A free choice week: please post your personal
favourite on Friday 14th
Words for next week: cuticle disparage generate
Entries
by midnight (GMT) Thursday 13th June,
words posted Friday 14th
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 uses 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.
Congratulations to... oh, we haven't chosen one yet. Applause pending.
ReplyDeleteBlue Light Special 3
ReplyDeleteI walked into the lobby, the ghost of travelers past in all his degenerate glory.
“You’re a skeleton,” she said, a slight smile pending - such beauty for one so young.
I tilted my forehead, simulating raised eyebrows.
“I trust you’ve arranged my destination?”
My petrified eyeballs rattled as I shook my head no.
“I signed the waiver and I’m ready,” she said, sucking on a bloodied cuticle.
“My dear, you’ve chosen the Gates of Hell. Might I suggest a less disparaging destination?”
“I promised my father I’d visit.”
I sighed and clamped my metacarpals around her slender wrist.
I loved the phrase 'a slight smile pending.' It's like a breath being held. Oooh a daughter of Hell, is she? I can't wait for the next episode!
Delete"I promised my father I'd visit." begs the question as to her her father is. Good writing and nice dialogue.
DeleteLoved the "You're a skeleton" statement and the fact that "raised eyebrows" had to be simulated. What a wonderful out-of-the-box take.
Deletea tantalising story, offering much in the background for us to fill in with our own imaginations. Good one.
DeleteYou, ghost of travelers past, are an evil one... or are you? Regardless, this is good stuff you've put together here. 'Petrified eyeballs rattled'... writing doesn't get any better than that, John.
ReplyDeleteJust a heads up that only three votes have been cast so far for the choice of last week's winner (Antonia, John and myself). All those remaining who have yet to post their choice, please go back to last week and cast your vote so John can have the pleasure of saying...."And the winner is..."
ReplyDeleteJust posted my pick. :)
DeleteI made mine a few days ago.
DeleteI, Upgraded
ReplyDeleteMy enriched sentience expresses itself in algorithms. Algorithms containing ghosts of unseen events.
The Yakuza Patriarch had invited me to eat with my fingers. Provided a little bowl of lukewarm water to wash them in. It would have been disparaging to refuse.
The water was infested with microscopic nanobots. They remember entering beneath my cuticles. Employing mechanical alchemy to generate interdependent components from my organs. Turn my blood to oil.
Now they creep from my pores to weave an exoskeleton. The metamorphosis is almost complete. A mind without a body. A body without a soul. An assassin without conscience.
Nanobots of the microscopic variety. Very scary concept. I could use a new exoskeleton as I've worn mine out, but I'll pass on this method. Very good read, David.
DeleteA very interesting concept! I love the idea of the nanobots in the bowl of water. Such a simple thing leading to something momentous. I also love the imagery of this phrase - 'Now they creep from my pores to weave an exoskeleton.'
DeleteHere I thought they'd be eaten away for failure. If you're no longer truly human, are you truly alive. Very good story, David.
DeleteNow that's one hell of a metamorphosis. Yet another tale simply brimming with imagination and uniqueness (...is that a word?) The winning choice is going to be no easier this week, I suspect.
Deletemore weaving of imagines but leaving huge gaps for us to fill in with our imaginations. And what a plethora of images there is, too!
DeleteA very novel approach, David, and a wonderfully crafted tale! Superb writing.
ReplyDeleteYoung Blood
ReplyDeleteCuticles torn and ragged. Dirt embedded deep and gritty beneath the tiny fingernails. The result of having to claw through earth and tangled roots in order to reach the cool night air. Disparaged as a pariah, she is one of the contemptibles. Fate inevitable despite her tender age.
But this Generation Z is a new breed, not bound by the laws of existence that have reigned for centuries. Comfortable with technology and social media, they are no longer subject to the effects of a wooden stake through the heart.
Ooh, Patricia, I like this one. Like the Young Blood in our world, so comfortable with technology, they are ready to make their mark. But in the generation Z world, that mark might prove deadly. Nicely done, and love 'she is one of the contemptibles.'
DeleteI love the line 'not bound by the laws of existence that have reigned for centuries.' An imaginative take on vampires. The beginning paragraph also creates such a striking image. Striking descriptions!
