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 soothing image comes courtesy of my favourite Fictioneer, the ultra-talented Sandra Crook.
The idea, as always, is to write a story of around 100 words based on this picture, below.
© Sandra Crook
Click here to hear the writer read his words:
Puff the Magic Dragon
I wander aimlessly along the beach until I reach the steep path leading upwards.
I am glad of my stout stick, a piece of driftwood shaped like a dragon.
Puff is my favourite song, the one I sing most often to my beloved grandson.
Darkness is now falling and, although I’m not far from the village, the area is deserted.
So I am surprised at the top to see a woman sitting on the seaweed-draped barrier, gazing out to sea.
Without thinking I swing Puff against the back of her head and watch her body tumble into the water below.
Sound Bite Fiction 
Whaaaat?!?! Every time I think how fun it would be to meet my FF writing friends, I read a story and think twice! Such a sweet tale, with such a dark, dark ending.
A side note: I am a HUGE fan of Peter, Paul and Mary. About 2 years ago I met Peter Yarrow (who wrote that song) at the airport. We talked for ages, and he has emailed me several times since. It was magic, indeed.
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Oh, you sinister devil, you! Such a beautifully written opening, with a sweet, thoughtful description of the sea, of a happy family life … then, bang! Murder comes from nowhere. Though – as with many of your killers – it’s good to bear in mind many murderers are outwardly normal people with families and home lives and jobs. And very nasty hobbies. As always, written with aplomb and style
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Laughing. I love ‘sinister devil’!
And ‘aplomb and style’ is pretty cool too.
You can come back any time, Lynn!
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My pleasure, dear C. And you know I will drop by 🙂
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Darkness was indeed falling. He seemed so normal. Excellent weaving of a story with an incredible twist, as always.
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Normal? Who’s normal?
Thank you, Brenda, glad you enjoyed.
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Good point. I’m certainly not normal …
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What a horrific ending, you have some weird characters in your portfolio. Brilliantly done
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Yep, you’re right, Mick, in my portfolio and in my head!
Cheers
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Whoa! What’s his problem? Too much of the magic dragon, methinks!
I did wonder how he found seaweed at the top of an uphill track?
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Problem? What problem?
And you need to take up the seaweed with Sandra, Liz, it’s her photo!
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A good story with a great surprise ending, C.E. I wonder how many women Granddad has knocked off with old Puff.
— Suzanne
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Well, Suzanne, I’m not saying it’s a full time hobby, but…
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“Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And dispatched maidens with his club in a land called Honahlee”
Somehow I missed those lines. Such a twist to the tale, should have seen it coming but granddad fooled us all.
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I love this comment, thank you
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OMG….you got me with that one!
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Thank goodness for abbreviations, Dawn, or I would have to censor you!
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So this is how you frolic in the autumn mist?
Somehow I knew there would be another pile of bones for Iain and Sandra to discover beneath the sand.
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Are you also wondering what that pair are up to?
I think questions need to be asked.
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But—I was picturing this man as some benevolent old dude who likes to sing to his grandson! That was certainly an unexpected twist 🙂
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Well he is, when he’s with his grandson!
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Ah. Yes, I should have known 🙂
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What a psycho! That left me reeling, really did not expect that!!
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It wasn’t very friendly, was it?
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Great atmosphere. Really painting a scene.
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Thank you, Tannille
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Never drop your guard, as someone dear to me always says. She dropped her guard – as did I as I read your story. Phew.
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I like Phew, Margaret, Phew is good!
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She was a bit unwise taking a holiday in Honahlee!
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Especially in the autumn mist…
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Oh, man, that’s just mean. makes for a good story, though.
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It wasn’t very friendly, was it?
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No, but it made for a great story! 🙂
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What the!? Maybe he’s been smoking too many magic dragons.
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Very funny, Fatima!
Thank you
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Glad I didn’t read ahead to spoil the ending. I just closed my eyes and listened to the sound bite. Wow! And he sounded so nice.
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Laughing.
Sounds, like looks, can be deceptive, it seems
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Oh definitely. This time since I know your writing style I just listened without reading ahead. It was better that way. You didn’t disappoint. 🙂
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That was quite an unexpected ending! I like the casualness of it all.
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Thank you, sir
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Now you killed a woman minding her own business! What is the count till now?
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13,114
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I am getting worried for the females of our race.🙂
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Please don’t fret, Michael, I’ll try not to eliminate any more for a week or two!
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That is one way of making a big and lasting impression…
I usually prefer a good smile though
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But you’re a charming guy, Bjorn
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Of course he did.
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A tad impetuous on occasion…
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On occasion…
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Didn’t see that coming. Great ending. My mouth is still open!
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Glad you enjoyed, glad you were surprised, Shirley.
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That got ugly fast.
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I try to avoid mirrors, m’lady
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He’s doing well for a grandad if he can get to the top of a steep climb up the cliff and still have enough puff for murder!
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He does have his stick!
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He doesn’t take any prisoners, does he? What was wrong with just roughing her up a little if she was sitting in his favourite spot? These puff merchants… all the same.
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Roughing her up? Good grief, Sandra, we’re not English soccer hooligans!
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You are cruel this week.
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I have my moments, dear lady
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Don’t we all 🙂
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not exactly a gentleman, is he?
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Weeelll, not exactly, no…
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Ya brute! She might have been a perfectly nice woman! hehehe
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hehehe? That made me laugh!
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Why was Puff in a such a tearing hurry. He could at least have said hi before swinging his..err..puff? Good evil writing, as usual, Ceayr.
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Thanks, Neel, just an impatient guy, I guess
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Whoa, bloody murder. I love the unexpected twist from friendly grandfather to merciless killer.
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Laughing. Thank you
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Another murdered woman!
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Thank you for your comment
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Couldn’t even have asked her name first? Bit rude. Still, nice to have the place to himself again – and Puff.
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No time for chit-chat, Iain, just action
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Was she a mermaid?
I thought of the ‘Little Mermaid’ when I read your story 🙂
Pretty Sunrise Partners – Anita
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No! I love mermaids!
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That changed fast from bucolic to homicidal
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Life’s like that sometimes, Neil
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