The Path

This is my contribution to the Your Photo Story prompt. I made the photo prompt site with hopes other writers will join the fun and make a story off the picture of the week.


Sharon saw the path up ahead. Being unfamiliar with these woods, she had no idea where it led. She did however know where, and to whom, the path behind her led.

One painful step at a time, she trekked through the woods. Her leg was throbbing, the knife wound seeping through the makeshift bandage she had made out of a torn piece of shirt. She checked the path to make sure no signs of blood were marking her direction. Seeing none, she continued.

Behind her, watching from atop an oak tree, the killer smiled. He had climbed the tree to get a better vantage point after spotting the drag marks left on the path from the woman favoring her injured leg. Now he knew exactly where his victim was heading.

Letting the woman get farther ahead, the killer then climbed down from the tree. Reaching in his pocket, he pulled out a small two-way radio.

“Dad,” he said, pressing the talk button.

“Come in,” a voice replied.

“She’s on the way,” the killer offered. “Make her comfortable until I get there.”

Old Timer

This is my contribution to the Three Word Wednesday prompt. Hope you enjoy it!


Marcus listened in fascination as the man rambled on, astounded at the old timer’s genuine ability in storytelling.

“And that’s when Bubba grabbed his shotgun and yelled, ‘You ain’t takin’ her back, Harold,’ before shooting him deader than a doornail right there on the courthouse steps,” the old timer said, finishing his tale.

I’m going to have to do something to avenge the English language before printing this, Marcus mused, shaking the man’s hand and thanking him for his time, before heading to the office to beat the morning edition deadline.

Dead Silent

Silence shrouded the woods. Mist covered the forest floor, making each step an act of courage. Sheila knew one wrong move could lead to disaster. Unfortunately, she had to keep moving. Stopping would mean certain death, whereas moving left the option open.

Quietly emerging from behind the giant oak, she crept forward, one cautious step at a time. The sweat dripping into her eyes burned, nearly blinding her. Pausing to wipe her forehead, she sensed movement to her left. Panicked, she started running.

Her frantic dash ended when she tripped, smashing head first into a tree. Her last thought before passing out was she should have listened to her mother when she warned of picking up strangers.

***

Carl picked the fallen girl up, carrying her easily through the forest. She was very small, just the way he liked them. He’d been watching her all evening. There were many women at the party, but she stood out from all the rest. Her carrot red hair shone in the light, a beacon he couldn’t resist.

Laying her gently onto the cave floor, he ventured back into the forest. He had things to do before he could begin enjoying her. Everything had to be perfect. She deserved the best.

***

Sheila awoke, every limb shivering, with a pool of water under her cheek. Have I been drooling? She wondered, pushing herself upright. With tingles shooting from every nerve, she stood. Grabbing the cave wall for support, her head spinning, she looked around. How did I get here?

A faint light for her guide, she made her way to the mouth of the cave. Darkness cloaked the forest in a coat of black. “What am I going to do now,” she groaned to the darkness. “I’ll never find the road.”

Buck up, girl, she could hear her mom admonishing. You can do anything you put your mind to.


Gathering her courage, she pushed into the darkness. “Thanks, Mom,” she murmured.

***

Whistling, Carl made quick work of his task. He was in a hurry to return to the cave. Thinking about the girl lying there, hair spread out around her creamy face, was making it hard for him to concentrate. Shaking himself, he set about finishing.

He entered the cave quietly, not wanting to disturb her if she were still sleeping. Noticing she was missing, he dropped the firewood he had collected. He knew she couldn’t have gone far. The knot on her head was fresh. It would make moving painful. Cursing under his breath, he set out to find her once again.

***

Sheila was exhausted. Her head felt like it was going to split in two, her feet were swollen, but her worst problem was being lost. She knew the highway had to be close, but she couldn’t find it. Should have listened more when maps were taught in school, she thought, then maybe I’d know what to look for.

She’d lost track of the times she’d fallen down. Her knees were sore from the abuse. Pushing ahead was becoming harder with every passing moment. The only thing keeping her going was the knowledge he was out there. I don’t think he’s the giving up kind, she thought. Maybe that’s because the last thing you heard him yell was that he’d find you no matter what, she reminded herself.

