RE: Cliffhanger Short Story Writing Contest - April 2018 Edition
Dear @lymmerik,
Thank you for this cool contest, I am notorious for cliffhangers so this is right up my alley!
Word Count: 301
Here is my official entry:
Santiago stood over the dead body with blood spatter on his face, holding the knife he had just used to slit the condescending Captain's neck. He knew the day would come when vengeance would finally come, as he wiped the blood from his hands on the Captain's white shirt, turning it copper red.
As he looked up Javier appeared, he had his gun at the ready but put it back in his waistband and secured it with his belt once he realized it was his loyal friend. All the lashings he had taken from the Captain's cruelty was over, his heart lurched with excitement knowing his freedom was close at hand.
It was over a year ago when he and Javier first started working on The Villarta, the notorious pirate ship that was said to hold the mysteriously allusive treasure map of The Esperanza. It was whispered amongst pirates that the treasure was said to be over 1.5 million gold pesos that had been stolen by pirates, the ship sunk on an island named Palmyra Atoll during the full moon.
It was said the treasure was cursed and caused the ship to crash straight into the island never to be seen again. That is why the Pirate brotherhood called it dark treasure, full moon but Santiago and Javier took a blood oath that they would find that treasure. To Hell with the talk of curses, they would kill for gold. It was Javier that found the treasure map hidden in a secret compartment behind the Captain's bed. They looked at each other with understanding, they both had suffered humiliation to get to this point of their quest.
They quickly changed clothes and took the loot off the table as they made their way to the top deck and their escape ...
Respectfully submitted,
Plagiarists Beware: I will send your blog to Steem Cleaners! Find your "inspiration" elsewhere.
@eaglespirit,
Thanks for the entry, I await with baited breath for the next contest.
@Lymmerik
hi, my only question and this is a learning experience ... i have seen this a few times wherein a prompt is given but the exact words are not used and people win. however, i have been in many other contests where the prompt MUST be used. can you help me understand this ... i do realize that ultimately the win is up to the one holding the contest (i've helped judge enough contests to know this much.) LOL!
thank you for the response and sounds like i may have made it to next week! :p
yay,
eagle
@eaglespirit,
Thanks for contacting me about this. The prompt was given as a guide, it was not specified to be used word for word, nor as the title. I also have seen contests where it is specified and judged accordingly. I don't like it when contests are so stringent. I hope this answers your question. I hope you finish your story in Part Two of the contest starting tomorrow. Have a great day.
@Lymmerik
i see, i guess the words "must be true to the prompt" in your post meant to me that the prompt must be used. i will have to ask for confirmation in any future contests (from any i enter) since i have seen people accept something outside of a prompt. it just feels strange to ask a million questions to someone holding a contest. LOL even a photo that was asked to be used but it wasn't. i do prefer contests that do not restrict to the exact wording of things too. thank you for the reply.
@eaglespirit,
I see the dilemma. I apologize for the confusion. I will be more specific in the future. Please don’t be discouraged. Your story was very good and I look forward to reading the wrap up of your story. Thanks again.
@Lymmerik
dilemma! Yes. :) LOL
no worries, i know now because i was getting my feelings hurt for awhile and finally got brave enough to ask someone. a guy named Lymmerik sounded sweet enough to ask. thank you again for responding so nicely.
@eaglespirit,
Thanks for the compliment. Hurt feelings, I've had them and feeling that I was not good enough...BUT...I am and I can tell by your writing that you are way past me in that arena.
I look forward to your resolution to the story. Have a good one.
@Lymmerik
Okay great, Thank you Lym!
I enjoyed reading your pirate story! I look forward to finding out what happens next.
jayna you found me! lol
thank you for reading, i appreciate the support. :)