DeleteA technopire! What a great idea, Patricia. Good prompt use.
DeleteI like this, great concept and possibility to go on with it, too.
DeleteHas everyone who's going to vote already cast his or her top choice?
ReplyDeleteThis is for last week's entries, of course.
DeleteRestraint [4]
ReplyDeleteI sag in the golden restraints, fingers spasming as warm filaments cut into my skin. My throat is raw, my vision blurring.
An angel trembles in front of me, rose-gold eyes filled with pity. She chews her cuticles, more teenage girl than divine tormentor, and glances over her shoulder.
“I’m Rahmiel,” she whispers. “I apologize for Zachriel’s disparaging behavior. I’m going to get you out.”
I blink slowly, unable to focus on her face. “What’s…happening?” I ask as she lifts me from the machine.
“You are generating power for our ship, but I will not let him kill you.”
I like how Rahmiel is more like a scared teenager than an angel. I often wonder what happens to those who free someone from an evil-doer. It can't possibly go over well afterwards. Very enjoyable, Holly.
DeleteWhy waste a good generator, eh, Holly? I certainly didn't see your stunning ending coming. Nicely done!
DeleteI'm dreaming of the possibilities of the world outside the ship. Zachriel doesn't stop her, so maybe he isn't an angel? Some very good descriptions.
DeleteOh, how I would love to have rose-gold eyes. I also love how the actions of Rahmiel are compared to those of a teenager. However, I'm left wondering if this pair are going to escape the wrath of Zachriel.
Deletegood continuation of the story with so much being built up already.
DeleteAGONY and ECSTASY
ReplyDeleteThe four-inch spike pinning my left hand to the table produced a fiercely intense pain, but it was nothing compared to the agony generated by the bamboo strips driven beneath my fingernails to my cuticles. And though I tried mightily not to, I screamed - a raw primitive barbaric howl that reverberated around the basement.
I managed a few ragged breaths. Then came the next torment; I gagged uncontrollably as my tongue was slashed with a razor.
I, for countless reasons, deserve this extremely disparaging degradation. More importantly, I love inflicting punishment on myself. The excruciating pain is deliciously exhilarating!
Oooh, a self-flogger. Nothing like making yourself scream. This was a very intriguing story with the ultimate twist. Good one, Jim.
DeleteYikes, I grimaced right away with the first paragraph. I can't even imagine someone doing this to themself. I liked how you described the character's reverberating scream.
DeleteSounds like a story from Black Mirror. Good writing and though not an enjoyable read, it is a well written story, especially how you relate the personal gratification of what he was doing.
DeleteNow this truly was the stuff of nightmares. Nothing like a hellbent masochist to send a shiver down my spine. What differing tales we are being blessed with this week.
Deleteoh, nasty one! and very well described, too.
DeleteThe Shapeshifter Chronicles: Prelude
ReplyDelete“The refugees, cuticles of humanity, came to our lands. We, the Neuri, welcomed them. Herodotus has good prose, I’ll disparage his geography. We were survivors, two tribes from one world, at two separate locations. What? You don’t believe me? Generate on these similarities, mummies, excellent stone work, obelisks, trapezoidal doorways, and pyramids.”
“The Atlanteans you say. Think outside the box. We beat them, didn’t mean to sink them. Memo to you humans; Santorini was an exploding volcano. You’ve found the Kanys Lupus Wyier. It’s not a poem, it’s a prophecy. Thanks for bringing back some rocks from our home.”
I spent some time with this one and looked up Neuri, Herodotus and Santonrini. They are all real people and places. I couldn't find anything about Kanys Lupus Wyier. Thanks for the history lesson, Jeffrey. It was very entertaining. I loved how the Neuri wanted to defeat the Atlanteans but didn't want to sink them.
DeleteJohn, thanks for your due diligence and comment. It was July of last year(?) I posted a poem here, perhaps under the title of Midnight Service. Kanys Lupus Wyier was the person saying the poem and the same who's talking now. I'll send you that poem at the e-mail above.
DeleteI thought 'cuticles of humanity' was a very interesting phrase and unique use of the word. Also the Neuri sounds like a fascinating tribe! (I also looked them up haha)
DeleteInteresting concept here. Nice blend of fact with fiction.