“Why did he pick me, Lord?” she beseeched. “What did I do to deserve this?”

When no answer was forthcoming, she trudged on. The forest was even denser in this part. She could no longer see her hand in front of her face. It was early fall, so she didn’t think she’d freeze to death even though it was cold. Her biggest worry by far was the lunatic chasing her.

“What was that?” she asked the night, stopping dead still. “Cars! I hear cars!” she cried.

In her excitement, she didn’t hear Carl creep up behind her. Winded from his frantic run through the woods, Carl was quietly trying to catch his breath. Seeing the girl sprint into the distance, he cursed, “Shit,” then took off after her.

***

A car rounded the curve. Sheila was waving her arms trying to get the drivers attention when she felt a presence behind her. Turning, she saw Carl towering there. The look on his face terrified her into stillness, giving him the last advantage he needed.

Sheila snapped out of her stupor as Carl swung the limb above his head. Her scream reverberated through the forest, then silence filled the night once more.

Author Website

I would really appreciate if all of you would check out my new author website. Bookmark the site to keep abreast of important events in my writing career. I hope there will be a lot to report!

I am excited about the upcoming anthology in which two of my poems will be featured. Once the book is released, a link will be provided on the author website. The anthology is going to be sold in bookstores such as Amazon.com, Barnes and Nobel.com, and others.

Please let me know what you think of the author website. All suggestions are welcomed. I want to make it look professional, but keep “me” in it. Thanks to everyone who checks it out! Don't forget to sign the guest book.

Angel Sharum's Author Website

Pricision

“Hello, beautiful,” the man said as he walked into the room and turned the overhead light on.

“Go to hell!” Elizabeth spat as she pulled against the ropes binding her to the bed. She had been in total darkness for so long she thought she’d lose her mind, wishing someone would turn the light on. She wanted it back off now. What she saw literally stopped her heart.

“That’s not any way for a lady to talk,” he replied with a sneer.

The look made the scar stretch even more on his cheek. Elizabeth looked away with revulsion. The man saw her and smiled. Anything to add to their discomfort just made it all the more fun for him.

“If you aren’t going to act like a lady, I guess I don’t need to treat you like one, do I?” her captor said with a shake of his head as he turned to the table in the corner.

“What are you doing?” Elizabeth demanded. “No! Stay away!” She cried when the man picked up a butcher knife and walked slowly across the floor towards where she lay, captive and terrified.

***

The hospital was abuzz with the news of the latest of the ‘Barry County Butcher’s’ victims. The newspaper was saying the latest murder was the most gruesome of all. The victim, Elizabeth Connelly, was only twenty-seven years old. Her parents were devastated and police were no closer to catching the Butcher than before.

“How can there be no evidence?” the head nurse whispered to the orderly.

“It seems the killer knows what he’s doing. No finger prints, no semen, nothing for the cops to go on is ever left behind. He even washes the bodies before he burns them! He’s leaving nothing to chance,” replied the orderly with a shiver as he thought about the way the women died.

“He’ll slip up one day. Let’s just hope it’s before another woman dies,” said another nurse.

“I don’t know. The sheriff’s department is saying they’ve never saw anything like it. I’ve heard rumors they think it might even be a cop because of the lack of evidence,” the orderly offered.

“I haven’t heard that. Who told you they think it might be a cop?” the head nurse asked.

“Bob over in pathology. You know we’ve got every one of the bodies here for autopsy, right?” the orderly answered.

“Yes, I was aware of that. All the killings happened within ten miles of the hospital. Doesn’t exactly make me feel safe leaving here after dark, but what can I do about it?” The nurse shook her head. “I heard the hospital has performed more autopsies in the last three months than the rest of the year combined,” she informed the others.

“I hope it’s not a cop. You like to think you can trust the cops to protect you,” the other nurse said with a sigh.

“I wouldn’t trust a cop as far as I could throw him,” replied the orderly. He’d had some run-ins with the local cops in his younger days.

“It makes sense if you think about it,” he continued. “Who would know better than a cop how to destroy evidence and make it to where he’s never caught?”

“What do you think, Dr. Monroe? You think one of Barry County’s finest is the Butcher?” the orderly asked the only person standing at the nurses’ station yet to offer an opinion.

