Cliffhanger Short Story Writing Contest - April 2018 Edition PART TWO - CLIFFHANGER RESOLUTION
Sponsor: Rickie O. Pauley (a.k.a. @Lymmerik)
Hello Friends!
I am Announcing PART TWO of the short story writing contest. This contest is not an ordinary writing contest. I have been working on starting a 'different' kind of contest, and I think I have found it.
If you remember the late 1970’s TV show Dallas, the season finale (1979-80), ended with J. R. Ewing getting shot by an unseen assailant. 'Who Shot JR?' became a marketing catchphrase. It was a cliffhanger that left millions of Dallas fans wanting for months, until the Fall season began. Cliffhangers have been used many times on TV and in books written with a sequel planned to lure the audience back.
A cliffhanger, or cliffhanger ending, is a plot device in fiction which features a main character in a precarious or difficult dilemma or confronted with a shocking revelation at the end of an episode of serialized fiction. A cliffhanger is designed to ensure the audience will return to see how the characters resolve the dilemma.
As you can see, this example that I wrote for STACH 199 Word Writing Contest # 23 has a cliffhanger ending of the first 'episode' or chapter.
In this example, again from a STACH 199 Word Contest # 24, the story resolves the cliffhanger of the previous 'episode' or chapter.
The Contest
THIS IS PART TWO OF TWO (2) CONTESTS IN THIS TWO (2) PART SHORT STORY CONTEST.
The Rules
- Write the SECOND part of your short story with the RESOLUTION to the cliffhanger ending you wrote under the first contest.
- Your story can consist of no more than 301 words. More than 301 words will disqualify the entry.
- Post your RESOLUTION to your original Cliffhanger Short Story, IN ITS ENTIRETY, AS A COMMENT, at the end of THIS post. ALSO post a link to your post below your story in the comment!
- Entrant may post your story in a separate post.
- USE THE TAGS #cliffhanger and #contest and 3 other tags of your choosing.
- The first contest’s first and second place winners may or may not be the winner(s) of the second short story contest.
- UPVOTE this post.
- Resteeming this post is not required, but appreciated.
The Prompt
Dark Treasure, Full Moon - (Cliffhanger Resolution)
The Prizes
Best Cliffhanger Resolution- 5$ SBD
Runner-Up – 2.5$ SBD
When this contest gains some traction in future editions, I will expand the prize pool and the number of winners.
Judging
This contest and future contests will be judged my me, @Lymmerik
I am open to any assistance with prizes and judging, just let me know if you wish to contribute to additional prize money and if you wish to assist in the judging.
So, go on, get to writing and good luck to everyone!
Thanks again for taking the time to read my ramblings!
@Lymmerik
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THE DEVIL'S CURVE... (THE RESOLUTION)
It was Charles who saw the path; a dim blue light that ran along the left side of the inner wall of the cave. Apart from the light, not much else was visible. Charles took one look at me and ventured forward. I followed, there was not much else either of us wanted at that point.
We walked down, following the light as far as it led. As we walked, broken shells cracked beneath our Feet. And after what seemed like the best part of fifteen minutes, we came upon it, the dark treasure in all its splendor...
It was more impressive than legend portrayed it to be. There were layers upon layers of shiny objects, piled up as far as the eyes could see. It illuminated the inner recesses of the cave, and gave the whole place the feel of nirvana.
Charles and I stood in awe, and for the first few seconds we filled up our eyes rather than the bags we had brought with us. We soon settled to the task however, and when we were satisfied that we had carried enough, we headed back for the Devil's Mouth.
That was when we saw them; illuminated by the shiny bags on our shoulders, piles of bones and skeletons lined up the path from which we had come. It took me only a split second to realize; no shells ever cracked, only the bones of men long dead, men who came after the dark treasure. I dropped my bag, and ran as fast as I could up the path to the entrance of the Devil's Mouth.
As I came upon the wall now standing where the entrance had been, I crumbled...
Maybe once a century the full moon rises, but the Devil never gives up that which he takes...
#SladenSpeaks
https://steemit.com/cliffhanger/@seesladen/the-devil-s-curve-the-final-part
@seesladen,
Thanks for the entry. It seems that them bones, them bones gonna rise again?
@Lymmerik
Maybe, or maybe more's gonna be added to the pile... 😉
@seesladen,
Well maybe the sorcerer is still around...
@Lymmerik
The white march (resolution)
“Lisa, so that’s her name....” I cover her under my dress where the cries fall silent. The eyes of the man in front of me are scanning the room, the barrel of his gun searching for targets to aim at. Shots get fired. A painting behind us falls down and leaves behind a gaping hole. Myrthe and Laïs calmly walk towards the man, put their hands on his shoulders and offer some words I can’t hear. They always do this, and I always grant their little moment together, although we both know we can’t connect with living creatures.
The man falls to his knees. Tears fall down his cheeks, and three more bullets leave his gun, only resulting in more debris on his beautiful wooden floor. Myrthe and Laïs already retreated back to the front door, and I’m still in front of the broken man, with Lisa pressed against my chest.
“I’m so sorry, but it had to be done. It’s better this way.” I follow Myrthe and Laïs through the front door and nod at the statue of Maria as I leave. Maria gives me a smile back.
A short walk later we arrive at the open place in the woods where the full moon is placed seemingly perpendicular to the ground. I take Lisa from under my dress and gently put her on a platform of wood and moss. The three of us form a circle around her tiny body and we start dancing. Laïs and Myrthe smile like they’re the source of the moonlight themselves, and I scream from enjoyment. I feel alive. Lisa starts glowing and we watch her transform. After a minute the dance is over. Her tiny body is twitching while her eyes open to a new future.
She looks stunning in her white dress.
https://steemit.com/cliffhanger/@tuwore/the-white-march-part-2-final-part
@tuwore,
Thanks for the entry. Much appreciated.
@Lymmerik
So if we missed part 1 can we not partake in this 2nd portion of the challenge? Sounds like something i would love to do for fun lol
@mvillegas,
I will be having another two part contest in May. This was the first one and it was to write a cliffhanger ending to a short story in part one and then resolve the cliffhanger in part two of the contest, which is this one. It will not be possible for you to enter this part of the two part contest, so, please look for the next one in May. Thanks for your interest.
@Lymmerik
Much appreciated