Thursday, July 12, 2012

Monday PhotoPrompt: A New Path

Thanks to Delores at  mybabyjohn
                                                                          
                                          
                                                           
Pia closed her eyes to picture a calm, and peaceful place. Instead she kept going down a long, narrow wooded path. She felt lost and alone though she heard a man's voice off into the distance.

His voice was getting louder, as she was breathing heavier attempting to pick up speed. The harder she tried, the faster he was gaining up on her. The crunching noises were getting louder and louder. At first she thought he was walking through leaves until she realized he was munching on junk food. Predators don't usually consume large quantities of pretzels and potato chips before they pounce on their victims. Besides, he was yelling out to her as if he knew her. Pia was anxious to get home, and didn't want to wait around to find out who this loud mouthed chomper was.

Just when she thought she had lost him, she heard another man and woman talking.

Man: This shouldn't take much longer, so we might make it home in time for the family barbecue. My wife is firing off the spit as we speak.

Woman: Won't she be surprised when you bring home the main course!

Man: Let's get the instruments ready, so we can move in for the push.

Horrific thoughts began racing through Pia's head. What if this cannibal couple ate "Cap'n Crunch" for an appetizer, and were after her for the main course?  She had to get away from them fast. Suddenly, she was standing in front of a cast iron gate at the end of the path.

Then she heard that annoying voice yelling in between bites,"Push!" Was he giving her instructions from beyond? She felt sharp pains piercing through her body. Did they already start filleting her with their instruments? Maybe she was having a panic attack as they were gaining up on her. Her only hope was to push the gate open, but what was waiting for her on the other side? She pushed with all of her might, but she couldn't open it. Pia took another deep breath and tried again, but it wouldn't budge. Then without warning she heard her parents. As if the crazy cannibals weren't enough, now she had to deal with her parents. Once again she pushed the gate, and it miraculously opened.

She heard crying, but was relieved that it wasn't her own. Pia held out her arms, and opened her eyes as the nurse gave her their beautiful baby boy. Her husband hugged his lovely family, as he continued to chomp on his gum. A moment later her parents walked in carrying a large bag of barbecue beef ribs. Pia was so grateful that she signed up for the hypnosis class to ease in her delivery. As proud papa Beldar toasted with cleaning fluid, the Conehead's couldn't wait to start their new life with the newest member of their family unit. 


Thanks to Susan for sharing this adorable picture of her grandson at  thecontemplativecat
                                                                       
                                                                         
                                                                 

30 comments:

  1. A great read , most enjoyable and as the above comments says thrilling.

    Yvonne.

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  2. Thank you so much for your kind comment, Julie.

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    1. Best of luck with your book Carole! Thanks for following me, and I hope to see more of you! Julie

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  3. Where do you come up with this stuff! Ha, very fun. :)

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  4. This was wonderful! I did not see the Coneheads in this picture at all, but you pulled it all together.

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  5. Thanks Anon!

    Yvonne - Thanks for the kind words!

    Thanks Anon # 2!

    L.G. - I just tried to put the two prompts together in a story. Thanks L.G.!

    Susan - Sorry I had to turn your handsome grandson into a conehead! Thanks Susan!

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  6. Another great story as always, Julie. I love how your stories always twist to turn into something totally different than what I expect. And I love the little conehead, how adorable! :)

    Have a great weekend! :)

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  7. Ya got me! I didn't foresee the direction of this story at all. Another job well done.

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  8. That was quite a twisty path - silly, and only slightly painful fun with a glorious ending. I really like that this was the Conehead family too.

    xoRobyn

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  9. Uh, you got a seriously nasty spam-comment there. Time to boycott anonymous posts, huh?

    Loved the story, seriously. You always have an unexpected turn at the end.

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  10. Excellent post. You are tempting me to read more. I didn't realize you were an author - or maybe I knew that but just forgot.

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  11. Julie - The adorable little conehead was Susan Kane's grandson celebrating his two week birthday! Thanks so much Julie!

    Susan - Glad you stuck with it all the way through! Thanks Susan!

    Robyn - The baby's party hat reminded me of the Coneheads. "Slightly painful fun," describes much of my life! Thanks for coming up with some of the best comments Robyn!

    Tonja - We had a power faiure earlier, so I just deleted it now. Some of my non-blogger friends leave anonymous comments occasionally, so I don't want to boycott them just yet. I always enjoyed reading and watching stories with surprise endings, so I decided to join in the fun. Thanks loads Tonja!

    Mary - I published a short story in a local literary arts magazine, but many of the bloggers are considered accomplished authors. I would love to be in their company one day. Thanks Mary! Julie

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  12. You really had me going :) I thought someone was out to get her. Ha ha

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    1. They were just trying to help speed up the delivery! Thanks Heather! Julie

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  13. Well done. You kept me guessing most of the way. Reading it was a great way to start out the day.

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  14. Eek! That whole thing creeped me out. There were so many directions it could have gone in -- and each one of them weirder than the next.
    Great! :-)

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  15. Julie, you are a "smarty-pants" - love the way you used the two pictures and also incorporated humour, mystery and traces of potential horror...
    As for Cap'n Crunch, the Coneheads and Company... hilarious!

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  16. Thanks so much Yvonne!

    Lexa - Maybe I went a little overboard with the junk food! Thanks Lexa!

    Michelle - Where were you when I was slaving away on my high school, and college English papers? Thanks for going above and beyond in your generous comments! I really had fun writing this, and your positive feedback is greatly appreciated! Julie

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  17. Now I'm hooked. SO what happens next?!
    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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  18. Al - Oui tres bien!

    Nutschell - I'm hoping they'll live happily ever after. Julie

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  19. First of all, I love the name Pia! Secondly, I love that this story went places I never expected! :)

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  20. Talli - Pia just seemed nicer than Jane Curtin's character Prymaat Conehead! Thanks Talli!

    Thanks Lee, and I'm so excited about Alligators Overhead! Julie

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  21. This story went in a great direction! Nice writing!

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