Friday Fictioneers is hosted by the wonderful Rochelle, the undisputed master of what I call Sound Bite Fiction.
She sets the weekly challenge, and the standard.
And, just to prove that she is multi-talented, she also provides this week’s prompt.
This photo has so much going on, it is a treasure trove for any writer.
The idea, as always, is to write a story of around 100 words based on the picture, below.
© Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
Garrotte
Strangled?
Yes, sir, she was, in fact, garrotted.
But who would do something so barbaric?
We are hoping you might tell us that, sir.
The questions go on, seemingly endlessly.
Despite the fact I have proof I was far away, I am obviously the prime suspect.
The husband always is.
But I am confident that my alibi will hold up.
I was with two friends, respectable professional men, and their wives.
I know so much about them.
Things they prefer remain secret.
As the detective continues probing, I lift my favourite model.
And caress again its flexible, slightly discoloured wires.
Well done… the perfect crime… Until one of the friends comes unraveled!
Thanks for your comment, Roger
Foolproof alibi, brilliantly concealed murder weapon – he’s home and hosed and he knows it. Terrific story, CE.
Thanks, Margaret, most of the bases seem to be covered.
Happy you enjoyed.
I read your story a couple of times and got part of it, all but the end. Then the part about the wires finally came to me. I agree that is creepy. Well written, C.E. —- Suzanne
Sorry it was so obscure, Suzanne, 100 words is a challenge.
Thanks for persevering, hope it was worth it.
What a clever way to hide the murder weapon! You are giving me ideas…for a story ofcourse 🙂
Nicely done.
Of course, whatever else?
Glad you enjoyed, and be careful!
” flexible, slightly discoloured wires”
Ha! I like this slightly twisted and creepy ending.
Then my day is a success.
‘slightly twisted and creepy’ is good, thank you!
It’s a great story, C.E., but I read it several times and didn’t quite get it. Did he murder a woman and turn her into a puppet?
Um, no, sir.
He garrotted her with the wire from his favourite model ship.
Glad you liked the story despite the lack of clarity.
You never disappoint, C.E.. Besides, if I have a question about a story, I always am not afraid to ask. If people question mine, I’ll gladly share, since sometimes stuff gets read under the radar now and then.
A very sinister, well crafted character. He must know some particularly interesting things about his ‘alibis’! I wonder if his arrogance will eventually be his undoing.
A chap with all his ducks in a row, I think.
Thank you for reading, and for taking the time to comment.
didn’t have a clue. what a twist.
Glad you enjoyed, Plaridel, always good to see you here.
ah, the title said it all, I was prepared for another foray into your dark amusement!
I trust you were not disappointed, Samantha.
Thanks for visiting again.
Let’s hope his favorite model didn’t suffer irreparable damage from the altercation. Damn her for discoloring the wires, and damn those other two couples for their unspeakable acts.
Don’t you worry your pretty little head, Russell, no models were damaged in the writing of this story, honest injun, and all that stuff.
All’s well that ends well, as someone once said.
Wow Ceayr! My type of story, love that he has a ‘favourite model’. Well written and a fantastic take on the prompt!
🙂
Wow, Heidi!
My type of comment, love that you are so enthusiastic about my little tale.
You have made my day, thank you.
Wow! Talk about new curvy Barbie! Hard to believe that’s enough to make a guy commit murder but I suppose it is anatomically correct, right? Had me fooled to the end.
I appreciate your visit, Perry, but utterly baffled by ‘new curvy Barbie’.
Your comment has me ‘fooled to the end.’
But thanks for making it!
An author after my own heart! My stories for the most part are dark so, I loved it. @sheilagood at Cow Pasture Chronicles
Thank you, Sheila, glad you enjoyed.
And I will pop by shortly, if my laptop decides to stay alive for 10 more minutes.
Understand and feel free to stop by anytime. The Cow Pasture is always open.
PS Your link here does not work, I found you via the wee froggy thingy (sorry to get all technical!)
Thanks for the heads up. I’ll check it out.
Way too comfortable to not be guilty and dangerous… well done. Though why he would have, whatever it is, his favourite model is so close at hand is a mystery…
He is perhaps a wee bit guilty of murder and blackmail, but not dangerous as such to the average Canadian holidaymaker.
And his favourite model ship is at hand because it is his favourite – no mystery!
A wee bit, eh? Oh ho! Them’s fighting words! 😉
Model shop… Ahhh….soooo obvious!
Now I am not sure if you misread or if this is another of your classic typos.
Ship, not shop.
And please, please, please, be careful with the spelling of ‘ship’!
Dammit.
“flexible and discoloured”. Your MC has certainly got the edge on the detective, not to mention the inside track on his alibi-providers. So cool a character – petrifying. Well done – you never disappoint.
I did quite like the tone of this, I admit.
And thank you for ‘never disappoint’, that means a lot coming from you, Sandra.
Wow. That is spine-tingling. I had guessed it, but that final line sent chills. Great voice here.
Thank you, Ms Lily, very happy you enjoyed it in a wow, spine-tingling, chilling sort of way!
He’s taking a chance in bringing that particular collectable to the detective’s attention!
Not the first chance I, I mean he, has taken, Liz.
Thought provokingly chilling.
Oh heck, if it has got you thinking, Dawn, I am worried!
Seems that the detective should be more observant, I rather liked your use of the wires.
Hidden in plain sight, Michael.
Thank you for visiting, and for your kind words.
Ouch … I agree the caressing makes it so much worse… I have a feeling he has done it before, and will do it again… chilling to the core.
Oh, Bjorn, the poor chap has only bumped off an annoying encumbrance, and you have him marked as a serial killer!
Tune in next week…
Oh his calmness is chilling. Well done.
Thank you, I am happy that came across effectively.
There is always an added layer of creepiness when the main protagonist is so cool and collected. Nicely done, as always.
Not the time to lose the head, is it?
And thank you for your kind words.
Oh, he is an evil one, isn’t he? “I know so much about them.Things they prefer remain secret.”
Delightfully telling.
Evil is such a harsh word, don’t you think, for one murder and a spot or two of blackmail?
Happy you enjoyed it.
Yes very chilling, he just seems beyond evil.
Kinda harsh, Mick, don’t you think, just because of one wee bit of garroting.
Ah! The wires… Where your mind goes is always a surprise even when I know murder is coming! Caressing the “flexible, slightly discoloured wire” is the killer line. Well done.
The killer line, Em?
Remember I do the funnies here, okay?
And I agree, where my mind goes is always a surprise.
Damn! I keep forgetting…
Dear C.E.
Frightful way to go. The husband’s caress of the wires is downright spine chilling. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you, m’lady, he is not the warm and cuddly type that you prefer, it seems!