A few weeks ago, I entered a 250-word microfiction writing contest with NYC Midnight along with over 3800 other writers. The challenge was to write a story following strict content rules in just 24 hours.
Each participant was placed into a group and each group had different story parameters to follow, which were provided just as the 24 hours started ticking down. My group had to write an Action/Adventure story with the action of ‘fishing’ and the word ‘illegal’ included.
Round One began at 11:59 PM EST on October 4th and ended exactly 24 hours later. The top 10 stories in each group would move on to the second round.
I was surprised and delighted to receive an email telling me I will be participating in Round Two, which takes place this Friday night beginning at 11:59 PM EST and lasts, once again, for 24 hours. I (and my new group) will be given a new set of rules to follow.
If I manage to place in the top five in round two, I will move on to the 3rd and final round, which takes place in January. Wish me luck!
Check out my Round One story below.
Escape! by J. H. O’Rourke
A hand clamped over Tommy’s mouth, startling him from sleep.
“Shhh,” whispered Chrissy. “Don’t say a word. I need you to trust me.”
Tommy nodded.
Chrissy opened her brother’s window and jumped to the ground, then turned back to help him down.
“We need to hurry.” They jogged along a familiar path through the woods until the lake, and their rowboat, came into view.
After fastening their life jackets, they stepped into the boat. Two duffel bags and a fishing pole, already baited, sat beside Tommy’s seat.
“We’re going fishing?” Tommy asked excitedly.
Chrissy squinted toward the house, listening for footsteps.
A faint odor of gasoline mingled with the fresh spring air.
“Yes. You fish; I’ll navigate.”
Tommy thrust the fishing line into the water while Chrissy rowed them away from shore.
“I miss Mom,” Tommy admitted.
“I know. Me too.”
“I loved fishing with her. We never went on a school day though. Isn’t skipping class illegal?”
Chrissy’s eyes darted along the shoreline, her ears alert for a certain angry voice. “Not when you’re escaping something bad.”
“Dad,” Tommy whispered. “He hurt her, didn’t he?” He stared at Chrissy’s bloodied, bruised face. “And he hurt you.”
“Yes, Tommy. He did. But he’ll never, ever hurt you.”
The fishing pole jumped. They ignored it.
“Mom didn’t fall down the stairs, did she, Chrissy?”
Chrissy shook her head as a deafening BOOM echoed through the woods. Black, angry smoke rose from where their house had been.
Chrissy smiled.
Wow. That’s a tough task to include two characters, an inciting incident a resolution and a twist into 250 words. And a spot of fishing. Nice work!
Hi Pat,
Thank you so much! The second round was also challenging! I will find out if I made it to the third and final round in mid-January.
Jen