Category: Fun Hops

A blog hop meant purely for entertainment and socialization.

Horrible Harvest #WEPFF Challenge featuring Familia Bond #amwriting #flashfiction

Post author By Toi Thomas
Post date October 16, 2019
46 Comments on Horrible Harvest #WEPFF Challenge featuring Familia Bond #amwriting #flashfiction

Click here to see all the winners! Read my entry below.

Familia Bond

Danube

This has been the most cheerful harvest in recent history, with cool days and clear nights. I was put in charge of my first field this Spring and have worked more and harder than I have in years past, finally understanding pride in a job well done. I never before understood putting so much care into food I’d never eat.

As the youngest, male Field Leader in over a century, the anticipation of tonight’s celebration has me on edge, in the best possible way. I’m so honored to be able to attend the formal this year. Being around so many prestigious female leaders will surely increase my chances of establishing a pair-bond, especially if the Harvest Celebration goes as well as planned.

For decades, I’ve imagined the grandeur, etiquette, and politics of the Harvest Celebration, knowing how important it is to our survival. I should have been able to take part in the celebration many times over- I’ve been of the proper age for some time now, but the attendance of the celebration has been restricted as of late. As Josiah puts it, “The balancing of a population is a delicate endeavor. No matter how great our harvest may be, without good numbers, it mostly goes to waste.” I have been fortunate to have Josiah looking after me all these years and am even more grateful for a chance to repay his guidance and education.

I and two others, another male and a female, were sent out to dwell among the citizens to help influence them and protect them from their own ignorance. For a score, we blended into their society and corrected their assumptions, improved their methods, and fortified their medicines and rations. With our help, the citizens have thrived. In the Spring of this year, we were all called home to take charge of fields and prepare for harvest time. This will be the first Harvest Celebration in over a decade with an attendance that reaches beyond the capacity of our Great Hall. We don’t know the exact number of the population, it’s not our way to interfere directly with the citizens, but desperate times called for desperate measures. Now, we’re all highly anticipating the arrival of the citizens to the Harvest Celebration.

Milsa

Tonight is the night. I have been preparing for this, it seems an eon. Year after year, I’ve attended the celebration, but being the youngest of the elders, I’ve always missed my opportunity to choose a pair. The citizens’ numbers have been so low that there were never any descent Chosen left to present by the end. Not this year though.

I’ve heard wonderful reports from the citizen spies. The citizens are healthier than ever, and their numbers have almost doubled. Josiah was wise to restrict the invitation to the celebration this last score. He will be the savior of us all if this Harvest Celebration is the success we all hope it will be.

It’s foolish really, but the anticipation of this Harvest Celebration makes me feel like a girl again. It’s been so long since I was a mere girl, but even one such as myself does not forget that feeling of excitement, that thrill of mating and reproduction. I know I’m ready for tonight’s ceremony.

After the other citizens have departed with their bounty, our gift to the locals for their sacrifice, the Field Leaders will mesmerize their chosen progeny and then drain them to the brink of death. The other Elders and I will then choose, in ranking order, the Leaders and progeny we deem worthy of the Familia Bond. I will select a young, strong male who has chosen to present a daughter. I will feed his chosen progeny from my wrist and then I shall drink from his heart to replenish my own strength. The servants will clean our bodies, drape us in silk, and bury us together under the harvest moon.

Tonight is the night I finally obtain the family I’ve longed for, for far too long.

Josiah

Oh, this burden I’ve taken on, this great struggle to perpetuate our species has finally begun to lift. My plan to send out our youngest day walkers has served us well. Many disputed my decision, refusing to take in the severity of the problem. It is true the Vmpyrs have never directly interfered with the lives of the humans, the citizens of this land, but if they are to continue serving as our breeding ground, we could not afford to stand by and let them die from starvation, famine, and plague.

My decision to restrict the invitation to the Harvest Celebration was also unpopular. When an elder, female Vmpyrs is ready for the Familia Bond, she’s ready. Convincing the Elder clans to alternate the years in which their females could choose new pairs and progeny almost cost me my life. An angry Vmpyra can easily withstand the charge of ten Vmpyro, no matter how old or well-trained they are. Vmpyra live for the day they can start the Familia Bond, but with the humans’ numbers dwindling so, there just weren’t any new progeny available.

I myself had given up the prospect of presenting a progeny at the Celebration for the past decade to ensure that others would have a chance. But I am happy to have a chance to participate this year. My favorite and most talented pupil, Danube, has blessed us with a great report of the citizen’s health and numbers. Tonight, he and I will stand before the elders and finally have our chance at eternal bliss. I know Danube has longed for a daughter; perhaps I shall present a son.

I regret now that I once looked down on the Familia Bond, thinking an eternity as a bachelor was the bliss I wanted. After being a bachelor Vympyro for more than three hundred years, I deserve to have the Familia Bond.

This will indeed be the best Harvest Celebration ever.

