When Prompted

by G_wizzy004

Summary:

Short stories whenever I can't continue my longer stories or boredom
I use writing prompts mainly aiming for 250+ words

Chapter 1: Hair ball

Summary:

Prompt: Write a scene or story that includes a character with a superpower.
I randomized letters in the alphabet and landed on H, most of the powers were hair themed XD

Sharp clacking footsteps rain down on the asphalt. This deep into the night it's a rare occurrence, yet it doesn't seem that way to her. The woman keeps her strides confident as strong as she looks ahead. Not wavering in the slightest despite her situation.

Behind her was a whimpering and groveling man, an ex-boyfriend perhaps? He's pleading with her in order for her to not seal his fate. He had been following her ever since he found out her secret and confronted her. His first mistake. He had thought she was cornered in the sanctity of their home. Her hair whips angrily as she remembers how he stirred up an argument between them, leading to this nighttime break up scene. She is now unmoved by his sorry cries for forgiveness. He only spouts them in order to regain control, for sure. Yet, in her mind, all this begging does is irritate her. He was the one who forces the relationship, he indulged her every whim, until he found her secret. Then he has the audacity to leave this sorry image of him in her mind after all of this?

The man walking behind soon has his feet suspended into the air as she stops. She looks back and he's being held up by her now grown out strands of hair. She mocks his pathetic state, waving her hand as the hair holding him up suddenly whips him far away. Her hair shrinks back to her head. It even styles itself back to normal. She sighs then continues on with her stride as planned.

Chapter 2: Missing piece

Summary:

Prompt: Write a scene or story in which a character sees (or misses) a hidden image. What does this hidden image reveal—is it the clue they've been searching for?

I love writing horror!

The man had suspected his partner of cheating. It was seemingly unwarranted since they claimed to be an open book. If they weren't together the partner would be at work or with family or friends. He even met the friends and sometimes combined their friend groups. So what had the man so convinced?

It was simple at first.

A change in scent.

The first time it lingered on their body, it was metallic and slightly woody. The man thought it would be a new cologne or kept from a past camping trip with their family. It stayed. Creeping into his nostrils as they cuddled. Sticking to the shower after they've used it. Soon enough, it felt as if it was everywhere. No one else could smell it. They showed worry for his mental state yet he never pushed away these doubts. He only swallowed them down and acted as if everything was fine.

By day he would act lovingly to his partner. That was their daily routine. By night the man would analyze the earlier behavior. He remembers slipping pointed questions disguised as playful banter at perfect moments. There were times that they would falter. Others where they were confident. He stuck onto those moments as he thought it over. Tonight, like any other, he woke up deep in the night, glancing over at the sleeping lover laying next to him. It had been years since that scent had followed him like the plague. He took the partner's phone from the bedside table and opened it. Swiping through every app until something gives him pause. An unsettling feeling creeps into his chest, an almost imperceptible shiver runs across his body. Sandwiched between the mundane websites and searches within the browser history, a weirdly titled website stood out to him. There was no search leading up so they must've known this abnormal string of letters and numbers by heart. Or by being sent this by another. He only hesitates a moment longer before opening it.

This is it.

It has to be.

Why else would they never bring this up?

The site opens to a dark red screen. It looks as though it's a streaming website with the "Stream Ended" text on top. There's a highlighted username that the man rushes to open. To his horror the image of his partner's bloodied, smiling face is staring back at him. He only scrolls down a few centimeters before throwing the phone away from him as if it was diseased. He's retching. The rest of the image showed the grotesque pose of his partner holding a severed head. 

Chapter 3: Sweet 16

Summary:

Prompt: Write a scene or story that includes a character fulfilling someone's dying wish.
Sad prompt :(

The harmonization of everyone belting out the birthday song had warmed the girl's heart tremendously. She looked around at everyone with a large smile. Her family was singing normally while her friends add a couple jokes into it, giggles ripple through the crowd.

Once the song ends they all encouraged her to blow out the candles. To make a wish. Her eyes twinkled as she wished aloud for everyone to achieve their dreams. The people in the crowd seem grateful. Whispering to herself an addition for everyone to live long lives. She blows out the candles and cheers erupt in the room.

The party music starts up again through the speakers as the guests start bustling around. Soon they're in a line for cake. She cut herself a slice, slicing through easily. The strawberry filling seeping out. There's even real strawberries, her favorite! She gives a piece to every guest. Some even taking it on their own. It all blurs together after a while. By the time everyone has gotten some, her cake had stayed right where she put it. She takes her first bite. It's delicious. It floods in memories of everyone.

Bite.

Her best friend got married to someone amazing and put a down payment on her dream house a week ago. Secret is, she's pregnant. 1 month along.

Bite.

Her siblings separated into prestige jobs after college. They've been renovating their houses with their bonuses.

Bite.

