Silent Screams - Part 1

A compilation of my VSS, Short Stories, and Flash Fiction challenges. These are also available on my social media. Prompts are in the title, followed by the challenge associated with it.

First VSS

"Bunny!" He shouted.

I looked at the tablet, but after almost an hour of trying to find the game he wanted, my patience was beginning to wear thin.

"I don't know what you want."

He threw himself on the floor, while I just stared, unable to help him.

Anxiety - VSS365

"Please, not now!" I shouted, as he tried to hug me.

I watched, heartbroken, as my son hung his head and walked away; unable to understand what I was going through, and why I couldn't hold him.

In the dark recess of my mind, I could hear the demon, Anxiety, laughing.

Mules - VSS365

It hurt to see her friend's posts. It's been years since their fallout, yet she couldn't bring herself to hit the "unfriend" button. She wanted to apologize, until she saw she had not been invited to the wedding. Her stubbornness made mules seem compliant.

Enchanted - VSS365

The forest lay quiet, not even the birds were singing. The air had begun to cool, and a soft breeze wafted against her coat, blowing wisps of her mane back away from her face. The sunlight began fading, casting out the last rays of warmth on this enchanted day.

Ritual - VSS365

Pieces of me

Shattered

Strewn across the floor

Their sharp edges cut my fingers as I pick the up

Carefully placing them back together

As blood drips on the tiles below

This has become my ritual

Ever since the day I met you

Atlas - VSS365 (Acrostic)

Always thinking of you

Today, tomorrow and forever

Living and breathing for one more smile Another touch, another kiss

Sharing this world together

Frantic - VSS365

Feeling so lost

Alone and Afraid

Frantic tears streaming down my face

Watching you leave

Tearing my world apart

The words linger on my tongue

Refusing to be spoken aloud

"Stay with me"

But all that can be heard is the wind

Fantasy - VSS365

I see the world

The forest

The sea

Mountains

Endless fields of wildflowers

I see them through your eyes

In the pictures you show me

Unable to move

My bed has become my prison

I long to travel with you

But it is nothing more than a fantasy.

Sanity - VSS365

Sing my heart a story

Take me into the unknown

Lead me to your world

And let me call it home

Take my hand in yours

Change my reality

Let it erase all the darkness

And restore my sanity

Script - VSS365

"How are you?" They would ask.

He was always beside her when they asked, so she had no other choice but to follow the script he forced her to memorize.

"I'm good, everything is great." She would answer, with a smile that would not quite meet her eyes.

Pride -VSS365

In the end, it was all worth it

The running

The chasing

The torment was, at last, over.

She dared them to mock her now

Holding her head up with pride

After defeating her greatest nemesis …

… She had finally caught the tail.

Request - VSS365

"Can you do it?"

"Sure. It shouldn't be too difficult."

I sat and waited as he drew up my request; the weeping angel, but with my daughter's likeness. Tears filled my eyes when he showed me the tattoo design.

"It's perfect."

He gave a sad smile, "Hop in the chair."

Peace - VSS365

She searched for what she longed for the most

A sense of peace

A sense of belonging in a world that seemed to reject her very existence

In the end, she found it within herself

Bridging - VSS365

A daydreamer all her life, bridging the gap between exotic fantasy and harsh reality. She liked to linger there, not quite ready to return and leave her dreams behind, but they would always be there … waiting for her when she would need them most.

Atlantic - VSS365

He stood on the beach, his toes digging in the sand as the waves of the Atlantic came closer. He stared into its mysterious depths, never moving until the waves came over his head, pulling him in and consuming his soul within the inky blue darkness.

Seagull/Whitecaps - VSS365 & Author's Confession 2020

He though it a silly superstition, but when his bullet ripped through the seagull, a terrifying cry filled the air. The sounds of the dead sailors poured out from the wound, vanishing beneath the whitecaps of furious waves crashing against the rocks.

Tribute - VSS365

At last, the war has come to an end, and he returned to his kingdom in triumph, but he cared not for riches or lands, only her; his prize, his tribute to ending the war. He opened the doors to his chambers and found her waiting on his bed; her smile inviting.

