This just in - there's a prompt! "One day you come into work and find a cookie mysteriously placed on your desk. Grateful to whoever left this anonymous cookie, you eat it. The next morning you come in and find another cookie. This continues for months until one day a different object is left—and this time there's a note."
I'll admit it's very hard to keep this up everyday, even if it is summer. But I have an interesting idea for this one so who knows, it might turn out well.
Justin ruffled his hand through his curly, ivory hair restlessly. His hand was so large that it took nearly half of his head in its grasp, but his curls bounced carelessly anyway. He sighed, rubbing his eyes and setting down his pen. He couldn't bring himself to finish his essay; he was tired and unmotivated to write up a suitable conclusion.
The paper itself was fine - it wasn't needed until the day after, anyway. But Justin knew he wouldn't like finishing it. It was a boring paper about how the boring company he worked for could improve their boring product line. So, not very interesting. He checked the time. It was nearly five o'clock already! Justin hated putting in overtime - but admittedly enjoyed the extra money. He gathered his things on his desk, making certain that the space was clear, and headed home for the night.
The next day Justin came into work, tired still, but more refreshed than he had been. He went to his desk, yawning, and dropped his bag beside him as he crashed into the chair. He stretched, turned on his computer, and waited for it to start up. As he waited, he examined his desk. He decorated it in a simple fashion, with little clutter and perhaps two photos of his family. He wasn't much of a glamorous man, but it suited him quite nicely. However, something seemed out of place. Glancing just beside him, a chocolate chip cookie rested on the surface of his desk. That hadn't been there last night, he'd made sure of it.
Justin wheeled back in his chair, calling out to the woman in the desk adjacent to him. "Ann, did you put this here?"
"What?" she peeled her eyes away from her work and gazed his way.
"This cookie. Did you leave it here? You could have just asked if I'd wanted it."
She shrugged. "Wasn't me. Might've been left over from lunch yesterday and someone just didn't want to waste it. Maybe it's good luck?"
"Maybe." Justin twirled the cookie in his hands. It was strange for anything like this to happen. But, maybe Ann was right. This was a one-time occurrence. Justin shrugged his shoulders and bit into the cookie. It was still warm.
Another day passed, and Justin made sure to have his essay finished. It had been a drag to get through, but now that it was over and done with he felt a lot more accomplished. He walked in the door to his work, dropping his bag beside his desk and plopping himself down again, placing his printed essay on his trusty desk. As he did, he noticed the same unfamiliarity that he had before. Another cookie was left on the desk. It looked like another chocolate chip one. He called out to Ann again.
"What is it?" She raised an eyebrow. Justin held up the cookie. "Are you sure you're not sucking up to me for something?" Ann laughed.
"No, I swear it's not me. This is the second day in a row, isn't it? Maybe you have a secret admirer."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsKCkXkcvP
Justin rolled his eyes. "Aren't we a little old for that? And besides, don't secret admirer's usually leave a letter or something?"
"Fine, be a buzzkill." Ann stated. "Maybe they're a little shy." Justin blinked, picking the cookie up and smiling. He could be a little popular. He bit into the cookie, and suddenly felt great disappointment. It was oatmeal-raisin.
A couple months had passed since his first cookie gift, and Justin wasn't ashamed to say that he was used to it. Everyday he would come into work, crane his neck, and smile to see that a new cookie was there on his desk. No matter what, it gave him a giddy feeling every time he saw it. The flavours changed every day, too. Peanut butter, shortbread, fudge. There seemed to be an unlimited supply.
After the first week of cookies, he started to receive little notes with them as well. They were cute little things, often saying things like, "I made this myself, I hope you like it!" or "You seem really tired lately. I hope these help!" and there would often be a picture underneath. He had received happy faces, hearts, cookie pictures. It made him feel nice.
He went in to work again, smiling. Dropping his bag and sitting, he heard Ann call out to him.
"Has she confessed her love to you yet?" she mused.
"Pfft, no way. I don't even know who she is, but she's an incredible baker." Ann smirked, heading back to her own work. Justin opened up today's note, which was unusually tucked in an envelope. It was rather heavy, as well. He could only wonder what was - the smile on his face faltered. Inside was a small pocket knife.
Are you really ready to trust those you've let your guard down on?
Below the scribbled note was a picture of a woman. She was sitting in a coffee shop, smiling and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. There was no mistaking it - that was Ann. Justin had a lot of questions, and his rapidly increasing pulse wasn't helping matters. How did they get a picture of Ann? What did the note mean? And more importantly, who was sending them?
"So? What's today's cookie?" Ann leaned over her chair.
"Looks like chocolate," Justin said, pushing the envelope and its confines to the side and picking up the cookie. "I'm, uh, not really in the mood for cookies today. Do you want it?"
"Oh? So you're finally putting on the pounds, then. Sure, I'll take it." He handed her the cookie and she chomped down. Justin was so lost in thought as he gazed at the envelope that he didn't see Ann stumble. His eyes flicked up when she coughed, and he burst from the chair when she fell to her knees.
"Ann?! What is it?" He rubbed her back gently. She shook her head, collapsing. Justin's other coworkers had erupted from their seats as well; one had already called an ambulance. Within minutes, paramedics were taking Ann away so she could receive better help.
"Dude, so you have any idea what happened?" One of Justin's coworkers approached him.
"I...no, she just took a bite out of that cookie, and..." Realization spread across his face. "I think it was poisoned."
"What? The treat that your girlfriend always leaves you?" The man looked surprised.
"It's -" he cleared his throat. "Not a girlfriend. A stranger. I think it was meant for me, actually." The other man looked at Justin in horror.
"You should take that up with the police."
"Or I should just stop taking what they leave for me." Justin solemnly stared at the floor. The rest of the day passed by without much else happening. Many of Justin's coworkers chattered about Ann and her health, rumours spreading like mad.
Sure enough, after a week, Ann walked into work again. Pale, yes, but certainly healthier. Justin had made sure to visit her in any hour he could spare, and she insisted she was alright. It was in fact a poison, but for the little amount she had taken, it was easy for the doctors to heal her up in no time. It was good to see her back, anyhow. Justin walked to his own desk, to find a single note lurking there. Hesitantly, he cautiously unfolded the piece of paper. In jagged, almost illegible handwriting were two haunting words.
Your move.
Well, that turned out alright. If anyone is actually following along, what do you think? This challenge is purely experimental, after all.
ns 15.158.61.16da2
