“Oh bloody hell.” Lolly muttered.
She stared at the bottom of the blog page, noticing that yet again her “The Gates are Closed” post hadn’t gone through. She’d about reached the limit of her patience with her rattletrap old computer.
“I’m going to wind up in an asylum if this keeps happening.”
“Now , now…” the demon whispered in her ear. “There’s no pride in suicide. Let me offer you a deal.”
“I just want this fucking post to go through!”
The demon smiled as the entry finally posted and Lolly fell dead.
“The Gates are Closed”
__________________________________________________________
OK! Random inspiration borne of abject frustration aside, let's get on with it.
Our winner is Noah Heinrich with The Great Game: I loved the dialogue in this. Very clever use of the prompts as well. This was great fun to read! Thank you.
Also in the winner's circle this week is Patricia Purvis with Cripplegate Junction/Part 5-Cakes And Cautions: On the surface it's a simple little slice of life. A canteen, some free pastries, and a cute little girl. But I love ominous you've made it all. As always, lovely use of the prompts. Thank you.
And now, the Tome has offered up new words.
Antagonize
Iridesce
Organic
The usual rules apply: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all of the three words above in the genres of horror, fantasy, science fiction or noir. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine.
Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.
You have until Friday, March 27th. Winners and words on Saturday, March 28th.
Many congratulations to Noah for a magnificent win. I echo Colleen's comments that this was a fun read and marvellous use of the prompts. That having been said, I find this week's word list a bit difficult but submit my "stand alone" entry below. Hopefully, inspiration will hit and I'll be able to create at least a reasonable continuation of "Cripplegate Junction" before the deadline.
ReplyDeleteHow Does Your Garden Grow?
ReplyDelete(By: Foxxglove)
(100 Words)
The villagers considered Miss Cochran an antagonizing old biddy, but she was respected for dedicating an area of her lush garden to the recently disappeared children. The magnificent hybrid flowers growing within each patchwork square was named for one of the missing girls: the pale pink of "Bridget's Blush" and sunglow of "Helen's Halo," among others.
When asked her horticultural secret, Miss Cochran would reply, "Organically grown."
Everyone agreed the latest addition was singularly poignant. The iridescent shading of the periwinkle petals was so reminiscent of little Tori Moore's eyes. Miss Cochran decided to call this particular bloom "Victoria's Vision."
Once again you've managed insidious creepiness - so clever.
DeleteYes, suitably creepy. Every village should have just such an old biddy.
DeleteOoo this made me shudder. Very clever and creepy. Loved Miss Cochran's perfect reply, and the line "...so reminiscent of little Tori Moore's eyes".
Deletelate so I am, congratulations Noah and Patricia! Love this little piece, with its creepy menace in nothing that is said but everything that is beneath the words. Like it!
DeleteWell done Noah and Patricia, and yes the words are definitely daunting! This one came more easily than I suspect Pettinger will.
ReplyDeleteJourneying [Threshold 59]
Eyes a-glitter with the pixelated iridescence of dragonflies Helvinsson disarmed me of my knife. Bade me sleep.
‘We’ve three day’s travelling. I’ve set men to guard. Him at your door’s blood-hungry, antagonise him at your peril.‘
We left Bridge House in a morning made mysterious by mist’s organic intertwining with new-crisped leaves and bolls of old man’s beard. Phelim accompanied us; fear of returning to father ransom-less greater than facing the unknown.
Second day, seizing opportunity I enquired of Helvinsson, ‘Do you know what happened to my child? Is it alive? Or dead?’
Sly sideways glance, ‘Which would you prefer?’
Nice continuation of the story with a mysterious feel. Amazing how each 100 word story can stand on its own.
DeleteI agree with Michael that this stands on its own very well, which his good for me since I've only been able to pop in on and off. :) Quite a few beautifully worded lines like "eyes a-glitter with the pixelated iridescence of dragonflies" and "morning made mysterious by mist's organic intertwining with new-crisped leaves".
Deletelovely use of the prompts and vivid images in this piece, cleverly done.
DeleteWhat an inspired and totally beautiful use of the required words. It's difficult to choose any one combination that was a particular standout to me, since all are exquisite, but I think I like "Sly sideways glance" above all the others. It conveys much in its brief impact.
DeleteThis took some wrestling and turned out very different from how it started, but here 'tis.
ReplyDeleteA change of focus [122]
Family trees being as organic in their making as an oak, it could hardly be held against his mother that depiction of the iridescent pattern of her DNA would necessitate a palette of more than black and white.
Her own past was as riddled with scandal as could be found skeletons in a city graveyard and the only reason Faith’s teasing did not antagonise was because her own held something similar.
In comparison, John Pettinger often felt himself drab and over-serious, law enforcer rather than lawbreaker.
Faith laughed: ‘Wait until I’m well; we could see what we might breed together!’
Very interesting and intriguing. I found I had to read it several time as it was heavier than 'Journeying', but a good addition none-the-less.
DeleteLoved the imagery evoked by the first two lines. Excellent use of iridescent. :)
Deletegood episode, lots of promise for things to come... and what would they breed is the question...
DeleteNow this was nothing less than totally provocative. I'm getting like Faith more and more with each installment.
DeleteUm, that should be "TO like Faith." I plead the Fifth on whether or not I'm actually "like Faith."
DeleteCripplegate Junction/Part 6-Promises And Prospects
ReplyDelete(By: Foxxglove)
(100 Words)
Clive Bailey reached for a game counter.
"Not that one, sir," said the Conductor. Clive had not seen him come in. "It's her favourite colour."
Marmalade purred in agreement.
