Peter E - February 23, 2010 writes:

Much as I hate the idea of 'writing by committee', how about writing a short story (say, 500 words) by spontaneous group improvisation - just 15 words at a time?

My first 15 words are:

'It was never meant to be like this. Suddenly, I'm here, in an animal's cage.'

I have no idea why these words came to mind (or from where they came). Any suggestions for further sentences?
Just include the previous sentences before your contribution (you don't have to use all 15 words).
All the best,

Peter

T H - February 24, 2010 replied:

It was never meant to be like this. Suddenly, I'm here, in an animal's cage. And I'm not alone. Something big, and breathing is in the far corner.

T H - February 24, 2010 replied:

Sorry I clicked on submit twice, lol, Tracy

Peter E - February 24, 2010 replied:

That last contribution gave me goosebumps! Here's a continuation:

"It was never meant to be like this. Suddenly, I'm here, in an animal's cage. And I'm not alone. Something big, and breathing is in the far corner. Why does it have to be so dark? Panic stabs me as a sneeze threatens."

Smita S - February 24, 2010 replied:

It was never meant to be like this. Suddenly, I'm here, in an animal's cage. And I'm not alone. Something big, and breathing is in the far corner. Why does it have to be so dark? Panic stabs me as a sneeze threatens. Atishoooo! the sneeze is out. I freeze as I sense some movement in the corner.

Peter E - February 24, 2010 replied:

It was never meant to be like this. Suddenly, I'm here, in an animal's cage. And I'm not alone. Something big, and breathing is in the far corner. Why does it have to be so dark? Panic stabs me as a sneeze threatens. Atishoooo! the sneeze is out. I freeze as I sense some movement in the corner. Not breathing, I wait; is that growling or monstrous purring I hear? Is it awake?

Laine C - February 25, 2010 replied:

... No it`s sleeping but breathing noisily, I listen - mesmerized until it moves again. I scream

Peter E - February 25, 2010 replied:

It was never meant to be like this. Suddenly, I'm here, in an animal's cage. And I'm not alone. Something big, and breathing is in the far corner. Why does it have to be so dark? Panic stabs me as a sneeze threatens. Atishoooo! the sneeze is out. I freeze as I sense some movement in the corner. Not breathing, I wait; is that growling or monstrous purring I hear? Is it awake? ... No it`s sleeping but breathing noisily, I listen - mesmerized until it moves again. I scream.


New sentence:


There is a stocatto grunt, baritone and gravelly, followed by inquisitive sniffing. I exude fear.

T H - March 4, 2010 replied:

It was never meant to be like this. Suddenly, I'm here, in an animal's cage. And I'm not alone. Something big, and breathing is in the far corner. Why does it have to be so dark? Panic stabs me as a sneeze threatens. Atishoooo! the sneeze is out. I freeze as I sense some movement in the corner. Not breathing, I wait; is that growling or monstrous purring I hear? Is it awake?... No it's sleeping but breathing noisily, I listen- mesmerised until it moves again. I scream. There is a stocatto grunt, baritone and gravelly, followed by inquisitive sniffing. I exude fear.

I refused to open my eyes, even though a warm breath was on my face.

Peter E - March 4, 2010 replied:

It was never meant to be like this. Suddenly, I'm here, in an animal's cage. And I'm not alone. Something big, and breathing is in the far corner. Why does it have to be so dark? Panic stabs me as a sneeze threatens. Atishoooo! the sneeze is out. I freeze as I sense some movement in the corner. Not breathing, I wait; is that growling or monstrous purring I hear? Is it awake?... No it's sleeping but breathing noisily, I listen - mesmerised until it moves again. I scream. There is a stocatto grunt, baritone and gravelly, followed by inquisitive sniffing. I exude fear.

I refused to open my eyes, even though a warm breath was on my face.

A damp, foul-smelling fug invades my nostrils, and spiney whiskers scratch my face. Oh God!

Ann R - March 4, 2010 replied:

It was never meant to be like this. Suddenly, I'm here, in an animal's cage. And I'm not alone. Something big, and breathing is in the far corner. Why does it have to be so dark? Panic stabs me as a sneeze threatens. Atishoooo! the sneeze is out. I freeze as I sense some movement in the corner. Not breathing, I wait; is that growling or monstrous purring I hear? Is it awake?... No it's sleeping but breathing noisily, I listen - mesmerised until it moves again. I scream. There is a stocatto grunt, baritone and gravelly, followed by inquisitive sniffing. I exude fear.

I refused to open my eyes, even though a warm breath was on my face.

A damp, foul-smelling fug invades my nostrils, and spiney whiskers scratch my face. Oh God!
My nose suddenly feels wet, oh God, I am having another one of my nosebleeds.

