Friday 17 February 2012

Lily's Friday Prediction

Apologies for the lateness of today's post. School half-term means snatched time here and there - even moreso than full-time work! But my little gorgeous girl comes first - sorry!

Now I'm a blub of tears - an old Soul girl - I've been listening to a new complication of tracks whilst I cooked up some Poulet Basquaise, all of which I already possess over and over on (original) vinyl, tape, CD and MP3. So -"Give Me Just A Little More Time" and I shall become Chair(wo)man of the Feardom Board - vaguely organised. If you're under 40 - forget what I've said.

Winner of Last Week's Prediction Challenge

New Predictioneers will not be familiar with her writing but R.S. (Rebecca) Bohn's writing sends me - every time. I'm so glad she dipped in to the Feardom's Prediction challenge this week, for her beguiling and disturbing piece Heiress is my winner. Congratulations Rebecca - an exquisite experience from your pen.

Forgive me, but I cannot decide on a runner-up this week. There are four that make me tremble in completely different  ways which just shows the overwhelming talent here, and I don't thing it's fair to split the vote. Apologies - if you have read all the entries I'm sure you all understand.

Words for 17 February 2012

I'm slipping my fingers into the dictionary's pages - ooh, it's tight tonight. Here we go...

  • Riddle
  • Hook
  • Venus
May your synapses glisten.

Rules

The rules are: 100 words max flash fiction or poetry using all of the words above. Please add your entries in the Comments box below. You have until 9pm UK time on Thursday 23rd February 2012 to enter.

The winner will be announced on Friday 24th February. If you can, please tweet about your entry, using the #fridayflash hashtag, and blog if you feel like it. Do give feedback to your fellow Predictioneers - we all appreciate it.

If your lethargy is getting you down, look out the window. Whether you see an apartment block or an open field - study the finest detail, become awed, write about ants, or dust, or murder...
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77 comments:

  1. Good job R.S. I loved Heiress and it was a worthy win.

    Lily, of course you and yours comes first, I'm just happy at any time I can get here in Feardom Halls.

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  2. Thank you again, Lily. It's been a while, hasn't it?

    And now I'm singing "Give Me Just A Little More Time" in my head... (those under 40, yes, look away!)

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  3. Hey I'm under 40 and I still know these songs!

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  4. RS congratulations! Superb writing, as always.
    Lily, Life has to come first sometimes.
    Interesting words this week...
    they won't fit with the flash fiction I wrote last night which begins
    I have a screw loose.

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  5. Congrats Rebbecca, a piece made even more disturbing now that I know what Pokeberry juice is.

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  6. Well done R.S poke-berry juice,love the way that sounds.



    Whips .N.Chains

    If his life depended on it, Curtis couldn’t have retraced the route from Sally’s flat to the station.

    He didn’t recollect the journey at all, he was a bundle of nerves. What did he know about the woman in whom he was placing his trust? She could be a psychopath, Venus in Furs with a butchers hook.

    He overcame his doubts, it was time to take a risk, start living, or grow old with regrets.

    He admired her corseted breasts, she ushered him in.

    Later his dying eyes reflected a riddle, what was that damned safe word?

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    Replies
    1. BRILLIANT! S.K. I love it! I wondered how you were gonna bring this one home with one line to go. What a crackin line, to slam dunk it home for a win.

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    2. Clever, clever piece. The opening develops the poor victim's character so well, setting the scene with that final line building a whole story in itself of what happened in the boudoir. Excellent.

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    3. Heh, if she went that far would she have even listened for the safe word?

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    4. so much good writing this week, this is exceptional stuff, again, material for much, much more.

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    5. Thank you all for your encouraging comments.

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    6. ... his dying eyes reflected a riddle ... wonderfully visual.

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  7. Congratulations, Becky! Heiress is a worthy winner and a beautiful one =)

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  8. Hip, hip, hurrah - I've not only managed to write something before closing time, I've also included all three words - as per my own rules (Thank you Madame Zelda for taking me to task over last week's failure on that! ;-) )

    This is a little bit of fun. Enjoy your supper...


