This week, unusually for me I started and rapidly
discarded three books, one after another. The first for the style (flippant
crime, which fell flat), the second because twice in forty pages my number one bête noir was used (“smiling happily”)
and the third was a previously much-enjoyed writer who’d chosen to tell a tale
based on a true story, but had omitted the emotion.
Here on the Prediction, I’ve no desire to discard or
reject any. Have, in fact, picked three ‘winners’ for the kick of immediate
pleasure which each gave me. These are Zaiure,
for the kick-in-gut final line; Patricia
for the knock-out brevity of ‘Order of the Day’ and Bill for ‘Subject Number Eleven; because the quality of the gory
description was admirable, (though I have to say the ‘chameleon coating’ almost
beat that )
Words for the coming week are: forensic, seed, imagine
Entries
by midnight Thursday December 3rd,
new words and winners posted on Friday 4th
Puppet-master wins Round 1 [Threshold 91]
ReplyDeleteThey refused to tell me what the soup – scarlet-spiced, white seeds like sesame – would do.
For two days I refused. Third, they force-fed me. Fourth, I imagined I could fly and stepped from the second-floor window.
Came to in the bed I’d long ago shared with Ravenscar.
Ice-blue eyes anticipated disorientation. ‘First normal thing you’ve done. Safety nets rendered you unconscious; gave us time for examination. Forensically, you’re fascinating; given birth, though not yet seventeen. Hard-muscled; I vow you’ll put up a fight. I’m looking forward to it. My room, tomorrow night.’
Arms tethered, I spat at him.
Regretted it.
Can't wait for Round 2. *Secretly hoping Ravenscar will come for her rescue.*
DeleteNow this was some strong writing. Nasty insinuations. I do hope the "cavalry" arrives in time. The next installment is eagerly anticipated.
DeleteLots of nastiness evident in this instalment, seems to be building more than usual.
DeleteChange of focus [156]
ReplyDeleteQuickly returned to the interview room, DI John Pettinger smiled, delivering what he assumed was good news. ‘It isn’t Stephanie’s finger –‘
Incensed, Olive Tree leapt to her feet. Seeds of suspicion, watered with TV-taught ‘facts’, now blossomed: ‘How do you know? You can’t‘ve done that forensics thing, the DNA, not so quick, because.‘ triumphant, ‘You have to get a swab from Stephanie!‘
Pettinger, striving for patience, 'I realise that. But I don’t like wasting public money. And though I’ve never met Stephanie, and despite the fact you say she’s gay, I don’t imagine she has fingers this hairy!’
Okay... but who's the unlucky guy without a pinky? :)
DeleteHad to chuckle at the "fingers this hairy" statement. Don't know why I found it so amusing, it just tickled my funny bone. I always find this particular serialization to be so interesting.
Deleteanother good episode and an intriguing happening here, who's hairy finger is this????? and how and why?
DeleteThank you! And congrats Patricia & Bill. :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats to all three of you. Great entries. I don't always comment, but I always read and enjoy what everyone has to offer. ;)
DeleteWorthy round of applause for the outstanding entries from Zaiure and Bill. Such a wealth of talent!
ReplyDeleteEfflorescence
ReplyDeleteThe seeds found in the unmarked packet flourished far better than anyone had imagined. Even confined to the interior of the Forensic Lab which was seldom kissed by the sun, the blossoms were luxurious, albeit somewhat livid in colour.
It was generally assumed that the extraordinary bloom was due in no small part to the abundant supply of nourishment delivered daily from the nearby Morgue.
'Uncomfortable' the best way of describing how this made me feel ... and I'll likely feel it all day!
Delete(And thanks for coming, Patricia - it's oddly empty in here this week!)
Audrey III is blooming. How long will the taste of dead flesh suffice? :)
DeleteI suppose you could answer, "Well, they weren't using those parts any more."
Deleteintriguing build up to the final line, the killer line. Good one!
DeleteThe Immortal 19
ReplyDeleteI couldn’t believe this. “How the fuck did I get back down here? I didn’t die!”
“Of course not.” The cloaked figure that was Death drew back, tendrils of black smoke swirling around him. “I told you that if you died I would not bring you back.”
I sank into my seat behind the obsidian table. “But how?”
The wisps of smoke dispersed with Death’s chuckle. “Forensically speaking you are dead. Imagine yourself as a tree. I planted your seed centuries ago and I can pluck your roots from the earth anytime. Realize this and do not disobey me again.”
Shudderingly awful, such realisation- poor Samuel. I do like the smoke effects, though.
DeleteVery nicely put together and the revelations continue to astound. Death seems to be more threatening than usual this time around. Lovely imagery.
Deletemore threatening indeed, almost scarily frightening, remind me not to get on the bad side of Death...
