THE STALKER

100 Word Challenge – Week#91

Posted on May 27, 2013 by jfb57

Julia says: this week’s prompt came from nowhere really:

…there’s always a sting in the tail….

You may play with the spelling of Tail / Tale if it helps!

If this is your first visit do read ‘What is 100WCGU?’ You’ll see that you have 100 words to add to those in the prompt to produce a creative piece to share.

You link it below and have until Monday 3rd June to do so.

Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list. I will move it to this page as soon as possible!

THE STALKER

Scorpion like she stalked her prey

Pulled up Facebook every day

Looked through friends of friends lists

To make sure there was nobody she missed

She'd been hurt by too many people before

She hid the papers in her underwear drawer

He said, there’s always a sting in the tail

This was one mission she would not fail

It wouldn’t be honourable

She was not an angel

The black mark against her name

It would bring her family shame

Her children would wonder

They would guess and ponder

It really is better this way

Not tomorrow but today

They will not forget

She will not regret.

Regrets

WWBH Prompt

Wednesday 22 May 2013

) Use the photo and the 5 words provided in your story

2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.

3) You have until next Tuesday to link up your post.

4) Link up with your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, Tena or Leanne) when you’re done via the inLinkz linky below.

5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow.

This week's photo:

The words:

T-Shirt

Paddock

Spacestation

Pyramid

Zip

Here is my contribution:

REGRETS

The view through the hotel window showing the myriad of nightlights reminded her of a space station she’d read about in a book.  One day she knew the human race would have to settle outside the galaxy probably dashing along in hover cars where they would zip between buildings.

 

She smiled at something Mark said not really listening to him.   He grabbed her hand and said, ‘isn't this fantastic, Natasha?’

‘Yes, darling,’ she replied dutifully.

 

She came back down to reality as she realised Mark was addressing her again.  She smiled her apologies at him as she allowed him to put his arm around her bare shoulders trying to suppress a small shudder.

‘Sorry, my darling, are you feeling a chill?’ Mark asked solicitously. 

‘Your touch gave me goose bumps,’ she answered in a manner that she hoped was slightly flirtatious which is why they were here in this posh and swanky hotel eating food she’d never heard the name of before.

She followed his lead as he picked up his champagne flute.  They clinked champagne glasses together; crystal chink chimed melodically as an unobtrusive waiter cleared their plates and brushed the invisible crumbs from their table.

A deep sigh came from Mark.  ‘This is the day I’ve dreamed of for many years,’ he murmured. 

‘I can't quite believe you agreed to become my wife.  I keep pinching myself to make sure it’s true.’

‘Yes, it’s true,’ Natasha said trying not to grind her teeth.  

A pyramid of regrets built up inside her heart with only the apex peeking out from the base she kept hidden deep down inside.

   

She must stop this.  He had made his decision to leave.  She had made the effort to forget him.   Mark wasn't a bad man.  In fact he was a lovely chap, kind and thoughtful and she would do her very best to be a good wife.

Her mobile phone vibrated in her clutch bag nestling on her lap. 

  

 ‘I do love you Natasha.  I will do anything to keep you happy.’ 

She heard Mark’s words and thought there was just a tinge of menace hiding in his tone.  

She squeezed his hand, snuggled in to his neck and nodded her acceptance.

Word Count: 499



Walter and Sarah

Romantic Friday Writers

 RFW May 2013 Challenge is LETTERS.

Open until May 27^th 2013

 Write your poem/story using LETTERS as the theme for a multi-generic piece of writing.   For more details go to the RFW Challenges Page.

Here is my contribution to the challenge:

WALTER AND SARAH

Word count: 999



THE MISUNDERSTANDING

100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups – Week#90

Posted on May 20, 2013 by jfb57

Julie says: I’ve been having problems with a very sore wrist for a couple of months. Nothing I do seems to help and of course as I spend quite a lot of my day at a PC, rest is out of the question. Just to make sure there wasn’t something else I could do, I’ve been to see a physio and he did some acupuncture on it.

So (you’ve guessed it I’m sure) the prompt is:

…the points were sharp…

As usual just add 100 words. Please keep your pieces suitable for a PG certificate and if you are stuck do read ‘What is 100WCGU?’ for some help.

The link is open NOW and will remain so until 27th May.

Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…

 HERE IS MY CONTRIBUTION:

THE MISUNDERSTANDING

The words flew around the room

He said them in their bedroom

Vitriolic full of venom

This is what they had become

Where was the love, the affection?

