Saturday Centus - It Takes a Thief

Time for Saturday Centus. One of my very favorite weekly events, hosted by Jenny Matlock at Off On My Tangent. This is a great weekly meme that forces us to tighten our writing and learn what really makes a story work. We are given a writing prompt, and then build a story around it using 100 words or less.

Did I say this was my favorite? Well, until this week it was. Ms. Jenny decided to shake things up a bit. This week we get 200 words. I've had comments saying they wanted more than 100 words, so our wish has been granted. But you know the old saying "be careful what you wish for"? Truer words were never spoken. Because this week, we have to write our story in the style of a Harlequin Romance! WHAT? I've never read a romance novel in my life. As I told Jenny, not even when I was a lovestruck teenager. The closest I've gotten would be The Thorn Birds. Oh come on, admit it, you've read it too. So anyway, here goes nothing. This week's prompt

When I turned around I was startled to meet a green-eyed gaze..."

Here's my take on it

I crept slowly down the ink black hall, my eyes finally adjusting to the gloom. My rubber soled shoes made no sound. If I was caught, there was no reasonable way to explain my presence at this hour.

I had been sent by a man I'd met only once. His intensity and passion woke something in me that had lain dormant too long. The mission was perilous, but the prize too precious to ignore.

But where was it? Suddenly, I heard a whisper of sound behind me.
When I turned around I was startled to meet a green-eyed gaze....there it was, in all it's glory. The portrait that had been missing for so long, stolen from my contact's family by the Nazis so many years ago. I quickly cut the canvas from the gaudy frame, rolling it carefully and stashing it in my messenger bag.

Running down the rain slick street, I imagined the reception I would receive. My heart racing, I burst into his apartment, glowing with victory. His arms opened and I tumbled into them, knowing full well where this was leading. As I gazed into his green eyes, the same eyes that stared at me from the portrait, I knew that I would risk everything for this man.



Ok Jenny, are you happy? Make sure to stop by and read all the links, I think you will find some of them very, um, interesting! I almost skipped this week, but the prize is truly too good to miss (thank you Miss Coralei) And besides, once a challenge is laid down, I'm darn sure going to attempt it. Sorry if this wasn't "chest heaving" enough, but this was the best I could come up with! And judging from some of the comments, the theme next week might need to be a "cozy" murder mystery. Poor Jenny! Sigh...