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.
This week’s photo prompt, obviously an old shot of the Jolly Green Giant, is by the delightful Connie Gayer.
The idea, as always, is to write a story of around 100 words based on this picture, below.
Click here to hear the writer read his words:
Innocent
Where is her body?
They ask me that a thousand times.
I tell them again the hole is for a cherry tree.
She went to buy it.
She did not come back.
Instead the police arrived.
They got an anonymous call about a domestic disturbance.
Not for the first time.
We have come to blows before, I admit.
They found her blood on an axe in the bedroom.
They know I have a history of violence.
They know I have a mistress.
They don’t even need a body.
I am going to prison.
She is much smarter than I thought.






Well written, great twist. I really admire her. 🙂
So clever!
Somehow, halfway through, at the line “We have come to blows before, I admit” the tables were going to turn. Well done.
He thought he had her but she played him well. The body count remains at 0 and 1 in this clever tale 🙂
Be sure, your sins will find you out, young lady…or not. Bloody good yarn.
Click to read my FriFic tale
Very clever, CE. You strike again. He thought he only had to watch out for his wife, and didn’t factor you into the equation.
Best wishes,
Rowena
Reminded me too of Gone girl. Great build-up and denouement!
Well told. He’s safe at present — at least here in Canada the police cant charge anyone with murder if they don’t have a body — but he’ll never have any peace until she turns up somehow. Reaping for past sins and all that.
Sadly for him, Christine, he ain’t in Canada.
Although sometimes I wish I was!
How did they know it was her blood? Rather presumptuous, don’t you think?
Ah, it’s science and stuff, Russell, nothing for you to worry your pretty little head about.
Or maybe she left a note saying ‘Ouch!’
What an excellent story. Why should we believe a word the narrator tells us? He’s not under oath…very ambiguous, CE!
Gosh, Penny, you are a cynical lady!
Could he not murder her? Little lost here.
Hello my dear Indira.
She framed him, that’s all.
Oh, okay. Very smart. Beautiful write up.
I knew a blow was going to fall by the end, but wasn’t expecting that! What a cunning plan, though part of me wonders if he didn’t deserve it. Was this the only way she could escape his violence? Beautifully constructed and wonderful writing
Well, Lynn, there is always a blow at the end!
Happy to have misled you for once.
Glowing at your fulsome praise.
My pleasure always, C
Superbly constructed, Ceayr.
Thank you, Neel
It’s about time… 😉
00.50 here, Dale
Shouldn’t you be in bed?
This sounds ominously like a scene from Gone Girl. And that IS smart, setting him up like that. Nicely done, CE.
Hmm, don’t know who she is, but yep, this lady is smart.
I think you’ve definitely captured a psychopath.
Well he’s not a sweetheart, I admit, but you are quite harsh, Jilly!
It’s interesting how this photo has inspired such stories from a number of authors. Yikes.
Man. Hole. Body. Logical progression. But not in this case.
Sharper than the ax… too bad for him to spend time for a crime he might have done…
Yep, this time, as the title says, he is innocent
Dear CE,
She’s a sharp one indeed. So much for the cherry tree.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Too bright for him, m’lady
Perfectly formed
Thank you, Neil, succinct as ever, my friend