“BEEP!”

Author’s Note: This is a Take Ten to Write story and has not been proofread for errors. If I feel inspired or if there’s interest in the story, I’ll post a revised, edited, and extended version at a later date. Happy reading!

Prompt: Write a story titled “Beep”.

“Ow.”

The sparks hiss angrily at me before retreating back into their wire. Then, another BEEP echoes around the room. I blow a raspberry at the still-live opening before leaning back onto my hands with a sigh.

“Okay, let’s face it; I’m crap at this.”

Val pokes her head over the top of the divider next to me. “Nah, you’re still just getting into the groove of everything.”

“But why does it keep beeping at me?!”

Val frowns. “Okay, that, I don’t know. Honestly, I’ve never come across anything like that before.”

BEEP!

“UGH!” I drop my face into my hands. “I swear I’ve tried everything that you showed me.”

“You tried wiggling the top tube?”

“Yes.”

“You tried tightening the widget bolt?”

“Yes.”

BEEP!

“You tried cutting the orange wire?”

“Yes.”

“And it’s still beeping?”

“Yes.”

“Huh.”

BEEP!

“ARGH!” The scream rips from my throat at the stupid sound. “I just want to take the whole thing and throw it across the room!”

“You mean you didn’t try that yet?”

BEEP!

“No. Was I supposed to?”

“Well–“

BEEP!

“– I’ve personally never tried it, but it might work.”

BEEP!

I glare at the chunk of metal sitting before me, smirking back at me with those smug rusted lips.

BEEP!

“Shut up!” I whine. “Please!”

BEEP!

I can’t help it; I punch the stupid thing.

BEEP!

“AHHHH!!”

BEEP!

“SHUT UP–“

BEEP!

“– YOU STUPID–“

BEEP!

“– PIECE–“

BEEP!

“– OF–“

BEEP! BEEP!

“– METAL–“

BEEP! BEEP!

I stop and exchange a glance with Val. The beeping is getting faster.

BEEP! BEEP! BEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEP!

“Uh oh.”

Final Comments: I had a lot of fun with this one. Hehe…

Overall Rating: 😄