“Could be, Jackson. You never know what goes on in someone’s mind. It could even be someone here in the hospital,” he said with a frown.

The nurses all looked down. They respected Dr. Monroe, but it was hard to look at him. That scar put everyone off.

Cow Patty Prank

“Hey, Elbert, watch this.” Dale whispered.

“What did you do this time?” Elbert inquired.

“Shhh, he’ll hear us.” Dale admonished.

Thomas was in a good mood. He was whistling when he walked into the barn. Until he stepped in the big glop of cow manure.

“Damnit!” he muttered, hopping on one foot toward the grass to clean his boot.

“Wait a minute,” he said, looking at the cows in the paddock behind the latched gate. “How the hell?” he continued, after cleaning his boot and walking over to make sure the latch was still secure.

He only had two cows in the small paddock. Since it wasn’t very big, he decided to check the fence for problems. After walking around the entire thing, and finding no breaks in the fence, he headed back into the barn, mumbling, “I just don’t get it. It’s not like the cows grew arms and opened the latch.”

“Actually I did,” Dale stated.

Thomas poked his head out the barn door. Great, now I’m hearing things too, he thought, after assuring himself that no one was there.

With a shrug, he turned back inside. Once he had the tool he’d came for, he made his way back to the house.

Dale was laughing so hard, milk was squirting from his utters. Elbert jumped when some hit him on the leg.

“Hey, watch it,” he snapped.

“Sorry, man, but that was great.”

“He’s going to figure it out one day and you’ll be sorry,” Elbert admonished.

“Nah, they never figure anything out,” Dale replied with a smirk. “They’re still trying to find the people of Roanoke.”

The Other Woman

Sally watched Jason kiss the “other woman.” She felt the hatred well up. Her stomach was rolling, the sight made her so sick. How can he touch the whore with the same hands he caressed me with this morning, she wondered.

“You had to bring her to our favorite restaurant, you rat bastard,” she whispered under her breath. “Never worrying one of our friends might walk in.”

When the woman laughed it made Sally seethe. Her hand clinched so tightly the metal bit into her skin. When their hands laced across the table, she moved forward.

The look on the woman’s face was enough to convince Sally she knew Jason was married. Her shocked, “Oh my God, your wife!” only cemented her fate.

Arriving at the table, Sally calmly removed the gun from her pocket, shot the woman, then turned to Jason who was sitting in stunned silence. “At least you only lied to one of us,” she proclaimed before shooting him in the crotch. “If you live, I doubt you will have to worry about cheating on another woman,” she continued before raising the gun to her own head then pulling the trigger.

A Game of Cat and Mouse

Silently sneaking ever closer, Ebony kept his prey in sight. The muscles rippled underneath his shiny black coat with every step nearer his intended target. With ears laid back and eyes focused, he watched the unsuspecting mouse scurry back and forth under the rickety old porch.

Stopping suddenly, hackles raised, he stood motionless while a strong breeze ruffled his coat. Once the offending presence had subsided, he targeted in on his prey again and continued the quest.

Ebony watched the mouse grab a piece of cat food and quickly scamper beneath the porch. Tail twitching, back arched, he waited for the perfect time to pounce.

The next time the mouse emerged from under the porch, Ebony shot forward. The mouse quickly darted to the right, climbing a piece of wood that was propped against the deck of structure. Before Ebony knew what was happening, the other end of the board snapped up, hitting him under the chin.

Ebony lay in the dirt, dazed. He saw the mouse watching from the porch, nose twitching, little hands holding a piece of cat food up in triumph.

The Road

This is my contribution to the Weekend Wordsmith prompt. It's short and sweet this time!



It stretched before him. The end nowhere in sight. Smooth, straight freedom his for the taking. All he had to do was make the first step. Set his feet in motion. Take the chance on a new life down the road.

With one backward glance, he took the first step toward his future. The past but a shadow, a shrouded eulogy of the life he wished to forget. With a new sense of optimism, he whistled, walking into the night, knowing the best was yet to come.

Loving Deception

This is my contribution to the Three Word Wednesday prompt for the week. Hope you enjoy it!

