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.
Today’s artistic photo by Georgia Koch is rather like looking in a mirror, I see something old, grey and somewhat past its best.
I did not write anything for this last year, perhaps because I was in Canada at the time.
Or perhaps I just lacked inspiration.
The idea, as always, is to write a story of around 100 words based on the picture, below.
Copyright – Georgia Koch
Click here to hear me read the story:
Back to Port
I head back to port in the failing light.
The Mediterranean seems strangely devoid of other craft.
I see a solitary small boat ahead, dwarfed by my sixty-foot yacht.
I catch it fast, on a course to overtake on its starboard side.
Its two occupants, a man and a pre-adolescent boy, wave a friendly greeting.
I raise a hand from the steering wheel, send a salute in return.
Then I look around at the empty seas.
There is nothing as far as I can see.
With a grin, I grip the wheel more firmly.
And pull my left hand down.
Sound Bite Fiction 
Ah, another nicely evil character doing horrid things because …
Alas, even as I grinned, I sobered up, and thought, “Were they refugees?” But if so, there would have had to have been more of them.
Yes, your protagonist is definitely a beast.
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That man would give Blackbeard a run for his money. Maybe someone more evil will torpedo him before he strikes again. Where is Batman when you need him–or Neptune for that matter. Good writing, C.E. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thanks, Suzanne.
I laughed aloud at where you went with this comment!
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Oh, an evil man indeed. I often wonder what’s hidden inside people, what they’re capable of.
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We are not all so sweet all of the time, Alicia, are we?
Well, maybe you are!
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Sinister man. Very dark piece enhanced by what is left out as much as by what you say. Great job
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When we only have 100 words, we often depend very much on the reader’s imagination.
So I appreciate that you have one, Michael, and that you enjoyed my little tale.
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Sinister man, very suggestive tale. It doesn’t need spelling out, the hints and suggestions make it so dark
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Neat! We’re shoving off to sea! The adventure awaits.
You are SO spoiling us with these recordings, C.E. … keep going!
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Thank you, sir, I am glad you enjoy the readings.
And there is always adventure when one heads to sea, don’t you think?
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Indeed there is, shipmate!
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I believe that ‘Aarrhh, Jim lad’ is the only valid way to terminate this conversation.
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That is a malevolent grin if there ever was one! Well done, C.E.
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Hey, Jan, I think my smile is rather winning…
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And then boy and son took their gun, and ‘bam’– I’m sure the yacht will bring a good price on some black market. So many people perish at sea… (Sorry, couldn’t stop myself. Nastily good story, as always.)
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I mean father and son, or man and boy… sheesh.
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I do so enjoy when a reader gets involved enough to have a good rant!
And I expect my readers to use their imagination to fill in the blanks of which, in a 100-word story, there are many.
So if your father and son day fishers on the peaceful Med carry a lethal weapon, then that is cool for me.
I am just happy that you cared so much, thank you.
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Not ranting, just having fun.
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Now that made me laugh aloud.
Thank you again.
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Nasty man! I never understand why people do horrible things just because they can!
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Ah, Clare, if only we were all as sweet as you…
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Ha ha! I know my ex husband wouldn’t agree with that sentiment!
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Oh, I knew from the outset that this would end badly. I love the way this is all suggestion, nothing obvious, nothing actually stated, but we are in doubt things will end badly for the man and his son. Very well written, C 🙂
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Thank you, Lynn, sometimes less is more?
And imagination is much more powerful than any words.
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Very true – it’s much more satisfying for the reader if they can feel they’ve worked some of the plot out for themselves. Makes one feel a little smug 🙂 Really great story
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You are a sweetheart, thank you.
I cannot imagine you being even a little smug!
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Haha! I have my moments, though few and far between. My pleasure 🙂
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Why did he have to do it?
Seems senseless.
Unless he is the kind who does it just for the heck of it!
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By George, I think you’ve got it!
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Ach, so cruel you are. 🙂
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Just feeding the fish, ma’am, just feeding the fish
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The fish gotta eat too.
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disturbing. well done.
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Thank you, twice.
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Nicely told story CE. He gets rid of them. No one can see. He’s safe. Plus, he had the bigger boat. I wonder why? Maybe, it makes him feel powerful?
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Some of us, sorry, them, Amanda, just get a buzz out of being bad.
Glad you liked it, and I love how you always have thoughts and questions.
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I did really enjoy it. Yes I’m always curious 🙂
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Evil I would agree. But tastily done with panache.
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Evil has such a negative connotation these days, don’t you think?
I’ll go with panache!
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Why not but not necessarily negative to me. Panache is good 🙂
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I’m optimistic that he’ll just rock their boat and not shatter them.
Tracey
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Holding my sides here, Tracey, you are such a sweetheart!
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I’ve written a grisly murder story this week that might float your boat. Stop by for a chat. Tracey
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Was the yacht here to pick up the boy? That’s what I took from it.
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You are free to take from it what you see, Paul, I am happy that you read, form your view, and comment.
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He is a bit demented I presume.
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Well, one man’s demented, y’know, another man’s wee hobby
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An evil catch of the day! 😉
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And the hunt is on for Mermaids!
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Oh my, dripping with malice. I like it!
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Laughing at that.
Thank you.
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Dear CE,
You look so mild and harmless in your photo. I fear there’s a side to you I don’t want to cross. Well done. As always, I love to hear your brogue as you read. ❤
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Mild and harmless, that’s what everyone says.
My school principal, chief of police, judge, parole officer…
I am very happy at your kind words, m’lady.
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Quite a twist at the end. Very evil. Great work.
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Thank you, Iain, evil and great work for me!
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Such evil! Good story.
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Evil, Dawn, really?
Just a couple more chopped up for fish food!
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Wonder what will crunch first, the boat or the bones. I like it.
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You have a mean streak, old buddy!
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Only a small one 😉
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I have been in that small vessel… but most people don’t understand the seaworthiness of a kayak… so I would grin back…
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Sadly not a kayak, Bjorn, but a little day fishing boat.
No laughing matter as you get converted to matchsticks.
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I really felt I was there too with this one.
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With a lifejacket, I hope!
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Yes, I’ve been there, even in our 16 metre craft. And I’d swear I’ve seen a similar grin as I’ve prepared for what we call a ‘cupboard emptier’. Great take on the prompt, CE.
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Thank you, Sandra, glad you liked it.
Sadly this was not just emptying the cupboards!
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I think the grin was what really made this for me. Most people would have had him grimace!
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A man who takes his pleasures where he finds them
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