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:
Home Safe
I’m home at last.
I check all the mirrors before getting out of the car, then slip on my jacket, which holds a Glock G43, a small, easily-concealed, albeit illegal handgun before gathering up my groceries.
I look around, knowing I’m safe, but still cautious.
It takes time to get over an experience like that.
A tall thin man.
A long thin blade.
I was walking home then.
Now I have the gun and the car, and I’m in the driveway, parked right outside my house.
I climb the steps, fumbling for my keys, looking over my shoulder.
I still feel nervous, and angry with myself.
There was a time I’d just have dealt with him, no questions asked, but I’m old now, my reactions are shot, as are my muscles.
I smile suddenly, wondering if my wife’s home.
Then I shake my head, remembering Moira’s been gone these many years.
I get the key into the lock, open the door.
Now I’m inside, and breathing.
I close it behind me, lean against it and wonder when I’ll be able to stop quivering every time I’m outside, alone.
I chuckle, because now I really need to answer a call of Nature.
Another sign of the passage of time.
I drop my jacket on the chair in the hall and stumble upstairs and into the bathroom.
There he is, waiting for me.
Smiling.
A tall thin man.
A long thin blade.
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Gorgeous, suspenseful write, wavering in and out of the liminal space of dementia.
Fabulous, as expected.
You are very kind, Liz.
Much appreciated, as always.
Scary stuff!
Cool!
This is very mysterious. His fear and cautious movements build the tension, and I breathed a sigh of relief along with him as he arrived ‘home safe’. But then … !!! I have no idea who the ‘tall, thin man’ might be, but I’m scared.
As is the narrator, Margaret!
Interesting, you took us right into the poor old chap’s wandering mind – unfortunately, I had to dash to the loo a few lines before the end.
I’m happy to get any sort of reaction, Keith!
Everything depends on the call of nature. He should have purchased/worn something more dependable than the gun and he would have avoided that quick run to the loo.
You are right, of course, dear Lady.
If he had a gigantic bladder, he’d live forever…
Nice choice of music, Mack!
Oh, and the story …. A classic,
exactly what I’ve come to expect.
You are too kind, Nancy!
And yeah, a great song.
And if you can’t get Bobby,
Louis will do just fine.
I agree that Bobby D’s is the definitive version, but I just wanted the intro, and Satchmo’s the man for that.
Indubitably, Blue!
A tall man – of course! Excellent.
Thanks, Chris, your kind words are always appreciated.
Again!
Whoops, sorry about that!
The tall man – of course! Excellent.
Thanks, Chris, your kind words are always appreciated.
I’m with jenne. Outstanding work with the ‘voice’.
…and re-drawing the MC’s self-image.
very cool
C’mon, Clark, we both know you wait till Jenne comments so you can just agree with her!
But thanks, auld yin, I’ll always settle for ‘very cool’.
An experience like what? An experience like what?
But we don’t actually need to know, the tension builds anyway.
You do this so well.
The MC’s voice is so expressive of the ageing process, even for one with a history like his.
(The reader’s voice is great too!)
Well, Jenne, it involved a tall thin man…
C’mon, you can suss it from there!
Glad it worked for you, the story and the reading.
does my attorney need to contact your attorney re: one ‘tall, thin man’?
(if I could insert superscript, this might make sense and/or be funny… until then lol)
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the voice is nice, per usual (you make even a creepy story inviting … )
Laughing.
Thank you, sir or madam, I’m always pleased to know that the extra effort is worthwhile.
Something is happening here but you don’t know what it is, do you, Mr. Ayr? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=we37yX3zpKA
best comment ever!
P.S. i came here to listen to ceayr read to me … the dylan link was a bonus! <3
Thank you, ren.
Agreed.
Anything by Uncle Bobby is a bonus.
Comment of the week, Doug, or maybe even the year.