Friday, 24 July 2015

24th July

Presumably first week of the holidays curtailed writing time last week, so kudos to Antonia and Mashie for showing up with episodes of their serials, featuring submarine and Vikings; Captain and Satan himself. I'm declaring Mashie the winner because collection in any shape or form was missing from Infinity.
I've had a relaxing week of prompt writing and exercises, watching humming birds and squirrels from the deck of a house in Tualatin, near Portland OR, but we leave here 3.45 tomorrow morning for New York, which is likely to be a lot more strenuous. in the meantime, I hope you can make something of the following.
P
Next week’s words are  lamp,  pair,  thumb

Entries by midnight Thursday 30th July, new words and winners posted on Friday 31st

Usual rules: 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.
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80 comments:

  1. Antonia Woodville24 July 2015 at 15:37

    Ha! I wrote down creation rather than collection... hence it being missing from Infinity! I am doing this a lot lately, saying the wrong word, now writing the wrong word... apologies but in any event, Mashie is a worthy winner!

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    Replies
    1. Sandra Davies24 July 2015 at 15:47

      I've done that myself a couple of times, Antonia - or mis-read what I have put! Great episode regardless.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous30 July 2015 at 11:17

      Congratulations, Mashie. My apologies for missing a few, Glad to be back.

      Newbie.

      Delete
  2. Unknown25 July 2015 at 17:15

    Hi Sandra. Sorry about my absence last week. A busy time over here. Entries to various 'Noir' comps etc. Congrats to Mashie albeit a rather pyrrhic victory. Back on form this week.

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    Replies
    1. Sandra Davies27 July 2015 at 12:03

      Best of luck with your entries,Fergus - you were missed last week, but, yes, life does get in the way.

      Delete
  3. Unknown26 July 2015 at 16:20

    'A pair o' lucky gloves?' The goalie laughed 'til he were red in't face.
    'Wis wur grampa's. 'E were goalie fo' Wigglesworth, 'e were!'
    'An ye 'spect me to wear 'em at' match', do ye?'
    Poor li'l Charlie Crompton. He were waitin' all year to give Barry them gloves.
    'Never let a goal past 'im in fo'ty years, wur Grampa.'
    'You've gone an' cut t' bloody thumbs off!'
    Barry 'eld t' glove up to t' street lamp, an' looked through ‘ole.
    'For'y year?' But Barry don't believe 'im.
    'E should 'a! 45 to Dubford run 'im down five minutes after.

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    Replies
    1. Sandra Davies27 July 2015 at 12:06

      What a very individual take on the prompt Fergus - well done.

      Delete
    2. Holly Karlsson29 July 2015 at 18:18

      Loved the unique voice of the narrator. Definitely a lot of 'talismans' in sports! ;)

      Delete
    3. Mashie29 July 2015 at 20:31

      Yes, very original.

      Delete
    4. Antonia Woodville30 July 2015 at 18:22

      different, which is always good. Natural flow, liked it.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous31 July 2015 at 00:34

      Loved the accent and the humour. Good one, Ferg.

      Newbie

      Delete
  4. Sandra Davies27 July 2015 at 12:17

    Barter [Threshold 74]

    The bridge-keeper’s eyes flickered avid in the lamplight.
    Ravenscar, his laugh incredulous, ‘What sort of deal is that? What the toll in other currency?’
    ‘Daytime guards have family, they take food. Me, I need woman. Many womans.’
    ‘He’ll have several sorts of pox.’ I murmured, watching the brute’s fingers at his crotch, tongue moistening lips in anticipation.
    Ravenscar, matter-of-fact, ‘Yes, but we’ve no food. No point in waiting until daylight.’
    He dismounted. Pulled me down to stand before him. As bridge-keeper stepped forward, Ravenscar reached over my repugnance-stiff shoulders. Thrust pair of thumbs into already-assessing eyes.

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    Replies
    1. Holly Karlsson29 July 2015 at 18:19

      Yikes, 'lovely' fellow the bridge-keeper! Loved the word pairing 'repugnance-stiff shoulders'.

