Sunday Photo Fiction is a weekly challenge presented by my old friend Al Forbes.
The idea is to write a short story (200 word max) inspired by what you see in his picture (below).
This week’s rugged view makes me think of the Maures Mountains, which tower above Medville.
And, of course, of Al himself, a pretty rugged sort of chap!
Click on this link to enter your tale, and see what others have written.
Copyright Al Forbes
Hill Town
The little town has a rather bloody history.
It sits high in the Massif des Maures, and its fort was the site of the last stand of the Moors in 973 AD.
They were all slaughtered.
The views from here are breathtaking.
To the south-east lies the Mediterranean Sea, with St Tropez visible through a gap in the hills some 15 kilometres away.
Far to the north tower the snow-capped Alps.
To the north-west I am amazed to see the landmark mountain of Sainte-Victoire, beloved of Cezanne, maybe 100 kilometres distant.
My new bride points excitedly to something much closer.
What is that, she asks, indicating a small body of water maybe 10 kilometres away.
It is in a hollow, and surrounded on three sides by pine trees.
Looks like a lake, I say.
I didn’t know that was there, she says, did you?
No, I smile at her, but I haven’t spent as much time in this area as you have, my love.
The truth is that I remember all too clearly my one visit there.
It was just a few years ago, when I drowned my second wife.
View from La Garde Freinet by C. E. Ayr
Yow! That did not go where I expected. Awesome twist in the end. This story has a real punch to it!
You have been here before, Sir Eric, you should perhaps be aware that things rarely go where you expect!
Glad you liked it.
Hehe. True enough. And it’s always fun when we go to unexpected places.
Just so long as it is fun!
You are quite the Bluebeard, my fiction-crazed friend. 🙂
Oh come on, Brenda, what’s a wife or two between friends?
As long as you don’t store them in a locked room. 🙂
I can’t very well store them in an unlocked room, can I?
What a joker.
Saves on divorce 😀
And think of the insurance, Al.
You could have saved yourself a bit of hassle with this approach!
Very sinister, and you describe the surroundings so well. 🙂
Thank you, it is a very beautiful and picturesque spot.
Hm, and why would he come back here, I wonder? Not planning to do it again, I hope! Goodness, but you do like to kill off your wives in the last sentence. I’d think your characters would start discussing this among themselves and plot to run away — or at least, get divorced and move away — before you do them in! 😉
That’s a bit harsh, Joy, I haven’t bumped off a wife in weeks!
And I make a point of never introducing my characters to each other, that could cause mayhem.
Cold ending. How many more wives, I wonder?
I don’t think arithmetic is his problem here.
Or hers!
Great chilling twist at the end! (You kill all the women in your stories. LOL) I love the mountain images you painted in your story.
Well, a guy needs to have a hobby, keeps him out of trouble.
Glad you enjoyed.
LOL!!
The usual brilliant tale from you, with a good sinister twist at the end 🙂 nice job 🙂
Smiling all over my wizened old coupon here, Angie.
Thank you.
Ouch, and it was all going so well up to that point. Another great story Sir (and yes this is my real name!)
Ah well, at least she had a nice wedding!
Psst, you can tell me the truth, no one will know…
Dear Ce,
This doesn’t sound like it’s going to be the honeymoon made in heaven. I hope she can escape the madman’s clutches but I fear she’s next for the last swim.
Shalom,
Rochelle
For such a sweet lady you have a very cynical view of life, don’t you?
Or is it just in my stories that you fear the worst?
Wife no. 3 needs to take care! A great, sinister ending.
Good advice, Steve, glad you liked.
A special body of water, hey?
But yes, spectacular view.
I like the way you weave history and topography, from macro picture to micro and, seamlessly move into the darkness of the inner world. Few can do that in as few words as you do.
Merci, Em, as you are well aware, La Garde Freinet is an amazing place.
Reblogged this on anelephantcant and commented:
AnElephantCant climb a mountain
He can’t even puff up a wee hill
The truth is that heights
Give him great big frights
And he stops being pink and turns green when he starts to feel ill