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The clouds started to gather... flash fiction + writing prompt from @ruth-girl

merej99Posted for Everyone to comment on, 5 years ago4 min read

The writing exercise of using a set opening line and ending has been really fun with the benefit of encouraging free-flow thinking and writing. This one is definitely on the dark side. Fair warning for any of my gentle readers.

@mandelsage was kind enough to give me a writing prompt for this post but the current cue has generously come from @ruth-girl

If you're up for an impromptu writing challenge, give this a try!

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image source

Here's how to play!

Using the given writing prompt...

  • Write a flash fiction piece. Try for less than 500 words.
  • It needs to begin with The clouds started to gather...
  • It needs to end with The rain kept falling.
  • You may find your own photo prompt! You don't have to use the one I've selected above.

What you write in between those two lines is entirely up to you.

Would you like to play too?

The clouds started to gather with a pending storm growling in the distance. Kent stood at the forest edge with his head back, eyes closed and arms stretched out as if to embrace the landscape. He breathed deep and felt a calm overtake him. Like being welcomed by an old, familiar friend, he smiled when the thunder boomed a hearty hello.

Thunderstorms and the onslaught of rain were his favorite things, for they both had the capacity to be destructive, but in the end, it fed the earth and all Mother Nature's goodness. He relished being a part of that magnificent force.

Reluctantly shaking himself from his reverie, Kent knew there was much to do before the storm descended. Picking up his axe, he continued the exercise of chopping the child's body into small pieces and tossing them into the woods, for his calling in life was to feed the wild beasts and nourish the earth with innocent blood.

A wicked voice whispered. He swatted at his ear to brush it away.
"NO! I don't like being called The Bogeyman. Stop calling me that!"

His joy quickly dissipated with the incessant whispers. The voices mocked him and made him doubt his purpose.

"Goddammit, leave me alone! Shut up. Shut up. Shut up!"

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image source

As if answering his distress call, a large thunderclap descended like a protective parent to quiet the voices. He felt the energy from the distant lightning and counted the seconds until the rolling thunder shook the earth again. Only then did he feel invigorated and full of purpose. The storm knew how to calm him. He felt the first drops of rain tap him on the nape of his neck, reminding him that there was still work to be done.

Looking down, Kent admired the remnant pool of broken bone, flesh and blood. Kent turned his face up to the sky and smiled as the cleansing rain distributed his offering deep into the forest floor. "May it be enough to please you," he prayed.

He wanted to stay, but the wind gave him a gentle push. The electricity in the air was palpable as the hair on his forearms stood on end. The storm was here to accept his gift but he dared not stay to watch. He would return when she beckoned him from a distant land where the thunder boomed and the rain kept falling.
flash fiction word count: 398
#thebeast word count: 558

Inspiration

Beyond @ruth-girl's word prompt, I have no idea where this story came from. I just knew that I wanted to write something creepy and dark. I'm pretty confident that it's Mission Accomplished!


created by @kookyan

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