Seventeen - VSS365

He came home to find his mom had been planning a party for his birthday. She worked such long hours every day, he was surprised to see her. "Do you like the decorations?" She beamed, "Sweet Sixteen!"

"They're great, mom," He said with a smirk, "Except I'm Seventeen."

Patch - VSS365

He sewed another patch on his quilt, admiring the contrasting colors and images displayed. His latest one was almost white, with brown speckles scattered across its surface, and a shamrock tattoo.

"In other news, the police still have no leads …"

Spark - VSS365

A spark of imagination grew into a roaring fire of creativity, until she forgot to stoke the flames within. Now, her flame had reduced to embers as she frantically tried to reignite her passion for her art.

Spoken - VSS365

A young heart freshly broken

Darkness bleeds out through the cracks

Echoes of harsh words that were spoken

Realizing they can never go back

Word - VSS365 He held his breath as he awaited her answer. She alone had the power to destroy his dreams or make them come true, but every second he waited felt like an eternity until, at last, she said the word he had been longing for.

"Yes."

Unfathomable - VSS365

She danced beneath the stars

Bathed in the light of a full moon

Singing a song of ancient lore

While the wind howled an eerie tune

Would the Fae reveal their unfathomable secrets

Or would she be lost to their world forever?

Insurmountable - VSS365

"Life throws many curve balls," He said, "And sometimes the path before us is not a smooth, well trodden road, but a bumpy trail full of hardship and sacrifice over a seemingly insurmountable mountain, but if we persevere, we'll look back and realize it was worth it."

Blue - VSS365

Their eyes locked, and he felt himself drowning within their blue depths. The corners of her mouth turned up, as if she knew his breathing had become labored. He pleaded with the siren to release him from her spell, but the predator rarely frees its prey.

Oddity - VSS365

I've always been different

I've never belonged to any crowd

They called me weird or crazy

An oddity no one could understand

It used to make me sad

I felt so alone

But now I realize I am unique

And I was born to stand out

Rather than disappear into the masses

Stroopwafel - VSS365

"Dutch okay?" He asked, holding the door open for her as she went to get in his car.

She paused, "I assumed you would be paying for dinner?"

"I am, and I'm in the mood for a stroopwafel."

"What is that?" She laughed.

He grinned, "You'll see."

Foreign - VSS365

She shivered with excitement, and her chest heaved with each breath as his lips brushed against her skin. His gentle touch felt foreign to her, but his slow teasing only made her eager for more.

Haiku - VSS365

Woken by my cat

Walking on me as I slept

Ow. That is my boob

She meows loudly

Clearly starved and neglected

I check her food bowl

The bowl still has food

But I can see the bottom

To her, it was bare

She meows again

Demanding I fill her bowl

My cat is a jerk

Guitar - VSS365

It had been a rough month, and stress began to take its toll. Needing a break, an escape, she put on her headphones and looked up her favorite melody.

She took a breath, closed her eyes, and let the soothing sound of the guitar carry her away.

Ragpicker - VSS365

I once had dreams and ambitions, and I worked hard all my life to achieve them, but I didn't care about the people I hurt along the way. I never thought my sins would catch up with me, reducing me to nothing. Now, even a ragpicker lives like a king compared to me.

Rainwater - VSS365

It hurts to watch you go

Yet, I feel strangely relieved

Like a weight has been lifted

And I am finally free

The rainwater washes away my tears

And through the clouds

The sun begins to shine

I thought I couldn't live without you

But now I know I'll be fine

Hydrangeas - VSS365

"Pretty!" A little girl said, passing a woman tending to her hydrangeas.

"Thanks! They're called 'Fairy Kiss Blue'."

"Is that why they're full of Fairies?"

"There are no Fai-" But when she turned back, she caught a glimpse of the tiny faces before they disappeared.

Littoral - VSS365

He walks along the littoral path, the waves cooling his feet. In the foamy green depths, a tuft of blue hair appears, moving with the current before her face appears. She smiles at him, and the poor fool smiles back, unawares of her hand encircling his ankle.

