Tales & Myths Prompted Contest
Prompt: “Some truths never change: stepsisters don’t get a happily ever after.” Created by Lydia Jane.
“I hate you!” Magic and fury blaze in my heart like a dragon’s flame.
Before me, Sister Dear crawls away like a wounded pup. Her once-perfect hair is now a ruffled mess strewn across her pale, bruised cheeks.
Not so pretty anymore, is she?
As I relish the moment, another shout escapes my throat. “I HATE YOU!”
My own voice sounds shrill, almost manic, to my ears. But oh, how sweet those words taste! I allow my magic to surge through them. Vines shoot up from the forest floor, entangling her like constrictor snakes.
Her wide eyes fill with tears. “Why are you doing this? Can’t we let the past go? Can’t we live happily ever after?”
I force a laugh, pouring every ounce of bitterness into it. “Some truths never change: stepsisters don’t get a happily ever after.”
I clench my fist. The vines squeeze, crushing the air from her lungs. For a moment she struggles, bright eyes darting to-and-fro. Then she stills as if accepting the inevitable. Her gaze softens and settles on me.
The words slip from her lips in a final, broken breath. “I forgive you.”
And my heart shatters.
Prompt 2
Prompt 2: “Don’t judge. It’s not easy having snakes for hair.” Prompt created by Laura L. Zimmerman.
“Don’t judge. It’s not easy having snakes for hair,” I nearly snap at the little girl who’s trailed me down the grocery aisle. Her eyes—wide under her broad-brimmed hat—are pinned on my snakes. Philios, the leader, catches her scent and strains towards her.
I tense, expecting a scream, but her eyes light up. “He’s a ball python, right?”
I scratch at the trio of scales at the base of my neck; all gorgons have them, and when we’re surprised or worried, they *itch.* “Yeah… how did you know?”
Philios slides over her hand, disturbing her hat. “I love snakes! I watch them on YouTube all the time.” She practically glows as Philios drapes his body down her face, each movement tugging at my scalp.
I glare at the traitorous extrovert, but he ignores me. “Do you have any snakes at home?”
Her face falls. “No, Mom won’t let—“
“Allie!” someone cries from an aisle over.
Allie sighs. “I’d better go.” When she turns, I glimpse scales clustered at the base of her neck… and baldness that stretches under her hat.
Her head has been shaved clean.
Suddenly my own scales are so itchy, I want to scratch them right off my skin.
Prompt 3
Prompt 3: “‘Just tell me your name,’ the fae said with a grin.” Prompt created by Lydia Jane.
My gaze traveled along the silk-sleeved arm blocking my way, up to the face of a velvet-voiced prince.
“Just tell me your name,” the fae said with a grin.
I grasped the handle of my basket tighter, hoping my voice remained steady. “I am a miller’s daughter. And that is all you need know.”
His dark eyes brightened as he watched me thoughtfully. “One who clings so closely to her name must have been taught their power. By your mother, perhaps?”
My mother. In the short years I had her, she taught me that I—half fae, half human—hold a magic that must be protected. My sixteenth birthday was next week.
And then the touch of gold would awaken.
“You may call me whatever nonsense you like. How about… Rum-pill-stilt-skin?” I almost laughed at the silliness of it. “But my true name you shall not have. And without it, you cannot detain me further.”
The fae dropped his arm and made an elaborate bow. “Then go free, dear Rumpelstiltskin.” He looked back at me, a sudden intensity in his stare. “For now.”