Vincent sat silently in the corner, observing the other patrons. He fought rising panic, keeping his mind focused on the objective. Total dedication was required to bring this scheme to fruition.

He remembered stammering when April asked why they were going to this particular restaurant, since he usually balked at the prices and glitz of the place. He couldn’t remember the reason he came up with, although he knows it must have been weak because she’d been casting suspicious glances his way since sitting down. He would be glad when the deception was over. He’d never been good at subterfuge.

He watched Armand cross the crowed restaurant, stopping to address guests here and there along the way. The closer Armand got to his table, the more nervous Vincent became. To hide this fact, he quickly began eating.

Thankfully, April was enjoying the harpist playing in the vestibule, completely unaware of Vincent’s agitation. When Armand slid to a stop at their table, April smiled, looking questioningly at Vincent.

Armand set a bottle of champagne and two glasses on the table, then placed a piece of chocolate cake in front of April, before retreating.

Vincent heard April gasp when she noticed the ring resting in a rose petal that was atop the cake. He quickly dropped to one knee, took her hand and pledged everlasting love if she would be his bride.

Passionate Mistake

My contribution for the Three Word Wednesday Prompt.

I only wish I had listened when my mother warned me about Bobby, Sandra thought. Then I wouldn’t be in this mess!

But he was so sexy and dangerous that she let her emotions lead her. She remembers how her heart would pound whenever he came near. Just the sight of him was enough to make her melt. He exuded passion and she wasn’t strong enough to resist.

“Sandra, get your ass in here,” he bellowed from the living room.

Sighing, she went to see what he wanted. The sight that greeted her made her stomach turn. Pizza boxes and empty beer cans littered the tables and floor, stains were apparent on every surface, and the man himself was wearing only a dirty pair of boxer shorts.

He scratched, and then commanded, “Bring me another beer and a sandwich. I don’t know what’s taking you so long in there.”

Sandra scrunched her nose in disgust, replying, “I’m cleaning the kitchen. Thankfully, you don’t spend much time in there so the damage isn’t too bad. It will take a decontamination team to clean this room!” she finished, flinging her arms to encompass the immediate area.

“A decomwhat?” he muttered.

“Nevermind,” she said, turning back to the kitchen.

She often wondered what happened to the stud she married. Not even a glimmer of him existed any longer. He was now a hulking brute.

I wonder how many I told you so’s I’d have to endure if I went home, she mused, spreading mayonnaise on a piece of bread.

Achieving Your Goals

Here's my contribution to the Three Word Wednesday prompt for the week. It's different than what I've been putting up, but I hope someone likes it!


Faith whispered, “It’s a miracle,” looking at the number on the scale in awe.

Dawn Break

Dawn slipped over the horizon. An orange hue colored the meadow, bringing new life to the wild flowers riotously growing there. Beth loved watching the sunrise over Lower Meadow. It was the literal bright spot of her day. Her way of making the drudgery easier to deal with.

Sighing, she continued on her way to Hearst House. She would have to hurry. Mrs. Atchison would skin her hide if she were late again. “Punctuality is a virtue, young lady.” Mrs. Atchison pronounced the last time she was late. Right before handing her a toothbrush, instructing her to clean the bathroom from top to bottom.

I will be out of this life soon, Beth thought. Cornelius promised it would be any day now.

Upon entering the side door, she heard Mrs. Atchison talking with someone. Recognizing Cornelius’s voice, she rushed forward. His next words stopped her in her tracks, however.

“The wedding will be on Saturday, June first. You are to send the invitations no later than next Monday. We want everything to be perfect. Alicia is finally home from London, ready to go ahead. I have assured her all is well. She is secure in my devotion,” he emphasized. “There will be no reason for her to postpone this time. No reasons! Do I make myself clear, Mrs. Atchison?”

“Yes, Sir, I understand perfectly.”

“Very good then, I leave it in your capable hands.”

Beth could not believe what she had just heard. Cornelius was getting married. To Alicia, no less. The woman he swore he wanted nothing more to do with. “You are the only one for me, Bethy, you know that. Alicia is in the past. She was too complicated, always wanting more. I need a girl like you, one who knows her worth without all the trappings,” he had told her on one of their early encounters.

