Has, for the most part meant we’ve escaped the high temperatures much of the south of the UK experienced of last week. Next week, however, I’ll be heading to London for the first time in seventeen years, to meet a writing friend visiting from Alabama, and will need to think carefully about cool clothes (in the temperature sense!)
Here, the final line of Antonia’s short piece winner provided chill enough to declare it winner – well done to her and to all of you for contributing such entertainment this week.
Words for the coming week: blush fiction tantrum
Entries by
midnight Thursday 21st July, new words posted Friday
22nd (but maybe not the winners)
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.
[Threshold 401]
ReplyDeleteThe ebony blackness of Raven’s skin made it hard to discern, but I thought his face assumed a warmer hue. Feared it a blush of shame at his revealing indecision; showing evidence both physical and mental strength were naught but fiction.
But I’d never viewed him as invincible (guessed the importance of that, to him, to be a male thing) and so long as he refrained from tantrums when I offered good advice he had my backing.
Trouble was, I’d no idea which way to go; what course of action to take. Had only my female instinct to rely on.
Change of focus [477]
ReplyDeleteThe presence of Henry, face blushing at the enormity of him thinking he could prevent Ben Brickwood taking Pettinger’s intended to bed, along with his belief in the Ben-maintained fiction that superiority of rank and status of a happily married man were to be envied, smote Ben Brickwood’s already-bruised conscience with a blunt force Ben knew would leave a tell-tale mark Tempting as it was to throw a tantrum and tip the table over, Ben knew it would be more dignified to apologise and simply leave. He stood. To Philly, ‘Go home to Aleks. To John. They need you more.’
Sorry I've been away for so long - the old laptop gave up the ghost and I've only just managed to buy another. So many new things to learn and reload on this upgrade I'm in a daze. I want to go back and see everyone's last few weeks offerings as well. I'll be looking at the 'Dillos episodes too and see where I've got too on the usb stick.
ReplyDeleteI've missed my weekly dose of prediction.
You've been missed here, too, Terrie. Looking forwards to more 'Dillo's adventures.
DeleteAntonia:
ReplyDeletejust got to this, thanks SO much for choosing my strange piece, Sandra, not sure where it came from... but will be searching for some more...
Antonia writes: everyone was very polite when The Mad Italian stopped contributing his usual fiery politicised piece but he just moved away without a word. I have now realised he was making room for the spirit author currently dominating my writing time. So, from this week onward I will try for a fiction entry, a commentary on my new working life, when the shop is cleared and returned to the Landlord, and see if the new author has anything to say. It's official now, 'The Hesitant Eye' by William the Conqueror (his chosen title from 11 books of poetry by John Drinkwater and is about as off the wall as only he could arrange. Apparently he has many interesting things to tell me. My task will be separating the facts from the nonsense, he has a twisted sense of humour! I will try to get the pieces together tonight and pull life back to some kind of sensible routine. I'm committed to 25 hours a week with the SEERGURU site. My days will need to be filled after the shop work!
ReplyDeleteAntonia brings William C to the Prediction Challenge for the first time:
ReplyDeleteWilliam the Conqueror speaks from his fortress for the first time...
The fortress is fiction; you would not expect someone of my standing to live in some cramped damp and unsuitable home, would you? Obviously not, but it has been mooted that at times I wanted more than the people were prepared to give. I will mention this again from time to time but here goes, without a blush, I say to you the people sought to find ways not to build but to make do. The Conqueror took the name after he flattened the people. Beware…
This promises much ...
DeleteSorry no 'Dillos this week maybe next time but I scribbled this airy fairy piece as an offering this week.
ReplyDeleteLove Endures
There were never any tantrums or harsh words, only affection, warmth, and that special something which binds two people together for all time.
In her room I make morning tea in her favourite cup.
She sits, surrounded by the memories of the love we share. Her head tilted, mocking me, lovingly, with that ‘I told you so‘ look.
The blush of youth, gone from her skin long ago, replaced by the dust-dry grey wrinkles of time and death.
My heart is breaking, and yes I do have a heart.
‘See,’ I whisper, ‘it’s not fiction. A vampire can love a human.’
Oh, intriguing! I wondered where this was going all the way through.
DeleteSuper ending, Terrie. I didn't see it coming.
DeleteSEEKING REFUGE - PART 1
ReplyDeleteThe blush of dawn brightened as Woody Jenkings faced the Ferlazzo Insane Asylum. On the run after escaping the Steele Lunatic Asylum, he smiled at the irony of escaping one loony bin for another.
Long abandoned, the Ferlazzo Asylum was a ravaged hulk that could have been the setting for Gothic fiction. In its day, it housed the most severely deranged killers whose violent tantrums turned humans into corpses. Killers like Woody Jenkins.
This place was perfect. No one would suspect he would seek refuge here.
He mounted the rotting steps and reached for the door.
It open by itself.
Sounds like he might get his comeuppance ... but I suspect he's as likely to be delivering it.
Delete