In our quest to encourage creativity, we post a writing prompt every other Friday. Write a story with the prompt as the first line. Share your story below or on social media using the tag #FirstLineFriday. We can’t wait to see your stories!
“She had told Ernest a thousand times not to hang around the loading docks, and now he was nowhere to be found.”
She had told Ernest a thousand times not to hang around the loading docks, and now he was nowhere to be found. How could this happen? Maybe he really did find a crew this time. Julia sucked in a breath and tried to stay calm. Her brother knew what happened to Hannah when she joined an expedition crew—her physical-self came back, but the rest of her had been lost someplace else. The service money was tempting, but that’s all it was. Illusions of wealth and glory laid out by a greedy government. She couldn’t believe he would run off without telling her. There was only one Expeditioner at the port and Julia marched on board, ready to drag her brother’s corpse home if needed.
She had told Ernest a thousand times not to hang around the loading docks, and now he was nowhere to be found. Mary searched around frantically screaming. The workers rushed to her side. “What’s wrong ma’am,” one asked. My son, Earnest, he’s gone. “A semi with stuffed animals just pulled away a few minutes ago,” another responded. Mary and the workers looked for Earnest everywhere.
“Where is the truck headed. I’m going to stop it.”
“I’m not sure, but the truck’s light blue.” Mary ran to her Prius. She was about to leave when a worker came out carrying Earnest who was inside an oversized stuffed bunny, chewing on a stuffed carrot.
“Mom, I’m hungry.”
“I’m going to kill you.”
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