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Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/books/item_id/2208434-Contest-Entries/month/10-1-2022
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Rated: 13+ · Book · Contest Entry · #2208434
Most entries are going to be E rated but some may go beyond that.
You just want to read? These entries will be freshly written for a contest. Since I plan on joining many then I'm putting them all in a book. Sit back and enjoy it. I'll try to do a (poem) line count, (story) word count, prompt, and which contest I entered in. Though I won't be mentioning it in the piece, but "The Contest ChallengeOpen in new Window. will be a part of a contest I enter since it's about entering into a contest following its rules. Wish me luck!
October 30, 2022 at 12:07pm
October 30, 2022 at 12:07pm
#1039969
Bruises

They show up one day
Colors of black and purple
To slowly disappear

More bruises

Deeper and bigger
More painful too
Leaving behind scars

Everyday life

Getting hit
Tears down my eyes
Trapped

Domestic Violence
Happens from behind
Don't ignore it
Let the cry be heard

Help is available
Future is uncertain
But good things can happen
To those willing to change

Prompt: Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Line Count: 20
Contest: "Poetry Topic of the Month ContestOpen in new Window.
October 29, 2022 at 9:26pm
October 29, 2022 at 9:26pm
#1039932
Clip clop clip clop
The sound of hooves
Drew near

Neigh neigh
The cry of a horse
Calls out

"Come out come out
Wherever you are for I am here,"
The rider called out.

Out I came
A bucket in my hand
Prepared.

The rider aloft
Missing a head but body intact
Turned toward me.

In fear I turned
Only to find him in front of me
Vulnerable.

"No, no, no.
You haven't said the magic word.
Go on."

I thought and thought
The magic word couldn't be simple
And panicked.

"Please go on.
It's Halloween night.
Let me be."

"You said it.
I'm going on my way to trick
Someone else."

Prompt: Headless Horseman
Line Count: 30
Contest: "Spirits at Lighthouses ChallengeOpen in new Window.
October 27, 2022 at 9:35pm
October 27, 2022 at 9:35pm
#1039834
The time has come when the dead will walk among the living. I eagerly set burning candles on the windowsills and set a plate of food on my back porch. It only happens once a year and I never know who I will meet. Then I knelt down and prayed. It was custom to pray for my ancestors. May they rest in peace. It was a time to learn and watch.

One thing that worried me was if a faerie came. They seek to disturb the dead and create chaos. I yawned and then looked at the time on my watch, and saw it was almost time. I finished my prayer and moved my hands over my face. Honoring the dead the best I could as I glanced at the backyard. All seemed calm and quiet, but I wasn't fooled. A faerie could be lurking just around the corner.

With a swish and a swirl, I thought I saw something. Then a glimmer here and there an ordinary fairy appeared. Upon closer examination I noticed her wings were tainted, the tell tale sign that it was a faerie. I held my breath and felt my heart beat wildly as the faerie drew near. I didn't know her name.

"Good evening, care if I join you? Why don't we start with your name first?" the faerie asked.

"Fishy. And yours?" I replied, not daring to give my real name.

"Do I really need to say? I am so hungry I could eat a horse. Say, that looks like a very good meal. May I have a taste?"

"No you may not. It is a very special meal. I just don't want you anywhere near it."

"Snickerdoodle. What is the occasion?" Blood Moon said. Now I recognized the faerie.

"Nothing, Blood Moon. Just enjoying some peace and quiet."

"Well then I'll be on my way."

I watched with a smile as Blood Moon looked disappointed. I knew not to trust faeries and wasn't sure if she was going to try another stunt. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a young Irish person following the light of my candles. My Great Grandfather my conscience told me as he neared. Then the faerie left for good.

"Over here," I whispered quietly and a breeze seemed to pick up my voice and carry it over to my great grandfather.

"What a delicious meal you made for me my great granddaughter. Thank you for letting me eat it. I got a story to tell.

