I didn’t manage to join in last week and I’m hoping that this week’s offering will make up for my absence from Madison Woods Friday Fictioneers community of writers. For those who are unfamiliar with this Friday activity, it is a challenge set by Madison to write a 100 word flash fiction story based on the photo prompt you’ll find below. My enjoyment comes from reading the enormous variety of interpretations that come along in both short story and poetry formats. I hope you enjoy my own effort and if you would like to take part there are more details at the bottom of the post about how you can do so.
The photo this week is courtesy of Susan Wenzel and the usual restrictions apply, it is her copyright so please respect that. Constructive criticism is always appreciated.
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She spotted them immediately. Slightly hidden by the eddies of the rock pool, their bright glint catching and re-catching the sun as the water swirled over and around.
She plucked them from the sand and held them aloft to examine their clarity. They were exactly what she’d been hoping for, almost translucent in their natural state.
Crushing them in her fist, aware of the tips of pain that burst from her fingers, she ground them between her palms until at last she was sure they were small enough to be undetected in the can of Pepsi she’d bought for him.
(100 words)
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You can find a bunch of other observations and interpretations here: madison-woods.com/index-of-stories/081012-2/ and also by following the links in the box below. If you would like to take part in Madison Woods Friday Fictioneers you will need to visit this page on her website which explains what to do: madison-woods.com/photo-prompt-for-the-fridayfictioneers-6/. You can also join in on Facebook at: facebook.com/FridayFictioneers
I know, I’m getting worried myself nifti 🙂
hmmm… sticking to characters! can’t believe such of sweet Linda! No! 😀
might be 😉
I have no idea either, but I think she’s hoping for him to have at least a bad stomach 🙂
There’s just so much variety available in all the photo prompts I absolutely love it Joanna 🙂
Thanks so much for that and glad you liked it 🙂
I must admit to finding myself wondering that too Adam 😉
Or maybe it’ll get the better of him sooner rather than later Jess 😉
Thanks Sandra 🙂
Well she wouldn’t do it if not pushed I guess, so he must have done something to warrant it 🙂
Was that an evil laugh Raina? 🙂
Mmm, I sort of got that impression when I was writing it too Mike 🙂
Thanks Carrie 🙂
Well, that’s where the latest novel seems to be heading Anne – don’t know if could do downright evil though … I shall have to wait and see 🙂
Thank you Bumba 🙂
I must admit I’m starting to wonder what’s going on in my mind, never mind the characters Nifti 🙂
Perhaps it might be good for him then, with all that fibre in there 🙂
Thanks Jan, I’m glad you liked it 🙂
Why thank yuo so much Boomie – I really appreciate that lovely comment 🙂
I’m not sure I thought that far ahead – I assumed killed .. at least I think I did 🙂
Thanks Kaitlin 🙂
Thanks BeeBee and I enjoyed yours very much too. 🙂
Or maybe she’s just had enough 😉
Thank you very much Claire 🙂
Thanks susan 🙂
I know Lora – painful to pee I would imagine at the very least 🙂
Mmm, neither did I – I must admit I did wonder what might happen as it was swallowed 🙂
That’s sounds sensible Emma 🙂
Absolutely true and wise advice indeed 🙂
Why thank you very kindly 🙂
Superb
Nice twist! This only emphasizes what Bill has always told the girls–never drink from a drink you haven’t either opened yourself or seen opened, although I’m sure crushed shells weren’t what he had in mind!
Ooo brutal! Think I’ll be a bit more careful next time I drink pepsi from a can.
An original substitute for ground glass. I imagine that she will take great pleasure in watching him as his intestines begin to tear. I never did like Pepsi.
Yikes…your last line made me gasp. Didn’t expect it. Wonder what he did or is doing to deserve this. If not poison, I think the crumbled shells may cause kidney stones…painful enough. Tks for visiting mine.
Yikes! Killer seashells. What ever did he do to deserve that?! Nice!
~Susan
I like ‘tips of pain’ – an unusual adjective to use, but it really works. Nice story.
Either she likes to watch people in pain or she’s trying to kill him, either way she’s evil! Very mysterious.
EVIL!! I enjoyed this prompt and thank you for reading mine as well as providing the link to yours!
Ooh, ouch! THat’s gonna hurt later. I was wondering why she was looking for the shell – great idea!
A savvy and dangerous woman. Is he going to be killed or just have a very bad day?
Oh oh…someone is in trouble. That was so unexpectedly good. I am glad i wont be drinking that pepsi 🙂
Ah, beautifully sinister. A contrasting ending, and a nice surprise!
–Jan
http://janmorrill.wordpress.com/2012/08/10/fridayfictioneers-flashfiction-shell-phone/
What a menacing young lady she is. Ha. She had a very crafty way of spiking his drink. Adding a little ‘salt’ and ‘fiber’ to a Pepsi certainly would alter its flavor some. Thanks for reading my story and the positive comments.
HEHE. Poisonous shells? Wonder what’s really going on in her mind!
Interesting. Well- written
I’m not surprised! 🙂 Perhaps when you’ve got it out of your system you’ll be back to cute and fluffy, or perhaps it’s just showing the depths of storytelling you’re capable of. Murder mystery next time??
Ooohhhh….dun dun duuuunnnnnn! Someone is not happy. Nice little twist at the end
Wow, that had a twist.
Don’t know what he’s done but she’s definitely not happy.
A great story.
hahaha… 🙂
Now that’s a firm grip and determination. He must be a cad….
Nice!
Here is mine-
http://susielindau.com/2012/08/10/the-morning-after/
Wow did he really annoy her! A nice dark piece to set your teeth on edge. Good one.
It sounds like that won’t be a drink he’ll soon forget. Very nicely done!
http://whimsicalquestsofacuriousmind.blogspot.com/2012/08/friday-fictioneers-81012.html
Sounds like somebody is up to no good. Wonder what he did to deserve that.
OH! What a transition – I didn’t see that ending coming at all. Horrifying, and so well told. Good job.
Oh! Now that I did not expect. Such pretty shells and then the twist! Very nicely done.
Thanks for your comment on ours. 🙂
Pretty sneaky… not sure what she expects to happen, I think the shells would disolve in the Pepsi.
Mmmm, Steve keeps giving me odd looks Anne whenever I read the latest piece out to him 😉
Thanks Rochelle and yes, there must be a reason, I just haven’t worked out what it is yet … 😉
Mmmm, I know and to be honest I’m not sure where it’s coming from … it could be worrying LOL 🙂
Devious. There must be a reason she wants to do this to him. Loved the imagery of the shells catching and re-catching the glint…
http://www.rochelle-wisoff.blogspot.com/2012/08/safe.html
hmm there seems to be a recurring theme in your stories…..
I have no idea whether shells could be used as a poison – it was just an idea Doug. I shall think more about it, but I’ve noticed I’m definitely veering towards murder, death and mayhem in my flash fiction, perhaps it’s telling me something I ought to pay attention too 🙂
Dear Linda,
What’s going on here? Naturally occurring poison shells? A murderous intent in a keen eyed girl on the beach? Tell me more.
Aloha,
Doug
My, you are still delving into your dark side, aren’t you Linda? Hope you’re getting it all out of your system vicariously through fiction! Well done. Mine is here http://anneorchardwriter.wordpress.com/2012/08/10/friday-fictioneers-moving-on/.