Please visit other entries in this hop and enjoy some funny, scary, touching, and thought-provoking stories. You’ll be so glad you did.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

Excerpts Fun Hops

Caged Bird #WEPFF Challenge featuring Kept #amwriting #flashfiction

Post author By Toi Thomas
Post date June 15, 2019
25 Comments on Caged Bird #WEPFF Challenge featuring Kept #amwriting #flashfiction

Kept

Today, Mark bought me a pretty dress with a pair of matching shoes. I guess I’ll wear it tonight at the dinner party. This was the first time he insisted I use a caterer and party planner. He said I shouldn’t stress myself out over things like this. Parties are supposed to be fun. Of course, he’s right. I’m sure I’ll look lovely tonight and have a great time.
–
Today, Mark hired Rebecca to come by three days a week to do cleaning and laundry. He’s never complained about the way I keep house, but I guess he thought I could use the help. The house is pretty big for one person to manage on their own. Plus, he said once the children come, I’ll have my hands full with them. Of course, he’s right. Rebecca is very sweet and works wonders on sweat stains.
–
Today, Mark came home with a new electric car with a custom ladybug paint job. He knows I adore ladybugs, but I don’t know why he felt the need for the surprise. I guess with me only driving into town a few days a week now, there’s no need for me to hold on to my old SUV. Plus, he said he found a guy to take it off our hands at a good rate. Of course, he’s right. The smaller car is more practical for traveling such short distances.
–

Today, Mark bought me a pearl necklace and I cried alone in my room for an hour. He’s been so understanding, more understanding than I can comprehend. I know having kids was a big deal for him, and yet, he seems to be coping with my infertility a lot better than I am. I’m so lucky he loves me so much. Of course, he’s right. We don’t have to have children to be happy together. We can find other ways to leave a legacy while keeping each other all to ourselves.
–
Today, Mark told me our plans to visit his folks at the lake were canceled but that we’d go next weekend, just the two of us. I guess it’ll be nice for just the two of us to get away from our regular routine, but I was really looking forward to seeing family. I feel like it’s been ages. Of course, he’s right. It’s just not good timing to be with family while we’re still focusing on healing us.
–
Today, Mark hired a private chef as a surprise to pamper me with some of my favorite Mediterranean dishes, though it was a bit inconvenient. I did have plans to meet up with a girlfriend I haven’t seen in months, but I didn’t want to seem ungrateful. I know he just wants me to feel loved. Of course, he’s right. A good friend will understand and let me make it up to her later.
–
Today, Mark explained to me about the strange medications I found hidden in his golf bag. Rebecca had asked to see if there were any other items she could throw into the wash to make a full load and there they were. He said the doctor had prescribed them in case I needed help relaxing during the time after learning we couldn’t conceive, but I never took any of them. He said he kept them from me because I was strong enough to cope without them. He’s right, of course. I didn’t really need those drugs to help me get through that time.
–
Today, my cell phone went missing. Rebecca and I searched the entire house. We checked my car and the guest house, but it seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth. When Mark gets home, we’ll have to make sure the account is secure and order me a new phone. Never thought I’d wish for a landline.
–
Today, I asked Mark where Rebecca was. She hadn’t come on Monday and had yet to arrive today. I didn’t think this was the week she was taking off, but perhaps my days were blending together. I have trouble keeping up with the days ever since I lost my phone. I hope she’s okay.
–
Today, Mark came home early and brought me four new dresses. He said he wanted me to put on a show for him. I didn’t really want to do it, but he seemed eager to see me model the clothes he’d picked out for me. I guess I should be grateful he hasn’t left me for a younger, fertile woman.
–
Today, Rebecca scaled the perimeter wall and gave me a burner phone. She told me she’d been fired after discovering the truth of the pills Mark has been slipping into my food. Rebecca told me to pack a bag and toss it over the wall. She said she and some friends would break me out tomorrow when Mark left for work. I don’t know what’s happening, but I think Rebecca’s right. I think Mark is doing something to me and I need to break free.
–
Today, I woke up in a hospital bed. My parents, my in-laws, and all my friends were there. Rebecca was there too. They were all sitting and standing around with paper cups of coffee and tea talking to police officers scribbling words on small white pads. Mark wasn’t there, and I felt relieved.
–
Today, I had lunch with my mom, Rebecca, and my childhood best friend. We’re planning a hiking trip in Nevada and will squeeze in a few days at Las Vegas before heading back. Sometimes, I feel like a character in a book, only my story isn’t fiction. Mark destroyed my mind and made himself the center of my whole world. I do believe he loved me once, but his love turned to obsession and I was too traumatized and intoxicated to help myself. It’s been a year now and my mind is finally clear. I’m at peace and it’s time for me to spread my wings and fly.

Please visit other entries in this hop and enjoy some funny, scary, touching, and thought-provoking stories. You’ll be so glad you did.

