Trifecta XXIV – Zombie Bunnies VII – Peeple are Peeple

This week’s word is ‘confidence’:
3 a: a relation of trust or intimacy <took his friend into his confidence>

b : reliance on another’s discretion <their story was told in strictest confidence>

c : support especially in a legislative body <vote of confidence>

On the heels of a second place finish (which made my week), and some of the awesomest feedback ever, I too wondered, what happens next? I’ve actually started an outline and will probably create some page that links them chronologically.

For now, let’s continue where we left off…

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“What occurred here must remain in the strictest of confidence. We put days of effort into building this new order, and will not have it bastardized by others. Particularly ‘The Hare Band’, as they are known,” he spoke with obvious disgust. A rival faction of crazies, Emma thought. Some things never change.

“Well we’re just passing through, but your secret is safe with us,” she promised. Like anyone would believe it. Echo sighed and shook his head. “Know that we can offer no protection when you encounter them.” As they re- slung their backpacks, they were each offered a yellow marshmallow Peep attached to a simple nylon lanyard from the un-furred young woman. “For luck,” she stated, holding them out proudly. “I made them myself.”

** *

“You’re actually wearing it,” Emma badgered Allen, as they pulled out of the garage.

“I like ‘em stale,” was his reply.

** *

WHEN you encounter them is what he said, Emma reflected, not IF. Should have known. She didn’t share that epiphany with Allen, who was cursing at having missed the now obvious nail strip that blew out the van’s tires.

Several figures emerged from an abandoned pet shop on their right. They were armed with automatic rifles, a juxtaposition to the, yes, Emma realized, rabbit ear headbands.

“We don’t want any trouble, we were leaving town,” she declared.

“Leaving?” One man said nasally, a rubber pink nose twitching on his face. “Then why’re you wearing the talisman of the Bunnymen!?” he shouted accusingly. She turned and saw Allen attempting to eat the evidence, but it was too late.

They were herded out of the van, their backpacks confiscated, to their captors’ burrow. As they walked, Emma tried to think of some escape plan.

“Listen, how about we join…”

“No, you’ve likely eaten of the Hallowed Bunny,” Pink Nose stated, “and therefore are impure. However, you are still useful to us in ensuring our survival. Rather than waste our ammunition against unending hordes, we placate them with… a sacrifice!”

Zombie Bunnies Vl – Welcome to the Fold

This week’s word is observe – to celebrate or solemnize (as a ceremony or festival) in a customary or accepted way.

We’ll continue the Zombie Bunnies adventure, as Emma and Allen head for the city.

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An hour later they arrived at Delta Springs. By that point, the truck was running on fumes, they were shorter on patience and hopes of safety were even lower still as they entered the city. Cruising down an empty, wide boulevard at a steady twenty, a flickering light caught their attention. “Dammit, who’s trying to blind me?” Allen complained. Emma leaned forward and realized it was a mirror reflecting the sunlight; a crude but noiseless beacon. Someone had spotted them, and was at least willing to take them in.

“Go straight, three more blocks,” Emma directed, then opened her pack. She checked the clip on the handgun and put it on the armrest for him, drawing the machete for herself.

As they approached, an oversized metal gate at the bottom of a four story brick building was pulled up, two men wearing long heavy coats emerging. They were armed with flamethrowers, and leveled their weapons at an angle away from their truck; looking at the rear view mirror, Emma noticed the bushy tailed swarm hopping only twenty feet behind them, suddenly awash in fire. They pulled inside the garage and the door slammed shut.

* * *

“We’re not savages you know.”

This, from a guy wearing zombie rabbit pelts, Emma thought, you doth protest too much. Just the danger of nicking your finger while skinning them; if that meant status, she’d prefer anonymity in this group.

“Call me Echo,” he continued, his tone heavy with self- importance. Emma had a feeling she knew what the survivors were called*. Emma and Allen introduced themselves, but were interrupted from asking any questions.

“Before proceeding further, let us observe a moment of reflection and celebration for our newest members.” A non- furred young woman approached and handed him a colorful rectangular cardboard box. Opening the top, he pulled out a chocolate Easter Bunny. As he broke it into pieces for the others lining up before him, Emma absently fingered the two bullets in her pocket.

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*Bonus points for anyone who guesses the name of the group 😉

Trifextra Challenge – All Apologies

For this week’s challenge, you have to write a letter of apology in exactly 33 words. Addresses, salutations, closings, etc. (should you wish to include them) do not count in the 33 words.