      Delete
    2. Mashie29 July 2015 at 20:33

      I dont know how you squeeze so much into so little space and keep the atmosphere of the story spot on. Engrossing too.

      Delete
    3. RR Kovar29 July 2015 at 20:43

      The tension ratchets up the whole time, not least because we never know what Ravenscar will or won't do to achieve his aims. The ending was a rather grotesque moment of relief.

      Delete
    4. Antonia Woodville30 July 2015 at 18:23

      serious problems going on here for everyone, it seems, tension builds, what next?

      Delete
    5. Anonymous31 July 2015 at 00:32

      Dark and dangerous, yet Ravenscar thrives on such things. Love it.

      Newbie.

      Delete
  5. Sandra Davies27 July 2015 at 12:43

    A change of focus [137]

    Pettinger, near disbelieving, ‘A thoroughly mis-matched pair!’
    ‘But powerful. No-one has yet dared thumb their nose at us.’
    ‘Yet? When, exactly, did you marry?’
    ‘A month ago.’
    ‘So, the honeymoon barely over, and you’ve already left him?’
    ‘Teodor needs an heir.’
    ‘And needs to impregnate someone younger? Fertility unimpaired.’ Even in the dimness of the lamplight he saw the cruelty of that strike home.
    Bitterly vindictive, ‘No. I’m hoping you’ve got me with child.’
    Utterly appalled, ‘Oh no, Vladlina. An incestuous fuck is one thing; breeding from it something else again!’

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    Replies
    1. Holly Karlsson29 July 2015 at 18:21

      Always love how you describe their emotions - 'bitterly vindictive' and 'utterly appalled'. More trouble for Pettinger!

      Delete
    2. Mashie29 July 2015 at 20:35

      Again you use such rich language where every word counts. Fascinating.

      Delete
    3. RR Kovar29 July 2015 at 20:44

      I would give anything to have been able to write that last line. As always, stellar dialogue and character building within.

      Delete
    4. Antonia Woodville30 July 2015 at 18:24

      more nastiness, do you sleep well at night... I wonder... really clever use of the prompts and another first class instalment of Pettinger's ongoing story.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous31 July 2015 at 00:29

      So harsh, but true. Cold and compelling reading, Sandra. Great story.

      Newbie

      Delete
  6. Mashie28 July 2015 at 20:29

    Dinner.

    I was summoned to Palazzo Maldi at dusk. Maldi himself answered the door. ‘Ah, ambassador.’ He looked over my shoulder. ‘Come in. It’s getting dark.’

    He led me through darkening corridors to the dining room, where the table was laid for two. The smell of roast meat was dizzying, but my eyes were riveted to the wall.

    There was Henry, suspended, his mouth open, his eyes following me, a pair of tubes coming out of his stomach and leading into a glass funnel.

    ‘Ingenious invention, hmm? My liposuction lamp. Here.’ He Thumbed open his silver lighter. 'Please do the honours.'

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    Replies
    1. Unknown28 July 2015 at 21:12

      What a wonderful contraption!

      Delete
    2. Sandra Davies29 July 2015 at 17:56

      Wonderfully inventive,maybe, but with nightmare qualities. Your imagination seems to have no limits, Mashie!.

      Delete
    3. Holly Karlsson29 July 2015 at 18:22

      I agree with Sandra; this made me shiver! Definitely an imaginative and horrific piece. I was also instantly curious with your use of 'ambassador'. Opens up all kinds of character possibilities. :)

      Delete
    4. RR Kovar29 July 2015 at 20:47

      This is made more horrific for the veneer of formality. Such a great scene.

      Delete
    5. Antonia Woodville30 July 2015 at 18:25

      elegance combined with cruelty and horror, a winning combination...

      Delete
    6. Anonymous31 July 2015 at 00:26

      Mashie, I think this is taking re-cycling a bit far. Horribly clever.

      Newbie

      Delete
  7. Anonymous28 July 2015 at 23:25

    A cowled figure flailed up the hill holding a gas-fired lantern.

