Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: SEA CHANGE or TREE CHANGE (07/13/17)
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TITLE: Neighborhood Watch | Previous Challenge Entry
By Graham Keet
07/19/17 -
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“Why don’t you leave them alone, give them time to settle in?” old Ben Stokes grunted without moving his eyes from the football game on television. “Did she say where they’re from?”
“She just said from the city; didn’t say which one. Said they’ve come for some peace and quiet.” Mavis Stokes moved over to the window and peered out through a slit in the curtain.
“Now what you doing?”
“Just looking—there’s something fishy about that little lot. I’m sure I’ve seen the little girl’s picture somewhere.”
“For heaven’s sake, woman, give them the peace and quiet they’re looking for. Stop being such a busybody.”
But it was not in Mavis Stokes’ nature to just let things go. As darkness fell she crept out of her front door and crossed the road quickly. She paused at the opposite gate and looked up at the house. There was a light on in what she knew was the downstairs living room. Silently she bustled over to the window, which was open with the curtains closed. She could hear voices inside.
“Come now Megan, you know that Martin wants you in this pretty dress, and not in those sloppy jeans. He wants you to look like a fairy princess.”
“I’m sick of doing what Martin says—I want to go home.”
“We’ve gone through all this before; once you’ve made Martin happy, we’ll take you home.”
“Why did you bring me out to this horrible place? Do my parents know where I am?”
“Well, yes they know more or less—but stop worrying, Megan, everything will work out fine, if only you do what we’re telling you.”
“So, what must I do next?”
“Martin is busy preparing things upstairs. When he comes down he’ll want to take some more photos and films of you, then we’ll see how things work out in the morning.”
This is awful, thought Mavis. These two are going to take disgusting pictures of little Megan—I’ve got to put a stop to this somehow. Without further ado, Mavis hurried home as fast as she could. Grabbing the phone off the hall table, she dialed the police emergency number, just as Ben Stokes came to see what all the noise was about. Breathlessly Mavis told the police to hurry to 12 Cotswold Road where a young girl was being held against her will for the purpose of making lewd movies.
“How the heck do you know all that?” said Ben. “You’re jumping to conclusions as usual.”
Just then there was a knock on the door. Ben opened to find a stranger on his doorstep. “I’m from across the road. I saw a lady running from my property and coming in here. Is there a problem I should know about?”
Mavis pushed Ben out of the way and confronted the man. “I know what you’re up to in there. You’re keeping a girl named Megan for your evil purposes; I heard it all.”
The man frowned at her, then said quickly. “So that’s it. Let me introduce myself; I’m Martin Bromfield. I’m a fashion photographer and I also make children’s videos for TV. We came out here for some peace and quiet to complete a series. Megan is our star. That’s all there is to it.”
As Bromfield left, Ben looked at Mavis. “Now see what you’ve done. They wanted some peace and quiet, and you caused chaos in their lives. I’ll tell the police not to worry.”
Mavis gave a big sniff, and sat herself down in front of the TV. “Well, maybe. I still don’t like the look of him. Anyway, I’m sick of watching football, I’m changing channels.”
As the news came on Mavis’ jaw dropped open. “We are asking the public to look out for eleven-year-old Megan Carter, who was abducted at a shopping center yesterday morning. Megan appeared in the recent TV series The Little Mermaid.” A photo of Megan appeared on the screen.
Mavis howled in triumph and sprang from her chair. Ben Stokes, phone in hand and about to dial, just stared at the TV. “You were right,” he spluttered.
“Of course,” Mavis grinned broadly as the air was split by the sound of police sirens. Two squad cars screeched into the driveway of number 12, blocking the path of Martin’s SUV as he tried to make a getaway.
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Good job,
Blessings~
You've packed a lot insde the word limit without curtailing anything prematurely. Great writing.