Well, I do not have any personal apologies to anyone; I’m a good man! The following are a few that relate to people who have ‘passed through’ to one degree or another this week. This assignment brought them to mind immediately. I took the mindset of ‘being mean’ since I typically do not say/do these things, so don’t judge me too harshly 😉

The limit is 3 per entry [I checked!]

Feedback is appreciated, votes [back on the trifecta page] even more so!

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Dear Pushy Lady on the Subway,

Sorry I got in your way.
You should always be first in or out.
You obviously believe subway seats randomly place $20 bills in pockets!
An Urban Legend. Like manners are to you.

Dear First Girlfriend,

It was 20 years ago! You’ve moved on, right? No lingering broken heart? I like to believe my receding hairline owes to genetics, but maybe you made a ‘deal’ so I’d never forget….

Dear Homeless Man,

Putting aside the good manners I was raised with, society decrees you are invisible, untrustworthy, possibly insane. Your story is false, your intentions dubious. Sorry; no money, just advice – Get a job!

Trifecta Challenge – Zombie Bunnies V

This week’s topic word is –
scan•dal noun \ˈskan-dəl\

3 a: a circumstance or action that offends propriety or established moral conceptions or disgraces those associated with it
b : a person whose conduct offends propriety or morality

Use the word. Add 32-332 other words around it and you got yerself an entry.

Yes, MORE. Because you want more. Because I want more. Like bloodthirsty little bunnies.

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Oh now, this would be news, she thought grimly while wiping the blood and gore from the machete. ‘Former Veterinary Assistant Goes From Saving to Slaughtering Animals.’ Of course the press would ignore the fact that those little guys had turned into bloodlusting vermin; why pass up the chance to create a scandal? She pushed it out of her mind, just as she had learned to forget the good things she associated with the little furballs; that carrot munching wiseass from the cartoons, little chocolate crème filled eggs during Easter, Watership Down– her favorite book as a child (and adult), and the ‘once funny, but now too true’ killer rabbit scene that brought together millions of geeks under the kinship of random quotes (Ni!)

She really could have used Tim the Enchanter’s help right about now.

The van jolted, knocking her back into reality, sad as it was. Could have been a pothole they hit, but more likely it was roadkill.

“That’s nine, Em!” Allen yelled to her from the driver’s seat confirming the thought. “And that’s just this run!” She didn’t confuse his giddiness with amusement (he had already mentioned the lack of humor in their situation); it was just his way of dealing with the situation. Plus, he was always a competitive asshole. THAT part actually proved very helpful.

“Yeah well, I’m still ahead by total,” she replied, not enough emotion in her voice to taunt him. She finished the cleanup and tossed the rags into a bag, which she tied shut. Moving up to the front, Emma slid into the passenger seat. They passed cars and bodies at various points; one particularly bad accident next to a farm involved a pair of minivans, charred metal skeletons with an obscured logo on the side door. Looking forward, gray and black clouds rose in tendrils from the city ahead.

“You got enough gas to get there?” Anna asked.

He checked the gauge. “If we’re lucky… no. But, I still got those bullets.”

Trifecta Challenge – Zombie Bunnies IV

This week’s topic word is –
scan•dal noun \ˈskan-dəl\

3 a: a circumstance or action that offends propriety or established moral conceptions or disgraces those associated with it
b : a person whose conduct offends propriety or morality

Use the word. Add 32-332 other words around it and you got yerself an entry.

Well I got a scandal. One more horrifying than text messages from gross politicians. Yeah, THAT terrifying.

My apologies to New Jerseyians, who are actually my biggest fans on here.

If you know what movies I am referring to in the third paragraph, you are my new best friend.

For now, let’s delve a little more deeply into the saga of…the Zombie Bunnies. *cue scary music*

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Deep inside the headquarters of KillEmAll* Industries, the mood was bleak, as usual. They were in crisis mode, also as usual.

PJ Appleby was stewing as he assessed the latest situation with his assistants. “Ok, so we’re missing a container.” This was unusual; they were usually missing more than one; the Applebys believed in shipping cheaply. “What kind of environmental hazards are we looking at?”

One of his subordinates looked up from the map that was spread out on the table. “According to this, there were no graveyards along the route the driver took. No beaten paths in the Deep South near moonshiners, and he definitely didn’t drive through New Jersey at all. So all potential hazards, or plot lines to ‘B’ movies, were avoided. Except, well…”

“Well, what?” Appleby demanded.