"It begins with growing potatoes. It starts with a spud and grows into a good size plant. Deep down inside, the potato grows big, fat, and full.

"Start small. Work your way big. And you'll be as healthy as can be with just the right amount of right, healthy choices."

My Great Grandfather finished eating his meal and then turned and made a salute. I saluted back and smiled. Tears rolled down my cheeks as he turned and walked away, disappearing into the night. His words gave me a lasting impression. Big wisdom in just so few words.

Prompt: Write a story about being visited by a departed ancestor.
Word count: 519
Contest: "Holiday Short Story Contest - closedOpen in new Window.
October 27, 2022 at 12:24am
October 27, 2022 at 12:24am
#1039807
Contest: "October Novel Prep ChallengeOpen in new Window.
Prompt: Plot background story

Jarkin the evil overlord settled back in his chair. His hair ran rampant amongst his white skinned face. His arms and hands were as dark as night though, he didn't know why. Out of his people, he was the only one. He wanted to live, live to see his only son grow up. Not die. Not this summer. He was still evil, and he was still an overlord. But he had Kara, along with Wolf, his newborn son. He had grand plans. At what cost he didn't care. He wanted to wreak havoc upon others. His own betrayals had hurt so much. He didn't care. He wanted them back safe and sound. They were kidnapped.

There was something missing. He wanted lightning to strike to force others to do his bidding freely. And his target was Arbor Lake, far from where he lived. He wanted to control spirits so that he could control the environment as he pleased. He despised the stories about how spirits mattered and life would cease to exist without them. He believed life could be controlled if they were under his control.

He also wanted immortality and would love to gain that. 100 innocent souls needed to be sacrificed. He didn't care about its side effects. He wanted to live forever. He had his heart in it. He didn't believe it would drive him insane. Shatah was his target. He had heard of her from the Omahians. Words traveled fast across the continent. Though it became just a legend in his territory, he believed in it. No way would he give up. Lightning was the perfect excuse. Now all he needed to do was to execute it. This could be done by casting a spell. He knew it would take a few days to make it happen, but it could be done.

First, he needed to mix the ingredients into a large pot. That will do he thought as he poured the last of the corn flour into the boiling water. Then he chanted as he stirred and through it all thought about his wife and his son. Would his son recognize him he didn't know. But they had been kidnapped far too long in his mind's eye.
He wanted them back. To love them again as a loving father deserved. He wanted his son to grow old. The water boiled over and the next day he knew the potion was ready for the next step.

Making a circle out of rocks, sticks, and hide, he knew it wouldn't be long before the sun set. Already dark out when he started enchanting, hoping to draw out the power of undead lightning.
October 2, 2022 at 10:11pm
October 2, 2022 at 10:11pm
#1038510
"What is that?" Milly said fearfully. Dust seemed to be flowing onto Mike's hand and then pouring onto the ground.

"It is your feeling of fear. All in the dust," Mike said. The dust disappeared from the glass jar and settled onto Mike's hand, what was left of it.

"You can't do this to me. I have no fear of anything," Milly said.

"Yes, you do. It is right here in this handful of dust. Watch what it does now. Hold your wand steady. I have taught you many times to face your fear. You'll be facing your fear in this handful of dust," Mike said.

"I can't believe you are saying that I have fear in a handful of dust. It's just dust. Why don't we move on to something else," Milly countered.

"Just watch the just please," Mike said with a sigh.

At first, nothing happened. Not a single particle of dust moved. All of a sudden Milly started to see venomous snakes, spiders, and scorpions of all sizes wriggling out of the dust. Yet he couldn't move. The animals started crawling all over, growing closer and closer. He imagined his wand not working so he wouldn't be able to fend off the animals pouring out. It seemed to be sucking him in slowly, one piece of mind at a time. He couldn't look away. Then he imagined them poisoning Mike so Mike would die soon. Very soon.

"No!" Milly screamed and tripped over her foot. She fell with knocking some pans nearby to the ground. The scene was so real and vivid. When she turned over to her back she sat up and looked around. Her wand was gone. Mike was gone. "Mike!"