Right before I tumbled on the bed with him, she groaned to herself.

“Oh, there you are,” Mrs. Atchison said, nearly running into Beth when she rounded the corner.

“You need to return home to pack,” she said, looking away uncomfortably.

“Pack? Why do I need to pack?”

“You are going to Cromwell House in Wales.”

“But why? Why am I being sent away? I do not understand,” Beth implored.

Shaking her head sadly, Mrs. Atchison replied, “I know, child, I know.”

***

I guess he kept his promise, Beth thought, watching Hearst House slowly recede as the carriage carried her to her new destination.

Cafepress Store

I have listed a few items on my cafepress store that have to do with writing and being published. Don’t know if any of you have a cafepress store, but they are pretty cool. It is free to open the basic shop, and it’s another way to showcase your creativity. I do wish I had a better image program, but even with limited capabilities, I have made a few sales on my products.

If you’d like to check my items out, click here. Everything on that page is mine. Let me know if you like the designs and little writing blurbs!

Poetry Contest Winner!

Two of my poems were picked. They will be published in an anthology in February of 2009. The anthology is going to be available from real bookstores like Amazon!

I still can’t believe it’s real! I entered three poems, and they picked two. That’s pretty good! I also won $20.00!

The poems will be between the sections of short stories in the anthology. I get my own copy of the book for winning which is even cooler!

When the link for the book is up, I will put it here on the blog so you can all check it out!
I am so excited!

Splendorous Smock

This is my contribution for the Simply Snickers poetry prompt this week.

Stoic demeanor
Hard fought
In light of the splendor
Of his smock

Leaves

This is my contribution to the Weekend Wordsmith prompt. Hope you like it!


“Damn things keep multiplying!” Roger swore.

Picking up the rake, he started back to work. His back was killing him and he had calluses on his hands. The torture had started early that morning when he opened the door and saw that the front yard was covered. I need to do something about this, he thought, before stepping back inside to read the paper.

Putting it off as long as possible, he sighed before putting the paper aside and getting into his work clothes. The next obstacle was finding the rake because he couldn’t remember exactly where he’d put it. He hit his head on a shelf, stubbed his toe on the grill, and banged his elbow on the work table, before finding the rake sitting pretty as you please in the corner.

That was three hours ago. What he thought would be a quick job was turning into an all day affair. His wife and kids would be home soon. They were all going to watch a movie after dinner. If he weren’t done, he’d never hear the end of it.

Pushing the last stack onto the pile, he heard the car roll into the driveway. Just in time, he thought, heading to the garage to put the rake up. I’ll burn them in the morning.

He heard the squeals before he saw them. “No!” he screamed, but it was too late. He watched as the jubilant children jumped in, threw, and wrecked total carnage on his lovely pile of leaves.

Time

This is my contribution to the 100 wood meme, on Velvet Verbosity.

I never really thought about it. I always had more than enough. It was my friend. I’d heard people talk about it slipping away, and them never having fully enjoyed it. I thought they were overemotional, that surely they hadn’t missed all they implied. I know differently now.

There are so many things I wish I’d done, things that are lost to me now. So many people I’d love to have one more conversation with. Things I’d love to pass along to help others understand so that they wouldn’t find themselves in my place. If I only had the time…

Paying for Mistakes

This is my contribution to the Weekend Wordsmith prompt. The word was float.

How did I get here? How did things get this out of hand? I thought I had it all worked out. Thought I could handle anything, fix all the mistakes. I didn’t fix anything. I only made it worse.

Mom always said I was cocky. She warned that it would get me in trouble one day. I guess that day’s came. Mom will know soon enough that she was right. Wonder if it’ll give her satisfaction?

They were thorough, I’ll give ‘em that much. No way in hell I can get out of these ropes. Not that it would matter.

I hope it’s over with quick. I’ve heard drowning is an awful way to go. Nothing more than I deserve though.

The water is freezing. Maybe I’ll freeze to death before I drown. No, I don’t guess that’s going to happen. After all, anchors don’t float.

Combination

This is my contribution to the Simply Snickers poetry prompt for the week.



A balance struck
A tightrope walked
Being bold a stroke of luck
Being bright self-taught