And I have at least bought and wrapped all Christmas presents, but then hoped to progress an intended offering for a short story challenge, so trust my thanks for contributions and comment will suffice, along with new prompt words for the coming week: necklace origin pathetic
Entries by midnight Thursday December 21st 14th, new words Friday December 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.
TRYING TO PLEASE
ReplyDeleteThough not widely known, the necklace originated in prehistoric times when Neanderthals lived in caves, wore bearskin clothing and used grunts as language. Primitive and pathetic as they were, our ancient kin did have some sense of justice.
Murderers and thieves were hanged with nooses made from animal hides, and at some point during this period of caveman justice, an antediluvian ancestor discovered that nooses could be made attractive.
Thereafter, men and women wore nooses they adorned with bear claws and pretty rocks.
I made my wife one.
She booted me from our home.
Some women just can’t be pleased.
Perhaps the lady in question did not like the place the 'necklace 'was placed for her to find ... for instance, strung from the rafters would definitely raise a red flag. I liked the clever interchangeable idea of necklaces and nooses.
DeleteThe Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries - entry 253
ReplyDeleteA necklace of thick cloud drifting across the sun cast cold shadows over the pathetic huddle of gerbils and guard-rats.
‘Dark omen’ someone whispered.
Namwec heard the quiet voice. Almost calmly, she sought out the origin of the whispered comment and with a swipe drew her needled-claws across a dark flank.
The rat trembled as she said, ‘If you were not still useful rat I would kill you where you stand.’ She glanced back at Venice, ‘Are you still here Soldag, I’d get moving if I were you.’
Venice bowed his head and, backing away, stole swiftly into the undergrowth.
A beautifully constructed first paragraph craftily draws the reader into yet another great episode.
ReplyDelete