Has been the extent of my
activity for much of this week, plus dragging myself into the 21st
century with a new phone. Nothing like as arduous as Antonia’s wonderfully described week of scrubbing and shifting. Thank
goodness, no-one’s stopped writing and providing, as Patricia pointed out, plenty of musical links, plus some truly
soaring one-liners, and Bill and Rosie Owens got their pieces in on time
(not that late makes them any less
enjoyable a read.)
But once again I find myself
having to stab blindly to select just one from the marvellous offerings. Please
be assured that naming a ‘winner’ is in no way intended to imply the rest of
you in any way whatsoever fell short. And so ... (this is so hard) ... I
nominate David’s epic ‘Here we come’
as the one a hairsbreadth in front. That said, we are all winners for being offered such a feast of reading.
Words
for next week: exception half liberate
Entries
by midnight Thursday 2nd
August, words and winners posted Friday
3rd
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. Serialised 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 you prefer.
Some brilliant entries this week so congratulations on gaining top slot position David.
ReplyDeleteMy laptop is returned and as good as new so back to the diaries this week ... or will I go off at a tangent .... :-)
Looks like a tangent to start but …. I may manage a second offering.
ReplyDeleteIn The Gloom-Light
The half-bright, glimmer of liberated souls flicker endlessly in gloom-light,
calling for him to bring them home.: The sound touches his heart and he weeps.
As the sad tone fills the air, the shadowy veil of gloom-light creeps
relentlessly over the earth and without exception obscures them from sight.
He bellows his rage at the golden one; the creator of such suffering
And his voice casts light upon the world, shining into dark places,
Giving hope, creating strength, and growing, as it traces
a melody of hope, rising and touching a myriad upturned faces, singing .
wow, deep stuff here. Terrie. Really beautiful.
DeleteCongratulations, David!!
David, a solid huzzah for your marvelous entry reaching the apex for last week. The rest of you offered up some pretty darn good stories as well.
DeleteTerrie, some very nice poetry here. Loved the phrase gloom-light. Melodic is the best I have to describe it. Well written with enjoyable descriptions.
DeleteIt makes my mind happy, Terrie!
DeleteSo smooth, Terrie. How beautifully this flows from word to word.
DeleteThere's been a lot of discussion about Michael Ondaajte's invention of 'warlight' recently.Your 'gloom-light as delightfully effective.
Delete"the shadowy veil of gloom-light creeps
Deleterelentlessly over the earth"
This line stays with me. Poetically haunting
A poetic tapestry and no mistake. This was hauntingly beautiful...and we discovery yet another impeccable arrow to your creative bow.
DeleteOk, ever onward, as you seem to like this - easy to do, it's all true!
ReplyDeleteStop the Week; I want to get off (4)
Pepe the Clown masquerades as a second hand dealer too, he takes part in cage auctions, cages full of goodies, but you don’t know what you’re liberating until you get it. We got new DeWalt clothing and tools.
Today we packed items for a car boot sale. A half full van left at 2.30 to find no one could get in the field until 4. No exceptions. Shaun called me, he was that bored. Meantime I’d chatted to customers and tried to tidy up from the chaos of van packing. This is a man I work with after all… Sigh.
It's beautiful how you weave the prompts into everyday life. I'm glad that you continued with this.
DeleteI agree with Jeffrey, and I love the last sentence ending in a sigh...I can just see you gently tutting and rolling your eyes skyward. Lovely .
DeleteWord candy, wot.
Delete'cage-auctions' - what a wealth of imagery that conjured up! Will keep me going for days.
DeleteThese are incredible slices of life that can be so very entertaining if done correctly. And they don't come any better than this. I do believe you have found yourself yet another niche, Antonia.
DeleteIN A TIME PAST
ReplyDeleteSome say there’s nothing exceptional about misty filaments seen swirling around timeworn tombstones near a once-great house. Some say they’re merely earthbound vapors liberated by spring then ferried to a nearby field by a helpful breeze, which, they say, creates muffled sounds while churning through half-grown buffalo grass.
That’s what some say.
Others say the filaments are spirits of children from a time past, and that they leave their graves every spring and meander to the field where they frolic until autumn arrives. Then, they say, the spirits scurry back into their graves until spring returns.
That’s what others say.
Interesting, does the scientific explanation mean it's the only explanation? Well done J.E, good use of prompts and it has a good flow.
Deletemakes for some good thoughts.
