And just returned from a two-day city break in (Manchester) I'm not only giving you new prompt words but also naming a winner
– David, for the memorable poetry of his “saggy skin never shrunk to fit
small bones.” Also, of course, thanking all of you for your
participation.
So cotton, sign and tram-lines are words
for the coming week. Entries by midnight Thursday 21st September, new words and winners Friday 22nd.
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.
David... your entry was excellent - a great choice for the #1 spot.
ReplyDeleteI agree Jim it was my personal pick too.
ReplyDeleteThe Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries - entry 239
ReplyDeleteTaken a bit of a liberty with the word tram-lines in this episode as 'Dillos don't use trams .
The ‘Dillo signed with his free paw, indicating a spot near the exit ‘Park yerself where it’s safer Sarg, and git ready t’ run when I do.’
She nodded and moved.
With a hefty punch, he drove his stick, pointy end first, into the spot he’d selected. A web-like split spread as he repeated the movement in other spots. Everything slowly buckled apart toppling noisily into the second trench.
‘Let’s move it pronto’.
Side by side they sped down the exit tunnel trampling hidden earth-slide points as they went. Dirt and debris floated into the air after them, like cotton-fluff.
Impressed with your inventiveness, Terrie and, as ever, your ability to convey fast-action scenes.
DeleteI read your 4th paragraph over and over... so nicely done, Terrie.
DeleteThe Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries - entry 240
ReplyDelete(Again not quite 'tramline')
Thin, cottony, clouds drifting calmly across the midday sky could not hide the dark scent of musk, blood and something less tangible riddling the camp.
On the track where Armi and Atlas lay hidden, signs showed the ground had been churned by many feet, although no-one seemed to be using it.
A noisy confusion of gerbils, trammelled and outnumbered by bloody-mouthed, rats, cowered and squeaked at the camps centre.
On one side of the disorder two weasels stood guard outside a stick built lean-to. From inside a humming, drumming, noise echoed out over the encampment like a dreadful heartbeat.
But 'trammelled' earns you forgiveness, along with the sensuous scents and sounds.
DeleteA TRAIN RIDE
ReplyDeleteMy hair is pure white, thus I am called Cotton-Top. On Thursday nights, to relive an incident now long past, I appear on the tram-line train that runs between Lucketts and Bluemont.
I first boarded the train 61 years ago to experience the state-of-the-art locomotive just added to the fleet. I stood on the platform between passenger cars, exhilarated by this new, powerful engine.
I didn’t complete the journey. I was pushed from the platform to die just past a sign that read DEAD FALL AHEAD.
One of these Thursdays I’ll learn who killed me and I shall exact revenge.
Ooh - ghost stories are rare here, and this one intriguing indeed, Jim.
DeleteAlso intrigued Jim, I want to know who killed this person and why because i know there has to be a reason.
DeleteShe who hesitates ...
ReplyDeleteYou know how it is. A voice, as well-remembered as the tingle down my spine; recalling, instantly and all too well, another guilty awakening in sweat-soaked cotton sheets, a sign – evidence! – that once again things had gone too far; locked onto the tram-lines of lust we’d been unable to resist.
But, ten years had passed. Those tram-lines now scored across your forehead. Cotton threads of white in the once-ebony of your hair and the thinness of your mouth signing a loss of joy in your life. Briefly tempted to effect a rescue I hesitated. Then maturity (mine) said ‘No’.
Slightly jealous of how Sandra is a master of packing so much detail into her sentences.
DeleteSo much of interest packed into your first paragraph, Sandra. Nicely done!
ReplyDelete