Her friend group stayed strong despite the age. Road trips happening a couple times a year. She might not go to most, but it felt good.

Bite.

Her eyes water as she remembers her mother's passing this spring. She loved strawberries too.

Thump.

The girl's body slumped onto the floor. Though she's foaming at the mouth and shaking, there's a small smile playing on her lips seeing the lively party guests enjoying themselves not too far away. While simultaneously feeling light years away.

It seems as if her wish came true.

Chapter 4: The Final Goodbye

Summary:

No prompt just sad.

They were swaying slightly in the wind. Moon shining through the forming clouds to cast a shadow upon this poor individual. Not even trying to keep their balance at the edge of the roof. The only thing holding them back from taking the plunge was their hand gripping the railing unconsciously.

A frail laugh escaped their throat. What a cruel joke. The human body has such a way at holding people back, even from the brink as they glance down at the street below. Only a few passersby and cars moving past. It all blurs together as they look back to their unwilling hand. Memories of the life that haunts the person to this day flood into their mind. It was quite unremarkable. A normal life that took one stumble before falling down a deep chasm, unable to claw it's way back up.

A melody leaks in through their reminiscing mind.

It's familiar.

They then remember. A dance? Of course, that's what held them back. Life couldn't be parted with without rewriting this wretched memory. They balance on top of the railing, as if it had been done countless times before. That's right. The failed dance that led to their downfall.

They go through the steps. A couple of steps into a twirl. As if time stopped mid-pirouette, the moon glistens over their gaunt yet happy facial features. It's a picturesque scene. It's as if they're reaching towards the sky. Time moves again, quicker in pace with the music. The railing trembles under their weight as they jump and move about. Is it a pas de deux? An allegro for one? Only they should know as they hum and tread dangerously on the railing under the moonlight.

As they approach the end of the song they remember more and more. The days of loneliness, the debts left behind, seeing the people who turned their back on their failed performances with a new outlook. They want to be seen. To be heard. For their dance to express all they've ever wanted from the pathetic hand at life they've been given.

The memory of a theater of people gazing at their failing form pushes them into a free form style of dancing. Something never seen before. The tempo is skewed, the steps jumbled, yet they still hang on. Clinging desperately to the hope to not fail again. The weight of a thousand eyes pierce them as they continue. The end is arriving soon. The crowd is at the edge of their seats. A fantastical finish is needed for a performance such as this one.

This is the last after all.

Les derniers adieux.

The person's laughter drowns out the music. It fades either way. The stars morph into the people watching to force their unfavorable jeers into looks of pure adoration as they cheer them on as they muddle the steps, almost slipping from the barre more than once. Despite this they stay strong before the big finish. With a running start they shift into a grand jete. As planned they tour en l'air before finishing with an arabesque in the air. Glancing at the crowd's early applause send tears down their face.

With no barre to catch them they simply allow gravity to praise their performance with soft kisses and whispers of well wishes in their ears. They will always be a star. The curtains shut as they pose for the encouraging crowd one last time.

Chapter 5: Yours Truly

Summary:

No prompt
I've been thinking of a story between two women, a tiger and a seahorse type of people. I didn't know if I should make it explicit or horror but I finally settled on a love letter!
Isn't that cute?

To my dearest seahorse,

 

You were snatched out of my grasp once again, my love. With a beauty like yours I could not dare to drown in sorrow over this injustice. It would simply be wrong for me to expect for the world not to adore you as much as I do. 

Our conversation today was quite riveting. The way you teased me relentlessly, encouraging me to join you in the water. You know how much I hate swimming, silly. Yet that humor of yours is one of the main factors to the reason why my eyes are drawn to you so. 

The moonlight had cast a gorgeous glow over you. Your long, black hair shimmered with sea water. I could almost see my reflection within the strands! 

Oh, how I wished to be wrapped in your hair and cradled by your delicate arms. I could see your features more closely that way. I've already engrained the image of your faraway figure inside my head a thousand times over. Just to fall apart once I see you in person once more. Isn't it cruel? The way your divine aura affects a poor cat like me?

My lady, I mean no harm or ill-will when I say this, but I curse you for enrapturing me as you've done this past month. You've made me soft without even a touch to my skin. Your eyes have smoothed my ridges and made my fur akin to a house cat's. I once was someone to be feared you know. Despite that, you've completely torn me apart from the seams. Just to remake me into this love sick idiot who can't help but yearn for your closeness. Maybe it is my fault, though. If I could I would allow you to do it all over again just to feel as if I'm something to you. 

I can tell from your eyes. You are a siren after my heart. The beating inside my chest. You have captured my love, but my heart is what will keep you alive. I won't hand it over easily. No, it's much too fun to watch your chase. This is the only cruelty I will allow myself to give you. May the gods send me to the deepest depth of hell for my blasphemy. I would still smile when I close my eyes.