Deleteoooh such lovely words and images JE. Timeworn tombstones, earthbound vapours, misty filaments. There is a mystical hook about the whole piece with a hint of supernatural that hints of either nice or nasty.
DeleteThree dimensional full-colour storytelling. Bravo!
DeleteOoh yes! More imagery to nurture the imagination with. Superb.
DeleteI imagine this as an over-voice prelude to a suspense...if not horror...film or television series. Beautifully composed with some truly magnificent phrasing. It has a definite narrative feel to it, but accompanied by visual images. Luverly stuff!!!
DeleteNicely done, David. My congratulations for soaring like an eagle above last week's outstanding entries. No small accomplishment and that's the truth! What a great read!
ReplyDeletePseudologia Fantastica
ReplyDeleteI am not one of a kind but I do consider myself exceptional. I don't believe in truth. I don't even believe in half-truths. And I am no advocate of such practices.
In a world where you can't walk down the street without running into a seeker of sincerity around every corner, it is truly liberating to be a dyed-in-the-wool (and very convincing) liar.
DeleteClever use of the prompt words Patricia. for some reason I have that scene from the film labyrinth in my head …. you know .. one of us always tells the truth ….and one of us always lies ….
Delete
Patricia, a small package with a great prize inside. Great prompt use and tight writing.
DeleteYes indeed. A skill I have yet to learn. Thought-provoking, this.
DeleteBase Umbra
ReplyDelete“Mr. Umbra, here’s the morning report.”
“Thanks, Calvin. What are the damages?”
“Another 16 scalers. We took pictures, names, and addresses, then liberated 8 of 75 dollars for charity. The law has the other half. A joint request for an interview with Sandra, Maverick and Tempest, from The Aetherius Society and Raelian Movement.”
“Let them decide that. How goes President Thorn’s case?”
“It’ll be dismissed. The 14th amendment is sacrosanct, no exceptions. They're arguing aliens aren’t covered in the Constitution. We’re arguing that semi and automatic rifles aren’t either. The NRA withdrew its amicus curiae of the President.”
Very well written Jeffrey. I was so taken with the dialogue I had to read it again to discover where you had hidden the prompt words.
DeleteJeff here, thanks for your kind words, Terrie. I felt I should mention that this is a continuation of the story started in “What would you say” and “42 years later”
DeleteYour forte is most definitely storytelling via the medium of dialogue. This was intriguing with well-disguised prompt words.
DeleteThe Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries - entry - 14 Negotiations
ReplyDeleteEntering the Pangolin Palace, Screaming-Hairy saw the aardvark agent and pangolin chief already reclining and drinking beetle-blood wine.
Ignoring the nervous sniggers and whispers rustling in the half-shadowy places of the room, she liberated the beetle-blood wine from the indignant ‘Vark, flopped down beside the pair, and opened negotiations.
It might have been her perfume, or what she told them, but, after several hours, both the ‘Vark and the pangolin looked pale and queasy.
The tone of her closing comment was flinty, ‘I am in charge: There will be no exceptions.’
The sniggering whisperers in the shadows were now silent.
I love this arc
DeleteThat's the way to do it! And I love 'flinty'.
DeleteNow that's what you call a continuation!!! At the risk of being duplicative, I too loved the "beetle-blood wine" reference and the tone of "her closing comment" becoming "flinty." What a total delight this serialization is turning out to be.
DeleteBeetle-blood wine, a very good line, in a rather good episode.
ReplyDeleteT reserve the right to do another, as this one it not quite what I wanted.
ReplyDeleteThe Liberator
I am the liberator. I set them free. And I am exceptionally good at it.
Today, it was a puppy was locked inside a backyard fence. I set her free. Last week it was a baby trapped in a small car, half-dead from the heat. He looked at me solemnly when I set him down in the desert, far from his vile captor’s vehicle. I don’t think he has to worry about them finding him.
Now I am at hospital, watching the old man in his bed. He has not moved in hours. I know what I have to do.
This is insidious in its impact. I especially enjoyed ' He looked at me solemnly'.
DeleteIf you do want to to do a second version, you only need delete this. I always 'tidy up' deletions so they disappear.
Good job, Dave. Controlled words, much like the personality of the narrator.
DeleteThank you Sir. I learned from the best.
