This contest encourages writers to test themselves and their readers. The idea being to push beyond what is comfortable, what is public, into what is hidden, taboo. Pictures are used to give a wide range of prompts for stories. My first attempt at an entry for this contest went too far. It terrified me and didn't have enough story to counter the discomfort brought on by the images I portrayed. So I went back to the board, this one: http://beyondthepalecontest.blogspot.com/ - and looked for a new prompt. In picture 17 I saw Alice. I saw her unable to accept the future she hadn't seen coming. What was it? I went with the suicide of her friend, Edward. This allowed me to tie in picture 11. Looking at Picture 12, I suddenly knew what had pushed Edward to the final solution. The Boy Who Came Between Them. It is not as challenging as many of the entries and not as hard to read as my first attempt, but I try to convey Alice's horror at her friend's self-inflicted pain, his suicide. I try to show the tenuous situation created when Jasper is placed between the two friends and made to choose between them. The shady nature with which the friends attempt maneuver him into a place for Edward to make his move. I don't think it's a winning entry (not after reading all the others!), but I hope you will take the time to read and review my little contribution while making your way Beyond the Pale.
This contest is continuing to accept entries until September 11th. Rules can be found here: http://www.fanfiction.net/u/2431148
The C2 is here: http://www.fanfiction.net/community/Beyond_the_Pale_Contest_Entries/83159/
And my entry is here: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6273375/1/The_Boy_Who_Came_Between_Us
Teaser:
This wasn't the first time I'd caught Edward cutting himself. When he realized he was gay and couldn't bear to tell his father, he had opened two cuts on his thigh. I had caught it early that time and finally convinced him, with his Mom's help, that he could tell his father anything. Their relationship had suffered, but overall, he was better. I had no idea what was causing it now.
"You know you can tell me, right? Anything." He'd been hesitant to tell me last time, even though I was already suspicious. The way he looked at girls wasn't the same as other guys. It had been tough to get him to talk then; it should be easier now. "Anything. I love you too much to let you do this to yourself."
"I know, Alice. I couldn't tell you. I... I think I'm in love."
I thought I understood. "And he's not," I replied.
Edward shook a little, sobbing. "Worse."
"He has a girlfriend?" I guessed.
Edward nodded against my shoulder.
"You know high school's not forever. He might change. You might-"
"Jasper," he whispered. He had been leaning on me heavily before, and I almost fell under his weight when he dropped that on me.
Jasper wasn't a common name. He couldn't be referring to someone else.
"My Jasper?" I asked.
"Now you see-"
"No!" I shouted, pushing him back. The hurt on his face tore at my heart, but I couldn't stop. "No, Edward." He turned away. "That's just more reason for you to have told me at the beginning."
