Choose a piece of art (photograph, painting, illustration) from a published (well known) collection or from your own life (your own artistic creation or photo). Write a story that the image conveys to you. Please print the image and hand it to your teacher, with your name on it, for reference (since you cannot post an image in the comment box) OR include the website for the image at the beginning of your post. The completed 500 word (or more) story is due at the end of class on Tuesday.
Provided are some images for inspiration; however, you are not limited to these.
“The first mystery is why he was alone in his room drinking a poisoned bottle of wine.” The one-armed detective stared at the girl. She stared right back, but showed no signs of answering his question. He cocked an eyebrow, “Well?”
ReplyDeleteMonotonously she answered, “I don’t know.” She kept staring at the detective in an unnerving way, but he ignored it and grinned instead.
“The reason is simple; at that point in time he was destined to die.” The girl just shrugged indifferently. The detective raised his hand and held up two fingers. “The second mystery is, why did the rest fall into the ocean; and was the culprit really among them?” When he received no reply, he sighed. “It’s okay, even if you don’t say the answer I will do it for you, that way this crime will end.” The girl moved her hand and placed it into her pocket. The detective didn't pay much attention to this and continued to speak. The girl tuned him out, and gripped the knife hidden in her pocket. Her one fatal mistake was that the detective was dragged into this. Like a streak of lightning, she dashes at the detective and aims the knife at his heart.
Clang! Without even seeing him, the detective hit the knife out of the girl’s hand; her last resort. “So who is the culprit?” The one-armed detective asked again with a grin. “Come; say the name of the one who murdered all those people.” The girl turned to retreat, but the detective had a firm grip on her wrist. He laughed, “Come on now! It’s not that hard! Just say the name of the person who stands in front of you!”
The girl stopped struggling and looked at him in confusion. “What? What kind of game are you playing at?” The girl demanded.
The detective released her and replied, “Just say my name, that way this crime will end.”
Flustered, the girl cried, “I murdered them! You and I both know it!”
The detective gave her a grave look, “Nobody else knows, so who could argue that I didn't do it? Just say my name, and you’ll be free.”
“B-but, I don’t even know your name! Why are you doing this anyway!?” The girl yelled.
The one-armed detective gave her a sad smile, “Because I promised that I would protect you.” The girl’s eyes widened. A promise? Suddenly, the past came back to her….
*The girl coughed violently. She was suffocating on the smoke that surrounded her. “Help! Someone help!” Her mansion, her beautiful home was ablaze with her in it. She coughed some more. Her eyes stung from all the smoke as she tried to spy the exit to this death trap. She placed her foot in front of herself, and regretted it. The floorboards creaked from the strain of holding her up. Her foot fell through the floor and the girl cried out as the rest of her body followed her foot. Desperately, she tried to grab something; anything, that could keep her from falling into the fire.
Her body came to a sudden halt as a hand firmly gripped her hand. She looked up to see the pianist she hired holding on to her. Just as began to feel some hope, the flames grew more savage and set the pianist’s shirt sleeve ablaze. His face twisted in pain, but he didn't let go of the girl as he slowly pulled her back up.*
“Nathaniel,” she breathed. She recognized him now. The pianist who had saved her life was now the detective who was going to do it again.
ReplyDeleteNathaniel smiled at her, “So do you know the culprit’s name?” The girl frowned at him. This was not going to happen again! He already lost his arm to the fire; she couldn't let him lose his life.
The girl took a deep breath before softly saying, “Yes, I know who the culprit is.” She paused, the said, “The culprit is the culprit. It will be neither you nor I.”
Nathaniel frowned, “But-”
The girl cut him off, “You and I are the only ones who know the truth correct? So would the world end if the case remained a mystery?”
Nathaniel gave her a thoughtful expression. He stayed deep in thought for a while, and then burst out in laughter. “You’re right! How did I not think of that?” He whirled around and marched towards the door, “I shall go and tell the police commissioner that the case is indeed unsolvable.” He glanced back at her and declared, “Then I shall turn in my badge to resume protecting you. After all, I did promise your parents that I would.”
The girl sprinted after Nathaniel and shouted, “I’m coming with you!” Nathaniel paused and let her catch up to him. Once they were together, they left the house of nine unfortunate people whose murders are still unsolved to this day.
