3 kids and a log

My apologies [again] on the late posting. I don't know what it is about Saturdays but they just seem to get away from me. The fact that I was up until 3am playing Settlers of Catan for the first time really probably didn't help though....

So! We have come to the end of another week's writing challenge and I've got to say that this one was a doozy for me. Initially I was really excited and while I still feel like this was an awesome prompt I'll admit that it did a really good job of beating me into the ground over and over. At first, I was skeptical that I would need the whole of the 500 word limit we had set but once I really got underway I started despairing my ability to keep it down to 500 words. I've always been awful with endings and this week was no exception, probably another reason I kept putting off finishing, I just couldn't face it. I'm still not super satisfied with how it turned out but feel free to weigh in here and tell me what you think!

Chelsea's response to this prompt had me laughing out loud through the whole editing process, and not because it was bad. I have a hard time grasping comedic writing but this girl has a knack I tell you, a knack. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

“Yup. It’s gonna rain, just like I thought,” Grace said, her face turned up to the night sky. Ricky hated it when she said stuff like that. Blah, blah, blah, I’m Grace and I’m a Know-It-All. He sighed and kicked a rock.

Thomas heard his older brother sigh and ignored him. Even though he and Grace were a year younger, Grace was still the smartest person ever. At school, she raised her hand the fastest whenever the teacher asked a question. Thomas liked that.

“You think so?” Thomas asked, looking up at the sky.

Grace stuck her finger in her mouth and then held it out in the wind. “I’m 98% positive.”

“Whatever,” Ricky muttered.

It was Friday the 13^th and the three best friends sat together on a rotting log next to Rodger’s Creek, waiting for the Swamp Man. He always came out on Friday the 13^th after a rainstorm, looking for children to eat. All day long, everyone at school gossiped who’d been eaten last year (some kid named Todd). Kids whispered, “Swamp Man tonight,” to each other as they passed in the halls, some even said they’d camp out tonight, but none of them dared try.

That is, except for Grace, Ricky, and Thomas.

The moon tried hiding behind the clouds, but pitiful streams of light spilled onto the dark ground. Thunder rumbled a far ways off, a warning.

Ricky and Thomas stole their parent’s camping lantern before trekking with Grace out to Rodger’s Creek. It was a long journey for their small bodies, but now the lantern sat at their feet, illuminating their scuffed sneakers and showcasing the black water rippling by.

 “It’s not gonna rain,” Ricky said.

“You’re a certified dumbie.  Didn’t you hear the thunder?” Grace asked.

 “Nope.”

“I guess you’re deaf, too.”

“Hey, guys—” Thomas got nervous when they fought.

“I’m not deaf! I heard the thunder, all right? I just think everyone needs to calm down.”

 “We’re fine, Ricky. You, though…well it just seems like you’re a little…”

“What?”

“Scared,” Thomas offered.

Ricky stood up from the log. “I am not!” He tried hard not to let his voice quaver, but it was no use. Thomas and Grace stared at Ricky.

“You are!” Grace exclaimed.

“This is dumb. I don’t have to stick around with you babies. I’m gonna find him myself.”

“I don’t think that’s such a good idea,” Grace said.

“I think she’s right,” Thomas agreed.

“Of course you think so!” Ricky shouted at Thomas. “You like her.”

It got quiet fast. Crickets chirped and the tall grass surrounding them rippled in the midnight wind. Ricky sat down right next to the water, the black waves licking his rubber soles. Thomas and Grace scooted further away from each other on the log.

“You think he’s ever gonna show?”  Ricky asked, poking a dirt clod with a stick.

“I guess we’ll find out after it rains,” Grace whispered.

A flash of light and a thunderous boom embraced in a terrific collision above them. Rain fell from the sky’s arms and pinged off the creek’s surface. It was a refreshing break from the heavy heat. Soon their clothes were soaked through. They held their breath, waiting.

“Turn off the lantern!” Ricky yelled.

“We need to keep it on. Then we can see him when he comes out!” Grace said.

“Guys—” Thomas whispered.

“What?” Ricky and Grace answered in unison.

“Is that—”

Blue lightning lit the sky and all three wished it had stayed dark.

Want to try your hand at responding to this weeks prompt? It starts with "3 kids on a log by a stream, one looks up at the sky and says..." Let us know what you come up with! Email me at emily.buhler.loveless@gmail.com with your ideas. Do you take a more dramatic approach? Traumatic? Romantic?