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…”

Here’s my contribution to this week’s Monday’s Finish the Story. And yes, the names are inspired by the Penguins of Madagascar.. 🙂

Finish the story begins with “When the team heard the dam explode, they knew they had limited time to make it to safety.”

“Go go go!”

Skipper turned quickly to look behind him as they raced to get clear of the deluge. Too late. “Brace!”

Throwing down their useless oars they hunkered down, head between knees, as the wall of water hit them. The raft spun out of control.

They slammed into a partially submerged rock, throwing Kowolski into the water. His wet fingers scrambled to grip onto the raft, but the current pulled him under in seconds.

The sound of the waterfall became a deafening roar as they raced toward the edge of the river. The raft flew over the edge, dipping into the foaming rush of water as its helpless occupants were flung out to their fate.

Time slowed down for the three bodies as they fell, arms flailing, lungs burning, to the bottom of the rainbow, and into the arms of the awaiting rescue crew.