Here is the link to the photo I used: http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20111223225238/vocaloid/es/images/9/96/Nazotoki_Nazokake.jpg
DeleteThere it is; the world. It’s in the palm of my hand. With a wave of my hand I can change the seas. Pounding my fist to the ground will cause one of the worst earth quakes the world has ever seen. My breath has the power to change the winds to harsh storms. I can cause eruptions all over the surface while I watch and smirk at their misery. Mortals, how can they live knowing that they are mortals. How can they live knowing that their lives can change by the mood I am in the following day? It must pain them to know that they can do nothing to save themselves from my wrath. Yet they still disrespect me. Did they not listen to that guy Jonathan Edwards? Did they not listen to his speech “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God?” I am a god to them and I am very angry. They can’t see that. I can crush anyone of them and end their puny existence in my universe. They don’t control anything here but they think they do. THIS IS MY UNIVERSE. Not yours you pathetic little humans. You are nothing compared to me so stop trying. I see every single one of you. I can see you over there stealing. And now your life is over. And you, standing at the corner not paying attention to anyone. Not caring for anyone else in the world. So instead of being kind to others you run into people by not paying attention because you are talking on your cellphone. The world isn’t going to mover for you. You aren’t God because I am. No you won’t have to worry about people moving for you because they will be moving you right into a grave. Why can’t these mortals see how powerful I am? And I don’t have to be cruel to them. They just infuriate me so much. There was a time in this world when people would die for me. They fought wars over me. Kings bowed down before me and showed me respect. Kings. I’m sure none of you are better than kings so stop acting like you are and show some respect. Not just to me but to everyone else that deserves it. You people still aren’t listening to me. And here comes a tornado to show you a lesson. Why can’t you see? I don’t want to do this to my own creation. You force this upon me because you don’t care for anyone. It wouldn’t matter to me if you cared about me, but you don’t care about anyone. Why is that? You need people in this life to get by yet you treat them like they are nothing. I don’t like seeing my creations looked down upon by others who think they are mightier than everyone else. I will leave you with these last words. Stop being cruel to each other so you don’t have to feel my wrath. And to see how cruel I could be, here is a tsunami to remember me by.
ReplyDeleteThe year now is 2035 and the world that we knew is completely gone. The world was struck with a terrible disease that 98% of the world was killed by. There was not even enough time for scientist to even come up with a cure for, it spread like wild fire. After the first year over half the population of the world was killed off and the rest were left to fend for them self’s. I was only five when the disease first hit. Ten years later there were only a few people left my dad had died during that year and I was left to find food and water for myself. Ever since then finding food had been getting more and more difficult. The only people left had formed gangs to protect themselves and so they could eat. However getting into the gang was a very difficult thing because you needed to buy your way in. The price is very high and nearly impossible to pay now because everything has been collected by the gangs. There are only a few who live outside the gang. The people don’t like living outside the gang they just can’t get up enough food and water to buy their way into the gang. Outside the gang is tough life that only the strongest of people can survive. However when the gang goes out on a trip to restock their supplies everyone who is not in the gang is considered the enemy so they all hide and hide any supplies they have. The world is a very changed place, the cities are almost completely deserted and everyone left alive has flocked to the suburbs. The transition from normal life to this life was a long and very hard rode. Luckily I made it through that rode because of my dad. He saved my life many times and made sure I was never hungry or thirsty. One of my best memories with my dad was before the disease hit and we were in New York City. We were walking down the streets and I was holding his hand and there were big American flags hanging from the building across the street. That day was one of the best days I had with my dad; we went all over New York that day. We rode the ferry and the double decker busses around the city and we took the ferry to the statue of liberty. I wish that I could go back to those happy days when life was easy. The days were long and relaxing with no worries about how I would eat that night or how I would get water to drink. I could turn the TV on and watch it for hours on end till I fell asleep in my comfy bed with my big blanket. I could turn on the night light if I ever got scared by something in the night. Trying to sleep through the pitch black night was one of the hardest adjustments to make.
ReplyDelete“That’s it, I’m out of here, go home or not. I couldn’t care less if you go back to their machine.”
ReplyDeleteJust like that, I find myself slamming the door of the black SUV behind me, stomping my way to the cabin where I kept my treasures. Despite the nip in the air, my blood is boiling with anger and I am nearing breaking a sweat. I can’t be bothered to even look back to the space where the traitor may or may not still be parked. I haven’t heard the engine rumble yet I couldn’t hear much but my own grunts. My frustration seemed to have temporarily deafened me to anything but my own concerns.
