Monday, March 4, 2019

March Writing Challenge - The Daring Dwarf

(This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.)

The Daring Dwarf


Word count: 550
Genre: Magical Realism
Character: A superhero
Material: A spoon
Sentence:"You don't have to love me."
Bonus: Your story involves a damsel in distress.

The Daring Dwarf awoke. Sunshine flooded his humble abode.
Snickerdoodle!” he griped as he climbed out of bed. “Overslept again. I need to get me a sidekick!”
He fumbled with his superhero suit. No capes for this poor dwarf. Once he was dressed and ready for the day, he plodded downstairs for his daily cup of dandelion coffee and corn flakes. He grabbed a spoon from his cupboard and stirred his coffee slowly. He didn't need a sidekick, he needed a good swift kick in the pants. Or maybe an alarm clock. Or maybe both. Business would be good as well. He sighed and stared at his window while his cornflakes sat soggy in the bowl.

The faerie princess dwelt nearby. She was a quiet sort of lass. Usually kept to herself unless something was needing her personal attention. She knew of the Daring Dwarf, albeit never met him. Solitude was her preference and everyone respected that. She went into the garden, and then vanished.

The Daring Dwarf lounged in his recliner. Why go out, save people, and do good if there was never anything of merit to do? Radio blasted country rock.
You don't have to love me.” twanged a soulful voice.
No one loves me either.” said the Daring Dwarf grumpily. “Hence I'm here.”
His doorbell rang.

Five minutes later, he hopped on his dirt bike, and raced to the scene. Finally some business for a superhero! He arrived at her home, a modest dwelling for such a prestigious individual, and began his investigation. Clue searching could be relegated to a sidekick if he was someone like the Omega Ogre or the Equable Elf. They each had sidekick. Maybe he should seriously consider this for the future. Back to the matter at hand. The faerie princess had gone into the garden and vanished. Where could she have vanished to?

The investigation took the better part of the afternoon. He had begun to question the neighbors after finding nothing in the garden. One of her advisors went into her home to search again through her papers in case she left a note. The advisor heard a noise. A scream pierced the air. The Daring Dwarf fled back to the abode to discover that the faerie princess had returned? He couldn't believe his eyes!
Where have you been!” exclaimed the startled advisor.
Off and about adventuring.” came her nonchalant reply.
We were worried sick....” said the advisor trying to regain his composure.

The Daring Dwarf stuck out his hand, “Pleased to meet you, ma'am.”
She eyed him curiously. Here was a man who had adventures everyday, and no one worried where he was or what he was doing. She shook his hand. Then shooed the advisor from the room.
I'm sorry for putting you through all this trouble.” she said, “Sometimes, I just want to get away. So today I did.”
No worries, ma'am. Just was doing my job.”
Can I do anything to make it up to you?” she asked in earnest.
Know anyone who'd be a good sidekick?” he asked.
Me?”
The Daring Dwarf thought this over for a moment.
You're hired!”
She smiled as he hopped on his dirt bike riding into the sunset.

No comments:

Post a Comment