You will, I know, appreciate my dilemma: do I choose one from a selection of beautifully-written intrigues, such as Holly’s ‘An Unexpected Education’, Perry’s ‘Creggan’s Lost World’ or Patricia’s ‘Shattered?
Or, for unadulterated gut-punch horror, ably demonstrated by Patricia’s ‘Hush-a-bye. ‘ David’s ‘Hear no evil or Jim’s ‘The Box V’. In addition, John provided a shock of involuntary laughter, and Antonia a cheer for good news.
Took a lot of reading, mental ordering and re-ordering, but my last minute choice was Jim … by a whisker.
Thank you all
for participation, for comment, and for enjoyment.
Entries
by midnight Thursday 17th September, words and winners posted Friday 18th
Congrats Jim!
ReplyDeleteGreat entry, Jim. Many congratulations.
DeleteWell done, Jim.
Deletemany congrats, Jim!
DeleteThe Foundling Legacy
ReplyDeleteThere was always a stigma attached to becoming a foundling. Being raised by human foster parents indelibly taints you. You can never quite fit in when you eventually make it back to the Netheryon.
But with centuries of decline accelerating, sacrifice is necessary. Each of us has contributed to the manuscript. I became a mechanic. My speciality was the combustions engine. This manual of human technology will be vital when the magic finally fades.
Today they shun us.
Tomorrow they will hail us as heroes.
A foundling wordsmith from Netheryon, poised to exploit human civilization. Where do you come up with this stuff? Very entertaining.
Delete'Netheryon' - what a wonderful word.
DeleteI like. It puts me in mind of a reverse Shennara.
DeleteVery curious about this world and what will happen when they make it back to Netheryon. Excellent title too. :)
Deleteeerie and haunting, just what I needed tonight to root me back into this saner life than the one I am editing right now. Thanks, David, that was superb.
DeleteThis has a mythic tale quality to it. I hope you take it further. Netheryon sounds fascinating.
DeleteStigmata
ReplyDeleteThe candlelight flickered, drawing Tista’s eyes from the manuscript beneath her hands.
“Did you hear that?” Yana hissed. Her fingers clamped on Tista’s shoulder.
“It’s the wind.”
“No, something’s out there.”
There was, but she wasn’t ready. Tista looked back at the illustrations. The key had to be here, hidden in the intricate shapes of horned creatures. It was now or never.
Breathing out, Tista pressed the black stigmata on her thumb to the ancient ink. Her gift had always fostered fear and suspicion, and she heard Yana's horrified gasp, as shadows formed beneath her hand.
“You’re—”
“Saving our lives.”
You can't go wrong with, something's out there.
DeleteAn ancient book of horned creatures is right up your alley, Holley. Nicely done.
Sorry for mangling your name, Holly.
DeleteWhat an interesting entry, Holly! Like John, my mind expanded with 'something's out there.' I'd like to see more of Tista.
DeleteI can so vividly picture Tista's grimace.
DeleteOh yes, build that eerie tension.
DeleteThank you everyone! :)
Deleteclever use of the prompts, and another eerie piece. Must be this strange week - or something... very nicely done.
Deletewhat an intriguing offering this is. Again, another piece that desperately demands continuation. Did the names comes from a certain origination? They sound like they should have.
DeleteTHE BOX VI
ReplyDeleteI watched in horror as the skeleton-man raised his severed left arm to his mouth and tore a sizeable chunk of shredded bicep away. The wasted-man then reached for the arm, took a healthy hunk of his own and returned the arm to the skeleton-man.
I held my gut and forced vomit back down my throat while a fiendish thought took root in my mind: This is a manuscript written in Hell!
Following close behind, another thought: Stupidity is a stigma that’s hard to erase, and I’ve fostered quite a dose of it this time.
What do I do now?
Two men sharing a morsel of severed arm. Like a big drumstick, really. Entering the box has proven to be a colossal mistake.
DeleteHe needs to fins a stupidity-dispelling drug ...
DeleteI'd probably be running by now. I'm still cringing from the beginning paragraph. :)
Deletenot eerie, just plain outright nasty and I love it!
DeleteAs ghastly....in the best possible way....as the installments that led us to this point. What DO you do now? I sincerely trust we'll find out.
DeleteLOOKOUT
ReplyDelete“Terraforming spreading this way,” Joanie announced amid gasps. It had been her first time as monitor on the hill station.
“That’s actually ecopoiesis. Terraforming means–”
A cold eye stopped Caolin in his tracks.
“We know, Joanie –we’re more interested in specifics: how fast, how concentrated?”
She fumbled in her carryall for a half-burnt manuscript notebook she had salvaged from a ruined school and thrust the open page at Mary, Elder and foster-mother of many of the exiles.
Her drawing was detailed.
“That’s a dandelion, dummy,” Caolin sneered.
“Not when the stigma bloody snaps at your finger, it isn’t,” Joanie rebutted.
Such a strange and wonderful piece, Perry. I enjoyed the half burned manuscript. It shows us a lot with just a few words.
DeleteWhat an interesting idea you have here, Perry, and smoothly you put it to words. Well done!
