Writing Challenge #3

It was a dark and stormy Saturday night. I was scheduled to babysit for a family but wanted them desperately to call and cancel. Unfortunately, that did not happen. Entering their home, a cold shiver shot down my spine. This house gave me the creeps in all of the wrong ways. Even the parents and kids seemed a little off. None of them made eye contact with me, which was odd, and mostly nodded. It was as if they weren't fully there. And they were so pale, almost as if I touched them there wouldn't be anything. I couldn't wait to be back in my safe and sound home. The night went smoothly and pretty soon the kids were in bed sleeping. I wandered into their living room to pick out a movie to watch until the parents came home. I clicked the remote to turn the t.v. on but nothing happened. All the cords were plugged in, yet it wouldn't turn on. Then the lights began to flicker. I decided that the storm was affecting the houses electricity. I decided to fix the light problem. I was scared and not looking forward to going downstairs into the dank corner of the basement where the fuse box was located. The flickering lights reminded me of something I had heard about this house from my parents. There was a rumor about the history of this house. It was haunted. Lights were known to blink on and off, people were seen in the windows when no one was home, and cat meows and dog barks were heard in the house even though the family didn't own pets. All of this was superfluous to the fact that I was needing to go to the damp and clammy basement. I slowly descended the stairs with a flashlight in my hand. A huge clap of thunder made me almost jump out of my skin. I made myself suck it up and finished going downstairs. I quickly found the fuse box and flicked the switch. Now the lights  and t.v. should work I thought to myself. Turning around I thought I saw a shadow move at the top of the stairs. Then the floor creaked where the living room would be located above my head. This is ridiculous I thought, as the babysitter I was responsible and the only authority figure in the house, I can't let a stormy night get the best of me. It probably didn't help that my ardent passion for reading horror stories added to my imagination. I returned to the main floor and saw that everything was fine. I decided to go check on the kids. At the top landing of the stairs I could have sworn that I saw another shadow now moving at the bottom where I had just been. It looked to be a small shadow, maybe one of their kids, but it would have been impossible for one to pass me as I went up. Opening the bedroom door I see that both beds are empty and haven't look slept in for days. I began to panic. Rushing down the stairs I look for what could have been the shadows I saw earlier, hoping that they were the kids. I can't find anyone. Reaching for the phone I try and dial 911. The line is dead, I hadn't fixed the power like I thought I had. As I start to go downstairs yet again I pass the back door. I see two people coming towards the house, but they are neither the parents nor the kids. They get closer. The door is unlocking. I'm face to face with two strangers I have never seen before. Their faces tell me that they are just as afraid as I am. The talking begins and I'm told that they live here, and have been for the past 6 years. They don't have any children. They haven't been home. All. Night.

Writing Challenge #2

AIRPLANE SEEN FLYING IN THE SKY! By: Willie Webb
Just yesterday, April 14th, 2011, an airplane was spotted by a Minneapolis resident in the early afternoon. Alexa Silver, the viewer, is still in shock of what she saw. "It was unbeliveable, one of the most amazing things I have ever witnessed" Silver stated as soon as reporters were able to contact her. Most people have heard about these so called "flying airplanes" but few have witnessed the event. This will be a moment that Alexa will remember for the rest of her life. Some believe that there is no such thing as "flying airplanes" but hopefully more will be convinced after reading this article. The last recorded sighting was in 1985 in a small town in Iowa. Not even born yet in '85, Silver herself admitted to doubting the truth in that story. However, now she says "I will never doubt something just because I haven't seen it for myself". Silver believes that she saw a 747 airplane, one of the rarest sights to see. For those of you who don't know what that is, a 747 is supposedly a gigantic, two level airplane. It is thought to be the best airplane available, though no one is sure. Silver does admit to not being one hundred percent sure that this is the type of plane she saw. "Since it was the first plane I've seen in my entire life, which I am priviledged to be able to say, I didn't get a good enough look at the body to see exact details". She goes on to say that the airplane moved much faster than she would have thought it to. She was also surprised to see that a trail of smoke followed the end of the airplane. This is the first sighting of an airplane to have smoke trailing it, which airplane research specialists are quite excited to hear about. With this new piece of evidence that airplanes can make a smoke trail, specialists will put in the research to try and prove the new information. Silver, who you should be proud to say you share a city with her, will be sharing her story of this incredible experience for the next two Monday's. The set location for this event is at the Barnes and Noble at the Mall of America. My hope is that all the readers of this article will perhaps change their belief on the "flying airplane" and have the heart to open their minds. Remember, seeing isn't always believing Minneapolis.  

Writing Challenge #1

It was my 18th birthday weekend. I was now officially an adult and living the life in the chaotic streets of New Orleans. My heart felt like it was beating 100 beats per second. My knees were shaking beneath my dress. This is it I thought to myself. "Please welcome Willie Webb to the stage from South High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota" Irvin Mayfield said last Saturday night at his Jazz Playhouse club in New Orleans. After a morning performance with the Jazz Band in the playhouse, Irvin Mayfield, the owner, invited me back to sing with his band later that night for a show. I was speechless. The band director, Scott Carter, was beaming with pride that one of his students would have this kind of opportunity. When he asked I knew that I had to say yes. This was a chance of a lifetime for me. Irvin Mayfield is an outstanding musician and has won a Grammy for his band's music. For the rest of the day up until my performance all I could do was think "how can this be possible?". As it grew nearer to my performance I started getting butterflies in my stomach like I usually do before I perform. Except they were more extreme than ever. No performance I have done has ever been this big.  We arrive and I see that the club is packed with people. There is a jazz festival going on in New Orleans, which is why we are there on tour, and I know that I am going to need to really impress these people. They have been hearing professionals all weekend and are attending a Grammy award winning band show that night. Could I really do this with jazz lovers watching and possibly judging? It was as if my friend Lisa could read my thoughts. As we were seated she turned to me and said "You are going to do great. I know that you can handle this". Hearing the sincerity in her voice I believed her and started to become excited. Then those words came out of Irvin Mayfield's mouth. I walked up on stage, handed the musicians my music, and turned towards the microphone. Singing my song was a blur. I can barely remember the band starting and all the sudden it was over. The club bursts into applause, along with all my friends supporting me from jazz band. That alone was one of my top ten moments of my life. I knew I had done well and was proud of myself. This will not only be a trip that I will remember forever, but also the start of my adult life. Who else can say that for their 18th birthday they performed with jazz professionals? Not a lot I bet. Now with being back home and going to school, I keep thinking "That (this) was some adventure, huh?".