Potvalor - VSS365

A long sip of potvalor

A frightening gleam in his eyes

A chill runs through her when she realizes

The monster in disguise

Another sip

Another shaky breath

Another night trying to evade

The monster known as Death

Chaos - VSS365

On the outside she seemed calm

Her expression wooden, unchanging

Each breath slow and even

Her heartbeat a steady rhythm

Turbulent waves crashed inside her

A dangerous storm raged

Everyone who passed heard only silence

Oblivious to the deafening chaos inside her mind

Angel - VSS365

"I can't do this." She choked out

Tears trickling free

A shattered heart

A contrite spirit

She felt alone and abandoned

She wept allowed

With despairing sobs

Until the angel descended upon her

Warm hands touched her shoulders

She felt comfort radiating within her soul

Demogorgon - VSS365

The weary party stood firm as the Demogorgon approached, it's powerful tail and tentacle arms swing back and forth threateningly.

"We never should have come here." Udovarax said, but it was too late.

A voice whispered through the madness, "Roll for initiative."

Patriot - VSS365

It was the first Fourth of July after her father died. A patriot whose PTSD kept him inside every year with his hands clamped over his ears. She stood over his grave with a sad smile.

"Rest well, Daddy. Those memories can't haunt you anymore."

Moron - VSS365

"You're not smart enough!"

Maybe he was right.

"No one will ever read this garbage!"

Perhaps no one would.

"What moron actually convinced you that you were good enough to be a writer?"

"I did." She whispered, but only when she was certain he couldn't hear.

Oxymoron - VSS365

"We're doing this for your own good." They said, "One day, you'll look back and laugh."

But that day never came. They told her they were trying to protect her, but the oxymoron was lost on them, as their kindness was the worst form of cruelty she had ever endured.

Skeptic - VSS365

"It's going to be okay."

Words she had heard before.

"Everything's going to work out. You'll see."

Time and time again.

"Just take a deep breath. You'll get through this."

But harsh reality had made her a skeptic, and she knew the worst was yet to come.

Heretic - VSS365

Tired of the endless arguing,

And nonsensical answers,

She refused to listen to them anymore.

She would think for herself,

No matter how great the cost.

"Heretic!" They called her,

But she pitied the sheep

Who could not see

They were being led by wolves.

Pachyderm - VSS365

"Worthless."

She rolled her eyes.

"Ugly."

She shrugged.

"Stupid."

She laughed.

What could they say that she had not already heard? It was the one thing she was grateful to her father for. Enduring years of his abuse made her skin tougher than a pachyderm.

Aesthetic - VSS365

He took in everything about her

The way she bit her lip when she smiled

The nervous twiddling of her fingers

The aesthetic curvature of her hips

But it was her eyes that captivated him the most

On the outside, she appeared the lamb

But on the inside, awaited the lion

Multifarious - VSS365

She never let anyone in, for she knew they would never understand and only judge her for what she had allowed herself to become. The multifarious masks hid the truth, shielding the monster from the rest of the world.

Nudiustertian - VSS365

I regretted what I said before the words had finished leaving my mouth, but I saw by the look in your eyes, it was too late. I wish I could cast a nudiustertian spell, so I could have one more day, one more chance, to make everything right again.

Debut - VSS365

She breathed in the moment

The smiling faces

The kind words

It was everything she imagined her book debut would be

But then she awoke from her daydream

Watching the people passing by

As she tried to ignore the pile of books behind her

Already - VSS365

The day had finally arrived

Butterflies fluttered in her stomach

Her mouth parched of moisture and words

Her legs trembled as she walked down the isle

Beads of trepidation already forming on her brow

What else could she do

But turn around and run

Relax - VSS365

She took a deep breath and told herself to relax, but every time she did, her anxiety roared back. Her hands trembled as she opened the door. It was a typical family gathering, but she could already see her dad was drunk again. She wanted to turn around and leave.

Satori - VSS365 (Acrostic)

Sitting in my room

Alone with my thoughts

Taking each moment in

One breath at a time

Revelation comes and at last

I can finally find peace

Back - VSS365

She could feel the warmth of his body as he approached, his hands gently grasping her arms, and pulling her back against him. A smile came to her face as his arms came about her, and she willingly lost herself in the heat of his embrace.

Flower - VSS365

"I made these for you." He said, handing her a flower, "Do you like them?"

She brought the blue and white rose close to her nose and breathed in the cold, salty breeze of the ocean. Tears brimmed her eyes as memories of her home flooded her mind.