Peter E - March 4, 2010 replied:

It was never meant to be like this. Suddenly, I'm here, in an animal's cage. And I'm not alone. Something big, and breathing is in the far corner. Why does it have to be so dark? Panic stabs me as a sneeze threatens. Atishoooo! the sneeze is out. I freeze as I sense some movement in the corner. Not breathing, I wait; is that growling or monstrous purring I hear? Is it awake?... No it's sleeping but breathing noisily, I listen - mesmerised until it moves again. I scream.

There is a stocatto grunt, baritone and gravelly, followed by inquisitive sniffing. I exude fear.I refused to open my eyes, even though a warm breath was on my face. A damp, foul-smelling fug invades my nostrils, and spiney whiskers scratch my face. Oh God!My nose suddenly feels wet, oh God, I am having another one of my nosebleeds.

Instantly, the sniffing escalates. It's almost violent. I thrust my back against the cage.

Sergio C - March 7, 2010 replied:

It was never meant to be like this. Suddenly, I'm here, in an animal's cage. And I'm not alone. Something big, and breathing is in the far corner. Why does it have to be so dark? Panic stabs me as a sneeze threatens. Atishoooo! the sneeze is out. I freeze as I sense some movement in the corner. Not breathing, I wait; is that growling or monstrous purring I hear? Is it awake?... No it's sleeping but breathing noisily, I listen - mesmerised until it moves again. I scream.

There is a stocatto grunt, baritone and gravelly, followed by inquisitive sniffing. I exude fear.I refused to open my eyes, even though a warm breath was on my face. A damp, foul-smelling fug invades my nostrils, and spiney whiskers scratch my face. Oh God!My nose suddenly feels wet, oh God, I am having another one of my nosebleeds.

Instantly, the sniffing escalates. It's almost violent. I thrust my back against the cage.

Suddenly, I see something huge, hiding its face behind its hands and fearfully trembling.

Sergio C - March 7, 2010 replied:

-

Peter E - March 7, 2010 replied:

It was never meant to be like this. Suddenly, I'm here, in an animal's cage. And I'm not alone. Something big, and breathing is in the far corner. Why does it have to be so dark? Panic stabs me as a sneeze threatens. Atishoooo! the sneeze is out. I freeze as I sense some movement in the corner. Not breathing, I wait; is that growling or monstrous purring I hear? Is it awake?... No it's sleeping but breathing noisily, I listen - mesmerised until it moves again. I scream.

There is a stocatto grunt, baritone and gravelly, followed by inquisitive sniffing. I exude fear.I refused to open my eyes, even though a warm breath was on my face. A damp, foul-smelling fug invades my nostrils, and spiney whiskers scratch my face. Oh God!My nose suddenly feels wet, oh God, I am having another one of my nosebleeds.

Instantly, the sniffing escalates. It's almost violent. I thrust my back against the cage. Suddenly, I see something huge, hiding its face behind its hands and fearfully trembling.

Terror transmutes into searing pity. Why did I accept Professor Townsend's job offer?

Sergio C - March 9, 2010 replied:

It was never meant to be like this. Suddenly, I'm here, in an animal's cage. And I'm not alone. Something big, and breathing is in the far corner. Why does it have to be so dark? Panic stabs me as a sneeze threatens. Atishoooo! the sneeze is out. I freeze as I sense some movement in the corner. Not breathing, I wait; is that growling or monstrous purring I hear? Is it awake?... No it's sleeping but breathing noisily, I listen - mesmerised until it moves again. I scream.

There is a stocatto grunt, baritone and gravelly, followed by inquisitive sniffing. I exude fear.I refused to open my eyes, even though a warm breath was on my face. A damp, foul-smelling fug invades my nostrils, and spiney whiskers scratch my face. Oh God!My nose suddenly feels wet, oh God, I am having another one of my nosebleeds.

Instantly, the sniffing escalates. It's almost violent. I thrust my back against the cage. Suddenly, I see something huge, hiding its face behind its hands and fearfully trembling.

Terror transmutes into searing pity. Why did I accept Professor Townsend's job offer?

Oh, I remember now, it was just for entering his house and meet her daughter.

Peter E - March 9, 2010 replied:

It was never meant to be like this. Suddenly, I'm here, in an animal's cage. And I'm not alone. Something big, and breathing is in the far corner. Why does it have to be so dark? Panic stabs me as a sneeze threatens. Atishoooo! the sneeze is out. I freeze as I sense some movement in the corner. Not breathing, I wait; is that growling or monstrous purring I hear? Is it awake?... No it's sleeping but breathing noisily, I listen - mesmerised until it moves again. I scream.

There is a stocatto grunt, baritone and gravelly, followed by inquisitive sniffing. I exude fear.I refused to open my eyes, even though a warm breath was on my face. A damp, foul-smelling fug invades my nostrils, and spiney whiskers scratch my face. Oh God!

My nose suddenly feels wet, oh God, I am having another one of my nosebleeds.
Instantly, the sniffing escalates. It's almost violent. I thrust my back against the cage. Suddenly, I see something huge, hiding its face behind its hands and fearfully trembling.