They were sinking deep into a canyon

Jutting up the points were sharp

Biting and pricking like a barb

No rescue would be forthcoming

His blue eyes were so hard and unblinking

She’d never seen him so angry before

His last act was slamming the front door

She fell in a heap, curled up in a ball of shame

She tried to call out his name

Her throat was dry, no noise came.

Word count:  103

Home Coming, by Sally Stackhouse

Here are the rules:

1) Use the photo and the 5 words provided in your story

2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.

3) You have until next Tuesday to link up your post.

4) Link up with your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, Tena or Leanne) when you’re done via the inLinkz linky below.

5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow.

 

Mandatory words:

dock

cannon

anchor

camel

credit card

 

 

 

HOME COMING

The photo courtesy of our fellow blog hop writer Cindy Cagle

Although Annabel had risen early that morning time was already flying past. The kitchen was now spotless, beds made and all chores were done.  She gazed out of the window to check the weather.   It seemed a nice day for a lovely walk but she knew how deceptive it could be so to be on the safe side she would wear her camel coloured coat.  It was smart enough to meet Peter in the Crown and Anchor pub and warm enough to sit outside and enjoy a drink.

She wandered down past the stream that led in to the town centre that eventually flowed to the harbour at the dock.   There were several spots with benches on the quayside that she could sit on and her particular favourite was the bench next to the old cannon that was polished a burnished black and well looked after by the council men along with the others embedded on the quayside.

She loved watching the ferries come in to the harbour disgorging all those cars with their travel weary passengers and the foreign drivers whose faces were full of concentration as they negotiated the British road system. 

Drive on left.

Tenez la Gauche

Links Fahren

Picture from Wikipedia

Annabel scrolled down to the text messages on her phone.  They weren't quite the same as love letters but it suited Peter as he was a man of few words, more a man of action especially when he came off the ferry after a fortnight working on the oil rig far out to sea.  Only seeing your husband one week in three kept the excitement alive and felt that you were always courting. 

The only blot on Peter’s homecoming this time around was the credit card statement letter she’d opened in the mail this morning.  She usually left all the mail for Peter to sort out but this was addressed to Mr. and Mrs. so she opened it. 

The balance had been cleared the month before.  Her hand flew up to her mouth when she saw a large amount appearing on the statement.  What on earth was it for?  Furthermore, where was the money coming from in the next month to pay that large sum off? 

Peter espied Annabel sitting on her favourite bench.  He squared his shoulders, put on his best smile and sat down next to her.  He put his arm around her as she snuggled in to his neck.  He love the smell of the shampoo she used coupled with her perfume; he knew he’d made the right decision.

Annabel sat up and distanced herself from Peter’s embrace.  She opened her mouth to ask him what he had bought on credit.  He put his finger to her lips as he put his hand in his jacket pocket and pulled out a jewellery box.  He flipped open the lid and presented her with a beautiful diamond eternity ring.

Inscribed on a card inside the box were the words ‘I love you.’

Word Count:   500

THE LAKE

http://jfb57.wordpress.com/2013/05/13/100-word-challenge-for-grown-ups-week89/

This week’s prompt is a picture

This week’s prompt is a picture

Photo courtesy of Marianne Whooley who has a great blog Maris World

THE LAKE

Do you think they really will?

Yep, they said so did Dad and Uncle Bill

What’ll they do with all the water?

Dunno, Mum said they didn't oughta.

What’ll happen to all the fish?

I suppose they’ll die and perish.

They had a big meeting in town

Mum said it was a big showdown

With lotsa men in pinstripe suits

And the mayor was in cahoots

So we can’t keep the lake?

The grown-ups said it was a mistake

They dry it up and make some money

The soldiers will come from the army

That’s why they’re all very angry.



WHAT A DAY

This week's (Wednesday 8th May 2013) prompt - first, the rules.

1) Use the photo and the 5 words provided in your story

2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.

3) You have until next Tuesday to link up your post.

4) Link up with your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, Tena or Leanne)

5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow

This week's photo is courtesy of Flikr Commons:

The 5 must-use words:

butter

evil

wardrobe

rescue

ballroom

WHAT A DAY

Jessica stood at the edge of the wooden path gazing along its interminable length to the barren trees at the bend far ahead.  She couldn't believe how the universe could be so evil and conspire to make her mobile phone run out of charge.  No chance of rescue any time soon.   Today of all days when there was so much to do and so little time left.

 The tyre blowing out on the main road wouldn't have been a problem if only she’d bought some butter at the supermarket and packed it in to the bags in the boot of the car.  Then she could have greased the wheel nut and changed the flat for the spare one and driven home carefully.

The shortcut home looked rather precarious but she would just have to get on with it.  She heaved her handbag over her shoulder, rolled up the sleeves on her pretty white embroidered blouse, hitched up her skirt away from her booted ankles and started marching along the path.