Nothing soothed her. Mike was standing before her just a few minutes ago, holding a handful of dust. Now he was gone. She needed to get out. She stood up and looked around. Blood stained walls appeared. Where was the door? She needed to get out. And find her wand.

Prompt: 3) I will show you fear in a handful of dust.
- T. S. Eliot
Word count: 354
Contest: "The Bard's Hall ContestOpen in new Window.
October 2, 2022 at 12:38pm
October 2, 2022 at 12:38pm
#1038482
"Welcome! How can I assist you today?" AI Kate opened her blue, glassy eyes as I walked near.

"I am here for an interview. Where do I need to go?" Jason asked bowing down.

"You may sit in the waiting room and I will message Mr. Joy to let him know you are here. Anything else?"

"Yes. I don't know where the waiting room is. Would you please show me where to go?"

"I can assist you with that."

AI Kate had wheels to move around on attached to her legs. Kate began to move forward and then turned around the corner. Jason followed. There was a long corridor ahead of them. He wondered why the waiting room was too far away from the entrance. The computer person kept on rolling down the corridor as if it was a normal thing to do.

"How long will it take?" Jason asked.

"Approximately 3 minutes 45 seconds and 2 milliseconds."

"What is your math knowledge?" Jason was amazed.

"Approximately 2.3 quantillion probabilities with math," Kate replied.

"That is absolutely mind blowing. You sure do seem to be very effective. Oh, that must be your boss," Jason tugged at his collar and tie and sweated a little. Suddenly he worried that he smelled.

"Welcome. You must be Jason. I am Mr. Joy. It is a pleasure to meet you," Mr. Joy said.

"Pleasure to meet you too. And Kate," Jason said.

"At your service," Kate interrupted.

"AI is a wonderful thing to have. We have spaceships and flying cars but robots with AI is a rare sight to see. Now, for the interview. We will go to a large conference room. I hope you had a pleasant experience with Kate. She is in training mode. We hope to spread AI all over the universe. Now, shall we begin?" Mr. Joy said.

Prompt: How do we deal with AI? How can we incorporate AI in our daily lives?
Word Count: 327
Contest: "The Science Fiction Short Story ContestOpen in new Window.
October 2, 2022 at 10:19am
October 2, 2022 at 10:19am
#1038474
Mental illness is like physical illness
All the aches and pains of emotion
Not everyone is aware
But help is on the way

Books are out there
Call lines are out there
The word spreads rapidly
Mental illness is being learned

Schizophrenia
Bipolar
Depression
Anxiety

Suffering like physical pain
Relievers are on the way
Therapy is soothing
And there are doctors for it

Mental illness comes and goes
Treatment will help control it
Awareness goes a long way
Rising supportive people

Prompt: Mental Illness Awareness Month
Line count: 20
Contest: "Poetry Topic of the Month ContestOpen in new Window.
October 2, 2022 at 9:04am
October 2, 2022 at 9:04am
#1038471
Prompt: The aliens were here all along
Word count: 609
Contest: "Thrice PromptedOpen in new Window.

"Where are the aliens?" Micheal asked in disgust.

"I don't know. They should've been here by now. This place is getting a bit chilly. I think I'll put on my jacket," Joe said. Then he put on a bright red leather jacket.

A baby dragon crawled out from under the bush while Micheal was looking at that area. Awed, he picked up the dragon with his hands. Its scales pierced through his skin a little bit, causing his hands to bleed. He dropped the dragon accidentally and then looked at his hands. Startled, the dragon barely caught his pants and held on for a little bit until it felt certain it was safe to let go. A rustle in the bushes was ignored.

"The aliens are here, watching us," the baby dragon said. Joe turned around.

"What do you know about the aliens?" Joe asked.

"Fuzzy, real fuzzy. They called themselves aliens," the baby dragon said.