DeleteTo me, this was speculative...which I love I might add! Is our protagonist an angel of mercy or an angel of death? Could work either way and sometimes, both labels would apply. If you have another version, then I'd certainly like to see it, but I urge you to keep this one available for all of us to enjoy.
DeleteI read this several times before I fully understood. You're writing is very good, with a purpose, it's tight, and makes you think.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sir. I am trying to pack as much data, information and inuendo as I can into the hundred words. When I read the other stories though, mine feels simplistic and not very meaty.
DeleteI read your weekly work with pleasure Dave. As Jeffrey says, it's well packed and is more meaty than you may think. I love how you reel the reader in with images of seemingly innocuous actions, then in the next sentence slap 'em in the eye with the depraved reality of the situation. Cleverly done.
DeleteDepraved-Reality is my middle name
DeleteDave, Jeff here, simplistic isn’t bad. As long as you’re writing what you want and do it well and consistently. That’s our goal. On a good day I’m average, on a bad day... I rank below amateur.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jeff. I would love to be able to entertain you all the way you do me. And yes, I realize my self-criticism may be too harsh, but I seriously worry that I will post something less that enjoyable. Thank you all for letting me do this!
DeleteWhat reads as simple has usually taken longer than the florid, denoting greater care in choosing words, tightening phrases. Such skill invariably entertains.
DeleteThank you Sandra. I welcome the words of praise and criticism, and hope to use them to help my writing get better.
DeleteCaveat emptor
ReplyDeleteAmongst the desperate, half-dressed women, undulating like Salome, cleavage-liberating bodices doubling as trays, prepared to receive the heads of whichever John fell for their spurious avidity, she was the exception.
Considering myself likewise, I signalled my choice to the madam.
‘It is double, m’sieu, for the experience of a lifetime.’
‘Of course,’ I murmured, ‘I’d expect nothing less.’
What I should have anticipated was that, for me, there would be nothing more.
Ever again.
All three words in the opening, excellently done and with a memorable ending.
DeleteBrilliant imagery as always Sandra,and the ending leaves the reader imagining every kind of way for the hapless m'sieu to receive his 'nothing more' and you just know, what ever it is,its going to be very creative.
DeleteHard to compete with. I feel like an amateur against my friends here lol. Nicely done.
DeleteRJ - absolutely no need to feel like an amateur as far as your writing is concerned. Also, I've been doing the Prediction weekly since the beginning of 2013, so it's only practice.
DeleteIf this wasn't full of "eastern promise," then I don't know what is. The Salome/John the Baptist reference really set the scene for this and it just continued to get better and better. And what a kicker of a last line!
DeleteDave, so far you haven't and you might do that in the future but you know what, you learn from it and move forward when that happens. Writing a 100 words story with three prompts isn't easy and many do this with serial stories. week in and out. I do my best to offer commentary to each and every story because to go through that effort a comment is the reward you all deserve. You find out what you do well that way. Some are good with dialog, others description, or flow, etc.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sir. It makes me happy to be received so well, and to know I am entertaining others.
DeleteYou are most assuredly a valuable asset to our little group here. And you can be confident that you certainly do entertain with every submission. What I love most about this place is how every interpretation is impressive and different from the others. We are a weekly anthology of what can be accomplished in 100 words or less with the restriction of using three prompt words. I feel we all improve vastly with every attempt.
DeleteChange of focus [292]
ReplyDeletePettinger’s half-drawn breath failed to stem panic. He repeated Filip’s ‘One fatality?’ as Filip’s face liberated him from agony. ‘Who?’
‘More ‘what’ – your son’s dog alerted them to the fire. Whoever set it didn’t appreciate the early warning. Shot it.’
He hadn’t known Aleks had a dog. ‘Aleks alright?’
‘Brave lad woke Valdeta. Got her and the baby out without harm.’
Valdeta. A holiday liaison, days before she wed another man. Exceptional insofar as she stayed in his mind years longer than most. In her determination to safeguard the Khakbethian inheritance of her children despite near-constant threat of political uprisings.
As normal for your writing, tight, smooth, well woven and enjoyable.
DeleteI got so lost in Pettinger's story I didn't even see the prompt words and had to go back and look for them.
DeleteI agree, Terrie. I got caught up and didn't even think of prompt words.
Deleteanother tightly written action instalment.
DeleteI love the way these installments move the story so much further without appearing rushed or losing any content along the way. Yet another prime example of keeping us on the edge of our seats...and by now, of course, everyone should be well aware of my obsession with Pettinger!!!