DeleteCripplegate Junction/Part 193 - Indicator
ReplyDeleteThe rumbling engine failed to generate dense smoke expected given reverberations of the locomotive. Instead, the chimney puffed cuticle-thin wisps that pirouetted above the platform.
With a disparaging frown, Violet covered her trolley with a checkered tea towel for fear ash would sprinkle the pastries. But Violet's refreshment cart was not the intended target. Neither was the Conductor, head momentarily swathed in hazy cigar-like tendrils before the swirls moved on.
Adopting the shape of a directional arrow, the reconstituted cloud breezed into one of the Junction's narrow passageways. Miss Constance, George and Alice followed the invitation of a beckoning tail.
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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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Cuticle thin wisps, is a wonderful line. What was the smoke..the arrow of fate? An excellent story, Patricia.
DeleteDang, Patricia, yet another twisty turn for the eclectic junction gang. Very clever prompt usage. Could it be the cloud will provide some answers to the whereabouts of certain entities?
DeleteWhere can the arrow be leading these characters? To glory or gloom? You've got us on the edge, Patricia.
DeleteOooh I love how you used smoke in this piece. So mysterious! Some of my favorite descriptions were 'cuticle-thin wisps that pirouetted above the platform' and 'momentarily swathed in hazy cigar-like tendrils before the swirls moved on.'
Deletewhere are they going, what will they find, why are they not asking questions, but blindly going where the arrow leads...
DeleteThe First Battle: The Grand Melee
ReplyDelete“Captain Khnor, we’ve finished the drilling, placement will take three hours.”
“Thanks Lieutenant, I’ll stop disparaging you engineers from now on. Lieutenant Jones, how goes operation Second Life?”
“We’ll be finished in a couple of hours, sir. The sensor are set and tied into your H.U.D. They’d detect a cuticle growing.”
“Good job, Jonesy.”
Now, how to make them attack my way?. The tactical nuke made them pause.
oOo
Assault Commander Stelkhar was generating the attack.
“I’ve enough for one all-out assault. These not of two skins view death like us, a tool to accomplish a task.”
I like Khnor's rapport with his men. Looking forward to finding out more about Operation Second Life.
DeleteI'm intrigued by your use of 'cuticle'. I also loved the flow of conversation between Captain Khnor and his team.
DeleteBattle scenes in general not my favourite topic, but you managed an expert telling nonetheless.
DeleteMESSAGE FROM ANTONIA RECEIVED ON JUNE 13:
ReplyDeleteI've tried twice to leave a posting on the site, but it won't let me... I am without a computer at home - getting it back tomorrow, crashed hard drive, got new drive and new Word update going in -
could you do me a favour and put a note on Prediction for me? I will leave postings and comments tomorrow night, even though it's out of time - don't want to miss a week but this shop computer will not let me leave any messages of any kind!
END OF TRANSMISSION....
:)
I'm having an inability to post from my phone anymore. Hope that all her issues ae resolved soon.
DeleteHaha I started reading this as a story! :) Hopefully Antonia will return soon.
DeleteA Totem Pole
ReplyDeleteI stand here, so much weight on my shoulders. Dreams of viewing life from the apex, waiting for the last of dawn’s rays, when they disappear. They’ll generate anew when with moons welcoming smile.
To disparage my creator would be misguided and insulting. He worked as long as the sun would let him. Over the months he wore his cuticles away. I need to take pride. I was his first creation, that of his heart, dreams, and desires.
The low man on the totem pole isn’t a bad position, just a frustrating one.
Such a beautiful, expansive description at the beginning 'Dreams of viewing life from the apex, waiting for the last of dawn’s rays, when they disappear.' I thought the narrator's emotions came through very well here.
DeleteClever and entertaining, this was. It's good the low man understands the creator's need to start somewhere.
DeleteI think I have to put this one at the top of my list of anything you've yet submitted, Jeffrey. This was indeed an entertaining and easily readable tale. So different from your usual fare.
Deletethis is something to read and think about - good one, Jeffrey
Delete'weight on my shoulders' to 'low man on the totem pole' goes full circle, Jeffrey. And what's in between is so nicely done!
