Not least because some of us managed to find our way to
Holly's Prediction @ Wordpress. [Now mothballed, with a signpost back to here, in case we need to use it again] And jubilation also because Jim managed to get
Blogger to do as he wanted, and post 'Anticipation 1' which I thought strong
enough to earn the number one spot this week.
Thank you for your persistence. (and sorry Patricia has decided enough is enough.)
Words for the coming week: baptise
olive tentative
Entries by
midnight Thursday 9th June, new words posted Friday 10th
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.
Well done Jim.
ReplyDeleteDiversionary tactic [Threshold 397]
ReplyDeleteTo divert my mind from dying of dehydration I decided to question Raven about his past. Tentatively -- not a subject we'd ever discussed -- 'Were you brought up to be religious?'
'Have faith, you mean? Believe there's some unseen spirit guiding my life? No way! You?'
'I was baptised. Trying to remember whether that bible story about a dove with an olive branch in its mouth was leading folk to an oasis or bringing peace --'
'"Oasis"? They wanted to live forever didn't they? Didn't come to a very peaceful end, either --'
Smugly, 'Before my time.'
'Before my time'... an absolutely perfect reply, Sandra!
DeleteI hope we get more questions answered about Raven! I'm very curious. :)
DeleteBrilliant news, Jim, after you had problems posting anything.
ReplyDeletethe are diversions and there are scheming prying comments and they both come over well in this instalment.
ReplyDeleteAPPREHENSION: PART II
ReplyDelete“Keep coming,” Tony whispered.
Knives drawn, the three thugs did, albeit it tentatively.
Tony stepped back to encourage them, and, emboldened, they rushed forward to trap him against the rubble of a holy-roller church.
Tony smiled upon thinking the ruined church would soon witness a baptism of blood. He pulled a switchblade from a pocket and flicked it open.
“Surprised?” Tony barked. “Or were you boys expecting an olive branch.”
The three lashed out with their knives. Seconds later Tony was awash with blood and on his knees.
“Thanks, lads,” Tony muttered. “I didn’t have the guts to kill myself.”
What a thought-provoking episode! Is it braver to do the deed oneself or invite others, whose competence must onlt be guessed at?
DeleteAh! I wasn't quite sure how it would end. Reminds me of when I was in high school and someone threw themselves in front of a car on purpose, and then I was always freaked out driving that section of road, worried it'd happen to me. In this instance, the thugs don't sound like they'll be very scarred by the experience.
DeleteKept me hooked and great twist in the tale ending.
DeleteThe Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries - entry 194
ReplyDeleteNigel nodded at Tosca’s suggestion, ‘good plan, it makes less fer us t’ have to worry about an’ gerbils are good at burrowin’ too. He scratched, thoughtfully, at his olive coloured tail-scales, ‘We ‘ad the element of surprise yesterday an’ baptised those bastards in their own blood good and proper. Next time we won’t be that lucky so we need t’ get moving wiv Sarg’s plan.’
Tosca snouted tentatively at air,’ its gonna be dry t’morra, Nige, our dust ‘ll be visible to everyone. ‘
‘We’ll have t’ keep both groups going all night mate, that’ll hide our movements.’
Good tactical discussion here, on Nigel's part.
Deletegood thinking, good scheming, ready for more dillo mayhem. I've missed this!
DeleteA smart decision! Hard to hide the movements of a big group.
DeleteThe Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries - entry 195
ReplyDeleteSarg re-checked every hidden tunnel-trap personally before taking her last sniff of fresh air at main entrance burrow.
The soldier on duty nodded tentatively as she squatted beside him. ‘Reckon they’ll be ‘here soon then Sarg.’
She returned his nod, ‘the trail-guards should provide a bit o’ warning when they return givin’ time t’ fill in this hole, but if yuh hears sounds of battle down there, you fill it in yerself, quick as yuh can or it’ll be a baptism in blood and pain fer a lot of us.’
The soldier regarded her with unblinking olive eyes, ‘understood Sarg,’
As is this, quiet but competent tension well-evoked.
DeleteI hope the soldier on duty is up to this daunting task.