"That doesn't make any sense. Aliens aren't fuzzy. There sure are a lot of squirrels around this area. Maybe what you saw were a bunch of squirrels," Micheal said. He had studied pictures of aliens for a long time. He didn't quite believe in the pictures of fuzzy aliens though.

"Lots of them. They want nuts," the baby dragon continued.

All of a sudden a bunch of squirrels showed up. Micheal and Joe laughed. They had seen squirrels a bunch of time, but not so many at once. This didn't deter them from stopping their search for aliens. The baby dragon sighed. This wasn't what it had seen. Suddenly the squirrels started transforming into round, furry fuzzballs with legs and eyes. Now this was what the baby dragon had seen.

"We come to Earth in peace," one of the aliens said.

"Hold on, you were here all along?" Micheal asked, shocked.

The fuzzball nodded eagerly. It flipped on top of another one and slowly they formed a triangular wall. Micheal and Joe gasped with wonder as the aliens started transforming once more. This time they took in the appearance of a Velociraptor. Joe clapped his hands.

"What a wonderful performance. Now that we are all here I would like to show you around. I know you lost your spaceship but maybe it can be fixed. So a car shop might give you ideas on how to fix it," Joe said.

"That is a brilliant idea," the alien said.

"I still don't quite believe you're aliens because you are all so fuzzy. Oh, what about the baby dragon?" Micheal said.

"I can take care of myself," the baby dragon said.

"Okay now. Car shop it is," Joe said.

They went to the car dealer and found the place closed. Then they went next door and asked the junk man if there were spare parts that could be used. The junk man agreed and let the alien in. He kept staring at the alien wide eyed in disbelief. Soon the alien found what they wanted to use. A special gem was jammed up in a pipe caught the alien's attention. It struggled to get the special gem out of the pipe. Then it returned where the junk man waited.

"Is this what you needed?" the junk man asked.

"Yes," the alien replied.

"Be on your way then."

They walked out of the junk yard and returned to the spaceship. Lights were still on. The alien went straight to work, returning to the shape of many fuzzballs. The lights flickered then went brighter than ever. They all cheered. Now the alien could return to outer space.
October 2, 2022 at 7:41am
October 2, 2022 at 7:41am
#1038469
Why did the cows go to the theater
I do not know
Maybe they went to see the moovies
Or to hang out in outer space

A wheelbarrow rolls down the hill
The cow gets in
To watch the moovies it goes
To see reindeer and cowboys

Prompt: None
Lline count: 8
Contest: "The Humorous Poetry ContestOpen in new Window.
October 2, 2022 at 1:59am
October 2, 2022 at 1:59am
#1038461
"Rocky Mountains it is," I said as I went into my Pontiac Grand Am 1990. Only redesigned with a rocket gauge in the back. I patted the steering wheel with my left hand as I turned the ignition with my right hand. The engine roared to life. "That's it Molly, you can do this."

I pulled on the gear and shifted it into reversed the car from the driveway. The journey was just one day's drive away. I was going to make it tonight. Of course, the smart idea would be to spend a night in the hotel before driving to the mountains. I couldn't wait to get there in my dream car. Then my cat came out meowing at me. I couldn't leave behind my cat. But I had plans for my neighbor to take care of him. I honked and my cat went back inside the house through the doggy door.

I drove on out of town and onto the interstate. The cars passed by me as if they were in a rush. I was in no rush at all to get to where I wanted to go. I continued to drive. A couple hours passed and I ran into stopped traffic. I looked at my gas gauge and sighed. I needed to pull over soon to get some gas. Otherwise I would run out of gas and have to solve the problem before dark. A couple hours was a long way from home. The traffic creeped along until I started seeing cones. Construction work was blocking a lane. I pulled over to the other lane and then followed the creeping cars. My gas gauge went to zero and the construction wasn't over yet.

I ran out of gas along the way. A person came up to by my window so I rolled the window down. "Excuse me madam. What is the matter?"

"I ran out of gas and my car died," I replied.

"Let me help you. I got a gas can filled with gas. It would just be enough to get you to the nearest gas station."

