The Chosen Ones – A 150 Word Story For Visual Dare

Another wonderful, yet, I thought, chilling photo prompt from Angela at Visual Dare. It took me quite a while to cut this back to a mere 150 words, there was so much more I wanted to write.

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The Chosen Ones

Sean gripped his father’s hand as they walked towards the tree.

“Where are we Father? Who are those people? What’s that noise?” The questions tumbled from his lips.

“This is a sacred place,” whispered his father, “The people you see on the branches are the ‘Chosen Ones’, sacrifices to the Gods. Each, carefully selected for this honour. The noise is them praying to the Gods.”

Sean said nothing. To him the praying sounded more like screams of terror, but he was only young, what did he know. Before he could say anything, two solemn looking men appeared in front of them.

They looked at Sean’s father, who nodded, let go of Sean’s hand, then walked slowly away.

He wanted to turn back, take one last look at his son, but he knew that wasn’t permitted. Reluctantly, he trudged away, the piercing prayers of his young son tearing at his heart.

MikeJackson©2013

A Presidential Tumble – A Five Sentence Fiction Story

Following Lillie’s own tumble from her bike I wasn’t surprised to see this picture and the word ‘Accident’ being posted as this week’s Five Sentence Fiction prompt. (Hope you are feeling much better Lillie.)

A Presidential Tumble

To the cheering crowds it was merely an accident. Many couldn’t help but smile, glad he’d taken the tumble. For the press it was a godsend, something that would sell papers and hit the early evening news bulletins. His people ran around panicking, a seemingly good PR exercise gone terribly wrong because he couldn’t stay upright on a bike. It would be a good few seconds before anyone noticed the blood and the bullet hole, by which time I’d be long gone.

MikeJackson©2013

100 Word Story For Friday Fictioneers

Another story my wife won’t enjoy reading! My 100 word contribution for this week’s Friday Fictioneer challenge.

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The Good Old Days

‘Remember this place Maureen? Used to be a favourite of ours all those years ago. It brings back such happy memories. Looks a bit neglected now, don’t you think, bit like us. What went wrong? I know I’m not the easiest person in the world to live with, but going off with another man! How could you do that to me Maureen? I couldn’t bear the thought of you being with someone else, I just couldn’t.’

Brushing away a tear, Jim bent down and rolled Maureen’s body into the freshly dug grave. He smiled, nobody would ever find her here.

MikeJackson©2013

A Story For The Trifecta Challenge

I’m leaving it late again for my contribution to this week’s Trifecta challenge. This week’s word is ‘Deliberate’.

It’s Time We Were going

There is a deliberate style to his voice, always quiet and calming, yet tantalizingly persistent. Once, I might have been able to resist his seductive overtures but not now, not after what we did together.

I knew what he wanted, he made no secret of it and I knew it was wrong. When he told me when and where it was to happen I did everything I could to not be a part of it. I even secretly made plans to be out-of-town on that day but he had no intention of letting me off that easily.

Don’t ask me how it happened but at the last-minute the travel arrangements were  cancelled and at the appointed time, I found myself exactly where he’d told me to be.

I don’t know who she was, or what made me do those terrible things, but he reassured me it was the right course of action, no more than she deserved.

That was a week ago and ever since, I’ve been afraid to leave the house, scared stiff someone may have seen me. He’s also been conspicuous by his absence, leaving me to suffer alone.

He’s back now, his calming voice putting me at my ease. He says it’s time to go out again. He’s identified someone else who needs punishing. I don’t want to go but this voice in my head is so insistent.

MikeJackson©2013

Let Me In!

Another wonderful picture prompt from Angela over at ‘Visual Dare’. I couldn’t get the mirror’s voice out of my head.

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Let Me In!

I’m sorry sir, I can’t let you through without the correct password. Yes sir, I do know who you are but I still can’t let you in. Yes sir, I can see that the water level is rising on your side. No sir, it’s quite dry over here. What’s that sir? You’re thinking of smashing your way through. Not a good idea sir. As you know all our portals are protected, any sign of aggression would result in your immediate extermination. No sir, that’s not a threat, just a matter of fact. What’s that sir, you think you wrote the password down and left it in your other suit. Have you far to go to get this piece of paper sir? You should be back this time tomorrow you say. Yes sir, I’ll still be here. Just one thing sir, you do know that the password changes daily, don’t you.