DeleteKeeping Up With Tony
ReplyDelete"Tony! Dis is modern times an' ya need ta get with it. See dis article 'bout forensic science? Dey found dis seed in some guy's shoe and proved he was da killer 'cause he was on dis farm where dey found da stiff. Imagine what ya could do wit' dat!"
"Sure, Lou. I could grow some corn."
"Always wit the jokes! I'll leave it so ya can read up some. See ya, buddy."
I tossed his magazine in the drawer and grabbed the funny papers - Dick Tracy, now that's how to keep up with the latest in crime fighting.
Time will tell about Dick Tracy ... great voice in this, as always.
DeleteAs Sandra noted, the voice in this installment series is always so spot on. And I can still see a Robert Mitchum type with his feet propped on the desk.
DeletePatricia, me too! I love the fact he's reading Dick Tracy! such memories...
DeleteFinal Report
ReplyDelete"And the forensic epidemiology team report?"
"We identified sources in all nineteen cities. Seeds were placed inside the air handlers at convention centers. When the spores were released, infection rates were effectively 100% for anyone in the building longer than thirty minutes. The pandemic spread from those sources as the visitors returned home while incubating the fungus."
"Thank you, I imagine that was a difficult investigation."
"It was, ma'am. All our field investigators were infected and have since died."
"My god, that's horrible!"
"Well, yes. But it only means they're a few weeks ahead of the rest of us."
Time and time again, Bill, you do horror on a global scale. Horribly believably and coldl efficient. Good stuff.
DeleteNow THAT ending I did not expect. Nice job of luring me in and then giving me a gut punch. I had to read it twice and then tell myself, "Yes, you DID get it right the first time!" I just adore those types of endings.
Deletekiller ending, nasty thoughts going on here, Bill, like it a lot.
DeleteCripplegate Junction/Part 23-The Bad Penny
ReplyDeleteThe Tommy pulled a dog-eared edition of "The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes" from his kitbag.
"Don't get this forensic stuff," he scathed. "The stories are real pukka though."
As the Waiting Room door opened, he scrambled to his feet and fidgeted like a chastised little boy in the presence of the diminutive figure clad in lavender standing on the threshold. He fumbled in the pocket of his battledress blouse and extracted a seed pearl necklace.
"Don't imagine you were expecting me any time soon," he said, presenting the peace offering to an astounded Constance. "Bad penny, huh, Sis?"
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To read the earlier installments (a suggestion only) which led to this point in the tale please visit: http://www.novareinna.com/cripplegate.html
A link to return to "The Prediction" can be found on the site. Thank you.
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oh good one! what a change of attitude in a breathless moment!
Delete"breathless moment" - yes! Positively reeking with authenticity - and I love the seed pearl necklace!
DeleteInfinity 124.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I be wishing we had some forensic knowledge around here… cabin boy were found dead last night, no sign of what did it. Tis hard to imagine tis the Creature, so I let the thought seed in my head and not give it much credence. I said a while ago I wondered if sommat else would take its place and am now thinking about that, even as I make this entry. So we used the old sails after all, well, one of them, he be but a little bit of a boy, never did grow much. I be sad.
Oh dear ... I almost feel guilty now for having provided words to kill off the cabin boy! And so, you got to use the sails - prescient or what?
DeletePoor Captain...and poor little cabin boy. Nicely woven words into this installment. Personally, I had some difficulty in the incorporation of "forensic" into my Cripplegate Junction episode this week...something you have achieved with consummate ease here. The captain "be sad" and I "be not so sure" that the Creature has nothing to do with this.
Deletecongrats to winners, been trying to get back to you all week but - seriously I don't know where the time goes. Last night I asked, what did I achieve after apparently working all evening... I am listing umpteen books on Amazon (sold 4 already) which is time consuming and dull, but necessary, making space and money at the same time. I'm doing the same thing at the shop.
ReplyDeleteHope to get my instalment in sooner next week, see what life throws at me!
Thanks for all the good stories, they're a constant delight.
I'm even late in my own time zone this time. Maybe next time I'll be on time.
ReplyDeleteThe Adventures of Rosebud, Pirate Princess #2
Presumably, when one imagines a tree house, one does not imagine a flying yurt caught in a tree. My mind must have wandered. I don’t remember Natasha warning me, strange. Maybe she wanted revenge for that last round of “Rosebud doesn’t watch for other ships?” Maybe I just let my imagination sail too far away. Our perch is a fine one, copper colored with intriguing blue clusters. They’re probably seeds? I should bring some home -in an invincible box- for Charlotte and Abby, though only Abby can get to the Catalog of Species, since Char is a forensic specialist’s apprentice.
Shame you were late, Rosie - I'll alert others to this episode and hope you get started on next week's words sooner!
Delete