Friends, Carylers, fandom family - lend me your ears! No, seriously, you're gonna need your ears for this, our fifth and final challenge of the Summer Survival Series! "But FM," I hear you cry, "summer is already over!" To which I say: it's still in the mid-80's here. Ergo, summer. But I digress.

Our Summer Survival Series has been a raging success! We've covered ComicCon, photo ops, "What If?" au scenarios, Remorse and Joy. To end our inagural challenge series, Peta and I decided to do something... a little bit different. Gather round, music fans, because this one is for you.

That's righ! It's a MUSIC Challenge! However, it's a music challenge with a twist. We're going to give you a list of songs and lyrics that stood out to us. However, you do not have to use the actual lyrics in your story if you do not feel inspired to do so! Rather, you can simply let the feeling of the song itself inspire your tale. With me so far? Awesome. Let's break it down:

THE MUSIC

The first 3 songs were selected by Peta, the last 3 selected by Fairies Masquerade

• Zombie by The Cranberries
  Another mother's breakin'/Heart is taking over/When the violence causes silence/We must be mistaken.
  
  
• Halo by Beyonce
  Remember those walls I built?/Well, baby they're tumbling down/And they didn't even put up a fight/They didn't even make a sound
  
  
• With or Without You by U2
  My hands are tied, my body bruised/She got me with nothing to win/And nothing left to lose
  
  
• Exogenesis: Symphony Part 3 (Redemption) by Muse
  It's our last chance to forgive ourselves
  
  
• Light In My Darkness by Dirt Poor Robins
  How could I smile when I know you weep/And what would I have with so many in need?/What could I give but all you ask of me?/You are the light in my darkness
  
  
• Something by The Beatles
  Something in the way she moves/Attracts me like no other lover
  

To help you guys out so you don't have to find these songs on your own, I made a playlist of the first 5 songs on Grooveshark. However, since nobody would let me upload an mp3 of a Beatles song, you have to click here to listen to 'Something'.

THE CHALLENGE

PROMPT: Your entry must fulfill the following criteria:

• Either incorporate one set of the posted lyrics from the song selection OR
• Be inspired by one of the songs on the list. This can be either the content of the song itself or simply how it makes you feel. You must indicate which song you used in an author's note either at the beginning or end of your story.
• It can be either Caryl OR McReedus. Or both. (Yes, we are allowing multiple entries again. Because we love you.)
• It must be at least 100 words

DEADLINE: All Entries are due on October 6, 2014 by 10pm MST. 

THE RULES: Here is how you enter the challenge:

• Send a PM to Fairies Masquerade or Peta stating that you’re going to enter the challenge. This is very important! If we don’t get a PM, you won’t be on the list. Let us know if you're doing to submit a Caryl entry, a McReedus entry, or one of each.
• Write your fic!!
• DO NOT UPLOAD IT YET!! Wait until October 6 to upload your fic – we will be suspending automatic validation for that day for all authors who enter the challenge. (Allowances can and will be made if necessary - PM Fairies Masquerade)
• Submission Day is October 6, post your fic. It will not appear on the website, but will enter our validation queue. Make sure you submit it under the Nine Lives Challenge category!
• Posting Day is October 7 – We will post the Master List and post all of the challenge entries so everything shows up at once. That way, we’re all surprised by what we get to read! Any challenge fics that are posted before October 7 will be deleted.

That is it, my darlings! Go forth, O Talented Ones, and write to your heart's content! If you have any questions, PM Fairies Masquerade or Peta. Caryl on!!