I wish I could give you these letter, dear. There will be a time to do so. It is simply not that time. Once your claws can reach my flushed face, I will tell you my true feelings. Torturing you for now will suffice just for another glance from you. 

 

Sincerely, 

Your target

The Cat.

Chapter 6: Exit Stage Right

Summary:

Twitter post "prompt"
Someone tweeted about vampire hunters using silver grills on their teeth for a more intimate take down on vampires so I got inspired.

She followed the pale woman closely. Today marks the tenth attempt at annihilation. For weeks they have been exchanging quick glances, uttering pointed questions, and even waiting until slumber to strike at some points. There is something different about this day. The pale woman looks back at the tall woman with a warm expression.

"Elaine," she calls out "Once we get inside, please make yourself at home."

Another one of her attempts to strike. A small manipulation, of course. She has expertly slid a couple of these comments into their past conversations. The last meetings were a complex battle of wits and willpower. Elaine has to adapt in order for her plan to work.

Elaine takes her hand, bringing it to her lips with a small peck. "My dear, I hope I make a good impression on your parents. Meeting with you as of late has been the highlight of my evenings."

The hand within her grasp warms up, the pale woman shies away. Hiding her face with her hair as she looks away. Not a hint of color reaches her face. Her gamble was a success once again. She hides her smirk of accomplishment behind the long, delicate fingers of the other woman. Only bringing down her hand to knock on the large door in front of them. Their fingers intertwine and she shifts to tidy her dress a bit before the door swings open. 

Once opened it reveals a dazzling elderly couple. Despite the age Elaine was told they were, they don't look any older than 40 years of age. She steadies herself. This is it. What she has been training for. With a practiced ease, she smiles sweetly to them.

"I assume you both are the respectable parents of Valerie" Elaine gently untangles her hand from Valerie's to stretch it towards them, careful not to reach into the doorway. "My name is Elaine. I am deeply gracious to be within your presence."

They look to each other in an amused way, keeping that gaze as it settles back onto her. Is her performance taking the desired effect? She focuses on keeping her breathing normal as she anticipates the next step.

Suddenly, the father takes her hand, shaking it firmly. "Val has talked about you to a great extent. I am looking forward to our evening." He only lets go after she acknowledges his statement enthusiastically. With only a small glance to the side she can see Valerie hiding her face in her hands. She was quite the actress as well.

The mother ushers them both into the house in no uncertain terms. "Both of you can come in! We have so much to talk about." She looks over Elaine subtly. Despite not being her prey, she appeared to almost be salivating at the color tinging her uncovered neck. As they all would do in the proximity of a human.

The evening was perfect performance. The barrage of questions were expertly deflect or dodged by Elaine. She just had to endure until she could strike. Valerie played her part well of the "love struck fiancée" by holding onto her arm, even fidgeting with Elaine's fingers under the dinner table. She must be ravenous to act so forward today. In front of her "parent" no less.

At the curtain's call, they were allowed to sleep in the manor. In Valerie's old room they perform their encore. 

Elaine whispers roughly into her ear, "Darling, your beauty will be more elegant under the moonlight." Insinuating something clear. She even slips her hair behind her ear to expose her flushed neck. An act to look considerate to the other party, while also something so utterly tempting to an undercover vampire as Valerie was.

She can't even take her eyes off her neck as she agrees, "Of course, my love. Anything for you."

She gets up from the bed and flicks down the night switch. Under the cover of darkness, Elaine slips something into her mouth. The weapon that will be her undoing.

Valerie is shuffles over to Elaine, putting her hands on her shoulders as she straddles her hips. Due to instinct, Elaine holds her hips firmly in place. Valerie attempts to hide her hunger with kisses that are not to close to the neck. One to the cheek. A couple to the earlobe. A peck to the shoulder blade, her teeth grazing the spot. One kiss even leaves a trail of drool trickling down that she doesn't seem to notice. 

Almost there. 

Once she goes in to attack, it will be Elaine's victory.

She runs her hands through Valerie's hair, letting out a soft groan as she crooks her neck to expose it to the moonlight. 

She moves in to strike...

Her canines grow into razor sharp fangs as they reach closer to the target. Despite this, Elaine bites first. Sinking into her cold flesh are silver fangs that were custom made just for this situation. Valerie gasps as she starts to go limp in her arms. 

Elaine gently places her on the bed beside her. A final act of kindness for a creature like this one.

Valerie chuckles as her limbs sparkle away, "I knew it would end this way, my dear" she rasps, "My only hope is that the heavens forgive my sin of falling for you." Her smile softens as she keeps her gaze glued onto Elaine. Surely another act.

The only response she gets in return is a soft kiss from Elaine. She cradles her head as she dissipates into the night. A final act of cruelty to counteract the earlier kindness.