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:
Country Garden
It is so unlike the city here.
The air seems fresher, and there is a sense of liberation.
The house is perhaps a little dilapidated, but the garden is a joyous profusion of wildlife.
There are squirrels, of course, and we watched a family of stoats, which my father-in-law insisted on calling weevils, playing in the sun.
There are more bird species than I can identify.
I saw sparrows hopping around on the back of a pigeon, which I found odd.
The first rat was surprisingly big, with a sleek black coat and a tail the length of a grass snake.
Then, when my wife saw one in the kitchen, I took action.
I blocked any holes I could find, set out traps, laid down poison.
But more came.
I got a terrier, an expert ratter, they said.
Still they came.
They were in every downstairs room.
The in-laws left, nerves in tatters.
My wife refused to go with them.
This is our home, she said, the children and I belong here.
I killed the intruders with an axe and a gun.
Still they came.
Soon they were everywhere, all over the house.
The screams from the nursery shredded my soul.
There is only me now.
I am barricaded in.
All around me there are mountains of broken black bloodied bodies, some screaming and writhing in agonised death-throes.
And still they come.
Well, I wasn’t expecting that. How gruesome! (of course)
I’d hope not! I take you for a lady of some refinement, Chris!
Bit by bit the true nature of this idyllic setting is revealed. I wonder how many more horrors might have appeared if you had another few words to play with. Your MC is a champion, however. Fighting till the bitter end. A wonderfully horrific story.
Thank you, Margaret.
I am, to be honest, somewhat relieved that I had no more words to describe what happened in the nursery.
Sometimes less is more.
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Oh my God! You were warned to stay away from the brown tabs!
Horrific and funny.
Sometimes, Liz, I do worry about you!
😆😆😆 No worries. My life is lived mostly in the theoretical…
At least you are able to enjoy an endless supply of ratatouille!
G-roooaaannnn!
Rats can be a problem
They contaminate and carry disease
Doing a great deal of damage
Likes of you they do like to tease
The best way to rid yourself of them
Is to buy one giant sized trap
This week we have them on special
They even clean up the crap
A bit of a problem is Rattus Rattus
And not as cute or elegant as Cattus Cattus
If he lives in your house
He’ll eat more than a mouse
And you might have to chase him away with Battus Battus
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You dirty rats! Looks like conversion to a houseboat is the only solution. Fun piece.
Cheers, Doug, though I’m struggling with your idea of fun!
Yikes!
Can’t accuse you of verbosity, Sally!
Hahaha
Well, damn!
Beautifully articulated, my sweet friend!
Not sure ‘like’ is the right word for the horror of this story, so tightly and clearly written. The build up from the idyllic start to those heart-tearing screams from the nursery is understed and all the more owerful for that. Sitting here with my teeth clenched.
Now if only Hitchcock were still alive…
He’d be the only one!
It did turn out a bit gruesome, didn’t it…