    Barry’s Not Coming To Dinner

    Tina sniffed the grey mince and recoiled. It was fresh but had a creamy odour of decay about it. She shrugged. Nothing a heavy handful of oregano wouldn’t disguise.

    She bopped along to KC & The Sunshine Band as she laid the table, hooking name tags around the glasses so everyone would know where to sit. Six bottles of Château Venus Muscadet chilled in her mini-fridge to accompany the crab starter. A bottle each.

    Tonight’s riddle would be “Where’s Barry?” Tina had kept their separation secret. She’d reveal the truth after her guests gorged themselves on Bolognaise, Barry's House Special.

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    Replies
    1. I shall forever be suspicious of hosts serving me oregano flavoured meats from now on! Cheeky little number here Lily with an intoxicating bouquet ;-)

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    2. Superb title for the piece, Lily, and all achieved through the power of suggestion. Nicely done. =)

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    3. now that is a horror story and a half!

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    4. A new twist on 'having Barry over for dinner' - Yum!

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  9. Oh, I had to read that twice to make sure my suspicions about Barry's whereabouts were correct. A gruesome delicacy served. Need more than a bottle to wash that down.

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  10. @SK oh that's one dark ending!

    @Lily that's really gruesome. ^__^

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  11. And life slowly returns to a normal pace, so much so I've even been able to find time to comment on the great stuff from everyone else this week for once!

    Fuelling my addiction to the Feardom, here is my tempting titbit this week:

    Low down high

    Joseph Henkleburg was a nasty piece of work who deserved to die.

    He hooked people in with gentle words and sweet tasting treats, enticing them like bluebottles intoxicated by the putrescent, fetid stench of a Venus flytrap, before destroying them.

    Heidi succumbed quickly to his charms. Flattered by his beguiling, velvety tones he tempted her with hash initially. Later smack, speed and ketamine dragged her down, riddling her body with disease as she turned tricks for him.

    I couldn’t drag my sister back but I could make him pay. As I said, Joseph Henkleburg was a nasty piece of work.

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    Replies
    1. Tragedy and revenge. Parts of this tale ring a little too true, sadly.

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    2. superb writing capturing a promise of dire revenge. Love it.

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    3. enticing them like bluebottles... Love that line. Great title. It's all good.Would make a great beginning to a bigger story.

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    4. definitely a bigger story here!

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  12. Well done Rebecca. My little offering this week:


    Hidden Agenda

    Her light, dazzling and always bright, a beacon set within an infinite darkness, glittered from her far away throne - Venus ascended the horizon.

    Moon glaze lit a path for him. His fingers tightened around the hook, despite slime-smeared hands, and he dragged the body a short distance to the undergrowth. He pulled the hook from the base of the skull, heaved the body over a ridge.

    He straightened, watched as Pete Gaines tumbled into the insect riddled bog.

    He lit a cigarette, sucked readily, smiled.

    Shaun Gaines would take over the family business, now that darling Daddy was dead.

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    Replies
    1. The moon sees so many things, yet never says a word... ;)

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    2. Patricide - now I wasn't expecting that! Good one.

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    3. the hook in the base of the skull made me cringe - nice one.

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  13. @Phil oh revenge is always a motivator.

    @AJ A dark crime, the desire to own it all.

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  14. Here's my entry for this week: ^_^

    Cold steel

    Venus in a teenage body, a smile that trapped him in a web of desire— hooked he had to have her. His pulse raced at the smell of her scent, his mind became riddled with jealousy at those who looked at her. She thought him sweet, never suspecting his obsession. He took her home that night, ‘just for a night cap,’ he said.

    In the attic where he kept her, she plotted his murder. The key turned in the lock, her fingers reached beneath the mattress and grasped the sharp slither of metal she had been sharpening every day.

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    Replies
    1. Oh wow... how long has he kept her there, poor girl?

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    2. oh good one, so many questions here that are desperate to escape into a full length story!