"Oh that would be great. I want to get to town by dark if I could help it."

"You will be on your way."

The person disappeared and it felt like eternity. I heard some more cars honking behind me. There was no way the car would run. I waited for the person to come back. When the person finally came back he showed me the gas can. I unlocked the cover to the gas so that he could fill me up. After he was ready I turned on the key switch. My car started as if nothing had happened. I thanked the person and then started driving, hoping the construction would end so that I could drive to the nearest gas station. Not far did I have to wait to find a gas station.

Night fell as I put gas in and I yawned. Since the streets were clearer I could dare use the rocket gauge installed in my car. I paid for the gas and got inside. Then I drove a ways back onto the interstate. "Okay Molly, show me what you could do."

The rocket gauge blared and the car jerked. Next thing I knew I was up in the air. I wasn't the only car rising into the air though. All around me cars were taking flight. We veered in the direction of the road, leaving behind the trucks that couldn't fly. I went the rest of the way and filled up with gas again near my destination.

Word Count: 616
Prompt: What are you driving? Where are you going?
Contest: "BlackAdder's Cantina Space Opera ContestOpen in new Window.
October 1, 2022 at 11:11pm
October 1, 2022 at 11:11pm
#1038457
"I just got hired!" Layla the albino cheetah exclaimed as soon as she passed through the front door.

"Awesome! What kind of job did you get?" Kyle the cheetah asked.

"Data entry at the university! I am going to meet my boss tomorrow!"

"Awesome job! I hope you love it. You are always good with numbers."

"I know and I'm going to be working with numbers soon. There is the orientation of course but that will be for a day."

Layla took off her boots and then went to the kitchen and sat down. Sandy the Red-Eared Turtle was busy making some cookies. She decided to wait until the cooking finished before telling Sandy. Then she pulled out her folder with papers received from the interview to look over. She wanted to know exactly what she was going to need for her job. The papers listed a bunch of things but she only needed two things from each of the list. She made sure she had the right documentation. Soon Sandy finished cooking the cookies and laid the cookies out to cool. Layla took that chance to enter.

"Guess what?" Layla asked.

"What?" Sandy replied.

"I got the job. I'm going to go to the orientation tomorrow and I'll be meeting my new boss."

"That is wonderful. Wait until the cookies cool down and then you can have a cookie. You'll be on your way to living by yourself."

"I know."

Layla went out of the kitchen to her bedroom. Since she needed to wake up at five o' clock for her new job she wanted to get some extra sleep and prefer to have a cool down time before going to bed. She went onto her computer and then to her blog. She felt so excited to write everything down. The blog served as a way for her to pour out her feelings everyday before going to bed. She always felt better about going to bed as a result. A website popped up showing the face of a fuzzy monster that reminded her of the first level of Space Invaders and a description below it. Her new boss was a monster? She shrieked out a bit since monsters are often found in places she least expected it and would jump at her when she wasn't watching. And here she was going to face having a monster for her boss? She couldn't quite believe it.

The next day Layla woke up and got ready. She was just a bit nervous from what that website said. Maybe it wasn't true she reassured herself. She ate her breakfast and then headed to the university. What could she expect? The university was a safe place in her mind. Surely there wouldn't be any monsters running about. Since the university was in walking distance she ran until she made it to the building and stopped. She was out of breath. Monsters was the least of her worries.

"Excuse me, are you Layla?" a voice asked gently close to her ear. Jumping and putting her hand over her heart, she looked around until she saw a fuzzy looking spider like monster staring down at her. She stifled a scream.

"Who are you?"

"I am Tropia, your new boss. I would like to show you the way to our department and give you a tour."
October 1, 2022 at 10:29pm
October 1, 2022 at 10:29pm
#1038454
"This cup is full of stars. Who wants to guess the right number?" the clerk asked people walked by.


"I do!" a young adult named Lilah said, raising her hand.