I reach the door of the run down, decaying cabin that I’ve adopted as my own. The long, vigorous walk tired me out a bit, allowing me to catch my cool a bit. The door creeks open a bit with my gentle push and I finally gather the courage to turn and face either my brother or the empty parking space. To my surprise, I found the large vehicle still in its place and Richie, with a troubled yet apologetic face sitting on the hood, letting his legs swing back and forth.
“You’re gonna be late for the interview!” I scream across the field, holding back the smirk that’s fighting its way onto my face.
“What interview?” He yells back with a huge grin.
“Get over here you, jerk!” I return the smile. “I meant it when I said I had something to show you!”
Richie hops off the hood, losing his balance and flopping into the dirt. He is so obviously frustrated with the appearance of his white and grey sweater vest, now with a big brown patch.
“Just forget it! Get over here!”
He walks, slowly, still recuperating from his fall.
“No, run!”
Sighing deeply and rolling his eyes, Richie breaks out into his run that makes him look like the gym class try-hard. I can’t help but laugh as he makes his way over to me. I can’t even hold it in when he reaches the cabin because he is panting like a dog after a mere twenty yards. He tries to get out his words through his constant and heavy breathing.
“Okay… what are you showing me?”
He collapses against the wall, sliding down and getting his corduroy pants just as dirty as his sweater.
“Don’t sit. Up, up! This is my sanctuary.”
I open the door as if I were Willy Wonka opening the door to his wondrous factory. This might as well be my factory of wonders. Through this door lays my very passion. Piles upon piles of substances that well, a sixteen year old girl should not be in possession of. Matches, gun powder and stacks of fireworks line my shrine. My therapy and wellbeing is held underneath this dropping roof.
INDEPENENT STUDY ASSINGMENT
ReplyDeleteTangy fruit, honey, warm chocolate… all of those flavors and more simultaneously bombarded his taste buds. It was a phenomenal experience, but it made him wonder. How could something he had never fully designed be so specific in its flavor? So extravagant? In his imagination, for he had no doubt anymore that was where he was, shouldn’t everything have been imagined? If so, how could something like this exist without being created?
He puzzled over this for a few moments as he finished consuming the bread-like meal. The four of them finished, and Jordan smiled at the group. “Shall we continue?” he asked. The other three nodded, but just as they were about to continue walking down the path, Sylvia suddenly shuddered and dropped to the ground. Alantorson was immediately by her side. She shook a few times, and then her expression somehow grew darker and she grew very still. She sat up, shaking out Alantorson’s grasp, and looked up at Jordan.
“Do not go down this path,” she warned her voice deep and menacing. “Nothing awaits you there but misery and death. You will not stop them, you cannot stop them. Teacher will kill you. Teacher will murder you all. The Kyvorak will continue on, and Zale will rise. Death awaits you. But if you stay here, Zale will spare you. He will make you his slaves, but will spare your lives. Stay here, won’t you? Stay here. Stay here stay here staay heere staaay herreee staaaayyyyy heeeeeereeee staaayyyy heeeeerrrreeeee…” her eyes began to widen, and suddenly she screamed and leapt up from the ground, sinking her teeth into Alantorson’s shoulder. Alantorson cried out in surprise and pain, and fell back as she loosed her grip. Her face became normal again, and Jordan saw a tear leaking out of the corner of her eye. “I’m sorry…” she began, and then she broke into uncontrollable sobs. “I’m sorry… I’m sorry…” she continued, and kept going in her profuse apology.
Alantorson was at her side again, comforting her, and Ziekk and Jordan shared a meaningful glance.
“Do you really think that she is capable of making this journey?” Ziekk questioned Jordan.
Jordan stood there for a moment. How could he know? Dracon was a wise king, but he himself was just a teenage boy! How was it that he had come to decide the fate of a kingdom? But King Dracon had allowed her to come on this journey. Who was he to contradict a wise man like Dracon?
“I told her to come. She will remain with us. We will need a guide when we arrive at Cragg,” Jordan answered. Ziekk nodded, not questioning his wisdom, and Jordan felt a pang in his stomach. Ziekk was much wiser than Jordan was… he should be leading this expedition. Jordan was about to tell him so when he realized that he was King Dracon. King Dracon wouldn’t step down from his post. King Dracon wouldn’t leave his people without a ruler.