    “Who's the lamplighter?” whispered Matyrud.

    Wrecler picked at his thumb. “That,” he said, “is the Preacher Man.”

    The shrouded man drew closer, and the pair felt the fog chill. A charabanc chugged over a nearby crossroads.

    “I shouldn't like to meet him alone on a dark night,” said Matyrud, clasping his cape tighter to his throat.

    “Indeed.” The apparition was almost level with them when, to Matyrud's astonishment, Wrecler paid him a slight nod. Matyrud raised an eyebrow.

    “My wife's drug dealer,” Wrecler explained, “and the local vicar.”


    - bdcharles

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    Replies
    1. Sandra Davies29 July 2015 at 17:58

      A very warm welcome, bdc - and how well your writing fits in here - especially notable selection of verbs as well as wonderful names.

      Delete
    2. Holly Karlsson29 July 2015 at 18:23

      Love how this played out, with Wrecler acknowledging the man after Matyrud's comment. Especially loved the last line; so much contained in those words! :) Very imaginative.

      Delete
    3. Mashie29 July 2015 at 20:38

      very funny bd, well set up and atmospheric

      Delete
    4. RR Kovar29 July 2015 at 20:49

      The setting and atmosphere, tight dialogue, and elegant twist at the end are all superb.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous30 July 2015 at 11:22

      You set the scene so well, BD. Great last line.

      Newbie

      Delete
    6. Antonia Woodville30 July 2015 at 18:26

      like this very much - clever building of storyline with fine turned phrases.

      Delete
  8. Unknown29 July 2015 at 07:37

    Some remarkable words in there BDC! Sounds like quite a trouble-wrought town-scape you're building!

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  9. Holly Karlsson29 July 2015 at 18:56

    Imogen

    The heavy fog turned hazy as Leo uncovered the hand-held oil lamp, causing Imogen’s topaz blue eyes to flare. Wincing, she shielded her face with one hand and gestured with the pistol. “You first,” she said. Her pinned curls fluttered against her collar, as she nodded at the cave mouth.

    “Ladies first?” Leo grinned at Imogen’s glare. “Worth a try. Can I have my gun back? No?” He eyed the pair of knives threaded through his captor’s corset, sighing dramatically, as she threatened again to cut off his thumbs.

    “Take me to the Lieutenant,” Imogen said, baring her teeth.

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    Replies
    1. Sandra Davies29 July 2015 at 19:50

      Zaiure - you've cut and polished yet another multi-facted, jewel-like piece, with emotion and amusement. Love it.

      Delete
    2. Mashie29 July 2015 at 20:40

      my kind of woman. Great tableau and hooks into the bigger story. Fresh.

      Delete
    3. RR Kovar29 July 2015 at 20:50

      The visuals in this are excellent, and the intrigue strong. I want to follow them to see what happens next.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous30 July 2015 at 11:25

      Imogen is not a lady to mess with. Very atmospheric and humourous.

      Newbie

      Delete
    5. Antonia Woodville30 July 2015 at 18:27

      I love strong heroines - and Imogen is one strong heroine. You do not mess with her!

      Delete
  10. Colleen Foley29 July 2015 at 20:45

    Target Acquired

    I’d nearly broken my thumb on Seth’s jaw and I was pissed about him using my blood again. But silently fuming wasn’t productive.

    “OK Salem, help me out. There was a webpage and a loom, some ugly-ass music, and now we’re gonna kill something. What I don’t know is where that something is. Do you? ”

    His grin was merciless.

    “I do. I traced the IP address of the website. We’re going to a new age shop called The Brightest Lamp, in Detroit.”

    Punching him again would result only in a pair of nearly broken thumbs.

    I kept driving.

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    Replies
    1. Sandra Davies30 July 2015 at 08:53

      Laconic final line. So very well applies to Nate (among his other qualities)

      Delete
    2. Antonia Woodville30 July 2015 at 18:28

      oh tis good. And some great phrases here, I know well what you mean by ugly-ass music too. Superb description.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous31 July 2015 at 00:38

      Humour and dark intentions - a winning combination.