DeleteRaw Deal
ReplyDeleteThere was such anger against the negotiators. Raw, punching, biting, eye gouging anger.
We had been humiliated in the most appalling manner. We could almost hear the cruel laugher of our enemy.
The negotiators had hailed their agreement as a victory. The enemy were to make an exception. Half of the prisoners would be liberated.
Bunting was strung. Cakes were baked. The band struck up.
All that was returned to us was mutilated torsos without limbs or heads. The captives halved and impossible to identify.
The enemy advance now, seeking to capitalise on the debilitating numbness they've engineered.
Never lose at the negotiating table what you won on the battlefield. I enjoyed your story, somewhat similar to Chamberlain after the Munich Agreement. Nicely done and well written.
DeleteWow David, Cleverly constructed and hard hitting images. I was right there with the celebrations and then, like the expectant revellers totally numbed by the outcome. Very well executed(excuse the pun)
Deletethat story packs a horrendous punch, David!
DeleteThe horrors of war neatly summed up here, David. Well done! Congrats on your splendid winning entry last week.
DeleteFrom the title to the final line, this was strong, hard-hitting and epic. See-sawed the reader's emotions with skill.
DeleteThis was a skillful taste of horror. I honestly did not see it coming...those "mutilated torsos." You sucked me in brilliantly, sir.
Delete
ReplyDeleteI've written lots this week, probably as I'm on holiday, but really I blame Antonia ,Patricia and Sandra who generally manage multiple entries and make me feel a little guilty..... Not this week ladies I am on a roll … lol
The Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries - entry - 14 Cryptic Advice
Listening outside the Palace door, Nigel knew Sarg had visited the Koala-prophet, Cinereus, earlier.
‘To liberate an exceptionally large crocodile, don’t approach the job with half-prepared ideas. Planning is always paramount, always key.’ The one-armed prophet had told her cryptically, as he repositioned his false leg.
Sarg had accepted the maimed soothsayer’s advice with loyal assurance: Although the one-eyed degenerate had missing limbs, she recognised how valuable his advice and pragmatic insight could be in a crisis.
Nigel knew he was lethal with the false leg when it came to clubbing adversaries too.
Sarg’s coalition campaign was planned with precision.
https://little-purple-witch.blogspot.com/
I enjoy and appreciate each week how you do a marvelous job humanizing your characters. That's very good writing. Nice use of the prompts.
DeleteI swear I look forward to these installments. They are a weekly must.
DeleteYour writing is always flawless and very interesting, Terrie. This is no exception.
Deleteyou're creating some fascinating characters and introducing them so naturally it's a pleasure to read.
DeleteTerrie, 'lots' is very welcome when it's as entertaining as this - so richly populated. I've added your blog to the sidebar.
DeleteOooohhhh. A double dose of SAS this week. What a wonderful treat. There is truly nothing comparable to these installments. What a magnificent world you have created, to say nothing of such entertaining characters.
DeletePercival
ReplyDeletePercival was a peculiar sort, by half. Whereas most in this dinky little town spent their nights getting drunk, he was the exception.
Percival preferred the company of his tablet as he pecked out stories, liberating words from his frenzied mind, akin to loosing pigeons from a cage at some public event.
While the town slept or drank itself to oblivion, Percival was the only one to witness it.
To witness "them."
The lights descended upon the town as he, finger paused while hovering over the onscreen keyboard, watched from his porch.
Then the screams began.
When it's time to pay the piper, it is important to know the cost before-hand.
DeleteWell there is always a silver lining. You have an on scene reporter ready to record what happens. RJ, an unusual and unexpected event, well done!
Delete"Akin to loosing pigeons from a cage" just one example of great imagery in your tale, RJ.
DeleteI love that image of 'pecking out stories' RJ. Brilliant, and the final line is a killer in more ways than one .
DeleteI liked the 'pecking out stories' too, it conjures many pictures.
DeleteThe alliteration of the opening sentence drew me in, and 'akin to loosing pigeons from a cage' delighted. So vivid.
DeleteLovely imagery. I particularly enjoyed the idea of words being liberated "akin to loosing pigeons from a cage" and the pecking out of stories. How Sandra ever manages to pick a winner from the amazing crop of tales every week is totally beyond my comprehension. Each one is so unique.
DeleteAm I so Difficult?
ReplyDeleteConceptualization isn’t my strength.
