This month, an annual on-line short story challenge I take part in had half the number of entries it usually attracts. Choosing a top three should have been simpler, but it definitely was not. Similarly here: a shortlist, yes, but deciding on numero uno took an age. Eventually, however, it was Terrie's SAS Diaries episode 138 which nosed in front. Have to say it (again) but everyone just goes from strength to strength.
Words for the coming week are: cheap powder testosterone
Entries by midnight Thursday 1st
April, new words posted Friday 2nd
Usual rules: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or
poetry using all 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.
Thank you for awarding the 'Dillos the top slot Sandra. I really enjoy writing about them and if it wasnt for the initial three prompt words a couple of years ago they probably wouldnt exist. The Prediction is such an inspirational place.
ReplyDelete"Inspirational" - yes, that's the hallmark of a successful writing site isn't it? I'm conscious that my first 3 novels were spawned by a 2010 photograph, and characters and plotlines of my second series stemmed from writing a blurb to matching a photograph.
DeleteYours was an excellent choice for top spot, Terrie. Your entries are unfailingly entertaining.
Deletecatching up, congeats, Terrie - the dillos are so good!
DeleteMy zombie came out of a Prediction challenge.
ReplyDeleteUNCOVERING THE MYTH
Listening for a heartbeat is a myth, a cheap trick at best, because our hearing is not that good, yet I have a skill few possess so I am better at hunting than most.
No matter how hard my prey tries to evade me, I can smell the warm scent of testosterone hanging in the air like an alluring moist powder. It scents the sweat, exposes fear and reveals hiding places.
There is no escape.
I can find you in daylight: I can find you in darkness.
My name is Umzingeli of the hidden ones.
Your kind calls me Vampyre.
Oh - delicious, and what an insidiously creepy tone of voice.
DeleteWhat an advantage for a hunter. Well told, Terrie.
DeleteI wrote my comment about Skullface before I read this brilliant little piece - very cleverly done, very eerie. My Skullface came out of the prompts myopic, escape, chamber...
DeleteHome Hospice
ReplyDeleteWhen it came down to it, he crumbled, like cheap cake. Despite the bravado and the testosterone he so bragged about, it mattered little when he just watched it all happen, cowering in his size 15 boots.
She rose from the powdery floor and stood shakily. Blood ran down her cheek.
“I’m so sorry,” he said.
“I guess she doesn’t like to lose,” she said, picking up the cards.
“My grandpa always warned me about her temper.”
“I guess so,” she said. “I think you should adjust her morphine drip.”
“Me?” he said.
Much evil here, John. Despite his cowering,I believe I'd stay clear of that dude in the size 15 boots, as well as "she."
DeleteDisagree with Jim about size 15 bravado - he's already backing away. So I guess it'll be up to her to do the deed (and subsequently convince the police it was him)
Deleteoh I loved the 'cheap cake' comment! The rest of the story is suitably creepy and shows some people I would rather avoid... if that's all right with you...
DeleteWHAT I DO
ReplyDeleteCheap powder coated her face like a thick layer of lard, and her eyes were dreary and drained of hope, like those of depression-era women. Her lips were frowned and smeared red by what undoubtedly was a drug-palsied hand.
She looked pleadingly at me, and her eyes brightened a moment with a sparkle that probably charmed many a John back when she was a more sought-after lady of the night.
My testosterone level surged, for she was just what I was looking for.
Tonight I would do her a favor and permanently end her misery.
It is what I do.
This is perfect. So tight. And so inevitable.
DeleteWhat a aweetheart, going around and helping washed up hookers with their misery. Very good, Jim.
Deletenow that's a good career for a serial killer to have, and all explained to the reader with such sincerity you could really believe he meant he was doing them a favour... nice one, Jim, so typically horrendous, the way you do it so well all the time!
DeleteNorth to Alaska
ReplyDeleteCanvas Town advanced endlessly along the Yukon. The wagons were piled high with Sasquatch pelts. Wheel ruts churning mud into the powdered snow. The nights were wild. The marquee which served as a saloon would hum with a heady mix of testosterone and the cheap perfume of hard faced ladies who turned tricks for a dime. A wise man would quit while he was ahead. But John Macalister was fanatically driven. He vowed not to halt the expedition till Big Foot was rendered naught but a myth. The tale would never have been told had I not survived.
I enjoyed the powdered snow.
DeleteNice one. So that's what happened to them, huh.
DeleteI just deleted 2 novels from the kindle for boring me to death with 'explanations' so how come when you do it, David, it's riveting reading?
DeleteThis is clever and very well written, David! No wonder the remaining Big Foot avoid human contact.
ReplyDeleteSTARTLED
ReplyDelete“Her??” Caolin pondered.
Allowing his mind to wander from eager analysis of Una’s apparent communication with the rats into the realm of the heart, his eyes dwelt on Sally’s face for a moment before following the flow of her hair to more interesting places.
It was likely the cheaper cousin of romance which enthralled the boy, but he wouldn’t know what to do with testosterone if it stuck to his foot.
His gaze was taking in the way a dusting of powder from the pulverised concrete sparkled on her smooth calf when Sally’s voice kicked him in the ear.