DeleteHow fully-rounded you've made these characters, without describing eye- or hair colour (a current major bugbear in the novel I'm currently not enjoying!!)
DeleteThank you John, jdeegan and Sandra. Delighted to get positive feedback
DeleteI agree with Sandra, I feel like I could easily visualize the characters even without their physical descriptions. The burned manuscript does a lot to set the scene as well. I realize I'm echoing everyone but that is what stands out! :)
Deletethe prompt words have produced some wonderful pieces of writing this week - Perry, this is a joy to read.
DeleteShades of a flesh-eating Venus Flytrap. Could this be the original Audrey? So different from anything else on offer. The prompt words have certainly elicited some gems this week.
DeleteBlissfield Manor
ReplyDeleteIn a dark corner of the study, the boy crouched over the forbidden manuscript. Below, he heard Master moving about. He had no excuse for being here as he slept in the cellar with the other foster children.
The boy found what he was looking for and rose. Master stood, stigmatized eye ablaze.
“What did you find, Charlie?”
“Nothing, Master. I was… looking for my ball.”
“You can do better than that, Charlie.” Master opened the scarred closet door. “In you go. We will talk more about this next week.”
Looks like Charlie has gotten himself into a heap of trouble. I doubt that a different excuse would have spared him the closet. Very interesting, John!
DeleteOh, no! - in the closet for an entire week?
DeleteMenacing - love the "scarred closet door" description.
DeleteI do love forbidden manuscripts. Being ushered into the closet and 'talking next week' sets quite the ominous tone. I'm very curious what it was the boy found and how he might use it.
Deleteyes, forbidden manuscripts do the job every time, add in a closet and the whole thing turns very nasty indeed.
DeletePoor Charlie. That "next week" threat is certainly ominous and menacing. Hopefully Charlie will be provided at least bread and water in the meantime.
DeleteChange of focus [394]
ReplyDeleteFor Philly Stepcart, the shred of hope she’d fostered, that the stigma of her less-than-salubrious past mattered little to a detective whose history – she’d heard the rumours – was far from pristine, was rewarded. The pleasure in Pettinger’s gooseberry green eyes, on seeing her, unmistakeable.
Brandishing one of the wooden timbers, he demonstrated how he and Moth braked then re-directed barrels so as to cause a pile-up sufficient to topple backwards onto the would-be snuff-makers.
Later, well wined and dined, and preferring honesty, she confessed. ‘I’ve read Raptor’s manuscript confession –‘ And watched Pettinger’s face bleach white to match the candles.
I'm wondering if the wine opened Philly's mouth a bit too wide? And I'm wondering what Pettinger will do next?
DeleteLoved the imagery of Pettinger acting out his story and his face 'bleaching white to match the candles.'
Deleteoh yes, that last line is a classic - setting the story up for all sorts of mayhem, which we expect from a Pettinger instalment...
DeleteSound like Pettinger has been somewhat taken aback. Rather a new experience for him methinks. Love the comparison of "bleach white" matching the candles.
DeleteExplanation unforthcoming. [Threshold 316]
ReplyDeleteRaven’s grandmother’s reluctant fostering of her daughter’s son, rejected for what she considered the stigma of miscegenation, damaged him beyond anything I could ever imagine. As a consequence, nearly everything in that muddled and misleading manuscript every female is, from conception, insidiously force-fed, fails to work with him.
Having first terrorised me, he delivered my son, with tenderness. Fled from my love, whilst touting me to his enemies. He killed my son. I, indirectly, his grandmother.
Only then did he take me.
To our mutual satisfaction.
Then inexplicably stopped.
Started again. With as little explanation as he gave me now.
I never can anticipate where their story will go. Raven's childhood is so heartbreaking and his actions unpredictable.
Deletehints of back story to build the main one, tis good, making all of them more interesting than they already were.
DeleteThis is a virtual smorgasbord of backstory to enjoy and dwell upon. What a magnificent vista of personal history created in so few words.
DeleteKursaal (Episode Two Hundred Fifteen) - "The Amorous Affairs Of Arbuthnot Jester/Part Sixteen"
ReplyDeleteArbuthnot Jester had never considered his dwarfism a stigma. If anything, it made him more appealing to the ladies. Small, cute and ever attentive, they called him "Adorable Arby." Given that, passion fostered for the diminutive Paulette Merlot escalated.
Arby was well aware Paulette's romantic preference lay with the fairer sex...Quinn Underwood in particular...but he remained undeterred. Quinn herself was known to be gender variable. Chances were good Paulette followed the same manuscript.
But Arby was devastated when Paulette informed him, in no uncertain terms, he was simply too short (perhaps in more ways than one) to fulfill her desires.
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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: Arbuthnot Jester, Quinn Underwood and Paulette Merlot have all featured in previous episodes.
Oh, how cruel ...
DeleteLoved Arby's description 'Small, cute and ever attentive.' Too bad Paulette doesn't return his affection.
Deletelovely descriptions which made me laugh, cleverly done, Patricia!