I don’t like exceptions
and I’m not fond of halves,
Going Dutch is fine.
I don’t beat around the bush or berate.
Many have I helped to liberate.
I don’t intend to make you sad or depressed,
I’m the first step on the road to success.
My fraternal twin’s eyes,
Forever covered.
Our cousin’s speech
can create goose bump rivers
Am I a want or a need?
Depends, I’ll let you decide.
Many say I’m a problem in deed.
My BFF watches his sands
While I sleep
And lets me know
When Truth should show.
You are really adept at creating something thought provoking Jeffrey. There is a real strength to this prose. I especially like the imagery of 'goose bump rivers'
DeleteSecond only to your wonderful manipulation of dialogue is your skill at putting together (to echo Terrie) thought-provoking lines of text. For some unexplained reason, I was reminded of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps."
DeleteStop the week; I want to get off (5)
ReplyDeleteThe car boot sale was a wash-out, literally, the heatwave broke. Everything back on the shelves, no exceptions. Sunday a burst of inspiration liberated by something I thought, perhaps, had me sending an email at 9.30 PM. Suggestions for the shop floor. I thought they were half good, he liked them a lot, so Monday found us creating a whole new layout. I went home exhausted… today more furniture but fine quality stuff, needs to be displayed… whilst the WI arrived with Suffragette wreaths which need to be displayed… I’m avoiding the walk they’re arranging. Enough is enough!
This could make an interesting publication. There's a subtle passion in what you have and a gene se qua as well.
DeleteAnother entertaining vignette.
DeleteThese vignettes draw the reader in with such strength, that it's impossible to even begin to look for the prompt words. Just know they are there and enjoy the rendition without searching for the insertions.
DeleteIn A Spin
ReplyDelete"HALF PRICE!! EXCEPTIONAL BARGAINS!!"
Music to Sharon's ears.
She didn't like revolving doors. Reminded her of leaping into a skipping rope while it turned. Always a total disaster. Still, speediest access to exceptional bargains!
She missed exiting first time around. Repeat performances failed miserably and rotations quickened. To keep balanced, Sharon maneuvered her feet over chrome strips at the bottom of the glass and clung to the rail. She felt giddy.
A blurred sign indicated "Fire Department Contacted."
Day became night. Perhaps liberators would arrive soon. Maybe they'd decided nothing could be done.
Didn't really seem important any more.
I dread to say what I had a fleeting thought of. A chilling story Patricia. Very well put together.
Deleteoh oh, I've seen comedy sketches featuring revolving doors, this is a whole new and very nasty look at the horrid things.
DeleteMiniature, wicked merry-go-rounds, those blasted revolving doors, Patricia. This was a good read.
DeleteNightmare. I'll be approaching with caution next time.
DeleteWell... no more revolving doors for me, Patricia.... I felt giddy just reading about poor Sharon. What a nasty end to bargain shopping.
ReplyDeleteBreathing, thinking space. [Threshold 215]
ReplyDeleteGood hand holding bad, Raven used a knee to both propel me – not ungently – to the floor and himself further towards the light so as to examine his bitten finger. Scarlet on black offered less than half the drama of red on white and I was unable to judge whether blood flow was exceptional.
Passive, my bum registered the hardness of the marble tiles, my back the wooden bed-frame, the flexing of the mattress as Raven readjusted his position.
I’d no thought of escape.
I’d never marched, when all the rage, for female liberation. Was genetically disposed for Raven’s domination.
a thoughtful interlude, in many ways, things revealed, impressions given, now to see if they are right in future instalments.
DeleteThe phrase...when all the rage,.. struck me as having two references, the historical and the current. Very softly and strongly written.
DeleteNow this was, to say the least, interesting. "Genetically disposed for Raven's domination" brings a whole new layer to our protagonist. As always, nothing but the highest praise imaginable for the way this tale continues with an effortless flow.
DeleteThe Mad Italian 66.
ReplyDeleteThe holiday time is here, the House no longer in session, MPs are liberated and can return to their constituencies with lies in their mouths and ‘nothing to do’ on their minds. There may be exceptions but I have yet to find them. Half the members of the House have no real thought for their constituents, the rest are indifferent at the best of times. Holidays are not the best of times.
Politics do not sleep. Politicians should not sleep, but be aware the world could turn and they could face the ‘firing squad’. Will it matter to them?