Deleteone of those essential linking instalments that we need but which sometimes say just that, I'm a fill-in-but... in this case it's vital and as attention holding as the earlier ones.
DeleteSarg taking her 'last sniff of fresh air' sounds ominous.
DeleteChange of focus [472]
ReplyDeletePhilly had all too easily recognised the pain of realisation of marital infidelity in Ben Brickwood's eyes; her less-than-tentative request he play a part in her own nuptials to the olive-eyed Pettinger had been intended as confidence-booster. She wondered -- for longer than perhaps she ought -- about the merits (mutual benefits) of taking Ben to her own bed, but suspected, thanks to his good nature, that rather than the desired effect of getting his own back on Donna, his conscience would view that as a personal baptism of betrayal, and would well know two wrongs don't make a right.
absolutely right but - since when did anyone let that stop them doing what they wanted??? A solid working link instalment, good one.
DeleteClever use of 'baptism' in this piece. It would be a hard place to be in.
DeletePhilly is such a great character - so much to like in this instalment.
DeleteThe Dustbin Men
ReplyDeleteThe creature that flopped wetly out of the wheelie bin looked like a cross between a rotten cabbage and a bloated toad. Fungal eyelids blinked over bloodshot eyes. It took a tentative step forward, drooling tongue grotesquely licking a gaping maw that exuded a rank and pungent odour.
Malik pulled the trigger on his sawn off shotgun. Shredded cabbage leaves slapped bloodily against a crumpled pizza box.
Next came a creeping horde of arachnid olives, stinking of garlic, and scuttling on multiple mildewed limbs.
“Welcome to refuse collection,” said Malik. “Baptism of fire, Buddy!”
Truly horrible, David, which, no doubt, you intended.
DeleteI hope Malik keeps his shotgun at hand - no telling hat he'll encounter next. Very creative, David!
DeleteYuk!
DeleteAnd ... I've missed the gore, David, thanks for making up what has slipped away...
Hah! Horrible and yet so vividly descriptive. Giving me Stranger Things vibes from season 3.
DeleteSuch wheelie bin nasties cleverly described. Love it
DeleteThe Mad Italian
ReplyDeleteThe PM does not display the attributes of a man baptised in the waters of righteousness, he who insists he will Never Break The Rules again… Can we tentatively dip a toe into parliament waters and give them wholehearted support? The Opposition lacks charisma, they are not capable of bringing an olive branch of some kind into parliament and making us believe they mean nothing but good things for our future. The truth is, neither party is fit to govern. My thoughts are with you as you face the difficulties of sky-high costs on everything. It will end one day.
Just once, it'd be nice to have a government that truly cares for the good of the people.
DeleteInciteful words as usual, a most enjoyable instalment from the venerable Italian.
DeleteThe Gravity of the Situation [20]
ReplyDelete“It’s the Loot Sisters!” the goblin on the left laughs, an olive-studded toothpick clenched between his teeth. “Should we baptize them with fire?” A spurt of fire shoots from the flame thrower he’s holding.
Erd, looking cranky, hefts his rocket launcher. “You should know when to give up!”
Rach points her sword at him. “Drop your weapons!”
I brush the hilt of my dagger, calculating the distance.
“So, I’m not limited to bombs now?” Felicia asks, tentative. "Hold on to your hats, gals!" A rustle, click, then the unwelcome sensation of my stomach twisting.
“Felicia, what–?”
Gravity fails.
Oh! SUCH impact in just two words, leaving me clinging to the edge of my seat. So clever
Deleteonly one contribution this time, sorry, having a very very bad run of migraine headaches, while I keep busy not doing the things I should be doing, filling in forms to claim My Account type of stuff (we just switched suppliers to try and save money.. It's at the back of everything, can I afford, should we close down now so I can lose the car and all he costs that come with it, it has been that bad, but today has been magic. The way it should be. We managed to acquire a van full of 20s furniture from Barton Manor Estate, beautiful furniture bringing much needed money. I might even be able to pay the rent!!!!!
ReplyDeleteMigraines are the worst! I hope you have some relief soon, and wonderful news about the 20s furniture.
DeleteSounds brilliant - like the cavalry coming over the hill. Long may it last.
ReplyDelete