“There is some farmland. Particularly this place.” He pointed to an area circled in red. “It’s a cabbage farm. Some old man owns it, usually complains about how the noise from trucks makes his crops wilt; even when we paid him a visit to point out how the active road helps control the rabbit population, he wouldn’t listen.”

Appleby considered this. A crazy old farmer -that’s not so bad. A little intimidation, maybe buy a few cabbages in goodwill, and they could weather this brewing scandal. God bless all the crazy farmers who grow the food that goes to America’s dinner tables.

“Ok, scramble the guys in dark suits and minivans to do their thing.” Before they wrapped up the meeting, Appleby asked another assistant; “What are the side effects of that last batch we shipped?”

“Inconclusive. Actually I haven’t gotten a report from the cute fuzzy animals lab. In fact I haven’t heard from them in some time.” He shrugged. “Eh, I’m sure they’re fine.”

*Named after Killian, Emma and Allen Appleby, the three children of PJ Appleby, discount greeting card magnate. Why, what were you thinking? Oh right, the discount chemical weapons he made his second billion on. Gotcha.

Trifecta Challenge – Cold Brain, Warm Hands

This week’s word is: brain (noun)
Third definition–
3: something that performs the functions of a brain; especially : an automatic device (as a computer) for control or computation

Something between 33 and 333 words. I got the limit 😉
Enjoy! Feedback, if you please!

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The soldier double-timed it silently through the corridor; not even a squeak from his boots could be heard. Ahead, the hallway was clear, unfurnished, subtle details making it seem as though the corridor was part of a film loop. It would be all too easy to lose one’s bearings, and he had one shot at this.

Diggs, the squad leader, stopped and gave a level fist to the others. If they were even there. The cloakers were good; without a helmet, a slight blur would be all anyone’s eyes and brain registered. He had to assume though; they were his soldiers.

Diggs had stopped beside an unmarked door; the map he was following on the HUD told him this was the place. He didn’t have a GPS link; he and everyone else would know exactly where he was. When your target was the central brain of an AI network, multitasking was their forte.

Well counter-insurgency was his specialty. It was going to be a test of wills.

A small bundle was passed to him by the men who were indeed there; he uncoiled the thin rubber cord and uncapped the camera lens at the tip. There was the minimum amount of space under the door, but the cord, perfectly matched in color to the flat gray door, pancaked flat as it slid under. Diggs grimaced as he slid the connector into his helmet port; it reminded him too much of these fucking machines. The enhanced outfit was tolerable only because of its effectiveness.

The sound of their breathing was almost audible; a low hum made the air vibrate ever so slightly. Like blood flowing through the veins, he thought; I guess we’re the poison.

There was audio as well as video, and the HUD came to life. He shuddered at the sight; it was everything they hoped it wouldn’t be.

The coldest machine still needs a warm hand for guidance. Diggs found himself staring back at a face as shocked as his.

Trifecta Challenge X – Zombie Bunnies: Prequel

“Write a horror story in 33 words, without the words blood, scream, died, death, knife, gun, or kill. Good luck.”

Well I have one entry up, but as some of you All-Stars (I’m looking at YOU, Ms. OldDogNewTits-looking at your…entries) have several up, so why not! Since I will do justthat, I’ll tell a little about how the Zombie Bunnies came to be….

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It worked! One spray of that goop he found, got rid of those rabbits once and for all; not one cabbage was touched. Only…what were those glowing pellets all over the place?

Trifecta Challenge X – Zombie Bunnies II

“Write a horror story in 33 words, without the words blood, scream, died, death, knife, gun, or kill. Good luck.”

Zombie bunnies Part 2.
I received such great feedback from Zombie Bunnies (which I dearly thank you all for), and the newest challenge/assignment is horror, so I decided ‘why not keep it going for 33 more words?!’ At this rate it will never make book length, but this I vow – I will keep it going whenever relevant!

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The scrape of his axe against the grindstone had the melody of a banshee. As a distraction, she prepared ration packs. Inevitably, they would have to cut a path through fluffy cotton tails.

Trifecta Challenge – Lost

Yes I am in another writing challenge/assignment dealie.

This time it’s for the Trifecta Writing Challenge.

The current topic/theme – Lost. In 33 words. No pressure. The word lost can only appear in the title.

So here goes. Wish me luck. Better yet, try out the challenge for yourself as well, if you’re not coming from the site already 😉

Suddenly, Lost
One bump / broken grip / spin/ separation – an alien world. More bodies drift past, spirits looking, grimacing, and moving along. No care but for their own. I am someone’s own, he thought.