"I love them." She whispered.

Nomad - VSS365

His feet were sore, dust caked his face and clothes, and irritated his eyes and throat, and the earth made an uncomfortable bed. He had left his previous life behind for the life of a Nomad. It was not an easy decision, but as he traveled the road, he never felt so free.

Because - VSS365

"Why are you so afraid?" He demanded.

She flinched, but did not answer, eyeing the beer bottle clenched in his fist. It was as if her voice had been stolen by memories of abuse inflicted by her drunken father.

"Because … you're just like him." She thought to herself.

Round - VSS365

Her round eyes were full of hope, and her wagging tail gave away her excitement. "Today's the day!" She thought as he approached. The little boy knelt down in front of her cage, and she heard the words she had been longing for, "Mommy, I want this one!"

Chat - VSS365

"You need to see me?"

"Yes." Her boss gestured to the chair in front of his desk, "We need to have a chat."

She sat down, dreading what he would say next.

"Look," He began, "This just isn't working out …"

Naked - VSS365

"What are we painting today?" He asked the teacher.

The teacher looked puzzled, "Didn't you get my email?"

Before he could answer, a young woman walked in, wearing only a bathrobe.

"Class, this is Clair, our naked model for today."

He dropped his brush.

Sunset - VSS365

She had never been so close to the edge. She could almost peer down into the precipice that would claim her life, ending her misery.

Then she heard the door open and he was standing there; a worried look on his face and sunset roses in his hand. He was almost too late.

Pass - VSS365

She pressed herself against the wall and looked down, waiting for him to pass, hoping he wouldn't see her.

As he walked by, however, she caught a whiff of his cologne, the one she had bought him, bringing with it every memory, good and bad.

Movie - VSS365

She had everything set out and ready. His favorite popcorn, snacks, and drinks. She set up his picture next to his urn, and then sat down on the couch.

Years ago, she promised she would never watch the movie without him. Even now, it didn't feel the same.

Online - VSS365

Like a spark roaring into flames, her anxiety raged stronger with each passing day. She tried to leave her house, but even a small trip to the mailbox became too much. Her only escape into the world was online, but therein also lay the reason for her condition.

Curious - VSS365

She's not the same person she used to be.

She used to be brace, curious, and outspoken about her beliefs.

Now, she's afraid, depressed, and remains silent when all she wants to do is scream.

Somewhere along the way, she had been broken.

Frozen - VSS365

It happened every night.

She would awake, frozen with fear, unable to move, blink, or even breathe. Every sense in her body told her there was someone there, even though there wasn't. Yet, for several tense moments, she remained paralyzed.

Happiness - VSS365

She searched her whole life for a bit of happiness, but it eluded her. With every obstacle, with every struggle, she thought she would never find it. Until, one day, she realized she had possessed it all along. She only had to open her eyes.

Head - VSS365

"It's all in your head."

But her tears felt so real.

"It's just your imagination."

But the pain cut like a knife.

"You're such a drama queen."

But she spoke only the truth of her abuse …

… until she finally realized, no one would ever believe her.

Chocolate - VSS365

They sat at the table, their kids' pumpkins brimming with Halloween candy. They told their kids they were checking the candy to make sure it was safe, but, in truth, it was candy tax time.

"Save me the dark chocolate." Dad said.

"Dibs on all the Twizzlers." Said Mom.

Sing - VSS365

Take me on a journey

Show me the world inside your head

Let me meet the characters you've created

I want to share their triumphs

I want to be there when they fall

Sing my soul your story

And let the adventure take me away

Fudge - VSS365

Just before the holiday break, the teacher passed out tins of fudge to her students. They were excited, not even waiting to tear into the delicious treat, but no sooner had one girl taken a bite, she felt ill. she looked at the teacher, who stared back, her smile sinister.

Divine - VSS365

There was no much she wanted to say, but every time she came close, she would think better of it and walk away. Perhaps it was divine intervention, preventing her from saying something she would regret later, or perhaps she simply lacked the spine. She no longer knew.

Excited - VSS365

Her head was filled with dreams

Her heart was filled with hope

But taking the first step toward them terrified her

Excited to reach the destination

But dreading the actual journey