“What?”
That third sentence a total delight.
DeleteThank you, Sandra, I allowed myself a bit of playful irreveence.
DeleteApparently, Sally doesn't like being ogled. Nothing like cheap romance. Entertaining read.
Deleteoh nice one, everything captured in a few sentences, brilliant!
Delete'the cheaper cousin of romance' what a great assembly of words, Perry. Well done!
DeleteChange of focus [419]
ReplyDeletePettinger, unsure whether it was anger he was feeling, at her appropriation of a key, or anticipation of her later return – and knowing neither would benefit unless Philly was willing – refocused on his son who, at her exhortation – incipient testosterone? – had begun to scrub.
Without effect.
'What're you using, lad?'
'Aleks pointed to a cardboard cylinder, the holes of which bore traces of white powder. A frantic scouring of his memory then Pettinger recalled it was some cheap substitute for Vim.
Least, he hoped so. Bit embarrassing if the guy who'd sold it to him was disposing of his stash.
I think there is likely no scouring power in the white powder. Could be an expensive cleaning attempt if it is cocaine or something.
Deletenow I want to see how Pettinger is going to work that one out without looking foolish if it is Vim...
DeleteSuccumbing to the vapours [Change of focus 420]
ReplyDeleteAs in all those cheap paperbacks, I froze. Or would've done, had I not been in a desert. Without moving my feet – too easy to lose the quad-bike! – I squatted, finger-tip scrabbled in increasing arcs across the powdery ground, until I was in danger of unbalancing.
Without success.
Wondered, would headlights work without the key? Patted my hand across to where I thought the switch might be.
Found it. Pressed it.
A single flash.
Which was echoed some incalculable distance away.
From the wrong direction.
I tried the switch again.
Nothing.
Lacking a sufficiency of testosterone, I burst into tears.
Let there be light. Or not, in this case. Relly great title for this one.
DeleteJohn, absolutely! and I love the tension building chopped up thoughts.
DeleteSuch a crisp, tight use of language, Sandra, and it splendidly adds to the drama. Nicely done!
DeleteA Change in Management
ReplyDeleteIce clinking against the glass as she rolled her cup, Magalie watched the vein pulse in the large man’s forehead. “Might want to get that checked out,” she said dryly.
The man bristled, startling a passing waitress as he slammed a testosterone-fueled fist into the table. “You’re not in control here, girlie!”
“Girlie.” Magalie snorted. “See, this is how it’s going to be, Jordan. You tell your cheap-ass boss that his days of selling white powder to kids is over. This is my bar now, not his.”
“Oh yeah?”
Magalie raised her glass, whiskey boiling as her fingers heated. “Yeah.”
Boiling whisky eh? Suggests she knows a lot of other tricks too.
DeleteI think Magalie is one not to be messed with. I hope she is able to stand her ground.
DeleteI would want to keep Magalie in my favor. I hope this thug got the message.
Deletesuch a small passing comment which says everything to put bullies in their place. I'd have liked some of that on a few occasions in the past...
DeleteVery much missed contributing and commenting due to my broken arm, but gradually regaining mobility and hope to be back next week. In the meantime, keep that plume waving...!!!
ReplyDeleteExcellent news Patricia.
DeleteYes, great news.
Deletemissed you! But don't rush and undo all the good healing work.
DeleteStop The Week; I Want To Get Off (149)
ReplyDeleteIt’s been a fraught week, people are asking the same question, when are you going to open (15th April, it’s all over the news…) and we’re cleared to get the decorating done, hooray! Now all we need is an elf or three from the spirit realm to come help sort out the wooden cube storage thing which I took apart and can’t remember how to put it back… (it was 7 years ago!), bring in a testosterone loaded worker to do it all and make it look easy and if possible, he will be cheap… not selling anything yet.
I'm glad to hear you are opening soon. Hopefully, you'll get a good influx of business.
DeleteThe Joys of Mediumship no 48
ReplyDeleteWith so much organisation done and the testosterone laden kings, knights and leaders fighting for their place, the books have progressed. If the person hasn’t yet powdered their face, donned their best clothes and visited, they’ve made sure I hold a place for them… Isambard Kingdom Brunel has as his subtitle ‘I had a name to live up to’ – probably the most honest one in the book. Mother Teresa surprised me, she hadn’t even called out, just arrived, all peace, calm and love, gave me a beautiful message and went again. Riches for me, nothing cheap about that serene being.
I'm not surprised Mother Teresa sported a kind attitude.
DeleteThe Mad Italian 195
ReplyDeleteWhen testosterone begins its insidious work on a crowded beach filled with mostly unclad people, I have to say, all sense and reason goes into the sea along with the powder created by the crushing of shells, sand and invertebrates. A cheap day out may be the death warrant for many but – who can ask people not to welcome the sunshine after such a drear and empty time of lockdown. The ‘experts’ are worried about the birth rate, with all this flesh on show they need have no fears, it will sort itself out. Meantime… enjoy, no matter what!
Cheap days out are often the most satisfying.
DeleteI loved the comment about the birthrate, Antonia. You are right - no one need fear.
Delete