The Great US Treasure Hunt returns July 4th!
12 Coins, 12 Short Stories, $12,000 to win
Twelve Short Stories...Three Excerpts
Coin of Future Past
Quest for the Goblin's Gold
Quest for the Goblin's Gold
Dr. Langford chuckled softly as he set his pencil down for a moment. “You were discovered wandering the woods and nearly incoherent. How would we find The Machine, as you call it, if we haven’t seen it ourselves?”
Elias shrugged, his face earnest. “Idk, but I’m sure I could find it, if you just take me back to where you found me.”
Dr. Lang
Dr. Langford chuckled softly as he set his pencil down for a moment. “You were discovered wandering the woods and nearly incoherent. How would we find The Machine, as you call it, if we haven’t seen it ourselves?”
Elias shrugged, his face earnest. “Idk, but I’m sure I could find it, if you just take me back to where you found me.”
Dr. Langford paused, his brow furrowing in mild confusion. “I beg your pardon. Did you say i.d.k.?”
Elias affirmed without hesitation. “Yes, idk how you will find The Machine, but I will be able to.”
Dr. Langford leaned forward, seeking clarity. “What is i.d.k.?”
Elias replied simply. “I don’t know.”
Dr. Langford’s exasperation flickered across his face, though he maintained his composure. “Then why did you say it?”
Now it was Elias’s turn to chuckle, a light, amused sound that eased the tension momentarily. “L.O.L. I.d.k. means I. Don’t. Know. I.d.k.”
Dr. Langford nodded slowly, absorbing the peculiarity. “Ah, I see. And what is L.O.L.?”
Elias explained with a grin. “It means That’s Funny.”
Quest for the Goblin's Gold
Quest for the Goblin's Gold
Quest for the Goblin's Gold
As the camera PANS around, a DOOR is revealed.
Thief Emily steps forward, inspects the door as Sorceress Sarah holds her glowing staff in close.
CLOSE ON - THE DOOR - KEYHOLE
Thief Emily’s hands feel the metal surrounding the keyhole. A small tool appears in her right hand. She inserts one end of the tool into the keyhole. A tiny CLICK.
As the camera PANS around, a DOOR is revealed.
Thief Emily steps forward, inspects the door as Sorceress Sarah holds her glowing staff in close.
CLOSE ON - THE DOOR - KEYHOLE
Thief Emily’s hands feel the metal surrounding the keyhole. A small tool appears in her right hand. She inserts one end of the tool into the keyhole. A tiny CLICK.
THE PARTY REACTS TO THE CLICK
All freeze, but no other noise is produced.
BEHIND EMILY - CHRIS, TOM, and JEFF
Prepare their weapons and stances for battle.
THIEF EMILY - TURNS
She smiles to the men waiting behind her.
THIEF EMILY
She’s all yours, boys.
Emily pushes the door slightly open, then takes her place in the second row with Sarah.
PALADIN JEFF
Quick charge. We have the element
of surprise.
ASSASSIN TOM
What’s our favorite element?
ALL (loud whisper)
Gold!
The Cursed Coin
Quest for the Goblin's Gold
The Cursed Coin
Jimmy sliced—quick, testing. Warm red bloomed across the blue shirt. Then deeper. Sawing. Grunting. The coin pulsed inside Henry like a second heartbeat; Jimmy could swear he heard it ticking under the wet sounds of meat and bone. He reached in with two thick fingers, fished out the bloody thing, and held it up. It shone even through the
Jimmy sliced—quick, testing. Warm red bloomed across the blue shirt. Then deeper. Sawing. Grunting. The coin pulsed inside Henry like a second heartbeat; Jimmy could swear he heard it ticking under the wet sounds of meat and bone. He reached in with two thick fingers, fished out the bloody thing, and held it up. It shone even through the gore, warm and sticky and somehow still perfect.
“Mine now, Chambray.”
Henry coughed, red bubbling on his lips. “Alpha and Omega. With these words I curse you. I curse that coin. I c—.”
Jimmy laughed, a wet, ugly sound. “Cute.”