Arrival of a strange box

                The city was in an uproar. Worry on the faces of those of status and confusion on the faces of those lesser individuals in society. Paul had been on the intelligence committee he knew what the box signaled. The commoners, he thought, disgusting filth they don’t even know what he does for them! Why they should be bowing as he passes in gratitude for the work he does for them protecting them from evil. No, they only looked up to Evan the worthless man didn’t even really know what went on in this town! This town didn’t belong to Evan it belonged to Paul. Paul made his way onto a stopped train displacing a wretched commoner from his seat. The train was away at once rushing towards the city center from the intelligence district. Many of his fellow passengers stared at him openly. It wasn’t everyday that they saw an official riding the train and they made no attempt to hide their astonishment at seeing Paul there. The workers in this district were cleaner than in the city center, this district being the intelligence district, so Paul didn’t mind occasionally catching the train in from his important meetings.

The train rumbled to a stop and the doors slid open to reveal that they were not in fact in the city center but stopped instead somewhere between the district and the city itself. Confusion spread among the train’s passengers, the loathsome individuals. All except Paul who was more infuriated than angry. Paul opened his mouth to yell at the train operator when a small explosion erupted from the side of the train completely removing the front end.  Glass and debris rained on the passengers cowering for cover. Paul received several deep cuts across his left cheek from the flying debris and was still standing, stunned, in the middle of the train when he was pulled out of the train. A shriek from a female turned everyone's attention towards her. When they looked back Paul was nowhere to be seen.

Walking along the railroad tracks (Part Two)

Evan knew that someone would come to his town, a stranger looking to get his hands on things that belonged to the townspeople.  The sentry on patrol south of town had spotted a man on foot an hour before traveling on the train tracks. There was no way the man was heading towards town, false alarms happened all the time. Nonetheless Evan had dispatched an additional patrol to be on the safe side shortly after hearing the news. They arrived only a matter of minutes before the stranger. The man walked into town boldly in what appeared to be brazen defiance to the order. The townspeople were in the process of returning to their homes Evan had insured that with a twist of the ring on his pudgy little pinky. It was his job to protect these people and he would do just that. Men of the Watch assembled behind him he strode into the street to greet the new arrival.

Prompt of the day 2/28/12

Someone discovers a box. When the contents are revealed, panic ensues. What is in the box? Why does it cause panic? Where is the box found? Who put it there? Who found it? Feel free to post what you come up with below!

Prompt of the day 2/27/12

Imagine a world that is comprised solely of communities living in giant spire-like structures, communicating with other such spires via a series of light patterns. You are the operator of such a beacon. What would such an experience be like? Why can't you leave, anyway? Do you enjoy your job? What about the other operators, can they tell sense your feelings through your light patterns?

Walking along the railroad tracks

They say the only thing that happens in this town is the appearance of an occasional stranger. This little town wasn’t much but I felt drawn to it. I even strayed from the railroad tracks I had been using as a path for weeks. I entered the town and it appeared to be business as usual for a small town. There were people milling around in the streets, kids playing alongside houses, and shops with vibrant displays doors open wide as if calling to passerby.  The change was subtle, almost unnoticeable. Kids slowly disappeared into houses. Shops closed. People disappeared, except for one man that is. He was a short rather rotund gentleman with a flat yellow suit a flower in the lapel. Behind this man was a line of people arms crossed staring. I knew immediately I was in the right place.

Welcome

Hello all and welcome to Jack's Short Stories and Prompt of the Day. Especially if you are a hold over from my fitness blog attempt I especially want to welcome you and thank you for your continued readership.

First, what can you expect from this blog?

From this new blog you can expect a daily post containing a prompt to write on and a short writing I have created(possibly on the same prompt!). You can feel free to add your two cents and comment on and critique my writing as well as submit your own writing (if short) and post links to your works (if long) and I'll take a look at it and let you know what I think.

Second, this blog needs a name.

I am taking suggestions for names for this blog because quite frankly I don't like what I'm working with. If you have an idea feel free to post it here and I might pic it up.

Finally, Since this is the first day I will have a post up shortly containing a writing of mine from the past and a writing prompt a little bit later.