I found this to have it's fair share of either irony or sarcasm, perhaps both. The state of Italian politics, excluding the Roman Republic/Empire was rather malleable. Again you've brought his words out in a well written manner.
DeleteI am running out of words to describe how succinctly Leonardo perceives the present state of affairs in the world. Be nice if he could invade the minds of some of these politicians and give them a bit of a shake up.
DeleteKursaal (Episode One Hundred Twenty Four) - "Broken-Hearted Clown"
ReplyDeleteCrow's liaison with Benny Jester had been liberating but disappointingly brief. Benny, however, had found the experience unexceptional and boring. He'd only participated on a dare and then half-heartedly.
The breakup resulted in a more sour Crow. The clown took his frustrations out on Algernon and Dante, as well as his sister, Cobbles, who doted on the pair of hounds.
Benny's brother, Arbuthnot, continued his self-appointed mission to uncover the instigator's identity but much like the diminutive Arby, Benny's lips remained sealed regarding his love life.
Still, Arby had contacts and confident a "big reveal" was in the offing.
-------------------------------------------------------
To read the earlier installments (a suggestion only) which led to this point in the tale, please visit:
http://www.novareinna.com/kursaal.html
A link to return to "The Prediction" can be found on the site. Thank you.
---------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: The Jester Brothers, Crow and Cobbles (the clowns), and the two hounds (Algernon and Dante) have all featured in previous episodes.
A good first line, liberating but disappointingly brief. A solid story.
DeleteYet again this is richly coloured and delightfully entertaining - so very impressive.
Deletewondering where all this scheming is heading, and am asking myself if Benny could be persuaded to Tell All after all...
DeleteCripplegate Junction/Part 150 - Status Quo
ReplyDeleteHalfway along the platform, Marmalade paused. Tail twitching. Nose twitching.
Ahead, smoke-filled clouds liberated themselves from the engine chimney. Enveloped the train in hazy grey balloons. Iron wheels. Iron tracks. Metallic. Grating.
Behind, sounds of children bickering. High-pitched. Petulant. Squabbles about buttered tea cakes. Hobby-horses. Game counters.
Above, a Rook and flock of exceptional yellow-and-black fledglings flew south. Presumably for the winter.
A shrill whistle pierced the still air.
The station clock chimed three times.
A rolling chess piece -- Red Queen -- came to rest by Marmalade's paws.
His green eyes glittered.
All was as it should be.
-------------------------------------------------
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.
---------------------------------------------------------
Loved the rolling Red Queen at Marmalade's feet. Good tight and descriptive writing coupled with a nice use of the prompts.
DeleteStaccato sentences so effective. Imagery superb. Thank you.
DeleteIndeed, the sharp sentences creating their own air of menace.
DeleteParagraphs 2 & 3 cannot be written any better than you did, Patricia! Such a riveting and beautiful use of language!
DeleteThe Unknown Element
ReplyDeleteThe substance didn’t live up to its half-life expectations. It exceeded it exponentially. Carlos fidgeted in front of the group. He’d give anything if he hadn’t accidently discovered the substance and even more if he hadn’t shared his findings with the group. It will be liberating, they said with fever. The final revolt. As he trembled, the group conniving away, the stuff was trying to eat its way through the three foot thick carbon fiber container. Liberating indeed, beyond exception.
good one, John, so much fear captured in so few words.
DeleteWhat a (...or is that "an"...???) horrific image this conjures. It warrants being up there with "The Blob" and others of the same ilk. If I were Carlos, I think I'd find myself a passage to the rear of the crowd.
DeleteLike Patricia, The Blob came to mind, as did that insidious flesh-eating disease. Will the "stuff" eat its way free? A chilling tale, John.
DeleteVery good one, John. I wonder if it has some level on intelligence? excellent use of the prompts.
DeleteUnsettling an repulsive as ever John - if you see what I mean!
DeleteThe Adventures of Rosebud, Pirate Princess #140
ReplyDeleteOne Crossbow Bolt
Complete silence then smash! Thud! Another impolitic politico ended. I took exception to his manners at dinner. He missed our liberation/fire-bomb party as well. Such a shame. He was half of the prophets’ shield. The other one showed up. Well that’s two, a few more, then I’ll be off to Cecily’s.
So much action in so few words - lovely world building as ever.
DeleteLooks like the Prophet has two job openings...wonder what the benefits are? Such a nonchalant air about this story. Lovely writing and prompt use.
ReplyDelete