This challenge is produced by GirlieOnTheEdge with the following simple rules:
Write 6 Sentences. No more. No less.
Use the current week’s prompt word – BAND
Click here to hear the author read his words:
August
I spent August, as always, back in Scotland for the dual purpose of visiting my homeland and escaping the excessive heat and influx of tourists in my current home on the Côte d’Azur.
Scotland is, of course, where my heart resides always, and August, with some sunshine and some rain, and with temperatures occasionally climbing dizzily into the twenties, is a joy-filled experience.
I stay with friends in different parts of the country, relishing the sometimes bloody history and architectural splendour of Edinburgh, the vibrant energy of Glasgow, the poetic Burns country of Ayrshire (and the Honest Toun itself) and the grandeur and beauty of the Highlands, where a visit to Skye with its towering Cuillin is among the highlights.
My oldest friend breeds dogs a few miles from Ayr, in the midst of the green undulating topography that soothes my soul, and our long walks, along with his introductions to music from gigs he’s enjoyed, often featuring a local band or solo performer I’ve not previously heard of, deepen my pleasure in his company.
But I’m a writer, with a hankering for solitude, and a hunger for those special moments that make me who I am, so I’m relieved to be back now in Medville, patiently waiting for darkness to fall.
Then I’ll seek out the vulnerable, slip my newly-sharpened knife into their soft flesh, and feel my spirit soar as the light goes out in their eyes.





Hello. I’m back commenting after a break. Of course I fell right into the bliss of Scottish countryside and wonderful music but have been left with an image of plunging into flesh. Another great tale of the unexpected.
That went from idyllic to dark very quickly.
You make Scotland sound lovely, and Medville not quite as lovely. The last sentence had a thrust of ‘wake up’, with a slash of ‘time to lock the doors’ on the side.
Very well written.
Good to know that normal service has been resumed!
What a gory twist to a well told tale. I hope that knife is now coated in ink, and the only person who dies is a character in your stories. 🙂
happy that i’m not the only one whho went dark today. good post
“…for the last time, men, it’s kill the cattle and…”
an old joke that never fails to bring a smile
the pen may be mightier than the sword, but try and cut your steak with one!
There is less pleasure in jabbing someone with a blunt ballpoint than with 6 inches of sharpened steel.
Just my opinion, of course, I don’t say it’s for everyone.
The last line is spine-chilling.
Thanks, Reena, I do enjoy a chilled spine!
Almost completely charmed, but still surprised by that twist o’ the knife at the end!
Only almost, Liz?
Hmm, I’m losing my touch!
I’m on to you…experience.
Still a delight, always!
ceayr! You crazy, cruel auteur! That is how the deadly deed is accomplished, eh?
The MC cunningly lures his next victim with enticingly pleasant words, creates lovely visuals, stirring, perhaps, fond memories in his audience while they listen attentively to a reading – “it has such a pleasant cadence”, they *sigh*.
That’s it, Denise, bore them into a coma, then schhlooop!
Ah, do you write mysteries, the who-dunnits about those murders?
Gosh, Mimi, do you think I’d try and point the finger elsewhere?
I just knew this was sounding all too idyllic to last, you sly beggar. 🙂
Laughing.
Yeah, well…
Oh dear, that was a most unladylike guffaw I’ve just uttered!
I was wrapped – they tell me’ wrapt’ is archaic, which I think is a shame – in your vivid telling of your visit to Scotland, and you lulled me right into the peace of it all.
And then suddenly, unexpectedly, out comes your ‘newly sharpened knife’ to slice right through the peace – wonderful.
Excellent misdirection.
I think the word/s you want here is ‘rapt’ or ‘wrapped up’, unless you want to get rapped over the knuckles by Dame Slap. 🙂
I’d actually forgotten, as I often do, about ‘rapt’ – thank you for drawing my attention to it – but I think Lady Slap and I might have a lively discussion about what I wanted to say here. 😉
Jings, crivvens and michty me! A coarse colonial endeavouring to correct an educated Scots lady! Hélas, hélas, trois fois hélas, this might be the end of civilisation as we know it!
‘where nothing is quite what it seems…’
Now that’s what I call an unexpected ending! Great write!
Thanks, Nancy, I do like to surprise!
As do I! You did it well, C. E.!!