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:
The Tunnel
I’m dazed by the fall, unsure if I passed out or not.
I berate myself for my stupidity, I’m not usually so careless.
I certainly can’t afford to need help; I’m still too close to that body I’ve just buried.
It seems that I’m in a cave, or tunnel, perhaps.
Yes, I probably fell down a mine shaft, there was once a thriving industry here.
I see a light in the distance.
I drag myself to my feet, and stagger towards it.
As I move, I reflect on what went wrong.
Previously I spent time studying my victims, and had a detailed plan for their disposal and my escape.
But apparently I’ve grown arrogant, because this time I was too casual, and acted on impulse, before burying her in this place I hardly know.
Then in my haste I crashed through those rotted planks.
But I’m okay, the stiffness is easing, the light is getting brighter.
This looks like graffiti; it could be the entrance to a subway station, what we in Glasgow call the Clockwork Orange.
But hang on, that looks like flames up ahead.
I stumble a few steps more and then stop in horror.
I recognise the laughing figure who dances out of the fire.
I know exactly where I am.
And so, your body count continues to rise! A hell of a tale to be sure.
Ba boom tish!
Brings to mind a quote from a movie I cited for a Reply/Comment earlier today:
‘The greatest trick the devil ever played was convincing us he didn’t exist*”
Nice work scene-setting. As jenne noted ‘including a comment on the decline of the mining industry and …tourism for Glasgow”.
This, I suspect (my inner student suggests) is part of the art (of establishing a scene)
Welly, welly well
* quote itself goes way back, 1800s
He certainly convinced me, Clark!
And thanks for your positive comments, always appreciated.
Speaking of Clockwork Orange, I suspect that before this happened you were sat in the Korova Milkbar trying to make up your rassoodock what to do with the evening, drinking milk plus vellocet or synthemesc or drencrom, to sharpen you up and make you ready for a bit of the old ultra-violence. 😉
Ken, man, ah’ve no a scoobie whit yis witterin oan aboot.
But your input is much appreciated!
Oops, forgot to say ‘Cheers, ma wee droogie’!
Never a droog. More likely to be one of the scientists trying to reprogram him. 🙂
Slang from ‘Clockwork Orange’ about getting some liquid stimulus before indulging in a bit of murder. 😉
Too arrogant to show enough respect your victim with a proper stashing & murder? I’d ssay your mc got his just deserts… erm…desserts. A little devil’s food cake?
What can I say, Liz, you’ve nailed it!
I like that line, “I’ve grown arrogant.”
You knew “exactly where I am.” Would the other place have been a better spot? I’ll be hanging out with you soon. 😉
I don’t know if ‘the other place’ would be better, I certainly don’t imagine I’ll ever find out.
By ‘soon’ I assume you mean 10 or 15 years, dear Lady?
I cannot give the meaning of soon
Might mean in a minute or close to noon
Maybe before the next full moon
More likely after singing a tune
AnElephantCant ever forget
the lady he once knew so well
he is over the moon
when she sings a sweet tune
he hopes one day they’ll make music in …
wherever
She might be tempted if she received a bouquet of thistles.
Alas, dear Lady, thistles cannot be exported. They are our National Flower and as such are the preferred delicacy of the Unicorn.
No sympathy for that devil!
Bloody brilliant!
Thanks, Nancy!
Wooh hooh, wooh hooh…
Great story!
Pretty cool comment!
The character of your ‘hero’ comes across so clearly as he reflects on things he has done: cool, logical, detached and yes, arrogant…until his horror at seeing the ‘laughing figure who dances out of the fire’! (Such a vivid image)
All in ‘250 words or less’ – and you even mange a comment on the decline of the mining industry and a bit of tourism for Glasgow!
Nice one.
There’s always a bigger beast lurking somewhere, Jenne.
Not sure the Clockwork Orange is a major tourist attraction for the Dear Green Place!
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