Terror transmutes into searing pity. Why did I accept Professor Townsend's job offer? Oh, I remember now, it was just for entering his house and meet her daughter.


She is sublimely, indescribably beautiful - enough to turn a green environmentalist into a genetic engineer.

Alison F - March 11, 2010 replied:

It was never meant to be like this. Suddenly, I'm here, in an animal's cage. And I'm not alone. Something big, and breathing is in the far corner. Why does it have to be so dark? Panic stabs me as a sneeze threatens. Atishoooo! the sneeze is out. I freeze as I sense some movement in the corner. Not breathing, I wait; is that growling or monstrous purring I hear? Is it awake?... No it's sleeping but breathing noisily, I listen - mesmerised until it moves again. I scream. There is a stocatto grunt, baritone and gravelly, followed by inquisitive sniffing. I exude fear.I refused to open my eyes, even though a warm breath was on my face. A damp, foul-smelling fug invades my nostrils, and spiney whiskers scratch my face. Oh God! My nose suddenly feels wet, oh God, I am having another one of my nosebleeds. Instantly, the sniffing escalates. It's almost violent. I thrust my back against the cage. Suddenly, I see something huge, hiding its face behind its hands and fearfully trembling. Terror transmutes into searing pity. Why did I accept Professor Townsend's job offer? Oh, I remember now, it was just for entering his house and meet her daughter. She is sublimely, indescribably beautiful - enough to turn a green environmentalist into a genetic engineer. My own creation, breathing curbed fury so close by. Perhaps I deserved what was happening.

Peter E - March 12, 2010 replied:

It was never meant to be like this. Suddenly, I'm here, in an animal's cage. And I'm not alone. Something big, and breathing is in the far corner. Why does it have to be so dark? Panic stabs me as a sneeze threatens. Atishoooo! the sneeze is out. I freeze as I sense some movement in the corner. Not breathing, I wait; is that growling or monstrous purring I hear? Is it awake?... No it's sleeping but breathing noisily, I listen - mesmerised until it moves again. I scream.

There is a stocatto grunt, baritone and gravelly, followed by inquisitive sniffing. I exude fear.I refused to open my eyes, even though a warm breath was on my face. A damp, foul-smelling fug invades my nostrils, and spiney whiskers scratch my face. Oh God! My nose suddenly feels wet, oh God, I am having another one of my nosebleeds. Instantly, the sniffing escalates. It's almost violent. I thrust my back against the cage. Suddenly, I see something huge, hiding its face behind its hands and fearfully trembling.

Terror transmutes into searing pity. Why did I accept Professor Townsend's job offer? Oh, I remember now, it was just for entering his house and meet her daughter. She is sublimely, indescribably beautiful - enough to turn a green environmentalist into a genetic engineer. My own creation, breathing curbed fury so close by. Perhaps I deserved what was happening.


I'm not the poetic Zhivago of my aspirations; in Townsend's lab, I've become Dr Frankenstien.

Alison F - March 15, 2010 replied:

It was never meant to be like this. Suddenly, I'm here, in an animal's cage. And I'm not alone. Something big, and breathing is in the far corner. Why does it have to be so dark? Panic stabs me as a sneeze threatens. Atishoooo! the sneeze is out. I freeze as I sense some movement in the corner. Not breathing, I wait; is that growling or monstrous purring I hear? Is it awake?... No it's sleeping but breathing noisily, I listen - mesmerised until it moves again. I scream. There is a stocatto grunt, baritone and gravelly, followed by inquisitive sniffing. I exude fear.I refused to open my eyes, even though a warm breath was on my face. A damp, foul-smelling fug invades my nostrils, and spiney whiskers scratch my face. Oh God! My nose suddenly feels wet, oh God, I am having another one of my nosebleeds. Instantly, the sniffing escalates. It's almost violent. I thrust my back against the cage. Suddenly, I see something huge, hiding its face behind its hands and fearfully trembling. Terror transmutes into searing pity. Why did I accept Professor Townsend's job offer? Oh, I remember now, it was just for entering his house and meet her daughter. She is sublimely, indescribably beautiful - enough to turn a green environmentalist into a genetic engineer. My own creation, breathing curbed fury so close by. Perhaps I deserved what was happening. I'm not the poetic Zhivago of my aspirations; in Townsend's lab, I've become Dr Frankenstien. Determination bites: I'm not confined to a plot already written. My future is my own.