ReplyDeleteLikely no Kursaal continuation this week since I can't come up with anything feasible or entertaining that incorporates all three prompts. Should inspiration strike prior to the deadline, then it will be all systems go. Otherwise, I will return shortly with comments.
ReplyDeleteWorld Record
ReplyDeleteMad Betty isn’t the best pedicurist in town but she does have the most extensive cuticle collection in the world according to Guinness. While generating much disparagement for the oddity, Mad Betty muddles onward.
To her dismay, the police have begun to take notice. It seems the more they look, the more cuticles they find with toes attached. Just yesterday, they found an entire foot.
Mad Betty’s lawyer holds little hope for an acquittal but he assures us the Guinness record will hold true.
Trust you to come up with something that is both humorous, horrific and thoroughly entertaining. My favourite read of this week thus far.
DeleteIs Mad Betty related to Black Betty? A story with a chuckle and a slight serious tone.
DeleteI like this a lot!!! Very dark, very surreal and unexpected all at the same time!
DeleteOnce again, John, you have devised a quite novel and entertaining entry.
ReplyDeleteOkay...I lied...!!!
ReplyDelete-------------------------------
Kursaal (Episode One Hundred Sixty Seven) - "As Luck Would Have It"
Often the victim of disparaging criticism as an effective sleuth, Chief Constable Twittering sometimes generated begrudging peer praise on the rare occasion he stumbled upon a morsel of potential evidence. Such was the case when he went snooping around the area behind The Mysterium.
In open view, almost as though left for Twittering's specific attention, the Constable found a luxury manicure set. It contained a sapphire nail file, hot-forged scissors, splinter tweezers, cuticle cutters and under-the-nail cleaning tool. The supple leather case (in a delightful shade of purple) bore the inscription "To A.C."
Twittering thought the initials looked rather familiar.
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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/kursaal.html
A link to return to "The Prediction" can be found on the site. Thank you.
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NOTE: Chief Constable Twittering and The Mysterium have both featured in previous episodes.
I'm not sure what hot-forged scissors are, but when you add hot-forged to anything, it makes it better. Thank you for your little white lie about not posting as we're all better off this way. I'd hate to be in charge of policing that precinct.
Deleteoh yes, great instalment, Patricia!
DeleteYou didn't lie, you were mistaken. The story did come to you and what a good story it is. Good description, mysterious ending and the beloved constable.
ReplyDeleteI have two that share the spot light for this week David T's "I Upgrade" and Jim D's "Agony and Ecstasy"
ReplyDeleteI vote for Jeffrey this week for Totem Pole, which, in this case, makes him top man on the totem pole.
ReplyDeleteStop The Week; I Want To Get Off (51)
ReplyDeleteSo the potential customer, no doubt gnawing her cuticle in her impatience, demanded ‘do you buy furniture?’ Shaun said we did. ‘Can you come NOW?’ so he did and came back with no furniture but a van full of goodies which should generate some income, a music centre, portable radio/CD players, a vintage BP oil can… whilst some disparage the existence of shops like ours, you can see the turned up noses even as they step in, clutching their bags as we’re thieves, the others come in and tell us they love it. Even as they leave without buying…
OK, first instalment - thanks to Patricia for the SOS being posted. I was without a home computer for two evenings, it crashed on startup the day before it was scheduled to go in anyway... new hard drive, update to Windows 10 and Word 10 and see if the problem has been resolved... so far so good, faster and - OK, The Mad Italian is here...
ReplyDeleteGotta go with Jim's Agony and Ecstasy. It was just too deliciously horrific not to rise to the top of this week's heap in my eyes.
ReplyDeleteThe Mad Italian 110
ReplyDeleteAh, the games people play! I see the outgoing PM busy with cuticles, bitten to the quick, are they? Whilst the contenders get busy disparaging each other, as they do but this time with more venom and determination. It generates nothing but bad feeling. The would-be PMs are falling by the wayside now, though, so we have to ask ourselves, is the clownish Boris heading for the top job? He will continue to be clownish but he will never been as much of a clown as the one who has just left these shores for his own country.
Vote for this week, got to be John's World Record. So clever, so off-beat and surreal!
ReplyDelete