The Thrill Of It All Blogfest
It was a spectacular canvas splashed in shades of oranges-reds-golds, as the sun disappeared behind the horizon.
The light faded and the sharp outline of the thatched-roof bungalow was reduced to an eerie silhouette. The idyllic beach view of a few hours earlier, complete with white sand and cerulean blue sea forming a picturesque background, was now replaced by shadows, barely visible in the last few moments before the light disappeared completely.
An unmistakeable scent of coconut wafted from the assorted cocktail glasses that were passed around.
Twelve committee members were represented at the gathering.
They spoke little.
Each person occupied with his own thoughts…
A distinguished gentleman sporting a walking cane claimed centre stage. "Welcome to this safari adventure."
All eyes swivelled in his direction.
"There are important decisions to be made—-"
"—and peoples' lives will be changed irrevocably," a beady-eyed man focused on the spiralling column of smoke that drifted from his fingers.
The nearby sea, as the tide rushed in, competed with the distant music of the jungle night.
"By the end of this evening, alliances will be forged—-"
Thud. The walking cane struck the floor.
"—and longstanding friendships will be tested," he stubbed the cigar in an empty glass.
The heartbeat of the jungle was raw and primitive.
It was living, breathing, pulsating; a cacophony of weird and wonderful sounds that combined to create a unique and sensual rhythm.
"All the deliberations of this evening will be undertaken with one goal in mind—-"
Thud.
Heads nodded in accordance.
"—which will bind each individual to another… in a strange manner."
They could feel the jungle rhythms. There was no escaping its power.
Thud.
The common goal hung in the atmosphere… a goal each one was committed to…
* * *
And that's my contribution to the blogfest. This is a fictional piece. I hope you enjoyed it. You can click on the badge for further information, or to read more exciting stories. Later on, I'll hop around to check out some other thrilling stories!
I love it, Michelle! I bet this ends gruesomely for everyone there! Great way to set the scene.
Holy Cats! I'd turn the page in a heartbeat.
Well now I want to know what happens next!
Excellent Michelle!
You hit ALL the sense with this piece… I can smell the coconut and hear the sizzle as the cigar distinguishes inside the glass… Well done.
As usual, very captivating! Beautiful!
Well, during the opening description I was all ready to go. By the end, not so much.
Nice job.
Very exciting. I definitely found myself pulled in. Good job.
I want to read more!!! Very thrilling, and captivating! I can smell the coconut.
Great job Michelle! Left me wanting more.
Yeah, left me wondering what's going to happen next. Very sensory. And I like the "thud"s throughout increasing in intensity and builder's the reader's suspense. And like others I got the sense this was going to a very dark place… Fantastic, as always.
I could really hear the jungle beat!
I'm awed at this piece. I feel like I was there, hearing, smelling and sensing everything. I can't wait to see what happens next, so much anticipation!
Carolyn ~ The keyword is "gruesome"
Huntress ~ Ha! I'm soooo chuffed with your response. You've made my day.
Alex J ~ Hang in there, Cap'n. Everything in good time.
Michael Di G ~ I'm trying to infuse more of the senses into my writing. I hope it's working.
Miss Tutti ~ Thanks TJ.
LD Masterson ~ I hope that's a good thing??
Rena ~ Glad you were affected in this way…
Tyrean ~ Ah, I'm soooo glad!
Murees ~ I love that you're left wanting more.
Beverly ~ You've got that right about the dark place… literally and figuratively…
L.Diane ~ Ah! It's a primal vibe…
Angela ~ Awed? That's great news, coming from a fabulous writer like yourself!
Yay, Michelle! Do I see winning entry at the top?
You're such a teaser, Michelle. What happens next? Where are they? You'll have to continue it. 😀
Great set up! Now I want to know what happens!
Really intense! I love the visual you painted before we peek inside the house.
Hmm. I think they are going on a search party of some sort. And they believe they are searching for an exotic animal but it ends up being a hybrid tribe of some sort — nearly human.
How close am I? 🙂
I like the sense of curiosity and eerieness this evokes. Great cliffhanger to end on!
What a great piece! I enjoyed the mystery of it!
