snapped.
“No. But someone has to protect you.”
My chest tightened.
“If my father were here, he’d say the same.” Mr. Godfrey said.
I turned away, busying myself with dishes.
“I can only protect you if you let me,” he said.
I leaned against the sink. Could I trust him?
“Yes,” I whispered. “I’ll wait.”
He nodded, bowed, and disappeared into the night.
Thanks for sharing your work. This week was an interesting prompt!
Your welcome. 🙂 Yes, it was a very interesting prompt, fun to see all the different directions people went with it.
Wait so if we like accidentally post our stories as a comment here, will it count or be ignored?