The door jangled as a porter bearing boxes from "Elsie's Organic Dairy" entered the Canteen.
"I can make more cakes!" announced a delighted Violet.
"And milk for Marmalade" insisted the child.
The cat's eyes glowed iridescent green, gold and amber at the delicious prospect, but Violet seemed reluctant.
"Do not antagonize him," advised the Conductor. "Remember last time."
The little blonde tugged on Clive's sleeve. "You promised to play with me!"
I'm seeing this as a stage play, set in the late 1950s. Don't know if that's what you intend but it is inescapable. Love what you've done with the prompts.
DeleteI'm a sucker for cats and these prompts suit. Agree with Sandra's comments re the stage play.
DeleteI agree that Marmalade feels like a very rich, fun character. :) Love the carefree attitude in this.
Deletegood instalment, clever blending of the prompts.
DeleteActually, I'm trying to base the atmosphere of this somewhat on the Agatha Christie novels I loved so much in my younger years, so you're not too far off the mark, Sandra. I don't claim to be anywhere near as talented as the late Dame Agatha, of course, but her writing is somewhat of the inspiration behind this serialization.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the win! It's good to be back, and see so many talented writers here.
ReplyDeletePlayground
I told Dwayne not to do it. The police are always saying not to go into Juno Park, not since that thing appeared next to the swing sets. Officially it’s an “Unknown Iridescent Object.” Most people call it Pretty.
The rules for Pretty are simple. Don’t approach it. Don’t antagonize it. If it talks, never respond. Remember that Pretty isn’t an organic being like us.
I told Dwayne about the rules. He went anyway. I thought I’d never see him again. This morning he called me.
“I have so many things to show you,” he said in something else’s voice.
Oh! Bowled over by the apparent simplicity and considerable cleverness of this. Tremendous final line.
DeleteThe story drags you in and the last line really sets the scene. where does it go from here?
DeleteLoved the rules for Pretty and how the scene played out. Great pacing, leading to an intriguing final line.
Deleteoh good one, an excellent 100 word standalone!
DeleteThis would make for a magnificent "Twilight Zone" episode. I would love to know the original origin of "Pretty" and wonder if there are others scattered around. I'm afraid I would be in the same boat as the unfortunate Dwayne. I never was much of a follower for the rules!
DeleteThe Price
ReplyDeleteThe iridescent light gave her face a ghostly cast as they crept down the tunnel towards the slumbering beast.
‘Quietly, my girl,’ his beard tickled his ear. ‘Won’t do to antagonise it, ‘cause there’s nowhere to run.’
‘You could’ve gone by yourself to give it the gold,’ she hissed, her stomach twisting at the feel of the old man at her back.
‘Not possible. The dragon requires something warmer, organic. Something like you.’
‘What?’ She froze as the dragon caught her in its paralysing stare.
‘Well, I don’t qualify,’ he chuckled as he stepped away. ‘I’m not a virgin.’
Uh oh, I'm hoping the girl somehow makes it out alive! Clever little story with a fateful twist at the end.
DeleteSo, safe from the old man but at the mercy of the dragon. 'stomach twisting' very evocative and marvellous use of the prompts.
Deleteoh yes, dragons do like virgins... really nice little piece, Michael!
DeleteHad to chuckle a little at this. What a devious old geezer! I'm hoping the dragon will take pity but I have the feeling (at the chance of sounding corny) that the girl is staring into the face of her doom. Nicely crafted little tale with a neat twist.
DeleteBombshell
ReplyDeleteHer eyes were better suited to a butterfly’s iridescent wing – a maelstrom of hues, depths, and emotions. Silvery jewelry, elegantly twisted into organic, flowing forms, sheathed her shoulders and throat in vein-thin filigree.
Small, unimposing me, unwitting antagonist to this exquisite creature, stared up at the Storm-Blessed Empress with no little awe.
Bow lipped mouth pursed. “This be the bomber?” she said, her sea-folk accent thick as knotted seaweed.
The ticking began again, and I felt my hands creep up to my ears. “Uh oh.”
Thin brows climbed high. “Be that smoke?”
“You all may want to run,” I said.
'sea-folk accent thick as knotted seaweed' further captured me, when I was already enjoying re-acquaintance with your style and 'small unimposing me'. So original, the whole.
Deleterich with images and a great last line.
DeleteThis was lovely in its descriptions, flowed beautifully in style and I just loved that modern throw-in of "Uh oh," in the midst of what otherwise felt like an ancient folktale. This is creative imagination at its finest.
Deletenot sure where this week went... but here goes.
ReplyDeleteInfinity 92
Letting the Creature loose on the islander is one way to antagonize the locals, but there will be no islanders left soon. I catch a glimpse of its iridescent coat across the land but no more than that. Methinks it will be content to stay there for a while and I must be sure to steer clear of this island forever. The cries of the slain will stay with me in the long nights and disturb the crew too. For all they knew nothing of it, they knew panic when they heard it. Fear is organic, it grows without help.
I agree with Sandra, brilliant final line! Also loved the brief description of the creature with its "iridescent coat". Conjures all sorts of imagery!
DeleteAnd thus, the Creature gains its freedom. I think our Captain had best get a move on and steer his craft clear of this island before the Creature comes lumbering back into view. Another fine episode in this epic tale. How you've managed over 90 such fine installments is truly beyond my comprehension.
DeleteWell up to your usual gloriously high standards! Especially admiring of the final line,
ReplyDeleteOK! Take two! Good thing I checked this time. The Gates are Closed, my lovelies. Winners and words on the 'morrow!
ReplyDelete