T H - March 16, 2010 replied:

It was never meant to be like this. Suddenly, I'm here, in an animal's cage. And I'm not alone. Something big, and breathing is in the far corner. Why does it have to be so dark? Panic stabs me as a sneeze threatens. Atishoooo! the sneeze is out. I freeze as I sense some movement in the corner. Not breathing, I wait; is that growling or monstrous purring I hear? Is it awake?... No it's sleeping but breathing noisily, I listen - mesmerised until it moves again. I scream. There is a stocatto grunt, baritone and gravelly, followed by inquisitive sniffing. I exude fear.I refused to open my eyes, even though a warm breath was on my face. A damp, foul-smelling fug invades my nostrils, and spiney whiskers scratch my face. Oh God! My nose suddenly feels wet, oh God, I am having another one of my nosebleeds. Instantly, the sniffing escalates. It's almost violent. I thrust my back against the cage. Suddenly, I see something huge, hiding its face behind its hands and fearfully trembling. Terror transmutes into searing pity. Why did I accept Professor Townsend's job offer? Oh, I remember now, it was just for entering his house and meet her daughter. She is sublimely, indescribably beautiful - enough to turn a green environmentalist into a genetic engineer. My own creation, breathing curbed fury so close by. Perhaps I deserved what was happening. I'm not the poetic Zhivago of my aspirations; in Townsend's lab, I've become Dr Frankenstien. Determination bites: I'm not confined to a plot already written. My future is my own. There is hope for my monster; if only I could get out of this cage.

Peter E - March 16, 2010 replied:

Just a quick note before entering the next sentence: we're well past the half-way mark now! To resume the story:

It was never meant to be like this. Suddenly, I'm here, in an animal's cage. And I'm not alone. Something big, and breathing is in the far corner. Why does it have to be so dark? Panic stabs me as a sneeze threatens. Atishoooo! the sneeze is out. I freeze as I sense some movement in the corner. Not breathing, I wait; is that growling or monstrous purring I hear? Is it awake?... No it's sleeping but breathing noisily, I listen - mesmerised until it moves again. I scream.

There is a stocatto grunt, baritone and gravelly, followed by inquisitive sniffing. I exude fear.I refused to open my eyes, even though a warm breath was on my face. A damp, foul-smelling fug invades my nostrils, and spiney whiskers scratch my face. Oh God! My nose suddenly feels wet, oh God, I am having another one of my nosebleeds. Instantly, the sniffing escalates. It's almost violent. I thrust my back against the cage. Suddenly, I see something huge, hiding its face behind its hands and fearfully trembling.

Terror transmutes into searing pity. Why did I accept Professor Townsend's job offer? Oh, I remember now, it was just for entering his house and meet her daughter. She is sublimely, indescribably beautiful - enough to turn a green environmentalist into a genetic engineer. My own creation, breathing curbed fury so close by.

Perhaps I deserved what was happening. I'm not the poetic Zhivago of my aspirations; in Townsend's lab, I've become Dr Frankenstien. Determination bites: I'm not confined to a plot already written. My future is my own. There is hope for my monster; if only I could get out of this cage. As I adjust to the tomblike darkness, I see it's as afraid as I am.

Anna A - March 16, 2010 replied:

It was never meant to be like this. Suddenly, I'm here, in an animal's cage. And I'm not alone. Something big, and breathing is in the far corner. Why does it have to be so dark? Panic stabs me as a sneeze threatens. Atishoooo! the sneeze is out. I freeze as I sense some movement in the corner. Not breathing, I wait; is that growling or monstrous purring I hear? Is it awake?... No it's sleeping but breathing noisily, I listen - mesmerised until it moves again. I scream.

There is a stocatto grunt, baritone and gravelly, followed by inquisitive sniffing. I exude fear.I refused to open my eyes, even though a warm breath was on my face. A damp, foul-smelling fug invades my nostrils, and spiney whiskers scratch my face. Oh God! My nose suddenly feels wet, oh God, I am having another one of my nosebleeds. Instantly, the sniffing escalates. It's almost violent. I thrust my back against the cage. Suddenly, I see something huge, hiding its face behind its hands and fearfully trembling.

Terror transmutes into searing pity. Why did I accept Professor Townsend's job offer? Oh, I remember now, it was just for entering his house and meet her daughter. She is sublimely, indescribably beautiful - enough to turn a green environmentalist into a genetic engineer. My own creation, breathing curbed fury so close by.

Perhaps I deserved what was happening. I'm not the poetic Zhivago of my aspirations; in Townsend's lab, I've become Dr Frankenstien. Determination bites: I'm not confined to a plot already written. My future is my own. There is hope for my monster; if only I could get out of this cage. As I adjust to the tomblike darkness, I see it's as afraid as I am.


Then i realized, it was just my reflection in the mirror. To my disgust and annoyance i punch it with my fist and it came crashing down the floor. From out of nowhere, i heard a voice saying "Aw, why'dja do that?"

Peter E - March 16, 2010 replied:

Aw, why'dja do that?