      Newbie

      Delete
    4. Holly Karlsson1 August 2015 at 20:40

      Loved the last two lines, and I agree with Newbie. :)

      Delete
  11. Mashie29 July 2015 at 21:09

    The Break (cont)

    I hadn't the foggiest.

    After we got home it started bucketing down. I looked out the window, and my tummy started hurting.

    'Something's not right, dad.' I heard thunder, but there was no lightning. 'Did you hear that?' He shook his head. Shit.

    Suddenly there was a bang.

    Dad ran over. 'I bloody heard that.'

    The Houbie Inn was on fire, flames licking the darkness. 'Come on', he thumbed open the latch, and picked up the lamp. We rushed down.

    Marty saw us coming, and pointed, shouting 'It's them. It's that pair. This all started when they came.'

    Which was true.

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    Replies
    1. Sandra Davies30 July 2015 at 08:54

      Vivid description and so well-defined relationship between father and daughter. Kick of a final line.

      Delete
    2. Antonia Woodville30 July 2015 at 18:29

      you have a fine talent for killer lines, Mashie, enviable talent at that. The last line here is a really good one. The rest of it is intriguing, setting up further instalments, I hope.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous31 July 2015 at 00:40

      Great tension. Could smell the smoke. Nice one, Mashie

      Newbie

      Delete
    4. Holly Karlsson1 August 2015 at 20:42

      Excellent tension in this scene. Also loved your description of the falling rain.

      Delete
  12. RR Kovar29 July 2015 at 21:15

    Forward

    Salem. Not a nickname I cared for, but Nate had called me worse.

    I opened my laptop, popped in a thumb-drive, and pulled up the scanned copy of my mother’s grimoire. The book was safely stored elsewhere, too precious to go about with a pair of reckless men intent on finding things that might kill us. Besides, that tome has a tendency to compel me to do things that would traumatize Nate. He might be an ass, but I love him.

    Headlamps illuminated the road. Engine thrummed. Nate stared into the distance, pretending he didn’t know I was memorizing spells.

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    Replies
    1. Sandra Davies30 July 2015 at 09:14

      Seth's voice strong as ever, and good tohear his view of Nate

      Delete
    2. Antonia Woodville30 July 2015 at 18:30

      another good instalment - I am amused but not surprised by the grimoire being stored on a thumb drive!

      Delete
    3. Holly Karlsson1 August 2015 at 20:43

      Loved the ingenuity of the grimoire on the thumb-drive and basically that entire paragraph. :) Great phrasing!

      Delete
  13. Unknown30 July 2015 at 09:13

    THE ALIEN WITH TEN THUMBS.

    Stardate 31/12/2999 23:59:30.

    Commander George Baklavadontes maneuvered the Silver Vulture over the surface of the planet. Out of the corner of his eye he was expecting to see the ground proximity warning light but the lamp had burned out. Panic! Suddenly ten giant thumbs pluck the Silver Vulture from the sky. He looked at his space watch – one second to go. A booming voice in an alien language filled the cabin.
    ‘Welcome to the year three thousand!’
    George turned off the PC and his wife said, ‘Happy new year, Darling!’


    (Written in collaboration my 10 year-old nephew Agis Hadjiandreou ;) )

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    Replies
    1. Sandra Davies30 July 2015 at 09:17

      Great stuff Ferg - and well done Agis, too. The image of ten thumbs increasingly threatening.

      Delete
    2. Antonia Woodville30 July 2015 at 18:30

      that was fun! with overtones of more sinister happenings at the back of it.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous31 July 2015 at 00:23

      Very clever. A talented nephew indeed.

      Newbie

      Delete
    4. Holly Karlsson1 August 2015 at 20:45

      Clever, fun piece. Loved the imagery of the giant thumbs.

