Sadly the
effect of unprecedented heat on the UK’s rail system led to the closure of the East Coast line between York and London’s Kings Cross so my trip to London came to an abrupt
halt, me unable to either meet with my friend or get to the exhibition at
Dulwich Picture Gallery, as planned.
Which meant I
had time enough to read and enjoy all the Prediction had to offer, to thank all
of you who posted and commented, and award Terrie top spot for her intriguing
‘Love endures’
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.
Thanks for the top spot award Sandra. I'm working on a 'Dillo instalment for this week.
ReplyDeleteAntonia - congrats on being top writer, Terrie! Well earned.
DeleteThe Good Book
ReplyDeleteOn the fifth of the following month, the earth would cease to rotate. The East would exist in darkness, the West in the scorching sun. Life would begin anew, creating new species quick to adapt. Species that feed on the blood, bone and muscle of those not so adept. Those like us.
I reread the passage, tried to interpret it differently. It seemed obvious. I shook my head and turned to the New Testament instead.
Neat, indeed, John.
DeleteOminous! Fun to imagine what kinds of new species might appear.
DeleteLet's hope the New Testament contains better news. Well done, John.
DeleteClever word weaving John. Brutal and thought provoking. Most enjoyable.
DeleteAntonia - now look what you've done. I;m clearing the shop slowly, came across a Jehovah's Witness bible - brand new - and vaguely remember it being given to me by a committed member. I want to give it back, I want to spend time on the New Testament to see if it offsets the horrors of the Old... no matter who wrote it...
DeleteVengeance of the Vanquished
ReplyDeleteThe scorched tundra stretched as far as far as the eye could see. Within it what appeared to be splines and dunes were in fact heaps of scorched corpses, welded together by scorched flesh. The small weevils which burrowed into the leathery remains found themselves supernaturally nudged along a strange evolving trajectory. The potent qualities of their saliva reanimating muscle tissue. Raising a swarm of multi limbed monstrosities which marched in gargantuan juddering motion on the unsuspecting citadels of the victors.
Some times it is best not to ponder too much on he workings of your mind, David. Powerful and vivid.
DeleteWell that is fascinating and horrifying! I'm very curious to know where the mental directions are coming from for the weevils. :)
DeleteI, too, am wondering who or what released the weevils? Horridly beautiful!
DeleteWhat a scorcher of an opening line (excuse the pun) and I can only echo the sentiments of Sandra and Holly you have created some powerfully stark imagery with this piece David .
DeleteIt looks like the victors found themselves with a backfire on their hands. When you leave mounds of scorched corpes, something hss got to happen. Nice one.
DeleteAntonia - what can I say? A typical David entry,full of blood guts and other impossible things...
DeleteSorry i spotted a glaring wrong word mistake after I posted so here it is again, corrected .
ReplyDeleteThe Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries - entry 198
Tosca’s small team evolved into something larger by adding several pangolins and two ‘Dillos before leaving.
Nigel watched the motley group disappear into the undergrowth.
He turned to the others, ‘He weren’t too thrilled at ‘aving t’ go back int’ that place.’
I ‘ope the stinky little feller’s got enough muscle and clout t’ keep that raggle-tag lot together.’ sighed Atlas. ‘’Specially that drunken lay-about Clancy an’ his crew.’
'After that nut I gave Clancy’s lot fer hangovers they’ll only be drinking water for a few months,’ chuckled Cinereus, 'anythin’ else’ll scorch their innards summat fierce.'
‘Poor bastards,’ muttered Nigel.
Lovely companionable conversation
DeleteDefinitely don't want to get on Cinereus' bad side! Poor bastards, indeed. :)
DeleteSounds like Clancy and his lot better get their act together - if it's not already too late.
DeleteI think I'll avoid that nut. Don't want my innards scorched. A very entertaing piece, Terry.
Deletenow there's an innovative use for the prompt word if ever there was...
DeleteChange of focus [478]
ReplyDeleteDespite knowing he’d done the right thing – at least for Pettinger – Ben Brickwood, watching Philly walk away, felt his face scorch with an anger fired by the recollection of his wife’s careless infidelity; a perfect colour-match for his name. Not for the first time he reminded himself that Homo Sapiens had spent many centuries evolving from muscle-bound cavemen to where they used brain instead of brawn to solve their problems. Henry knew that too. Well enough to be sure his immediate offer to buy Ben another pint would prevent any sort of physical onslaught, much as it was probably merited.
Sometimes it's best to buy a drink! Clever phrase with 'a perfect colour-match for his name.' :)
DeleteI loved the sentence about mankind evolving, but given the current state of the world, it could be that Homo Sapiens have devolved to again using brawn instead of brains.
DeleteSo much to like in this as usual, Sandra. Philly is the perfect sultry flame to draw in each of these emotionally damaged, mothy, men.
DeleteI think the pint is going to work. Bennis already calming diwn justbthinking about it.
