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).
Al’s great photo of a lamppost glowing in the dark made me think of romance, and lost love.
Then I thought of this.
Click on this link to enter your tale, and see what others have written.
Copyright Al Forbes
Click here to hear me read the story:
Keeley
I am sitting outside the little café in the square.
At the next table is an English family, mum, dad, son, daughter.
We get talking.
They are on holiday, obviously.
They are friendly and intelligent.
Chris is a nice guy, and they are good kids.
Keeley is blonde, slim and tanned, with a great smile.
In short, she is stunning.
I see them a few times, here and around town, always all together.
Then, only a couple of days before they are due to leave, I see her come out of a shop alone.
I am leaning against a lamppost, suffering in the heat.
I raise a hand in greeting.
She smiles enchantingly, greets me French style, with a kiss on each cheek.
I see the concern in her eyes.
Are you feeling okay, she asks.
Not great, I say, need to get into the shade.
She looks around uncertainly.
Where, she asks.
I live just around the corner, I say, pointing tiredly.
I’ll help you to your door, she volunteers, should I call Chris?
No, I give her my arm, I’ll be fine.
As we move slowly towards my home, my heart is pounding.
My patience has paid off.
Eight days of surveillance is worthwhile.
I am so glad I took the time to sharpen my knives.
Was not expecting that! Scary!
Please don’t be scared, I actually love mermaids.
They have appeared in several of my stories over the years, and in my book, of course.
ooh scary stuff.
ooh, cool comment
I doubt that’s going to be a cooking lesson or buffet luncheon. Your killer is going to strike again. Good but brutal writing, C.E.
You called this one right, Suzanne.
I like good but brutal, thank you.
Uggg… That last line gives me shivers. I wish she had never walked over to him. Great write CE. Shocking with the brutality in the end, or brutality to come.
Laughing at the ‘Uggg…’
You are such a pleasure to write for, Amanda, you get so involved so quickly.
Thank you for brightening my blog and my day.
Hugs
Eek–scary! I wasn’t expecting that ending.
See my strap line, where nothing is quite what it seems…
Scary is good, thank you.
That is brilliantly told that the really unexpected ending!
Thank you, Angie, I do like to surprise you!
Deftly executed. Polished and taut.
Thank you, sir.
And Graham is quiet these days, is he okay?
Yes he’s good thanks!
Shudders! Brrr!!
Impeccably built story that goes from benevolent curiosity through misdirection then tension and a presumed gory murder…. But the narrator could have a cooking lesson in mind for all we really know!
Sometimes you are really scary.
Yes, Em, like Mr Lecter.
I am having a stunning blonde for dinner!
Nice! Another sharp tale from you there. I wonder if he will get the others as well.
He doesn’t care, Al, gentlemen prefer blondes!
I’m definitely not a gent then. I prefer redheads and brunettes 🙂
That, was so perfect. 👍
Thank you, Matthew, so glad you enjoyed it so much.