Flash! Friday #21

OK, so this week the challenge is this gorgeous pic of blue skies, fresh green leaves and a ladder going to . . . .

But this week, the lovely Rebekah Postupak has set the word limit at 100 words exactly!!!! A 100 words!!! Impossible!! Well I love a challenge and despite the rewrites, chopping and editing, I have come up with exactly 100 words. I hope you enjoy this very short tale and if you do, then hop over to http://flashfriday.wordpress.com/ for more amazing stories and yes, only 100 words. xx  

Forbidden Ladder

Finch had enough of apple picking from the bountiful trees in the King’s orchard. Yearning for adventure, he decided to climb the forbidden ladder.  

Boldly touching a wooden rung, he immediately felt like he was being stung by a swarm of bees. But he couldn’t let go. His eyes widened in horror as his fingers changed in front of him, forming into branches with twigs and leaves; slowly spreading up towards his shoulders, his chest tightening as the transformation was nearing completion.

Now Finch knew where the King’s bountiful trees came from as he became part of the orchard forever.

100

Flash! Friday #18

My second attempt at Flash Friday, hosted by Rebekah Postupak over at http://flashfriday.wordpress.com/ where you can read all the other entries. As always, there's a picture prompt which I struggled with this week. But I managed something and even some conversation which I barely do in my flashes. But I read it to Hubby and he hates it. . . . .maybe I should dump him in a pit of snakes. . . . .   

Task One

Juliet headed up the dusty hill, discarding her empty water bottle; her only obstacle now the relentless sun and her raging thirst. She rounded the craggy hill and there, shining in front of her was the silver dome of the balloon. She afforded a smile despite her cracked lips, knowing she was within reach of the prize; a map as well as her life and her nearest rival was nowhere in sight.

 Juliet stared as the balloon began to lift.  

 Vaughn!

He waved the map teasingly,  as the balloon rose, a winner’s smile spread across his face.

“Throw me a rope!” Juliet couldn’t lose, not now she was so close and death now clawing at her heels.

“And why would I do that? You tried to kill me.” Juliet ran, keeping up with Vaughn.  

“I think that’s a slight exaggeration Vaughn.”

“You left me in a pit of snakes!”

“Which were harmless.” Juliet tripped, sprawled flat out. A rope dangled tantalisingly close as Juliet grabbed for it successfully, swinging perilously above the desert.

“Maybe we should work together?” Vaughn offered as he pulled her into the basket.

“Work and relationships don’t mix dear husband” she grinned, plucking the map from his grasp as task one was now complete.

208  (excluding title)