Update 6/25/19- I took ill suddenly and was offline for more than a week. I am now playing catch up and reading through the entries in this hop.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

Excerpts Fun Hops IWSG

Jewel Box #WEPFF Challenge featuring The Marble Collector #amwriting #flashfiction

Post author By Toi Thomas
Post date April 12, 2019
54 Comments on Jewel Box #WEPFF Challenge featuring The Marble Collector #amwriting #flashfiction

I honestly wasn’t sure I’d make a contribution this time around, but I gave myself a challenge I just didn’t feel right walking away from. I had to dig into my dark side, a bit, on this one. I challenged myself to write from the POV of a villain but struggled to find a villain I could relate to. In the end, I created an anti-hero (sort of); someone who is clearly in the wrong, but thinks what they are doing is justified for a worthy cause. Hopefully, it doesn’t come off too forced. I’d love feedback on this because this is a learning project and will help me hone my skill as a writer.

5/1/19 Update-Thank you so much for this honor. It was a wonderful learning experience. Click this image to see the other winners.

4/24/19 Update- This story has been edited and altered based on feedback received in the comments of this post; click here to see the original submission.

The Marble Collector

He wasn’t easy to find. Most of these guys come to me, but when things are slow, I go hunting. I spent hours scouring the web for ads and missed connections with just the right words and clues. I used to hate that these guys were so good at speaking in code, but now it’s part of the fun.

I enjoy the thrill of stalking my prey. Sometimes, the hardest part is picking just one to take down. The one I have my sights on now is probably the juiciest morsel yet.

There he is, now, exiting his place of business, just like clockwork. Stepping onto the pavement as though he’d escaped some terrible fate. Immediately pulling his tie away from his neck and shaking his head, to clear away the dullness of reality before walking to his car to begin living out his wildest fantasies.

This is where Mr. Lion will meet The Marble Collector. Right here in his home. Standing here watching him sleep like a baby, one would never guess the horrific acts that fuel his fantasies. Soon, though, everyone will know.

I’ve gathered all the evidence; photos, videos, IP addresses, “secret” IMs and DMs (guess his firewall isn’t as good as me). It’s all here and ready to be put on display for the world to see…

And when they see this lion for the coward he truly is, everyone will rest easier knowing that another monster has been put down.

This used to be my least favorite part of the challenge, but over the years, I’ve grown to appreciate it. I mean, there is something to be said about Retail Therapy. Today, I drove one hundred miles east of Mr. Lion’s home to buy supplies. The usual things such as heavy-duty garbage bags, plastic lining, gloves, etc.

The hardest part of this hunt is always finding the right container for the evidence. I’d resorted to using a cheap knickknack box a while back and have kept up the tradition ever since. It was so comical the way the news journalist tried to piece together the significance of the box. Some thought it was a memento the monster had given one of his victims and that the victim was his killer. When I used a similar box the next time, the News finally began to report me as a serial killer.

Serial Killer is not a term I associate myself with, but if it helps to keep more monsters from coming out of the woods to attack the innocent, I’ll own it. Besides, I’m not the bad guy. I take down the bad guys.

He came home late, as usual. Slipping into his own back door so his neighbors have no idea the kind of fantasy life he lives. Stripped down from soiled clothes immediately placed in the washing machine, he was annoyed when it didn’t turn on. He decided to take his shower and address the clothes later. After he woke to find himself bound and gagged, I explained that I’d disabled the washing machine earlier so there’d be a blood trail leading back to his latest victim.

I used to not be able to do the last part of my ritual while the monster was still breathing, but now, I savor the moment when I scoop out the monster’s eyes. The same eyes used to glare at and ogle his victims. They will go nicely with my collection.

Ugh, this guy has been walking around for half an hour pretending like he’s into this stuff. I know what he really wants. Wish he would just go ahead and ask.

“Excuse me. This your store?”

I pull a strand of hair behind my ear and smile. “Sure is. Been into sci-fi and fantasy ever since I was a kid.”

His face lights up. “Whoa, really? Don’t know too many chi…, I mean, women who are into this stuff.”

I shrug, “Times are changing. Ain’t no shame in liking what you like, right?” I wink.

Just then a pack of kids comes through the door. “Heard you got some crazy cool marbles here.” I point to the side wall next to the window. I want to show these boys around, but I’m about to hook a new prey.

“Ah hem,” he lowers his head and whispers, “I heard you carry old photographs here. The kind you can’t really get anywhere else. Photos of some real out-of-this-world stuff.”

I smile, got him, and show him a card. “Read this, memorize it quickly. Make an appointment and don’t come back into the store without buying something. It looks better that way.”

He stares at the card, then rushes out the door. I walk up to the group of boys who all seem to have made their selections but are all just standing around the large jewel case behind the glass. I know exactly what they want.

“So, I guess you boys want to see my exclusive collection of realistic eye-ball marbles before you make your purchases don’t you?”

“Monsters, they think they are powerful because they take what they see and use and abuse it ‘til it’s gone. I know better. I take away their sight and show the world the cowards they really are.” ~ The Marble Collector

Thanks to Jamie of uniquely maladjusted, I’ve turned this story into an unofficial Dexter fan fiction. I supposed this could be the story of what happens to Lumen Ann Pierce once she leaves Dexter.

Please visit other entries in this hop and enjoy some funny, scary, touching, and thought-provoking stories. You’ll be so glad you did.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

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