DeleteThe Confinement Caveat
ReplyDeleteAncient manuscripts are perfectly clear regarding segregation. There is no place in our society for the fostering of sympathy or compassion. Altruism is abhorrent and those who possess this odious stigma must be isolated in the hopes of eventual eradication.
Most of the time I do try to choose words which look unlikely to fit into a single one sentence, but recently you've managed it so smoothly I can see I'll have to up my game. ;-)
DeleteBrief, but very clear and powerful, Patricia!
DeleteSome days this feels painfully true. Well done with such a succinct and potent piece. I always have to cut words to keep it at 100. :)
Deletethis runs a little close to home at times, so much said in the fewest lines imaginable.
DeleteWhat's In A Name?
ReplyDeleteAnd you have other manuscripts akin to this?
Indeed. Abundant in number. Many years have I fostered the notion of becoming a published playwright.
You do understand....
The associated stigma? Of course!
It will be necessary to employ an alias...a nom de plume, if you will.
It could not be otherwise.
Have you given any thoughts as to an assumed name, Mistress Hathaway?
I believe William Shakespeare has a nice ring to it.
Love this! The voice, the sly hinting of the conversation. Lovely.
Delete[Patricia, I've been meaning to ask for months, but assume you do by now know about Maggie O'Farrell's 'Hamnet'? Published this week I think, but I'll wait for the paperback]
Loved the flow of the dialogue. William Shakespeare does have a nice ring to it. :)
Deleteoh yes, clever one again, so carefully contrived!
Delete@ Sandra. I must confess to have heard nothing about Maggie O'Farrell's "Hamnet," but I assume it's centered around Shakespeare's son? As you may or may not remember, Hamnet is the namesake of Cripplegate's delivery boy from Elsie's Dairy...must admit, I don't recall which prompt word initiated that naming now.
DeleteOf course I remember Hamnet the delivery boy - one of my favourite characters. And yes, Maggie O'F's is a fictional account of Hamnet's childhood and, if the rest of her writing had anything to do with it, will be excellent. Has just won the Woman's Prize for fiction too.
DeleteThe Joys of Mediumship 22
ReplyDeleteA week of questions and answers, some have to wait their time. Nothing for the book(s) while I work on the editing and then find the author wants to discuss the spiritual aspects of the martial arts he is learning…it fosters a closeness between us as we work. Scott Walker is around, visiting Quarr Abbey where this time he can relax and hear the Gregorian chants he missed out on due to invasive fans when he came here before. Now, with no stigma attached, he can walk with the monks and sometimes with me. It’s one of the joys of my life.
Martial arts are ever intriguing. Loved the phrase 'he can walk with the monks and sometimes with me.'
DeleteScott Walker...of Walker Brothers fame? Adored his rendition of "Jackie." I can imagine that wonderful baritone melding beautifully with the Gregorian chants. What a charmed time you do have every now and again, Antonia.
DeleteI've cited 'Joanna' in my current novel ...
DeleteStop The Week; I Want To Get Off (115)
ReplyDeleteAnother week of buying in, instant sales, people dropping the stigma of a ‘second hand shop’ and relishing our new supplies. It’s time for us to foster this embryonic feeling and see if we can carry it into the winter months. I might need a manuscript to work on and while away some of the empty afternoons, but for now it is looking healthy and Shaun is beaming, even as he goes off for a 3 day break. When he returns we need to go car hunting, for me. My 26 year old is giving up, slowly but surely.
Hope the car hunt goes well!
DeleteGlad to hear of the upsurge of interest, and wish you best of luck for the car-hunting - a task I hate.
DeleteA 26-year-old car has certainly done its duty and deserves retirement, Antonia. That having been said, I never enjoyed car shopping personally and love that I now live where most places are accessible by public transport. I never did enjoy being behind the wheel. I think I'm more the "chauffeur me around" type.
DeleteThe Mad Italian (174)
ReplyDeleteHow to foster anger, resentment, lack of faith, lack of acceptance of government dictats – produce a manuscript, pass it around, call it a law when no parliamentary procedure has been put in place to make it law and expect the people to follow blindly like worn out donkeys at the seaside – and even that has been banned in many places. It is one ‘decision’ after another, all ill thought out, all seemingly completely drawn up without any consideration for that most essential of people, the common man. When will they learn? When it collapses around them?
This year continues to be exhausting and quite mad. Excellent imagery with 'follow blindly like worn out donkeys at the seaside.'
DeleteHow insightful of Leonardo to reference "worn out donkeys at the seaside." As a child, they are animals of delight and you clammer to be seated upon their poor broken backs. It is only as an adult that one fully appreciates the less-than-favourable conditions of their existence. Is this still a practice? I haven't been to a British seaside in absolutely ages and don't know if donkey rides are still offered. Seems today's children might not be as thrilled with the concept as we of an older age once were.
DeleteSadly, Antonia, govt. officials are too self-serving and self-centered to learn even when the world collapses around them.
ReplyDeleteAs a note to Sandra: Good luck with choosing this week's top-notcher. I don't envy you. The treats on offer are outstanding.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Patricia - I think I've finally finished dithering ...
Delete