I’m back to throw my hat into the ring for the third annual Fall Writing Frenzy, run by the amazing duo Kaitlyn Sanchez and Lydia Lukidis! Check out the contest link for all the details, but basically I’m writing a 200 word story based on the picture below. When I saw this old church in autumn, a strange story began to unfold. It’s written for a teen audience. Special thanks to the prize donors and special judge Ameerah Holliday! I hope you enjoy!

The Accusation
(200 words)
The rising chants spur me forward. They’ve grown almost loud enough to drown out my hammering heart, and the crunching of leaves under my feet.
Am I too late?
The church comes into view.
Smoke prickles my nose.
What have I done?
I’m close enough now to hear shouted taunts—
“Witch!”
“Heretic!”
“Devil!”
All lies. But, who’ll believe me now?
Orange flames lash the pole. Crackling. Popping.
“Father!” I shout in vain. I’ll make him believe me.
But, I can’t push through the frenzied mob. I’m too late to stop this.
Even now, bound in ropes, Anna looks beautiful—chin high, face proud.
Does she know what I’ve done?
Guilt knots my insides.
But, Henry had wanted her. My Henry.
Before Anna came, I’d been enough.
So, I lied. “She cursed our crops.”
They needed a scapegoat, so they believed. It was easy, really.
Suddenly, there’s a loud bang, a green flash. I’m thrown backwards into the crowd.
Fear grips my throat like a fist. I’ll be trampled!
At the crowd’s collective gasp, I follow their gazes skyward.
Anna soars above us, one finger pointing at me.
Our eyes meet.
Then…
she’s gone.
Again, I wonder. What have I done?
UPDATE**** I won a critique from amazing kidlit author Dorian Cirrone. Thanks to everyone who puts this together every year!

I want more! Great job!
Thanks for reading!
Wow! Powerful language! Well done!
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.
Wow, Melissa. Really tense! Well done! Good luck, Rosanna
Thank you!
You pack so much tension, worry, and excitement into 200 words. Just wow!
Thank you so much!
I didn’t expect her to actually be a witch. Very nice twist and excellent writing. Best of luck to you!–Melisa Wrex @mowrex (Twitter)
Thanks, she wasn’t on the first draft! But, I liked it better this way. 🙂
Me too!
I echo Lindsey, I want more, too! Well done! 🙂
Thanks so much for reading and commenting!
Wow! You really made me FEEL this very short story. Nice work and good luck!
Thanks so much for that! I appreciate your kind comments!
When I first saw this image, I thought of a witch hunt! Great story 😄
I’m happy someone else saw the same thing! Thanks for reading and commenting!
Oooooh! This is engaging and haunting. I enjoyed reading it, Melissa!
Thanks Sarah! I appreciate your comments!
You lured me in and left me wanting more! You said so much in so few words; I feared you exceeded the maximum word count. Good luck!
Thanks so much for reading!
Great job on this story! I want to know what happens next, so you’ll have to write a longer story now.
Thanks for reading it!
You best be watching out for Anna! Nice! I love creepy!
Thanks!
So suspenseful. Creepy twist at the end. Well done! Good luck!
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment!
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