Ooo! I felt like I stood there, pulse fluttering, palms sweating. Awesome.
Intriguing piece!
Amazing!! Definitely wish there were more to read 🙂
You have such a way with words! I love your descriptive writing. It utilizes all the senses!
B-but where's the rest??? 😀
Great opening!
C.Lee ~ I don't know about that. There are sooooo many good entries.
Al Diaz ~ Oh Al, I'm trying to write mystery/suspense… if it's working, then I'm on the right track (I only hope!) The emphasis is on the word "trying"…
Elizabeth ~ You and countless others… LOL
Nicki ~ I was hoping to achieve a certain level of intensity *air punches in glee*
Suze ~ I LOVE your interpretation! I may have to re-think the entire plot… 🙂
Carrie-Anne ~ Eerieness? I'm glad to see this word. *smiling*
Cherie ~ I aimed for mystery/suspense elements in this piece… glad you enjoyed it.
MPax ~ You've made my day! 🙂
Annalisa ~ Thank you so much.
Meradeth ~ I'll keep working on it. One step at a time. 🙂
Sherry ~ I'm trying a multi-sensory approach in my writing. It takes practice…
Stina ~ They say the cliffhanger approach is good. Keep your reader wanting more…? 🙂
Carol ~ Thanks!
ooo! thrilling beginning of an exciting adventure!! stupendous! keep going!
Now I want to eat coconut! Funny reponse, huh? I guess that means I love it!
Something bad, which means good, is going to happen. Yeah, I would read on. Nicely done!
Oh boy! That was so intense. I feel like the hunger games are about to begin or something 😀
The suspense is palpable. Great excerpt, you want to know more.
Oh, man, you lost me at coconut. Note to self, no blogging while hungry.
Ooh you definitely have me curious. 😀
I love the thud of the cane! Very THRILLING!
Thanks for participating!
I like it!! You've definitely captured my interest!!
You're so good at setting up the scene and building tension. Love this. And yes, I definitely want to know more! (:
I can totally feel it. Good work!!
<a href="http://fromsarahwithjoy.blogspot.com/">Sarah Allen
(From Sarah, With Joy)</a>
Oooh–nice opening! 🙂
Intriguing! I want more!
Tara Tyler ~ Thanks for hosting such a "stupendously thrilling" blog hop! 🙂 🙂
Emily ~ Coconut clusters are tasty!
Stephen ~ Okay, I like the way you phrased this… bad = good.
Samantha ~ Hunger Games? Ooh, I like the way your mind works. What a comparison… 🙂
Sheena-Kay ~ Thank you.
Sara P ~ See my "coconut comment" above. LOL
Misha ~ Stay curious. Curious = good. 🙂
Heather ~ It was my pleasure to THRILL the readers. Thank you for hosting this wonderful bloghop.
Jemi ~ Thanks Jem. 🙂
Elise ~ All in good time. Hang in there E!
Sarah Allen ~ Thank you so much.
Lara ~ Thank you. 🙂
Dana ~ I'm glad you found it intriguing!
Wow this is awesome! I hated to get to the end of the post, really want to read more. Great piece!
Wow! Great entry!
And what's the deal? EVERYONE is sprucing up their blog. Nice! 😀
Totally enjoyed this! Wonderful writing. Thanks for sharing, Michelle!
WHAT?!?! That's all you're going to give me? Mean writer. Mean, mean writer. *pouty face*
So good. I wanted it to continue.
Very well done! Quite thrilling. 🙂
Talk about being on the edge of your seat!! THRILLS galore!!! Why do I have a sudden urge for a Mounds Bar?!
Such vivid descriptions!
Julie F ~ Glad you found it awesome!
Melissa ~ My blog was waaaay overdue for a makeover… 🙂
Morgan ~ Thanks for the visit and kind words!
Crystal ~ I love that pouty face… 🙂 It definitely suits you. *giggles*
Medeia ~ Thank you Medeia!
Rachel S ~ Glad that I could provide some thrills.
Julie K.P. ~ Okay, now you have me baffled…. what's a Mounds Bar?
Rachel M ~ Vivid = clear images… and I hope that's what ran through your mind.