MikeJackson©2013

Splat!

This weekend’s ‘Trifextra’ challenge is to come up 33 words (exactly) that include among them at least one example of onomatopoeia.

Splat!

Splat! The crowd roared as the tomato hit the Prime Minister smack between the eyes. The cheering drowned out the crack of the rifle shot, as the bullet hit exactly the same spot.

MikeJackson©2013

Hunting Party

An interesting prompt from ‘Five Sentence Fiction’ this week – ‘Goggles’

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Hunting Party

Everybody, goggles on and keep them on, these creatures may look harmless but they move darn quick and always go for the eyes. Jimmy, you watch our backs and have that net ready. Ben, keep that candle burning, they’re attracted to the flame. Remember all of you, these things are only valuable up top if they’re not damaged.  Right lads, let’s go earn ourselves some money.

MikeJackson©2013

Maybe Tonight

It seems a while since I’ve entered a story for ‘Friday Fictioneers‘. Here is my 100 word contribution.

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Maybe Tonight

I saw her as soon as she came in. The single red rose in her hand, prominently displayed for all to see. Mine was still in my pocket. Nowadays I liked to keep my options open, I’d been let down too many times with these agency dates. She looked nervous, sat on her own at a table in the far corner. Sitting at the bar I watched her fidget with the flower, then check her watch. She looked in my direction and smiled. I finished my drink and dropped my rose in the bin by the door, as I left.

MikeJackson©2013

Tea Time

Another wonderful photo prompt from Visual Dare.

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Tea Time

“What you looking at girl? Never seen a fish before?”

“Seen lots of fish Mister but ain’t ever heard one talk before. What you doing?  Shouldn’t you be in water?”

“Stupid child! Of course I should.”

“No need to be rude Mister, I was only asking. My Dad says rude people should be ignored. I wonder if the same goes for rude fish? I think it probably does, I’m off.”

“No! Don’t go. I’m sorry. It’s being stuck here that’s making me grumpy. If you could help me back into the sea I’d be extremely grateful.”

“It depends. How heavy are you? ‘Cos my Dad says I’m not big enough to lift heavy things.”

“I’m 14 ponds, give or take a pound. If you can’t lift me, just drag me to the edge and push me over the side.”

“Pa! This one says he’s 14 pounds, is that big enough? He sure looks tasty.”

MikeJackson©2013

The Open Door

The prompt for this week’s Trifecta Challenge was the word door.

The Open Door

It should have been a straightforward job, a quick in and out. This was a simple exercise, one I’d undertaken many times. As a Level 2 Mind Interrogator my task was to enter the suspects mind, rummage around for any material deemed relevant to the investigation and then leave. It was that simple… usually.

Today, someone had messed up and messed up big time. It shouldn’t have been open. The regulations clearly state that all potentially hazardous parts of a suspects mind are cordoned off before we go in. As soon as I entered his mind I sensed there was a problem. Then I saw it, the door to his soul was wide open.

Apparently they got me out as soon as they realised there was a problem but it was too late. I’d inadvertently looked in through the open door, peered into the heart of this man’s soul.

For three days they didn’t think I’d pull through. Now, two months later, I’ve finally left hospital. They say they’ve done everything they can, now it’s just a question of time. The specialists reckon my chances of making a full recovery are slim.

It’s the lack of sleep that’s the biggest problem. They’ve given me tablets but I dare not take them. It’s when I close my eyes that it all comes flooding back, everything in his soul suddenly fills my head, it’s unbearable.

They tried to get me to talk about it, share these visions, they thought it would help. The trouble is every time I try to put into words what I saw everything comes out jumbled up.

I can tell you don’t believe me, it’s in your eyes. If you’re ready I can show you, I can tell you what I saw, what lives within a man’s soul. Are you ready for this?

“When I peered through that open door, nnjky ghtyuin fky slfy rtehn iith ……..”

MikeJackson©2013