This is my contribution to Monday’s finish the Story, hosted by Barbara Beacham.

Finish the story starts with: “What a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.”

Oscar read aloud the words which had greeted him each morning for the past 20 years at Hardwyke Forsythe and Rogers.

He turned to face the year’s new recruits, with their freshly ironed shirts, trim haircuts and unblinking expressions.

He looked down at his own clothes and noticed a blob of yesterday’s dried ketchup resting against his paunch. He flopped back into his seat and opened the orientation manual, before promptly slamming it shut again.

“So who can tell me what we do here?” “Yes. Simon?” He glanced down at his watch before meeting Star Eager Beaver’s eye. Two more minutes to a smoke break.

“We educate people learn about new products and services sir.” A chuckle escaped his lips.

“We sell dreams, son. We sell hopes and dreams in jars and tubes, and people buy them for whatever outrageous amounts of money we ask. Welcome to advertising school. Don’t believe a word of it.”

This is my contribution to this week’s Monday’s Finish the Story, brought to us by Barbara Beacham. Thanks once again Barbara 🙂

Finish the story starts with: The crew of the Angel Flame received orders to head out.

She made her way quickly towards the edge of the Great Southern Ocean to retrieve what was left of the space shuttle Explorer, which had broken up on re-entry a few hours ago.

They were expecting the worst, and a hungry media was feeding their every move live into homes and offices around the world.

Captain Shepperd was about to brief the navy divers when he was interrupted by his deputy. “Sir, you need to see this.” His expression pulled the captain away from the waiting men as he thrust a sonar printout into Shepperd’s waiting hand. “What am I looking at here, Rogers?” The Captain’s confused expression matched his own. “The Explorer sir. It’s impossible, but the ship is still intact, underwater. And it’s coming right at us.”

This is my contribution to this week’s Monday’s Finish the Story, posted by Barbara Beecham.

Finish the story starts with: “After losing her head, she realized that the rest of her body was falling apart.”

She lifted her hands to her face and watched as they melted away like pieces of gooey cheese. My camembert hands, she whispered, giggling as she stuck her tongue out to lick them. Then it was the arms, pulling away slowly out from the shoulder sockets. On the screen above flickered an image of an old decapitated doll in a pink dress. Its amazing what our subconscious dredges up, she thought, watching her detached feet float away like big bubbles.

An alarm grated at the edge of her consciousness. She was at the best part now as her spine started to stretch, building up to the grand finale. Silently begging for one more minute, she started to lift up out of her body.

The little doll disappeared as the holopod  slid open and face peered down at her. “Time’s up, lady.”

Here’s my contribution to Monday’s Finish the Story posted by Barbara Beecham. It’s amazing how rusty you can feel after just a week long break from writing, but here goes…

Finish the story begins with: “They followed the buffaloes and their babies along the trail heading into the woods.”

They’d been tracking them for days, staying out of sight to avoid spooking the beasts and waiting for their chance. The plan was to separate a calf from the herd and bring it down. Starving, and with most their weapons gone, they held onto the element of surprise as their last hope.

“Here they come” Jane whispered, watching the beasts wind their way uphill through the trees. The air was heavier here, full of earthy smells which help to mask their own scent. The animals moved cautiously, the cows keeping their young close.

She pressed the knife handle into her sweaty palm, not daring to breathe. They only had one chance at this, and timing was everything.

Dan listened to the animals draw closer, hunger honing his senses. His eyes waiting for Jane’s signal.

She spread her fingers out and counted down from five.

“Now!” she screamed as they charged  at the buffalo.

This is my contribution to this week’s Monday’s Finish the Story from Barbara Beecham  – thanks once again Barbara for a great prompt!

Finish the story begins with: “The neighbors were not happy about my choice of yard art.”

Sam took a sip of his beer as he looked over at the Man. “But they’d like him even less if they knew what he was.”

“What do you mean?” Tara sat painting her nails.

“Ever heard of the Stone Man from Misty Falls?”

“Yeah.. but the Stone Man’s not real Sam. It’s just a dumb story we used to tell the kids in school to freak them out.”

“What if I told you that he is real.” Sam’s tone made her look up.

“Stop being an idiot Sam! Are you telling me that that thing over there is THE Stone Man? That he can turn your heart to stone?” Rolling her eyes, she continued to coat her nails with Calipso Sunset. “How did this legend fall into your filthy hands anyway?”

He hopped off the chair and sat  down next to her. “It starts with your heart, yes, but soon your whole body turns to stone. Let me show you…”