Sunday Photo Fiction is a weekly challenge presented by Susan Spaulding, who has taken over this great weekly prompt from my old friend Al Forbes.
This week’s photo comes courtesy of the delightful Joy Pixley.
The idea is to write a short story (200 word max) inspired by what you see in the picture (below).
Click on this link to enter your tale, and see what others have written.
© Joy Pixley
Click here to hear the author read the tale:
The Rocks
Strictly speaking, I shouldn’t be here.
But, happily, in Medville no one speaks too strictly.
This section of the great sea wall is officially closed to the public.
I love the solitude at the western extremity, overlooking the little calanque.
Occasionally I see a pair of young lovers, sometimes a fisherman on the rocks.
I say rocks, but in fact they are huge boulders, great slabs up to 3 metres in length, roughly hewn from the nearby mountains.
They have been heaped, quite untidily, as protection for the man-made barrier that shelters the port from the prevailing south-westerly winds and tides.
I step carefully across them, looking for a better view of the isles beyond the headland.
Then I am startled, almost lose my footing.
Staring up at me is a face.
A dead person’s face.
I recognise Rick, the second husband of my ex-wife.
We were close friends once, till she came between us.
I am stunned to see him.
I thought I had hidden him better than that.
Sound Bite Fiction 
Eerie!! I did not see that one coming. I will be careful next time onwards, though 😊😊.
LikeLike
The ghosts of husbands past!
LikeLike
I don’t mind the ghosts, but the corpses are a problem!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the last line.
LikeLike
Thank you, I do try to end with a bang!
LikeLiked by 1 person
And what has become of the ex-wife? Will she show up too?
LikeLike
Nah, she is well taken care of!
LikeLike
it’s a crazy weird image – but totally fascinating …. and my my … perhaps, as already noted, a vacation is in order? for “OOPS” …. LOL – still, a lovely dark twist!
LikeLike
Jings, one wee slip and you ladies are quick to put the boot in!
I’ll chop up the body and sell it to the local pie shop, okay?
LikeLiked by 1 person
now that’s better ….. euwwwwwwwwwww! LOL – hope you are well …
LikeLike
As always, you manage to surprise me (in a good way). Great job!!!
LikeLike
Thank you, Donna, this is what I live for!
LikeLike
Ha ha — a different kind of “skull rock” surprise. I should have known you would be able to come up with a sneaky murder story based on a picture like this!
LikeLike
Always, Joy!
Cool photo, cool rock.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It looked even cooler in real life. But then, the whole park did. I had no idea how breathtakingly beautiful a desert could be.
LikeLike
Careless, I expect better from an experienced killer such as yourself 🙂
LikeLike
Got a bit casual, not too smart!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I knew you were upto and sure enough you didn’t disappoint. Well written, Ceayr
LikeLike
Thanks, Neel
LikeLike
Oh une grosse erreur !
Notre tueur préféré aurait il besoin de vacances ?
LikeLike
Tout est possible, il deviens vieux, et la chaleur le rend faible dans la tête!
LikeLike
O dear someone’s in trouble. I loved how you used this picture. Now I am of to look up calanque.
LikeLike
Thanks, Michael, and I should have explained. A calanque is a steep-sided rocky cove found all along this coast between Marseille and St Tropez.
LikeLike