One of my goals, for 2020, at the beginning of the year was to write one short story every month.
Today, I am excited to share with you, the story I wrote in January, called Team Renaissance.
Enjoy!
Molly rubbed the sleep from her eyes and looked out the window. The night before, Alice, her stepmother, had checked the weather for Hillside City, Missouri, and said that it would be snowing through the night. Molly was delighted to find that she was right. Snow piled up to the bottom of her first-story window.
This was Molly’s first real snow. She’d moved to Missouri last June, from Arizona, after her dad married Alice. On top of that, Alice had told her that every first snow day, the neighborhood kids had a big game of snowball capture the flag. Molly jumped out of bed and changed into the set of clothes she’d chosen the night before, brushed her hair and teeth, and skipped to the kitchen.
She sat across from her stepsister, Ariana, at the table and ate her Lucky Charms, in silence. Ariana never talked to Molly except to say “goodnight” or “hello” but even that was rare. After six months of trying to be friendly with Ariana, she had just about given up. She wouldn’t let her spoil her big day, though. Molly finished her cereal and put on her coat, hat, and gloves. She was about to go out the door, when her dad, who was off work for the day, told her to wait on Ariana. Fifteen minutes later, they left for Charles’s house.
After everyone arrived, Charles stood up, holding a piece of paper. There was an unspoken rule, Molly realized, that whoever’s house everyone meets at the beginning has to give announcements.
“Hear ye, hear ye,” Charles read, “Welcome to the fourth annual Crest neighborhood Capture the Flag game. The rules are simple. Teams may use any tools they wish, with permission. Three walkie talkies will be given to each team captain. Teams first build their fort and post their flag. Everyone must stay inside the neighborhood. You can only build a fort at one of your teammate’s’ houses, or anywhere else where you have permission. Team captains may send out spies to scout out the other team’s fort location. Teams may attack only by throwing snowballs. Teams may capture prisoners by tagging. The first team to lift the opposing team’s flag wins. A winner’s ceremony will be held at the end of the game. The captain of the losing team will place ribbon medals on the necks of the players on the winning team. Whoever lifts up the flag, will receive a bag of M&M’s as MVP prize.
Let us begin the voting procedure. Everyone grab a paper and pen and write the name of the two people you would like to be team captain. You cannot vote for yourself.”
The next few minutes were a bustle of excitement; then everyone quieted as Charles calculated the votes. After what seemed like an eternity, Charles announced, “Will Molly and Ariana please come forward.” Molly came forward and stood beside her stepsister.
“What would you like your team to be called?” Charles asked Molly.
“The Elves,” Molly answered.
Charles asked Ariana the same question and she answered, “The Renaissance.”
Molly and Ariana, then took turns choosing team members. In the end, Molly had Joss (short for Joslyn), Nadia, Nicholas, Benjamin, William, and Charles. Ariana had Sally, Crystal, George, Sam, Daniel, and Elijah.
Molly and Ariana went in opposite directions, in search for a good spot for a fort.
~
Which team do you think will win? Who are you rooting on? Let me know in the comments section.
I will be posting this story in four or five parts. The next installment will be published on Stories and Sketches on March 24.
In the meantime, subscribe to storiesandsketches.com, so you can get it (and other amazing posts by yours truly) in your inbox when it publishes.
Rachel says
Good job! I think Team R. will win. XD Can’t wait until the next part!
Malia says
This was so good,Elizabeth Anne! I think Team Renaissance will win and I want team Renaissance to win.:) Good job!