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 chilling photo leaves me shivering.
In anticipation.
Click on this link to enter your tale, and see what others have written.
Copyright Al Forbes
Tourists
I love the ski season.
I have just bought myself a new Yamaha YZ125 with money I got from tourists.
It’s an off road bike, ideal for the treacherous icy conditions up here in the Cairngorms.
A lot of the mountain roads can be tricky to drive, especially for city folk.
I started earning on an old second-hand bicycle when I was only twelve.
I have come a long way in the last four years.
I grew up here, so I know all the dangerous curves and corners.
That is where I meet the tourists.
People react instinctively when they see a kid sliding on a patch of ice.
Sometimes they end up going into one of the steep little gorges.
They can be badly hurt sometimes.
I have even found one or two dead.
That is how I leave all of them.
And that is how I get money from tourists.
This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
A man’s gotta make a living…
Taking money from the dead – you’re such a bad boy! LOL!!
Liked the story, but starting to wonder whether your main reason for leaving Scotland was the pursuit of better weather and fine wines, or something darker. The inside of your head is a scary place …
Very dark story but excellent writing. 🙂
Money from the dead or seriously injured…now that’s quite an occupation! I see it now…Financial Relief Collector! Great story! 🙂
Oh dear … now that’s just charming! The dark-half has risen to write this piece!
The dark half (three quarters, 95%) writes most of this stuff, it seems!
I think this is what I like most with your writing. Going from a seagull story using it as a metaphor for life to this, a cold hearted greedy serial killer. You just never know what you are going to get with your stories. You are like a bag of jellybeans. (I was going to say box of chocolate, but someone already used that one).
Jelly beans, huh?
So kinda sweet but liable to make you choke?
The truth is, my dear Belinda, that my stories often surprise me too.
I am often left thinking ‘Wow, where did that come from?’
Whew … I was hoping they weren’t based on personal experiences ..!
I like this one. I don’t know why. It’s creepy, for sure, yet I do like it!
Maybe creepy is just your thing, Corina.
Thanks for visiting.
Another creepy one. A despicable guy who steals from the dying or badly injured. Doesn’t matter though, they end up dead. I would want to be dead to begin with.
If he was a nice guy there wouldn’t be much of a story!
Yes, true
Nicely told as ever, and a great twist 🙂
Thank you, Angie, your warm words are always much appreciated.
I now know to expect the unexpected from your stories and it’s always a delight to see what evil twist you’ve thrown in 🙂
There is a clue in my tag line, ‘where nothing is quite what it seems’.
But if I provide you with some delight, then I too am delighted.
Thank you, Joanne
Yes – that should have been my clue 😉
I slid right into the trap which I should have seen peeking through.
Evil but clever tale spin. Bravo.
Ah, tale spin, very clever, Em.
As you well know, I do try to disguise the traps.
Niiiiccee. Lovely spot of conscience from him. Love the twist
Thanks, Al, glad you liked it.
I did 🙂
Dear CE,
Charming young man. I’ll be sure to look him up as a tour guide if I ever make it to the Cairngorms. Well constructed with the usual twist in the ayr.
Shalom,
Rochelle
A boy has to have something to give his old mum at the end of the week, don’t you think?
Glad you liked my wee twist, Ma’am, and thank you for your kind words.
Nice twist – I hope he comes a cropper himself (is it bad I’m assuming the mc is a male?)
Oh, Louise, how could you be so sexist!
I assume that too, unless I specify gender.
Glad you liked it enough to dislike him.
Reblogged this on anelephantcant and commented:
AnElephantCant take part in Winter Sports
Although some ladies outfits do look rather nice
But what his complaint here is
They look rather dangerous
AnElephantCant skate on thin ice
http://anelephantcant.me/2013/12/19/splintered-thoughts-on-winter-sports/
A sporty bike for an unsporting activity! Nicely done.
Chap needs wheels, Steve, or it could be dangerous out there!