DeleteAntonia - and praise for running two serials and keeping their voice entirely different from one another.
Delete[Threshold 402]
ReplyDeleteI’d no conviction as to whether a sense of direction was an evolved skill. Presumably if one stayed in one place long enough to observe the rising of the sun – this area flat desert, lacking trees, it would’ve scorched – and the approach of strangers visible from a distance; their animosity or otherwise giving name to where they came from one built knowledge. Least we had more than muscle to propel our explorations, and knew where NOT to go.
The lightest of breezes struck my cheek. I smelt water. I pointed. To Raven, ‘That way.’ He nodded. Rose to his feet.
Knowing where not to go is definitely good information to have! Hopefully they find fresh water.
DeleteCould this be a ruse by Nature... no water, just a tease? Very nice!
DeleteI love the skill with which you play both characters strengths and weakness's off against each other with each instalment.
DeleteAlways listen to a woman who is certain of her direction. Well done, Raven.
DeleteAntonia: in this series it's the sharp almost slivers of dialogue that tell so much of a story. Keep it going.
DeleteIt Pays to Be Popular [25]
ReplyDeleteScorched and bloodied, Erd twists his head sideways and flashes his brightest smile. “Ladies! We can work this out, yes?” He grunts as Rach’s foot stomps down on his back.
Felicia laughs nervously, grabbing Rach’s muscular sword arm. “Let’s not dismember him just yet.”
“Fine,” Rach grunts. Luckily for Erd, she’s evolved past her bloodlust.
Distracted, I nod, still looking for the vanished nun. “He might be worth something to the Adventurers’ Guild.”
“Yes!” Felicia. “I doubt we’re the only team he’s screwed over.”
“Agreed.” Vera scowls at her dirtied robes. “It’s high time we head back to Skathagrat.”
Erd seems a bit flippant, and I don't believe that's a smart strategy.
DeleteLoved the line about evolving beyond bloodlust. Very clever, as is the entire story.
DeleteAntonia : absolutely agree with John, such good writing and ideas.
DeleteAm loving this series and their interaction.
ReplyDeleteSCHOOLING
ReplyDelete‘Those big white ones,’ Finbar advised Dooney, referring to the large leaders of the “tide”, ‘they look to have evolved from laboratory specimens.’
‘What’s a lavatree spaceman?’ Dooney quizzed, skipping alongside, young muscles apparently immune to the fatigue of the long trek.
Finbar coughed a short laugh, quickly covering it up by staring out across the scorched remains of the once beautiful valley and muttering about dust.
‘Nevermind. They’re just smarter than the rest.’
Dooney frowned. Not that he himself was annoyed at the evasion. No. It was his unfulfilled curiosity which was cross. It was just using his face.
Haha well I am currently imagining what a 'lavatree spaceman' might look like! Sounds like Finbar isn't quite aware of who he's with.
DeleteGiven the situation, I fear Dooney might be a bit too nonchalant.
DeleteI like Dooney. For me he represents the voice of the reader wanting to know more but he definitely hides a huge undercurrent of something infinitely more powerful.
DeleteThis was well done. Very enjoyable.
DeleteAntonia: intriguing, where, how and when - on the other hand, do I want to meet these strange creatures?
DeleteSEEKING REFUGE - PART II
ReplyDeleteWoody Jennings stared ahead while startled confusion slowly evolved into paralyzing alarm. Muscles twitched from head to toe, but he remained inert as a tree stump.
Not for long.
A dim light appeared, brightened then became blinding enough to send scorching waves of pain racing through his chest. He shuddered uncontrollably.
Then came nothingness – quick but brutal.
“Hey, Steve,” said a guard stationed in the room, “you hear Jennings mumbling something about an asylum?”
“Yeah,” answered the other guard. “He was caught while seeking refuge in an abandoned one.” He chuckled then added, “Old Sparky just gave him permanent refuge.”
Asylums never sound like good places to be!
DeleteThis ececution is going to come back and bite someone, i think. It should prove interesting.
DeleteI agree Holly. Old asylums, prisons, and a hefty jolt of electricity usually leads to a large dose of something unpleasant . i am waiting eagerly for the next instalment.
ReplyDeleteAntonia -rushing as usual, not rushing the reading though, this is hellishly good!
ReplyDeleteThe Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries - entry 199
ReplyDelete(I got a little inventive with the word evolve I've sneaked it in .. hope it still counts)
Sarg scurried to the level below where a thick muscled digger was beating dirt into a solid mass to hinder any onslaught coming from above .
His heavy tail revolved, at scorching speed, in a rounded movement pushing small rocks into the earthy mound as his back paws hefted loose soil into place.
‘Nice job soldier, when yuh finish get some backup in here. I’ve decided t’ direct things from atop but aint gonna be long before it’ll be more dangerous than a shaft full of snared serpents, so listen out fer us all coming back. We’ll need support.’’