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.
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.
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
Thanks, Suzanne.
I laughed aloud at where you went with this comment!
Oh, an evil man indeed. I often wonder what’s hidden inside people, what they’re capable of.
We are not all so sweet all of the time, Alicia, are we?
Well, maybe you are!
Sinister man. Very dark piece enhanced by what is left out as much as by what you say. Great job
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.
Sinister man, very suggestive tale. It doesn’t need spelling out, the hints and suggestions make it so dark
Neat! We’re shoving off to sea! The adventure awaits.
You are SO spoiling us with these recordings, C.E. … keep going!
Thank you, sir, I am glad you enjoy the readings.
And there is always adventure when one heads to sea, don’t you think?
Indeed there is, shipmate!
I believe that ‘Aarrhh, Jim lad’ is the only valid way to terminate this conversation.
That is a malevolent grin if there ever was one! Well done, C.E.
Hey, Jan, I think my smile is rather winning…
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.)
I mean father and son, or man and boy… sheesh.
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.
Not ranting, just having fun.
Now that made me laugh aloud.
Thank you again.
Nasty man! I never understand why people do horrible things just because they can!
Ah, Clare, if only we were all as sweet as you…
Ha ha! I know my ex husband wouldn’t agree with that sentiment!
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 🙂
Thank you, Lynn, sometimes less is more?
And imagination is much more powerful than any words.
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
You are a sweetheart, thank you.
I cannot imagine you being even a little smug!
Haha! I have my moments, though few and far between. My pleasure 🙂
Why did he have to do it?
Seems senseless.
Unless he is the kind who does it just for the heck of it!
By George, I think you’ve got it!
Ach, so cruel you are. 🙂
Just feeding the fish, ma’am, just feeding the fish
The fish gotta eat too.
disturbing. well done.
Thank you, twice.
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?
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.
I did really enjoy it. Yes I’m always curious 🙂
Evil I would agree. But tastily done with panache.
Evil has such a negative connotation these days, don’t you think?
I’ll go with panache!
Why not but not necessarily negative to me. Panache is good 🙂
I’m optimistic that he’ll just rock their boat and not shatter them.
Tracey
Holding my sides here, Tracey, you are such a sweetheart!
I’ve written a grisly murder story this week that might float your boat. Stop by for a chat. Tracey
Was the yacht here to pick up the boy? That’s what I took from it.
You are free to take from it what you see, Paul, I am happy that you read, form your view, and comment.
He is a bit demented I presume.
Well, one man’s demented, y’know, another man’s wee hobby
An evil catch of the day! 😉
And the hunt is on for Mermaids!
Oh my, dripping with malice. I like it!
Laughing at that.
Thank you.
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. <3
Shalom,
Rochelle
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.
Quite a twist at the end. Very evil. Great work.
Thank you, Iain, evil and great work for me!
Such evil! Good story.
Evil, Dawn, really?
Just a couple more chopped up for fish food!
Wonder what will crunch first, the boat or the bones. I like it.
You have a mean streak, old buddy!
Only a small one 😉
I have been in that small vessel… but most people don’t understand the seaworthiness of a kayak… so I would grin back…
Sadly not a kayak, Bjorn, but a little day fishing boat.
No laughing matter as you get converted to matchsticks.
I really felt I was there too with this one.
With a lifejacket, I hope!
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.
Thank you, Sandra, glad you liked it.
Sadly this was not just emptying the cupboards!
I think the grin was what really made this for me. Most people would have had him grimace!
A man who takes his pleasures where he finds them