"Well, there. You may guess. Make sure it's okay with your parents first though, okay?" the clerk said.

"Mommy, can I guess how many stars are in that cup?" Lilah turned to face her mother.

"Certainly. As long as it's okay with the clerk," her mother replied.

"Since I am 22 years old, I guess 22!" Lilah said. Her wheelchair moved a little as she rocked side by side.

"22 is the correct answer. You may keep the cup of stars. Thank you for playing!" the clerk exclaimed as he picked up the jar with his hands and handed it over to her mother.

"Thank you! Now, I want to wish upon a star," Lilah said.

"Certainly," her mother said and pulled out a star from the cup.

"I wish for good health," Lilah said.

Prompt: Write something with the number 22 as a dominant theme, topic, or idea in honor of WdC's 22nd birthday celebration.
Written for "The Whatever Contest." *Right* "The Whatever Contest -- Closed for NowOpen in new Window.
Word/Line Count: 165
October 1, 2022 at 10:05pm
October 1, 2022 at 10:05pm
#1038453
The smell of paperback
The smell of hardback
Sweet and sound
Like waves of the ocean

Books galore
At the library
I take a chance
To pick one to read

I smell each book
With delight
Each is unique
I love them all

Treat each book kindly
There is a world to explore
Characters to meet
In each and every one of them

Thick and thin
A new experience brought
A whole new world to learn
Applied to real life

Prompt: National Book Month
Contest: "Poetry Topic of the Month ContestOpen in new Window.
Line count: 20
October 1, 2022 at 9:30pm
October 1, 2022 at 9:30pm
#1038450
The pain they go through
For our freedom
Give them a welcome home
When they come back

No matter their duty
They stand for one thing
Protect the country
Serve our nation

Doing the right thing
Comes at a price
And those who swore to serve
Serves for our freedom

The soldier walks home
To a family who waits
And embraces their loved ones
With a hug and tears

Prompt: Anything that honors our veterans
Contest: "HONORING OUR VETERANS Open in new Window.
Line count: 16
October 1, 2022 at 9:13pm
October 1, 2022 at 9:13pm
#1038449
"Stop looking at me."

"You are quite interesting though," the seagull said.

"Look to the sea. There is plenty of room on this beach," the crab said.

"Those pinchers are a marvel. I wonder if you won't pinch me."

"That's what I was afraid of, that you will attack me."

The crab and the seagull stared at each other for a moment. Slowly, the crab drew nearer. The seagull kept on looking. The sand weaved its way around as the crab moved sideways, nearer the seagull. Its determination was steady. It will find a way for the seagull to stop staring at it. It clanked its pincers together. "I know what you are thinking of."

The seagull flew away. The crab sighed in relief. Not today would the seagull win. Now it wanted to find a good spot to soak up the sunlight. The shell that the seagull stood over looked enticing.

Prompt: Use the words "Stop looking at me."
Contest: "Daily Flash Fiction ChallengeOpen in new Window.
Word count: 152
October 1, 2022 at 8:25pm
October 1, 2022 at 8:25pm
#1038447
"There's a cave!" a sailor announced as the ship drew near to the land.

"The treasure must be there," Arc said with a wide beaming grin.

Suddenly echoing noises could be heard and the sound was quite deafening. A cloud of bats started coming out of the cave as the ship drew closer. "Everyone take cover! Go inside!"

The crew ran inside, Arc tripped over a rope. The sailor turned and saw that he had tripped and went over to help. The cloud of bats was upon them now. Every single wing could be heard combined as if there was thunder. "I got you!"

Bats started flying all over the place as the sailor looked to free Arc. One bat landed on the sailor and bit him. The sailor screamed in pain as he loosened the knot and freed Arc. Arc ran until he reached the door and then looked back. The sailor was now turning into a bat. Gulping, he opened the door, dashed inside, and then shut the door tight. These weren't ordinary bats, these were vampires!

Prompt: Bat(s)
Contest: "The Prompt Me ContestOpen in new Window.
Word count: 184

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