Maxwell Wright Z - March 28, 2010 replied:

It was never meant to be like this. Suddenly, I'm here, in an animal's cage. And I'm not alone. Something big, and breathing is in the far corner. Why does it have to be so dark? Panic stabs me as a sneeze threatens. Atishoooo! the sneeze is out. I freeze as I sense some movement in the corner. Not breathing, I wait; is that growling or monstrous purring I hear? Is it awake?... No it's sleeping but breathing noisily, I listen - mesmerised until it moves again. I scream.

There is a stocatto grunt, baritone and gravelly, followed by inquisitive sniffing. I exude fear.I refused to open my eyes, even though a warm breath was on my face. A damp, foul-smelling fug invades my nostrils, and spiney whiskers scratch my face. Oh God! My nose suddenly feels wet, oh God, I am having another one of my nosebleeds. Instantly, the sniffing escalates. It's almost violent. I thrust my back against the cage. Suddenly, I see something huge, hiding its face behind its hands and fearfully trembling.

Terror transmutes into searing pity. Why did I accept Professor Townsend's job offer? Oh, I remember now, it was just for entering his house and meet her daughter. She is sublimely, indescribably beautiful - enough to turn a green environmentalist into a genetic engineer. My own creation, breathing curbed fury so close by.

Perhaps I deserved what was happening. I'm not the poetic Zhivago of my aspirations; in Townsend's lab, I've become Dr Frankenstien. Determination bites: I'm not confined to a plot already written. My future is my own. There is hope for my monster; if only I could get out of this cage. As I adjust to the tomblike darkness, I see it's as afraid as I am.


Then i realized, it was just my reflection in the mirror. To my disgust and annoyance i punch it with my fist and it came crashing down the floor. From out of nowhere, i heard a voice saying "Aw, why'dja do that?"




The reflection in the mirror had been my imagination. I was startled back to life by a sharp agonising pain sipping from my back through the entire part of my body. Damn it, the beast has struck me with its giant claws.

Anthony C - March 29, 2010 replied:

Maxwell Wright Z - March 28, 2010 replied: It was never meant to be like this. Suddenly, I'm here, in an animal's cage. And I'm not alone. Something big, and breathing is in the far corner. Why does it have to be so dark? Panic stabs me as a sneeze threatens. Atishoooo! the sneeze is out. I freeze as I sense some movement in the corner. Not breathing, I wait; is that growling or monstrous purring I hear? Is it awake?... No it's sleeping but breathing noisily, I listen - mesmerised until it moves again. I scream. There is a stocatto grunt, baritone and gravelly, followed by inquisitive sniffing. I exude fear.I refused to open my eyes, even though a warm breath was on my face. A damp, foul-smelling fug invades my nostrils, and spiney whiskers scratch my face. Oh God! My nose suddenly feels wet, oh God, I am having another one of my nosebleeds. Instantly, the sniffing escalates. It's almost violent. I thrust my back against the cage. Suddenly, I see something huge, hiding its face behind its hands and fearfully trembling. Terror transmutes into searing pity. Why did I accept Professor Townsend's job offer? Oh, I remember now, it was just for entering his house and meet her daughter. She is sublimely, indescribably beautiful - enough to turn a green environmentalist into a genetic engineer. My own creation, breathing curbed fury so close by. Perhaps I deserved what was happening. I'm not the poetic Zhivago of my aspirations; in Townsend's lab, I've become Dr Frankenstien. Determination bites: I'm not confined to a plot already written. My future is my own. There is hope for my monster; if only I could get out of this cage. As I adjust to the tomblike darkness, I see it's as afraid as I am. Then i realized, it was just my reflection in the mirror. To my disgust and annoyance i punch it with my fist and it came crashing down the floor. From out of nowhere, i heard a voice saying "Aw, why'dja do that?" The reflection in the mirror had been my imagination. I was startled back to life by a sharp agonising pain sipping from my back through the entire part of my body. Damn it, the beast has struck me with its giant claws. The blow blured my vision a little, I could smell the creatures warm ranicid breath and as I sat, dazed and confused I started to think about my mother in law.

Carole M - March 29, 2010 replied:

