This week’s photo prompt is provided by Etol Bagam. Thank you Etol!

After months of daily rehearsals, herbal teetotaling and sour patch kid interventions, another opening night had arrived!

Judith waited in the wings, stage right, as the orchestra erupted into a cacophony of dissonant notes, fine tuning in preparation for the tap tap tap of the maestro’s baton on the dais. A rustling of programs and coughs finally settled into silence as the auditorium lights dimmed and blue filtered spots illuminated the stage.

The intro swelled, Judith’s cue to take her place at center stage…

The intro swelled, Judith’s cue to take her place at center stage…

The intro swelled..as the understudy (who had anticipated this moment) shoved past Judith, who stood frozen in place, heart pounding in her ears…

The show must always go on. But this night, it would go on without her.

kat ~ 6 October 2015
(134 Words)

A short story for Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers (FFfAW) Weekly Challenge #34. Read more HERE. 

Photo Credit: Barbara W . Beacham

“Few knew about the castle hidden inside the island.”

After hundreds of years only the keep is visible. And deep inside, Amara roams the grand chambers mourning her beloved Nathan.

The castle was Amara’s wedding gift. But tragedy struck soon after they arrived. Nathan lost his footing and was crushed in the gears of the drawbridge. Poor Amara could not bring herself to lower the gate. And so there he, and she, remained until her own eventual death. She never stopped grieving. You can still hear her crying on windless days.

For only $15, you can catch a ride on Harvey’s Lake Excursions to have a listen for yourself.

~kat ~ 4 October 2015
(100 Words)

Monday’s Finish the Story Challenge for 4 October 2015. For more information click HERE.

PHOTO CREDIT – © Marie Gail Stratford

Marla was the perfect child. She learned as a youngster to follow the rules. There were many. And to keep things spotless in her parent’s sparkling white-washed home. Her mother was very particular about decor. Fine clean lines. Sleek straight edges. Bright colors and patterns were out of the question! White with only shades of gray or black allowed, for contrast. 

Years passed uneventfully, as one might expect in a rigid colorless home. But Marla was a teenager now, and as teenagers do, felt a bit naughty when she picked up a new wireless mouse for her computer. As she removed it from the box and placed it on the desk with a satisfied smile on her lips, she wondered if anyone would notice, secretly hoping that they would. 

What, after all, is the point of being a teenager without a touch of rebellion! 

~kat ~ 2 October 2015
(144 Words)

A short story for Friday Fictioneers Weekly Photo Challenge – 2 October 2015. See more stories HERE. 

  
It had been ages since Andrea had been home. And this trip wasn’t her idea. She had just spoken to Granny few weeks before…bright and chipper as always. Death never comes to call at opportune times. Granny’s passing meant only one thing. As the only surviving relative, this place would be hers.

She had no intention of moving back. Andrea had made a life for herself in the city. Once the deed was in her name she’d be flipping this old termite trap for a nice downpayment on a penthouse condo. She knew the one. She’d had her eye on it for a while.

This morning’s reading of the will would make it official. “Act respectful, Andrea…don’t be too excited,” she chided herself.

The attorney’s monotone voice burned her ears, as all color drained from her face, “to my dear Betty, I leave all my worldly possessions…”

kat ~ 29 September 2015

(149 Words)

FFfAW (Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers) Weekly Photo Prompt. Click HERE for more info. Thanks to Louise from Storyteller’s Abode for this week’s photo!