The Unicorn Challenge.
A magical new weekly writing opportunity from her – Jenne Gray – and me.
Visit her blog every Friday to see the photo prompt, and post your amazing story in her comments section.
Or on your own blog, and stick the link down in her comments.
The rules are:
Maximum of 250 words.
Based on photo prompt.
That’s it.
To hear me read my story, just click here:
Lights Out
In springtime, it’s a lovely stroll, with panoramic views of the Hebrides.
On a wintry night, with the North Atlantic winds sweeping in, it’s much less pleasant.
And, when the street lights are out, it can be a wee bit scary.
Even on those rare nights when the moon escapes the heavy, low clouds, the fluttering shadows do nothing to dispel the sense of foreboding.
Bear in mind that, this far north in winter, sunset, assuming it ever rose, is around 4 o’clock in the afternoon, and you see why women tend to quicken their step on the way home from town.
Because previously someone has lain in wait.
Tonight I’m behind a tree near the top of the hill.
I have a long blade clenched nervously in my right hand, a roll of coins in my left in case of resistance.
The wind has dropped slightly, so it’s not quite freezing, and rain is steady but relatively light when I hear hurried footsteps approaching.
I pull my cap down and my scarf up, so that only my eyes are showing, and prepare myself.
The woman shrieks when she sees the dark shape emerge in front of her.
I hurtle past her and fell him with a left hook.
‘Get yourself home, lass,’ I say. ‘Nothing happened here, okay?’
With my knife at his throat I drag him towards the cliff top.
He attacked my woman last month.
This is the thirty-fourth night I’ve been waiting…
* * *
Please Note that I cheated this week by blackmailing Jenne into letting me see the prompt photo today (Thursday).
This is because tomorrow I am travelling to Bonnie Scotland, and will be hors de combat for a week or so.
In the meantime please feel free to purchase my fabulous new full-length e-book on Amazon UK (99p):
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0C4899RF9/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i2
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Very well done🎙️
Thanks, Chris, lovely to see you back here.
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Sometimes murder is justifiable, it seems it is in this case. Masterful misdirection sir. I’m certain that Scotland is eagerly awaiting your arrival.
Cheers, Keith.
Scotland seemed by and large unsurprisingly indifferent to my visit.
I liked hearing the splashing of the water at the end. The villain disposed of. But would the one with the knife taken revenge if his wife had not been attacked?
Maybe we don’t care about issues until something touches us personally?
A story is good if it makes me think beyond the story.
Deep questions, dear Lady, but I have no answers.
I just write the words.
You’ve lost none of your suspenseful scene setting, not to mention the lovely piece of misdirection. Chilling voice of the narrator is an example of your best. Loved it.
Thanks, Sandra, I’m like a wee dug wi twa tails noo!
Patience is not just for the virtuous, is it?
Nicely laid out, CE. Well done, indeed!
Buon viaggio, occhi azzurri.
Thanks, Nancy
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Craftily reeled us in and then delivered the punchline (boom tish). Loved ‘this far north in winter, sunset, assuming it ever rose, is around 4 o’clock in the afternoon’.
And a copious doffing of chapeaux on publication of your book. Your stamina far exceeds mine. Copy duly bought. Don’t spend all the royalties in one shop.
Glad you liked the story, Doug, and surprised you bought the book.
I suppose you’ll find someone to read it to you…
There’s humour, CE, and there’s ingratitude.
My apologies, Doug, I clearly missed the mark with this comment. Sorry, and thanks.
Apology accepted and moving on. Cheers, Doug
With chilling descriptions of that dark, wintry part of the world you set the perfect scene for a vicious attack on a passing woman – then whirl it round into a rescue and revenge tale instead!
The hand of the master indeed.
HURRAY for the launch of your novel – a gripping and superbly crafted read!
Have a good trip to the Homeland!
Laughing.
Thanks, Jenne
Chivalry is not dead. Neither is vengeance to clean up unsafe streets. Hurrah!
Hurrah indeed, Liz!