      Delete
  14. Anonymous30 July 2015 at 11:13

    Smog unravelled rope from around his waist and lassoed Niall. Time ticked by as the injured leg was released amid curses and groans. After a quick inspection and dressing of the injuries, the pair moved slowly down the rock.
    Met by two workers at the bottom giving the thumbs up, they turned to leave. Low growling thrummed the air. One surviving dog waited for them; its blood smeared face missing an eye. Someone threw a lighted oil lamp at it. The growl turned to shrieks as dog became torch.

    Newbie

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    Replies
    1. Sandra Davies30 July 2015 at 11:51

      thumbs up - great use of the prompt, and horrific final line.

      Delete
    2. Mashie30 July 2015 at 17:41

      grim slice through a bigger story; enticing

      Delete
    3. Antonia Woodville30 July 2015 at 18:31

      this is horror as it should be done, calm and cold. Good one.

      Delete
    4. Holly Karlsson1 August 2015 at 20:46

      Great phrasing in this dark piece. Really loved 'low growling thrummed the air'.

      Delete
  15. Kai Delmas30 July 2015 at 12:25

    The Immortal

    “Samuel. Back so soon?” Death sat at an obsidian table, shrouded in darkness, except for an oil lamp in the center of the table. He gestured to an empty chair. “Come. Sit.”
    “I told you. Call me Sam. It’s not the first time I’m here and won’t be my last.” I sat down across from him.
    My thumbs tapped a rhythm on the smooth surface of the table.
    “You’re impatient. Can’t wait to die again?” Death chuckled.
    “It’s not that. I just have a hot date with a pair of blondes. So get on with it and bring me back.”

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sandra Davies30 July 2015 at 12:39

      Welcome Kai - and what a smoothly seductive start. I especially love the tapping thumbs.

      Delete
    2. Mashie30 July 2015 at 17:39

      Hard and wry shorty, nice.

      Delete
    3. Antonia Woodville30 July 2015 at 18:32

      like this, says much in its few words, which is a talent. More from you, please!

      Delete
    4. Kai Delmas30 July 2015 at 23:38

      Thanks for the warm welcome. I'm glad you liked my entry. I'm reading a writer's guide "How Many Miles To Babylon?" at the moment and it had a link to this site in the back, so I thought I'd come check it out.
      I like the idea and I can see there is some tough competition with a nice community. I'll try to turn this into a serial and will stop by on a regular basis.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous31 July 2015 at 00:21

      Love the sardonic humour in this. Really good.

      Newbie

      Delete
    6. Holly Karlsson1 August 2015 at 20:47

      Very creative and intriguing piece, and loved the mix of humor. Also thought the description of Death's office was excellent.

      Delete
  16. Antonia Woodville30 July 2015 at 18:34

    for anyone new to the Challenge, this is the ongoing seafaring saga of Captain Edward Teach, aka Blackbeard, sailing his ship Infinity around the globe in search of merchantmen to raid and a way to escape the Creature which he has unwittingly attracted to him. This thing demands human sacrifice regularly.

    Infinity 107.
    Some old writer said sommat like ‘by the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes.’ Be that about right, I be wondering, but tis all lamp black to me. I know sommat wicked be coming, it be hungry and it be angry and that not be a good pairing for me or the Infinity. But then again… I needs to reduce the crew, we took on extra last landfall and there be too many for the ship’s supplies. Not for the ship’s work.
    Them as will be left will be told - get on with it.

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    Replies
    1. Sandra Davies30 July 2015 at 19:18

      Superbly original prompts Antonia - and wicked references in the tale.

      Delete
    2. Mashie30 July 2015 at 21:10

      Blackbeard seems like a charmer. Love 'lamp black' and Blackbeard's wry inner processing.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous31 July 2015 at 00:19

      He's so matter of fact when it comes to doing away with people. Makes me shudder at the thought. Great story.

      Newbie

      Delete
    4. Holly Karlsson1 August 2015 at 20:49

      I agree with Newbie about how matter of fact the Captain is; definitely chilling! Loved the line 'tis all lamp black to me'.

      Delete

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