Adventure At Dusk...A Short Story

And, it's time for the Weekly Writing Prompt!

Most times, I try to participate in the Weekly Writing Prompt earlier in the week--I'm approaching the deadline. I couldn't let this picture go without trying my luck at a story.

If you're unfamiliar with the prompt, here are the rules:

1) Use the photo and the 5 words provided in your story

2) Keep your word count 500 words or less. 
3) You have until next Wednesday to link up your post. 
4) Copy the link to your blog and enter it under the "Add you link" button at Carrie's, website.
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow.

This week's five words are:

Guy

Repertoire

Restuarant

Blade

Trifle

And now, here you go!

 Adventure At Dusk

Matt and Steve told their parents they were going to bike to the 7-Eleven to get some ice cream, but the brothers had different plans. The five and nine-year old siblings knew the parents would be gone at least a couple of hours. They always spent a lot of time at their favorite restaurant, Luigi's. Time to bust out their BMX bikes and go for a ride.

"Don't be gone too long," their mother said as they flew from the house. "It's getting dark." The words were just noise to the boys who were already out the door.

"Hurry, Steve!" Matt yelled as the humid Florida air ruffled through his blond hair, the front tire of his bike cutting the damp grass by the side of the river like a blade. "I'm riding as fast as I can," screamed an exhausted little brother. "Where are we going, anyway?"

Matt continued riding even though he heard his brother. Just a little longer, the older child thought. He quickly checked his Casio watch. Soon... He heard Steve ask the same question again. This time, he answered.

"To find an alligator!" Matt smiled as he thought of his brother's reaction. He looked back and saw what he thought he'd see. Steve stopped riding. His face looked as though some guy had just told him about Santa Clause. Matt turned his bike around and slowly peddled to his brother.

"We really going to look for an alligator?" The question contained both fear and trust.

"No," Matt laughed. "I was just kidding." He saw relief wash over Steve's entire body. His repertoire of pranks perpetrated on his brother was extensive, but at no time in the past had alligators been part of the ruse, especially since Steve had an intense fear of the reptiles. Any mention of the animals proved no trifle matter to the eight-year old.

"Then where're we going?" Steve asked once his breathing returned to normal.

Matt checked his watch again. "Right here."

"Here? Why here?"

"Because in a moment you're going to see something cool." Steve looked around, his eyes wide.

"What?" he whispered. Matt pointed east. "Watch," he said as an explosion of sound and light erupted on the horizon as the shuttle broke the bonds of earth's gravity and soared into the warm Florida sky.

Word Count: 389