Much saddened to hear news of Antonia’s death. Ever-reliable in her attendance at, and in support of, Prediction, ever-entertaining with tales of her shop, and her cats, and ever encouraging. To be asked for a story, then offered publishing — and payment — gave me a boost that lasted months.
So … no prizes last week, but heartfelt thanks for participation.
Words for the coming week: button skull wring
Entries by midnight Thursday February 1st, new words Friday February 2nd
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.
Dream Villain Where Are You?
ReplyDeleteThe buttons the Baron wore on his morning coat were carved from human bone and fashioned to look like skulls. He wore a bow tie of dried sinew looped around his neck. His top hat was festooned in gruesome mementos. Eyeballs and wizened ears, assorted teeth. He threatened to wring my neck and use my skin for riding gloves. I took my pistol and shot him in the head. Very disappointing. Thought he’d move faster. Having read his CV, I had high hopes of finding my Nemesis at last. Worthy adversaries are hard to come by these days.
Excellent use of the prompt words and i agree that there is definitely an opening for further episodes.
DeleteInstantly gripping opening sentence, and an ending which leaves an opening for another episode. Good.
ReplyDeleteThresholds new [7]
ReplyDeleteLiving shoulder to shoulder, day to day, all very romantic but, loth as I was to dispatch post-coital ease with practicalities, we needed, at least, to eat. Exiting the shower, wherein I’d rehearsed arguments, wringing water from my hair as if to draw tactful wisdom from my skull I perched beside him on the bed. ‘It’s a sweet notion, Raven, but what will we live on? I doubt the Desert currency you amassed will be worth more than buttons elsewhere. Also, the world has changed —’
His smile told me what was coming next.
‘And so have I.’
Oooh has Raven really changed.
DeleteThe Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries - entry 258.
ReplyDeleteSarg nodded appreciatively as the larger digger ‘Dillo, tentatively scraping dirt, pulled gently on some exposed roots.
‘Bugger it,’ muttered his smaller buttoned-nose, companion as a large chunk of soil slithered away with the roots: Along with the dirt that fell away a ‘Dillo skull tumbled out into the tunnel as a sizeable hole opened.
The thick, dark, scent of death that followed could almost be wrung from the air.
Sarg and the diggers covered their snouts.
‘Gonna need a strong belly to operate in there, Sarg,’ Button nose said through dirty clawed paws.
Sarg coughed in agreement.
As ever, entertaining and impressive use of the prompt words.
Delete