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 delightful photo prompt is provided by the equally delightful Gah Learner.
The idea, as always, is to write a story of around 100 words based on this picture, below.
© Gah Learner
Click here to hear the writer read his words:
The Night
The night is cold and dark.
I stare out of the greasy window of my dingy room, taut with fear.
I can see nothing, but I know it is coming.
I wrap my arms around myself, squeezing tightly, trying to contain the emotion building within.
I know it is a futile gesture.
Nothing I do can prevent the approaching horror.
The moon appears suddenly from behind the black clouds.
I feel the hairs on my neck bristle.
I look down at my too long fingernails as they start to scratch at the glass.
I throw back my head and howl.
Very chilling!
Very chilling makes me happy, thank you, Tejasv
I also write horror stories. Could you please check them out?
I don’t consider myself an expert on horror stories, or any other genre for that matter. There are many ways to get more useful critiques of your work.
But I will visit and comment.
I had the song “Thriller” playing in my head while reading this.
Oh bad luck, Dawn.
Why not try this:
Chilling. Great take indeed.
Thank you, Meha, chilling is good!
Oh we really saw the similarity in the image… the angst of transforming must be terrible.
Thanks, Bjorn, we all go different ways, even with the same thought
I wondered how many of us would have a similar take. Nicely done.
Thank you, ma’am
YIKES … fingernails on glass … and … howling.
It sounds like a Halloween story gone mad. LOL
Isadora 😎
YIKES? Laughing. Lovely to see you here, Isadora
It’s always a pleasure to visit. The cup of tea while listening to you read your story was perfect.
Thank you … 😎
The howl and the fingernails gave me shivers. The chill and darkness of the night match his soul. You showed well his turmoil.
Shivers are good, Brenda, thank you for the kind words
It happens to me when I hear the “lighthouse family” or the Dj Steve Wright, sends a chill down my spine and makes me want to kill!!
Good stuff
lighthouse family? Don’t think I know these people and it sounds like I should be glad!
Truly awful, vacuous generic radio 2 filler. It makes me shudder
So eerie. Great job!
Thank you, Lisa
The werewolf again answers the beckon call of the moon.
Irresistible, that’s what you are…
You make me laugh. Thanks.
The sounds of fingernails scratching against the glass gives me goosebumps.
Goosebumps are cool, thank you!
There is nothing more frightening than listening to fingernails as they start to scratch at the glass. I felt a shiver down my spine just reading it 😉
Shivers are cool, thank you!
I really like the way you quietly built up the mood of menace, leaving spaces for us to speculate what the horror is. Great last line to round off the story.
Thank you, Woman, and thank you, Max
Uh, yes, I can see that your story is identical to mine only… your protagonist, once changed, won’t be Prince Charming either. Seriously: I like the mounting tension, how the feelings change from fear to release.
Sorry, but I write fiction!
Happy it worked for you, Gabriele
Man turning to a beast on a full moon night.
That’s the legend, sir
How about a bowl of whole grain cereal with a side of rye toast? And if that doesn’t make you feel better, we’ll take you to the groomer and have your paws shaved.
Now you are exporting your corn?
Can I get a pedicure at the same time?
Don’t worry little werewolf, everything will turn out all right once the night passes 🙂
Not for everyone, sir!
Now this is a different take for you, and I like it. C.E. as werewolf! 🙂
Any time you need someone to gnaw on your throat, Sascha, I’m your man/beast!
I’ll keep that in mind. 😀
You are still my favourite, Sascha
Nicely done C.E. I felt the tension rise throughout the story.
Thanks, Susan
Aroooooooo. Who’s that I see walking through these woods? 🙂
There wasn’t a Gents open, sorry
Your sound bite was especially frightening with the scratchy sound of your voice reading it! I half expected a real howl at the end. I love the idea that he has no control over the transformaton. Very dr jekyll and mr hyde!
Sadly that is just how my voice sounds!
Flattered beyond words at mention of my compatriot RLS.
Consider yourself lucky then, it is a very good reading voice and you use it well. Tailor made for audiobooks at least on the American market.
I also think, if you dont mind me getting on my high horse ( again) that it’s a great idea to have an audible version of your work ( or anyone’s work, in their own voice). Especially with short works and poetry, which tend to be packed with double meanings and allusions. It can be hard for the reader to read to themselves, properly, on the first try. The author’s intonation, stress, and other verbal “tells” bring a lot of meaning with them and can clarify ambiguity and call attention to nuances.
And its a heck of lot better than listening to today’s computer voice readers. 🙂
In addition, it is an accessible, ie respectful tip of the hat to anyone in your audience, for whom reading by eye is difficult, if not impossible, or who simply want to do it while doing dishes or gardening for example, as people do in these days of multitasking.
As for Robert Louis Stephenson (sp?), he’s one of my favorites. My first poem ever (at about 10) was an RLS knockoff! His prose is excellent as an adult or a kid, so you are in great company!:).
La prochaine pleine lune ! C’est le 25 septembre , il faut que je charge mon fusil avec des balles en argent .
J’ADORE ton histoire !
Tu es vraiment dangereuse, Corine, tu peux pas laisser tranquille la pauvre bête?
I love this, there is nothing like a good Werewolf story beneath a full moon. Whooooooooo!
Whooooooooo?
Meeeeee!
It can’t get any eerier. Nice writing Ceayr.
Thanks, Neel.
And congrats on the book!
Slowly, slowly you took us to the horrible realization. Very well done.
Thank you, ma’am, glad it drew you in
I used to be all right, until I read this. Nice retelling of a classic, C. E.
Thanks, Kelvin, but I don’t recall you being ‘all right’!
Haha 🤣
Thanks, ceayr, I know you mean well!
Perhaps, my Nancy was deceived. It wasn’t Apollo but your alter-ego who swept her off her feet at the pier.
Great take CE. I was thinking of going down the werewolf path and having the werewolf restrained in some way and knowing he can’t escape and how to cope with their inevitable transformation.
Best wishes,
Rowena
I was only after her teeth, Rowena!
You re-tell this classic with panache, CE. You conjure up the man’s horror nicely.
Thank you, Penny, glad it worked for you
Good thing I know you to be a real softy…
The dread of what is coming has a very fluid and compelling build up.
Good job CE.
But I do so enjoy a good howl, Em!
I know!!
The moon brings that out in some. Welcome back.
Thank you, m’lady.
Some write love songs, others go on a rampage of blood and gore!
I always thought there was something different about you!
Click to visit Keith’s Ramblings!
Not sure if that is a compliment!
Très bien construit ce texte j’aime beaucoup 🙂
Merci, Gys, tu es toujours gentille
I trust you will not howl to long, as I need my beauty sleep.😉
I’ll tone it down, Michael
I think we know what’s coming as well. Whatever you do, folks, don’t try and approach it. Well done!
Thanks, Jilly, caution is good!
I think there’ll be a hot time in the old town tonight. Might stay home, I think.
You are safe, Sandra, I’d rather read your stories than rip your throat out!
I liked “I can see nothing but I know it is coming”
Thanks, Neil