It was never meant to be like this. Suddenly, I'm here, in an animal's cage. And I'm not alone. Something big, and breathing is in the far corner. Why does it have to be so dark? Panic stabs me as a sneeze threatens. Atishoooo! the sneeze is out. I freeze as I sense some movement in the corner. Not breathing, I wait; is that growling or monstrous purring I hear? Is it awake?... No it's sleeping but breathing noisily, I listen - mesmerised until it moves again. I scream. There is a stocatto grunt, baritone and gravelly, followed by inquisitive sniffing. I exude fear.I refused to open my eyes, even though a warm breath was on my face. A damp, foul-smelling fug invades my nostrils, and spiney whiskers scratch my face. Oh God! My nose suddenly feels wet, oh God, I am having another one of my nosebleeds. Instantly, the sniffing escalates. It's almost violent. I thrust my back against the cage. Suddenly, I see something huge, hiding its face behind its hands and fearfully trembling. Terror transmutes into searing pity. Why did I accept Professor Townsend's job offer? Oh, I remember now, it was just for entering his house and meet her daughter. She is sublimely, indescribably beautiful - enough to turn a green environmentalist into a genetic engineer. My own creation, breathing curbed fury so close by. Perhaps I deserved what was happening. I'm not the poetic Zhivago of my aspirations; in Townsend's lab, I've become Dr Frankenstien. Determination bites: I'm not confined to a plot already written. My future is my own. There is hope for my monster; if only I could get out of this cage. As I adjust to the tomblike darkness, I see it's as afraid as I am. Then i realized, it was just my reflection in the mirror. To my disgust and annoyance i punch it with my fist and it came crashing down the floor. From out of nowhere, i heard a voice saying "Aw, why'dja do that?" The reflection in the mirror had been my imagination. I was startled back to life by a sharp agonising pain sipping from my back through the entire part of my body. Damn it, the beast has struck me with its giant claws. The blow blured my vision a little, I could smell the creatures warm ranicid breath and as I sat, dazed and confused I started to think about my mother in law. Lovely little woman but always smelt of wee.

Anthony C - March 29, 2010 replied:

was never meant to be like this. Suddenly, I'm here, in an animal's cage. And I'm not alone. Something big, and breathing is in the far corner. Why does it have to be so dark? Panic stabs me as a sneeze threatens. Atishoooo! the sneeze is out. I freeze as I sense some movement in the corner. Not breathing, I wait; is that growling or monstrous purring I hear? Is it awake?... No it's sleeping but breathing noisily, I listen - mesmerised until it moves again. I scream. There is a stocatto grunt, baritone and gravelly, followed by inquisitive sniffing. I exude fear.I refused to open my eyes, even though a warm breath was on my face. A damp, foul-smelling fug invades my nostrils, and spiney whiskers scratch my face. Oh God! My nose suddenly feels wet, oh God, I am having another one of my nosebleeds. Instantly, the sniffing escalates. It's almost violent. I thrust my back against the cage. Suddenly, I see something huge, hiding its face behind its hands and fearfully trembling. Terror transmutes into searing pity. Why did I accept Professor Townsend's job offer? Oh, I remember now, it was just for entering his house and meet her daughter. She is sublimely, indescribably beautiful - enough to turn a green environmentalist into a genetic engineer. My own creation, breathing curbed fury so close by. Perhaps I deserved what was happening. I'm not the poetic Zhivago of my aspirations; in Townsend's lab, I've become Dr Frankenstien. Determination bites: I'm not confined to a plot already written. My future is my own. There is hope for my monster; if only I could get out of this cage. As I adjust to the tomblike darkness, I see it's as afraid as I am. Then i realized, it was just my reflection in the mirror. To my disgust and annoyance i punch it with my fist and it came crashing down the floor. From out of nowhere, i heard a voice saying "Aw, why'dja do that?" The reflection in the mirror had been my imagination. I was startled back to life by a sharp agonising pain sipping from my back through the entire part of my body. Damn it, the beast has struck me with its giant claws. The blow blured my vision a little, I could smell the creatures warm ranicid breath and as I sat, dazed and confused I started to think about my mother in law. Lovely little woman but always smelt of wee. In a sudden rush of panic I diived for the only weapon I could reach, a mop.

Bala Phani Chand M - March 30, 2010 replied:

Aaaaaaaaargh! I hit the floor with a thud and wake up from sleep.

Peter E - March 30, 2010 replied:

It was never meant to be like this. Suddenly, I'm here, in an animal's cage. And I'm not alone. Something big, and breathing is in the far corner. Why does it have to be so dark? Panic stabs me as a sneeze threatens. Atishoooo! the sneeze is out. I freeze as I sense some movement in the corner.

Not breathing, I wait; is that growling or monstrous purring I hear? Is it awake?... No it's sleeping but breathing noisily, I listen - mesmerised until it moves again. I scream. There is a stocatto grunt, baritone and gravelly, followed by inquisitive sniffing. I exude fear.I refused to open my eyes, even though a warm breath was on my face. A damp, foul-smelling fug invades my nostrils, and spiney whiskers scratch my face. Oh God! My nose suddenly feels wet, oh God, I am having another one of my nosebleeds. Instantly, the sniffing escalates. It's almost violent. I thrust my back against the cage.

Suddenly, I see something huge, hiding its face behind its hands and fearfully trembling. Terror transmutes into searing pity. Why did I accept Professor Townsend's job offer? Oh, I remember now, it was just for entering his house and meet her daughter. She is sublimely, indescribably beautiful - enough to turn a green environmentalist into a genetic engineer. My own creation, breathing curbed fury so close by. Perhaps I deserved what was happening. I'm not the poetic Zhivago of my aspirations; in Townsend's lab, I've become Dr Frankenstien. Determination bites: I'm not confined to a plot already written. My future is my own. There is hope for my monster; if only I could get out of this cage. As I adjust to the tomblike darkness, I see it's as afraid as I am. Then i realized, it was just my reflection in the mirror. To my disgust and annoyance i punch it with my fist and it came crashing down the floor.

