Write a narrative about a character who is not who they appear to be.
Requirements:
At least 500 words (1 page typed)
Includes at least one well developed character
Clearly established setting, POV, and genre
Includes at least three narrative techniques
Includes a clear conflict and resolution
Each time a new person/character speaks, a new paragraph is started. Within one paragraph, two people/characters cannot have dialog in quotation marks, just one.
Paragraph starts will need to be indented (tab). Look over examples in our U6 short stories, for how paragraphing and dialog should look on the page.
Consider adding a descriptive word or phrase to set up dialog, so the reader knows how it’s said: He/She stated, whispered, huffed, yelled, asked, stammered, said and pointed, stated as they moved away, etc.
It was a sunny afternoon in the small, peaceful town of Willowbrook. People went about their daily routines, unaware of the secrets that lay hidden beneath their friendly neighbors' smiles. Among them was Anna, a seemingly ordinary young woman with a quiet demeanor. She worked as a librarian, always ready to assist anyone in need, her kind eyes and gentle voice making her a beloved figure in the community. But behind her unassuming facade, Anna harbored a secret that could shatter the tranquility of their little town.
Anna lived in a modest cottage on the outskirts of Willowbrook, overlooking a beautiful meadow and a winding river. It was her sanctuary, a place where she could be herself away from prying eyes. Inside her home, the shelves were lined with countless books, a testament to her love for knowledge and the mysteries it held. But one shelf, hidden amidst the others, contained a collection of diaries filled with her darkest secrets.
It was in these diaries that Anna confided her true identity as a spy. She had been recruited by a top-secret intelligence agency years ago, trained in the arts of deception and combat. Her mission in Willowbrook was to monitor a suspected terrorist cell hiding within the town. Under the guise of a librarian, Anna observed the townspeople, searching for any signs of suspicious activity.
One evening, as Anna was closing the library, she noticed a man sitting alone in the corner, studying an old book intently. His name was James, a newcomer to Willowbrook, and he had caught Anna's attention from the moment he stepped foot in the town. There was an air of mystery about him, his piercing blue eyes filled with secrets of their own.
Curiosity getting the better of her, Anna approached James. "Excuse me, sir. May I assist you with anything?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine concern.
James looked up, his eyes meeting Anna's for the first time. "Yes, I am looking for a particular book on ancient civilizations. Do you have any recommendations?"
Anna nodded, her mind racing with possibilities. "Certainly, follow me," she said, leading James to a secluded corner of the library.
As Anna pulled out the book from the shelf, James leaned closer and whispered, "I think you know more than you let on, Anna. I've been watching you."
Caught off guard, Anna's heart skipped a beat. How could he know? Was he onto her secret? A myriad of emotions swirled inside her, but she maintained her composure. "I'm not sure what you mean, sir. I'm just a librarian."
James smiled knowingly, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "You and I both know that's not entirely true. But fear not, Anna. Your secret is safe with me."
Anna felt a mixture of relief and curiosity. Who was James, and how did he know about her true identity? She knew she had to find out more, but she had to tread carefully. Trust was a luxury she couldn't afford in her line of work.
Over the next few weeks, Anna and James met in secret, their clandestine meetings filled with whispered conversations and stolen glances. James divulged his own hidden past, a former intelligence operative turned vigilante, seeking justice for the crimes committed by corrupt government agencies.
Their shared secrets fostered a deep bond between them, a connection that defied the boundaries of their original mission. Anna began to question her loyalty to the agency. Was she fighting for the right side, or were they merely using her for their own purposes?
One fateful night, as Anna and James met in the meadow behind her cottage, an explosion rocked the town. The peaceful tranquility of Willowbrook was shattered, replaced with chaos and fear. The suspected terrorist cell revealed itself, wreaking havoc on the unsuspecting townspeople.
In that moment, Anna made a decision. She could no longer stand idly by, pretending to be someone she wasn't. With newfound determination, she rallied her resources and took down the terrorists, with James by her side.
In the aftermath of the battle, Willowbrook slowly began to heal. The townspeople looked to Anna as a hero, unaware of the sacrifices she had made. She had become the person they believed her to be - a librarian, a protector, a friend. And though her secret remained buried within the pages of her diaries, she knew that she had finally found her true self, hidden beneath the facade.