Presentation

3...2...1, then it happened! The Light from the overhead projector illuminated the room with bluish light. She felt this tingling feeling all over her spine. This was it. All the hard work and late hours that she had stolen from her family, from her son. The moment for her to shine. Then she heard giggles of her son and realized, that Jack had switched the files and instead of their presentation used her son's video. She was mortified but she composed herself quickly and rushed to the computer. By the time she reached it, Jack had already acknowledged his mistake and stopped the video. Then he sat all red, embarrassed, and unable to say or do something. She had to step in and fix things, as usual. She had learned long ago that you cannot rely on men. They were useless in crisis situations. 

Burgler

I woke up from the sound of glass shattering. Then there were some bumping noises like someone was bumping on the furniture. Some part of me wanted to go and see what was there, but the other part ordered me to take my pillow, blanket, and phone and lock myself in the bathroom. I have seen too many movies and knew which was the right choice. I didn't possess anything worth my life. So, five minutes later I was in my bathroom on the phone with a friend of mine. He arrived one terribly long half an hour later only to inform me that my dog had tried to taste my newly made jam and broken most of the jars, scaring himself out of the room. We laughed, we had some tea and talked about some more crazy and funny episodes involving dogs. 

The House

The door slowly opened and revealed the scene behind. She pushed her head first through the doorframe, her feet solidly planted on the rug outside. The room was dim and the air was heavy, as if noone has been her for years. Invisible strings of web stretched all over her face, making her crindge in disgust. She quickly brushed this mess of her face and shivered. Then she took several steps inside. Each sound of the  steps was silenced by the old carpet which covered the whole hallway. Every corner of the place had that feeling about them that you get when you enter an old castle. This was of course no castle, just her greataunt's house. 

Crisp

Bacon sandwiches always reminded her of her long deceased dog. Crisp was an amazingly clever dog. He was not of any fancy breed. In fact she found him starving on street. She had no idea how old the dog was but he was past his puppy yeras for sure. Maybe the street had made him more mature. She had spotted him in the alley next to the bin. Two gorgeous, clever eyes looked into her soul and she without any hesitation dug out her only bacon sandwich from her bag and offered it to him. He devoured it with pleasure which made her happy. Then she bid goodbye and went home. Next morning he surprised her at her door. Everyday he would appear in mornings and evenings with a mild bark at her door and she would feed him, everytime trying to pat him a abit. A month later he was already living in her kitchen, had his own mat and demaded every scrap of food she was eating. She adored him and took him with her everywhere she went.

Race

I wanted to be a winner, and that meant I was willing to cheat. I did my warm-up routine, stretched my limbs, and jumped up and down to loosen up a bit. My opponents seemed composed, relaxed even, like there was no prize at the end of this day. Fools! I looked once more at the map and went through the points in my strategy. Not that I needed it, I had well memorized it. It was more like a superstitious, mental routine, that shouldn't be skipped. I put my map back in my pouch and took my place at the line. PUF! With a sad sound from the sports gun, everybody crossed the line and headed toward the wood. Some crazy sprinters took the lead but I knew better not to push too much, rather quickly locate my own speed. It could be hard for rookies because there always be someone faster than you and the pressure to keep up is enormous. I burnt in my first three competitions before I learned how to suppress this wild urge. At the edge of the wood, I see some victims of lack of self-control and knowledge - red faces, sweaty and without breath already. I stop at the oak tree and turn east, not many have chosen this direction. My pace is steady and my breathing rhythmical, but my eyes dodge from one tree to another searching for clues. Suddenly I spot something red and move that way. The clue is bigger than I expected but also seems a bit off the map. Maybe that's why no one seems to be there yet. As I approach I am surprised that they have chosen so dense bush and I don't see anyone nearby no referee, no other contestants. Weird. I bent down to see if I could crawl under it and reach the clue. Two vacant, pale eyes stare directly at me. I stepped back but lost my balance and fell over. It was no clue but a dead girl. I panicked and started running away from that place. Running calmed me down. I must tell someone, a tiny voice in my head said, but the calm and wicked voice said, that someone else would do it. If I tell them now they will interrupt the competition and I will lose my chance to win. I cannot allow that to happen.

Mission

One flashlight flash meant danger, two flashes meant it was safe; but she saw three flashes that night from beyond the bog, and they had never talked about what three flashes meant. Her mind raced through all possible explanations, but she couldn't stick to one reaosnable enough. Nothing seemed right. Maybe he was caught and she have to run away. Maybe there was nothing there and he is just pulling her leg or maybe he needs help. She was scared beyond belief but she decided to lurk forward. She had this crazy idea that she might see or hear something that will help her dechiper the signal. Slowly and very carefully not to make any noise, she crawled in the direction Tom had gone. The soft soggy ground was helpful ally. The only problem was those little, dry twigs she had to brush away from her path making the progress sluggish. Suddenly, an incredibly loud and agonizing scream pierced her ears and what was worse, someone or something had called her name.

Performance

She had never known that a human body could twist into that position. The sight alone made her instinctively roll her shoulders as if she hersef had just exited a similar pose. The little girl kept twisting and curling on the floor in most horrifying poses and at times, Linda half expected to hear a snap of her bones. However, the music continued and the girl was smiling as if she was doing most ordinary things like standing on tiptoes or patting a  dog or whatever those little girls do nowadays. Despite the fact that it seemed dangerous and bordered with disgusting, Linda couldn't take her eyes off. She watched, spellbound into another world. Nothing existed outside this dinning hall, outside this performance. Suddenly, the music stopped and the reality kicked in with an applause. Some men where shouting  and standing up. And then it was all over. The incredible girl left the room and adults returned to their plates. If anything, the mumbling sound of the hushed conversations was a bit louder than before performance.