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).
My first thought this week when I saw Al’s 1,000 year old photo was that I was in a time warp.
So, you might reasonably think, no change there.
Click on this link to enter your tale, and see what others have written.
Copyright Al Forbes
Castle View
La Croix is Edinburgh’s newest restaurant sensation.
It is expensively exclusive.
So I am surprised when Ian calls, invites me to dine there.
When I last saw him he was in a dead end job and a dead end marriage.
He arrives wearing a £5,000 Tom Ford suit and a smile I haven’t seen for a decade.
I’ll explain later, he grins, go ahead, choose a nice wine.
After a sumptuous meal he takes me to his new apartment, a penthouse with views of the castle and the New Town.
Brandy in hand, we gaze at the monument to Sir Walter Scott in Princes Street Gardens.
My curiosity now overcomes my natural Scottish reserve.
So, just how illegal is it, I ask, are you involved in the drug market?
Oh no, he laughs, that is too dangerous for me.
I guess it is a bit illegal, he says, come on, I’ll show you.
He leads the way to a back room, unlocks the door.
I see a single bed, and a bucket that is clearly used as a toilet.
And, weeping in a corner, a little girl.
I stare at him in disbelief.
Then I smile.
Yes, it was what every good parent fears. The only thing more fearful is death.,It is a death in more ways than one. Extremely dark, but well written, C.E. —- Suzanne
No!
Sorry, Penny.
But how lovely to see you here.
Hugs
Dear CE,
My heart sank at the end. I hope Ian’s friend blows the whistle on him. What a beast. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
I think the smile says that won’t happen.
Tough one to like, hmm, m’lady?
The smile at the end was the worst – very well crafted
Thank you.
They are probably about to become partners.
Dark , very dark. Thanks for reminding me of how great Edinburgh is .
Yep, pretty dark indeed.
And Embru is a great city, but don’t take Graham.
No I won’t 🙁
Angie is very right, incredibly chilling and awful. Who is this young woman he is keeping locked up and how does it get him access to all that wealth and money? Ransome money? Her trust fund? As usual, you are great at creating dispicable characters, in this case two. Great write 🙂
Despicable characters?
Me?
How cool!
More likely to be people trafficking, I fear, just another in a long list of young girls being taken in a tourist city and sold for nefarious purposes.
Hehe yep not nice guys at all. I did think about human trafficking after commenting, perhaps, the worst option 🙁
Vile and loathsome, my dear young lady, but sadly a fact in our tortured world.
He’s doubtless pleased with himself that he thought to give her a bucket. Nicely rendered.
Thank you, sir.
This one is properly chilling. Very well written.
Thank you, Angie, I do try sometimes!
WOW! One of your sickest twists. I absolutely love it.
Not laughing this week, eh, Al?
Cheers, glad you liked it.
Oooh laughing with an evil cackle.
One of your sickest… or is it my mind that is imagining the unspeakable?
The telling of the tale is, as usual, very effective… The final smile is supremely unsettling.
No, Em, not your mind but mine.
Unsettling is good!
Well, that took the darkest of turns. there was I expecting drug running, arms trading … Nicely built up tale with a terrific punch at the end. Great story
Thank you for very kind words, Lynn, always happy to surprise you.
Always a pleasure 🙂