From out of nowhere, i heard a voice saying "Aw, why'dja do that?" The reflection in the mirror had been my imagination. I was startled back to life by a sharp agonising pain sipping from my back through the entire part of my body. Damn it, the beast has struck me with its giant claws. The blow blured my vision a little, I could smell the creatures warm ranicid breath and as I sat, dazed and confused I started to think about my mother in law. Lovely little woman but always smelt of wee. In a sudden rush of panic I diived for the only weapon I could reach, a mop. Aaaaaaaaargh! I hit the floor with a thud and wake up from sleep.

Priya, Townsend's daughter, is asleep on the bed. Oscar, her bewhiskered cat, is sniffing, purring.

Jayne D - April 3, 2010 replied:

It was never meant to be like this. Suddenly, I'm here, in an animal's cage. And I'm not alone. Something big, and breathing is in the far corner. Why does it have to be so dark? Panic stabs me as a sneeze threatens. Atishoooo! the sneeze is out. I freeze as I sense some movement in the corner. Not breathing, I wait; is that growling or monstrous purring I hear? Is it awake?... No it's sleeping but breathing noisily, I listen - mesmerised until it moves again. I scream. There is a stocatto grunt, baritone and gravelly, followed by inquisitive sniffing. I exude fear.I refused to open my eyes, even though a warm breath was on my face. A damp, foul-smelling fug invades my nostrils, and spiney whiskers scratch my face. Oh God! My nose suddenly feels wet, oh God, I am having another one of my nosebleeds. Instantly, the sniffing escalates. It's almost violent. I thrust my back against the cage. Suddenly, I see something huge, hiding its face behind its hands and fearfully trembling. Terror transmutes into searing pity. Why did I accept Professor Townsend's job offer? Oh, I remember now, it was just for entering his house and meet her daughter. She is sublimely, indescribably beautiful - enough to turn a green environmentalist into a genetic engineer. My own creation, breathing curbed fury so close by. Perhaps I deserved what was happening. I'm not the poetic Zhivago of my aspirations; in Townsend's lab, I've become Dr Frankenstien. Determination bites: I'm not confined to a plot already written. My future is my own. There is hope for my monster; if only I could get out of this cage. As I adjust to the tomblike darkness, I see it's as afraid as I am. Then i realized, it was just my reflection in the mirror. To my disgust and annoyance i punch it with my fist and it came crashing down the floor. From out of nowhere, i heard a voice saying "Aw, why'dja do that?" The reflection in the mirror had been my imagination. I was startled back to life by a sharp agonising pain sipping from my back through the entire part of my body. Damn it, the beast has struck me with its giant claws. The blow blured my vision a little, I could smell the creatures warm ranicid breath and as I sat, dazed and confused I started to think about my mother in law. Lovely little woman but always smelt of wee. In a sudden rush of panic I diived for the only weapon I could reach, a mop. Aaaaaaaaargh! I hit the floor with a thud and wake up from sleep. Priya, Townsend's daughter, is asleep on the bed. Oscar, her bewhiskered cat, is sniffing, purring. I instinctively reach towards him, and he, with matching instinct, nuzzles his head into my open palm. A stroke on the forehead, a tickle under the chin, a wire ... a small end of plastic-coated wiring is poking out of the silver bell on Oscar's collar.

Jayne D - April 3, 2010 replied:

Oops, I can't count.

Dorne W - April 10, 2010 replied:

I pulled on the wire and couldn't believe what happened next....I closed my eyes.

C K - April 14, 2010 replied:

Oscar turned into the creature I had been dreaming about. I was back in my dream.

Faith N - May 19, 2010 replied:

