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I decided to do a writing challenge called, “Don’t say the word.” I write a short story about one word and then do everything in my ability as a writer to not write the word once. I am trying to learn how to write with more descriptions and in an active voice. So to keep from a dull story, I am expanding my skill to challenge myself. They won’t be always perfect, but hey, writing should be about the fun and magic, not just the end result.
Please enjoy the fun little story as much as I did writing it.
- Turan
Challange word: Sleepy
Groggily, Tim walked towards his bed. Each bone in his body creaked and popped from each step he took. Fog blurred the shape of the room, making it hard to distinguish the furniture around. A yawn held his mouth hostage, forcing its way out like a lion's grand roar. His legs dragged across the wooden floor, thudding hard against the surface with the slap. Tim moved at a glacier pace, unable to move the mountainous body any faster to reach the comforts of the pillow mattress. The feeling of the silken sheets, warm blanket embrace, and heavenly cloud ascension into dreamland called to him in a siren's song. The lulling melody crushed the worldly events of his day hard against his shoulders and back. The burden he carried of stress from work shot pain down his spine into his hips. Soon he would be whisked away, refreshed to start his day anew tomorrow.
Alas, he could not enjoy the wonders of his sleeping solitude. The phone rang moments before his towering body could collapse into the sweet abyss. Thunderous shrills cried out to him from the table in the other room. The cold tendrils of dread crept up his shoulders, grasping at his neck and face. Who dare called him at this hour?! Moments before his rest and graceful slumber? Slowly turning his furious gaze towards the door, the rings continued for a few more gruelling minutes. Finally, the shrieking calls stopped, leaving his home in a peaceful state. With a smile, he returned to the gentle tug of the bed sirens to be swayed into sleep once more. Tolling bells of alarm clashed with the soothing singing of his pillow sheets when the phone began to ring once more. This time Tim's eyes shot wide with anger. His mouth sunk hard into his chin and his eyes shot wide.
With a swoosh of wind, Tim's body found the strength to fly out of the room into the living room. The phone shook and shuffled from the vibrations, the ringing of the basic tones screaming for him to answer. Towering the table, Tim loomed over the wretched machine. The name flashed across the screen, blinking with a flashy dance of lights. Grim and brooding, Tim watched the name until it finally stopped. The moment the name dissipated and the booming ring tone died down, Tim grabbed the phone with lightning speed. No one was going to stop him now from his slumber. Opening his screen with his password, he held the buttons on the side of the phone. The most magical words on earth popped up on the screen, "Shut down." Yes, this was what he wanted the most in the world. A smile broke on his face, his eagerness at large as he reached with a shaky finger towards the button. Soon he would be in bliss!
With a powerful force downward, he aimed directly for the power off button. Before he could achieve his goal, the button disappeared and the name of his tormentor flashed once more on the front screen. The alarm of chaos flooded the shadowy room. Internally, all Tim could do was whimper as his finger slammed against the talk button. Fear enveloped him and adrenaline shot through his veins. He now had to deal with the wild beast on the phone. Shakily, he raised the phone to his ear and spoke with a grumble. "Hello, mother."