 Her mind began to wander as she thought about the rest of the decorations that still had to be hung in the ballroom for her sister, Natasha’s wedding reception tomorrow afternoon.   She ran through a mental check list. 

The helium balloons, in the boot of her non-functioning car - tick. 

The three-tier wedding cake was being delivered to the house in the morning: she would have to arrange alternative transport to get it to the venue - tick.  

The flowers were coming straight from the florists – tick.

She would set her alarm clock for silly o’clock tomorrow to ensure there was enough time to alleviate these blasted problems.

She smiled as she thought how pretty Natasha’s dress was.  She didn't want to let her sister down and only hoped that the running repair she’d had to make on the hem of her own bridesmaid’s dress wouldn't be too visible after the slight wardrobe malfunction she’d had yesterday when she’d caught it on the heel of the stiletto shoe she was supposed to squash her feet in to.

Natasha had told her that it would be a good idea to break in the new shoes beforehand so Jessica though she might as well wear the dress as well.   It was all going so well as she pottered around the kitchen until she stretched up to the top shelf for a pan which is when she caught her heel in the hem and heard a loud ripping sound.

The cotton thread she had to use on the running repair was only a slightly different colour to the dress.  It was red (well perhaps more scarlet than red) instead of a pretty pastel pink to match the dress.  

She was sure it wouldn't be very noticeable in subdued lighting; luckily it was at the back of the dress, so if the great, wonderful universe didn't throw another spanner in the works she should get away with it.

Word count: 497

THE JOURNEY

100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups – Week#88

http://jfb57.wordpress.com/2013/05/06/100-word-challenge-for-grown-ups-week88/

the prompt this week  is

…parting is such sweet sorrow….

THE JOURNEY

Her little round face watched from the rear window

She tried to capture this moment as a photo

She tried to smile bravely through her tears

She knew they’d forget her in a couple of years

So why did they want to send her far away

More miles than you could travel in one day

She wiped the tear from her cheek as the house disappeared

And picked up her favourite book, slightly soiled and dog eared

Her dad’s last words had been ‘parting is such sweet sorrow’

Then he smiled and said ‘Love you, I’ll Skype you tomorrow.’

The Power of Books

This is the first time I've joined in this bloghop.

The rules are simple:  there is a photo prompt five randomely generated words

1) Use the photo and the 5 words provided in your story

2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.

3) You have until next Tuesday to link up your post.
4) Link up with your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, Tena or Leanne) when you’re done via the inLinkz linky below.

5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow.

(Randomly generated) Mandatory Words:

mole

napkin

poison

concert

neck

The Power of Books

He had to stay with his Nan while his mum was at work.  They had to go in to town to the library to get a book his Nan wanted. He wandered down the aisles between the two huge book shelves towering above him.  His Nan always told him how reading was exciting and how you could get lost in a book.  He always told her reading was boring. 

His dad said he was dyslexic like he was.  He wanted to be like his dad.  His mum said his dad didn't study at school and was naughty and that’s why he didn't have a job now.  His dad was always busy though.  His dad had a car.  His dad had an X-box.  His dad had a big television.

His mum worked four days a week and was always tired.  His mum said they didn't have enough money.  So his dad didn't work and he had enough money and was going to a concert in London next week.  He didn't understand adults.

His Nan had left him to wander through the library while she went and chose her books.  She needed to find something on how to get rid of the mole hills on her lawn.  Granddad had asked her to find out.  He didn't know why she didn't just Google poison for moles.  That would sort them out.

He tilted his head back and felt the strain on his neck as he looked up at the shelves.  Who wrote all these books?  Where did all these words come from?  Why did people read books? 

There was a book just poking out, tantalising him.  He could just see the cover.  It had a picture of some dragons on it.  Perhaps it was to do with a computer game.  He reached out with his hand and took it down from the shelf.

His fingers trailed over the picture as he held it in his left hand, his right hand hovered over the fly leaf as he opened the cover and started to read.   He sat down cross legged on the floor and pulled the hood of his red jacket over his head. 

He reached in to his pocket and pulled out the napkin he’d saved from lunch and wiped his hands so they were clean as he turned the first page. 

He leaned back against the sturdy bookshelves as he became lost in another world of magic, myth and flying monsters.

‘There you are,’ whispered his Nan.  ‘Are you ready to go?’

He looked up with glazed eyes as he slowly came back to reality. 

‘Can I keep this book, Nan, please,’ he asked.

‘We’ll get you a membership card for the library,’ she said smiling, ‘and then you can borrow and read as many books as you like.’

Word count: 471