t was never meant to be like this. Suddenly, I'm here, in an animal's cage. And I'm not alone. Something big, and breathing is in the far corner. Why does it have to be so dark? Panic stabs me as a sneeze threatens. Atishoooo! the sneeze is out. I freeze as I sense some movement in the corner. Not breathing, I wait; is that growling or monstrous purring I hear? Is it awake?... No it's sleeping but breathing noisily, I listen - mesmerised until it moves again. I scream. There is a stocatto grunt, baritone and gravelly, followed by inquisitive sniffing. I exude fear.I refused to open my eyes, even though a warm breath was on my face. A damp, foul-smelling fug invades my nostrils, and spiney whiskers scratch my face. Oh God! My nose suddenly feels wet, oh God, I am having another one of my nosebleeds. Instantly, the sniffing escalates. It's almost violent. I thrust my back against the cage. Suddenly, I see something huge, hiding its face behind its hands and fearfully trembling. Terror transmutes into searing pity. Why did I accept Professor Townsend's job offer? Oh, I remember now, it was just for entering his house and meet her daughter. She is sublimely, indescribably beautiful - enough to turn a green environmentalist into a genetic engineer. My own creation, breathing curbed fury so close by. Perhaps I deserved what was happening. I'm not the poetic Zhivago of my aspirations; in Townsend's lab, I've become Dr Frankenstien. Determination bites: I'm not confined to a plot already written. My future is my own. There is hope for my monster; if only I could get out of this cage. As I adjust to the tomblike darkness, I see it's as afraid as I am. Then i realized, it was just my reflection in the mirror. To my disgust and annoyance i punch it with my fist and it came crashing down the floor. From out of nowhere, i heard a voice saying "Aw, why'dja do that?" The reflection in the mirror had been my imagination. I was startled back to life by a sharp agonising pain sipping from my back through the entire part of my body. Damn it, the beast has struck me with its giant claws. The blow blured my vision a little, I could smell the creatures warm ranicid breath and as I sat, dazed and confused I started to think about my mother in law. Lovely little woman but always smelt of wee. In a sudden rush of panic I diived for the only weapon I could reach, a mop. Aaaaaaaaargh! I hit the floor with a thud and wake up from sleep. Priya, Townsend's daughter, is asleep on the bed. Oscar, her bewhiskered cat, is sniffing, purring. I instinctively reach towards him, and he, with matching instinct, nuzzles his head into my open palm. A stroke on the forehead, a tickle under the chin, a wire ... a small end of plastic-coated wiring is poking out of the silver bell on Oscar's collar.I pulled on the wire and couldn't believe what happened next....I closed my eyes.Oscar turned into the creature I had been dreaming about. I was back in my dream. when you know you are dreaming you wake up. at times you wake up into another dream. but when you wake up and find that nothing changes you know thats the reality. when will dawn come?

Robert F - July 23, 2010 replied:

Faith N - May 19, 2010 replied: t was never meant to be like this. Suddenly, I'm here, in an animal's cage. And I'm not alone. Something big, and breathing is in the far corner. Why does it have to be so dark? Panic stabs me as a sneeze threatens. Atishoooo! the sneeze is out. I freeze as I sense some movement in the corner. Not breathing, I wait; is that growling or monstrous purring I hear? Is it awake?... No it's sleeping but breathing noisily, I listen - mesmerised until it moves again. I scream. There is a stocatto grunt, baritone and gravelly, followed by inquisitive sniffing. I exude fear.I refused to open my eyes, even though a warm breath was on my face. A damp, foul-smelling fug invades my nostrils, and spiney whiskers scratch my face. Oh God! My nose suddenly feels wet, oh God, I am having another one of my nosebleeds. Instantly, the sniffing escalates. It's almost violent. I thrust my back against the cage. Suddenly, I see something huge, hiding its face behind its hands and fearfully trembling. Terror transmutes into searing pity. Why did I accept Professor Townsend's job offer? Oh, I remember now, it was just for entering his house and meet her daughter. She is sublimely, indescribably beautiful - enough to turn a green environmentalist into a genetic engineer. My own creation, breathing curbed fury so close by. Perhaps I deserved what was happening. I'm not the poetic Zhivago of my aspirations; in Townsend's lab, I've become Dr Frankenstien. Determination bites: I'm not confined to a plot already written. My future is my own. There is hope for my monster; if only I could get out of this cage. As I adjust to the tomblike darkness, I see it's as afraid as I am. Then i realized, it was just my reflection in the mirror. To my disgust and annoyance i punch it with my fist and it came crashing down the floor. From out of nowhere, i heard a voice saying "Aw, why'dja do that?" The reflection in the mirror had been my imagination. I was startled back to life by a sharp agonising pain sipping from my back through the entire part of my body. Damn it, the beast has struck me with its giant claws. The blow blured my vision a little, I could smell the creatures warm ranicid breath and as I sat, dazed and confused I started to think about my mother in law. Lovely little woman but always smelt of wee. In a sudden rush of panic I diived for the only weapon I could reach, a mop. Aaaaaaaaargh! I hit the floor with a thud and wake up from sleep. Priya, Townsend's daughter, is asleep on the bed. Oscar, her bewhiskered cat, is sniffing, purring. I instinctively reach towards him, and he, with matching instinct, nuzzles his head into my open palm. A stroke on the forehead, a tickle under the chin, a wire ... a small end of plastic-coated wiring is poking out of the silver bell on Oscar's collar.I pulled on the wire and couldn't believe what happened next....I closed my eyes.Oscar turned into the creature I had been dreaming about. I was back in my dream. when you know you are dreaming you wake up. at times you wake up into another dream. but when you wake up and find that nothing changes you know thats the reality. when will dawn come? "John! John!" the familiar punch in the back. "Will you PLEASE STOP BLOODY SNORING!!"