Rose Bower

“That Summer” by Rose Bower

Submitted to Contest #214

I ran through the park, laughing with my friends. The summer would last forever, our innocence retained. How stupid we were. Darkness came. Street lights glowed. Villains rose. Parents came. They found my friend's bodies. They never found me. Morning bell rings and I force myself out of bed. My empty dreams fade away in the light of the rising sun. I start my morning routine: get dressed, knife throwing, breakfast, work-out, brush teeth, polishing gear. The second bell rings and hundreds of "recruits" like me file out of rooms ...

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“One for Sorrow” by Rose Bower

Submitted to Contest #211

One for sorrowTwo for mirthThree for a deathFour for a birthFive for silverSix for goldSeven for a secret that should never be toldCrackling flames licked at the tinder and branches of the oak tree outside. A single crow peered through the window, illuminated by the firelight. Alice wondered if he was warming himself away from the cool, harsh breeze. A single tear slipped down her cheek, it was one of those days. She turned to the next page of Pride and Prejudice and started reading again. When she reached the bottom of the page, Alice reali...

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“Illusion” by Rose Bower

"-and that's how I met your father." The strange voices erupt into laughter again. "What about you honey? How was your day?" I look up, Mum is smiling at me. But that's not your mum. I push around the peas and carrots left on my plate, "I guess it was good, Martha tried to ask out a boy, but she tripped over and spilt her soup all down his shirt." The laughter again. You don't know Martha. "That's a shame honey, I bet she felt really embarrassed," Dad said, "I hope she's okay." I nod my head, "She's fine, Dad." But that's not your dad. I stu...

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“"Why do you hate yourself?"” by Rose Bower

Submitted to Contest #189

Trigger warning: Substance abuse, mental health and mentions of suicide. The following story was inspired by a certain tumblr conversation. Always drinking, never thinking. That's what the townsfolk say about me. I don't care what they think, not really. The people in town don't understand, they don't feel what I feel, or think what I think. No one would know the pain I am in, because I bury it underneath piles and piles of cans and beer bottles. Now, standing at the edge of the dark forest, smoking a cigarette, I feel empty. People have s...

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“Winter Phoenix” by Rose Bower

Submitted to Contest #189

It was so terribly cold. Snow was falling, and it was almost dark. "How do I know you’re not lying?" Millie asks. "Hah! So suspicious, just because I’m a shady person wearing forbidden colours in an alleyway doesn’t mean I’m a fraud.” Says the shadowy figure, draped in dark green cloth. “I just find it hard to believe that you have a real life Phoenix, they went extinct hundreds of years ago.” Says Millie, wishing she had put on more layers. The stranger smiles, “Take her, she’s near resurrection, and I don’t think I could look after a newbo...

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“April Fools” by Rose Bower

Submitted to Contest #178

Mild swear warning The day started off normally, the Aunties pitched together to make a feast and the Uncles decorated the courtyard. The grandparents sat in the shade and watched, and the children ran around, getting under everyone's feet. I sat down under the big oak, reading my new favourite book, Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley. I was thinking up some new pranks as well, our family is well known for its elaborate, and exciting jokes. This year I thought I might do something with the ducks. I had a vague idea including balloons, streamers, ...

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“Mystery of Tobias Smith” by Rose Bower

Submitted to Contest #168

Night. 1887, 12th October. Tonight is the night I will run away. Toby is waiting for me at the train station, I will meet him there once I have packed all of my things. I do hope Daddy doesn't wake up, he doesn't approve of Toby, he thinks Toby is a scoundrel and a thief. I do not think of Toby this way, he is charming, handsome, and smart. I love Toby, and I won't let Daddy get in between us. I have finished packing all of my things, and now I am ready to go. I do hope Daddy is asleep, I can hear him rolling over in his bed through the wa...

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