I’m spending a long, leisurely weekend with my
daughter and although 6.30 is a slightly unsociable time to be putting the light on in an apartment whose sleeping areas are on a mezzanine floor, I've done so.
In a week of a surprisingly high political content, I declare Chris this week's winner, but, as a crossword fan, can't resist mentioning Bill's intricate, enjoyable piece.
In a week of a surprisingly high political content, I declare Chris this week's winner, but, as a crossword fan, can't resist mentioning Bill's intricate, enjoyable piece.
Words
for the coming week are: barrel, plural, scant
Entries
by midnight Thursday October 1st ,
new words and winners posted on Friday 2nd
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.
Getting an early start. But first, congratulations to Chris and Bill. I really enjoyed both of your entries.
ReplyDeleteThe Immortal 10
With a flash and a surge of air into my lungs I barreled back into life. The sharp intake of breath drew a sheet that was draped over my body into my mouth. Sitting upright, I coughed for dear life and spat it out.
Dread spread through my scantily clad body. Actually, I was wearing no more than the sheet itself. I was on a metal table, surrounded by other tables. All had sheets draped over bodies. That’s right, plural. Not just one body, but several and I was in their midst.
I hated waking up in the morgue.
Thank you for not making us wait! Chilly horror in this. Loved the use of 'barrel' and the final line.
Deletechilling story, good use of the prompts, nice one!
DeleteLoved this continuation and beautiful use of the prompt words. That last line is a total killer!
DeleteChange of focus [146]
ReplyDeleteBodies, deaths – unfortunately plural.
- The throat-sliced girl.
- An apparently-undamaged lad whose rugby-barrelled chest contained a heart vulnerable to shock-waved blasts such as resulted from what increasingly seemed to be a bomb.
- One unidentifiable other.
Paying scant heed to her own safety, Vanessa crunched to the window. Announced, ‘We – this building – was the target –‘
‘Why?’ Pettinger, green eyes like gooseberries on a floured board, hands bloodstained, looked up from where he tried to apply a tourniquet. Two of the five survivors were likewise attempting first aid.
Vanessa’s glance was one of warning. ’Because of who we’re holding in the cells.’
oh good one, another stunning last line making me look for the next instalment.
DeleteAnd you manage to pull off yet another amazing installment. To be honest, I had to go through this three times before announcing...."Oh, there's the prompts!" Very nicely done.
DeleteHardboiled
ReplyDeleteScant jusification? Yeah, but since when have I needed justification? I get all the justification I need from the barrel of my gun. If I want to take a client, I take her. And if it's clients, plural, then so be it. Even if they're all dames. I can handle tough situations. I've been in plenty of tight scrapes before. Of course, the ropes have never been tied quite so tightly...
Hardboiled, yes ... and VERY smooth. Lots to like in this, Bill.
Deletewant to see more of this writing, Bill, smooth and tough at the same time. Love it.
DeleteGiving and taking [Threshold 82]
ReplyDelete“‘She wasn’t you.’”
Had a barrel of rocks been rolled across my prostrate body my heart could not have been more crushed with stupefaction.
Not at Ravenscar’s words.
At his face.
The black fierceness of self-disgust bore scant relation to what he claimed. The combination of animal need, such as he’d felt for Maria, with the all-too-human weakness of tenderness towards me, fleetingly revealed by the timbre of his voice, he thought regrettable. Especially since it rendered him impotent. Even though he’d opted for abstinence.
Small wonder that the plurality of lust and loving caused him to simultaneously hate me.
I do like your use of plurality here! very cleverly done, the whole thing.
DeleteDo I detect a hint of the romantic here? I think so. This gets more creative and enthralling with every installment.
DeleteI have run out of time to participate this week, but will be back next week. In the meantime, I shall return late tomorrow (Thursday) to compose my comments on the entries by those who can obviously manage their waking hours much more productively than I am apparently able to do. Keep those quills waving and the ink pots full...!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming back and commenting, Patricia - sorry not to see you entering this week.
DeleteInfinity 116.
ReplyDeleteThere be scant wind to shift the Infinity from her berth, so First Mate broached a barrel of grog for the crew. I doubts not that they all saw plural next morn but that be their problem, not mine. I sat with this here journal and wondered about the spell, would it be strong enough, would it be good enough, damnation, would it work! I have to trust, I have no choice. I be cap’n and all decisions rest on me. God help me if I didn’t get it right. God help the crew if I be wrong…
Captain feeling the weight of his position again as is, as clearly and entertainingly as ever made crystal clear.
DeleteYet another piece tailor made to accommodate the given prompts. The voice here is exceedingly strong and I feel the upcoming installments will likely blow us all out of the waters.
Delete