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    3. A chilling scenario,I agree with Antonia, would love to read more.

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    4. I really liked this Helen. Lot of story hidden within the piece where we imagine the bits from the obsessing to key in the lock. Plus love the way the victim looks to become the victor.

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    5. Agree - there's more to this story.

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  15. I hope this works and takes the story forward.

    The Package, Part 5.

    Venus stepped from the train and followed the throng of commuters. Rail workers were shouting orders, some being obeyed.

    “Sir,” one guard said, “That way means ‘THAT WAY’! It’s not a riddle. Now go!” he finished, pointing to an exit.

    Venus walked past the guard, concern etched across her face.

    “Miss, are you OK?”

    “I...I...I’m being...” Venus stopped talking and stared straight ahead.

    “Miss?”

    * * *

    Frankie Jones’s henchman is standing at the other end of the station. Then I see her, push past commuters and hook an arm around hers.

    “You want to live, come with me.”

    ~End~

    ...to be continued.

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    Replies
    1. Nice cliffhanger! I think it works, definitely feels like its building. =)

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    2. This is as agonizing as waiting a week for the next episode of Doctor Who when I was a lad. Great work

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    3. I need to catch up on your previous ones Dave but this still works really well as a standalone piece. As John said - nice cliffhanger!

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    4. Gonna need to find out if she makes it!

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  16. @David what choice did she have - suspensful!

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  17. Roleplay


    “We dropped so many hints,” the women said. “Now we’re going back to Venus because you weren’t paying attention.”

    “But, it’s not our fault,” the men replied, “it’s a well known fact you’re riddles wrapped in enigmas wrapped in inexplicably alluring curves and bumpy bits.”

    “Too late,” the women said, “you didn’t buy us the good chocolates often enough, the Belgian ones with the swirls and the crunchy bits.”

    “But,” the men cast their eyes down, “we’re kind of hooked, we’ll miss you.”

    “You’ll miss us?” The women’s gazes softened, “That was, well, all we really wanted to hear.”

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    Replies
    1. Well chocolates will do it every time, they just didn't listen did they. Nice story!

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    2. Clever, a light in the darkness, a pleasure to read.
      I imagine Venus is full of chocolate factories and horses. :-)

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    3. I'm going to have to take lessons from you John on how to talk to women! Fun little story this :-)

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    4. Women! so difficult to know what they want!

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  18. Oh John, you are trying to tug our heartstrings, but those of us who don't fall for such male tricks can see right through it!
    Great writing!

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  19. Hi Lily, this is my first attempt at this!

    Riddle

    If you can find me in a place that’s new, I’m yours. .
    Venus

    He stared at the riddle before looking around the office. Everyone’s head was down. It might be a prank, but with Jacqui giving him nothing, he couldn’t resist. He crossed into the new section, pushing through the plastic screens. Friday afternoon and the workmen had quit early.

    She was there, bare and beautiful and he went to her. When he fell, he was too surprised to make a sound. When he woke, the hook was through his chest and he couldn’t draw enough breath to scream.

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    1. first, but I hope not the last entry from you, Tina, wonderful imagery here, loved it!

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    2. Welcome Tina, A grisly debut.Nicely done.

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    3. Welcome Tina and what a great debut. Giving in to temptation rarely leads to a happy ending!

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    4. Welcome Tina, and I agree with SK grisly tale - well done!

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    5. nice first entry Tina - gory!

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  20. A decaying figure riddled with maggots hung from a large hook in the corner. The bones were small, female. The skin had been flayed from the flesh while she was still alive as with all chosen by the Venus killer.

    Her long blonde hair and scarlet nails accented her beauty; he only blessed the young and the beautiful by immortalising them as goddesses.

    Never would they be blighted by ugliness or age but preserved in perfection forever.

    He laid out her skin, draped her hair across her bosom and lay down his head exultant in her glory.

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    Replies
    1. Phantasmagoric, enigmatic, a deadly new serial killer, viewed through a glass darkly.

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    2. Great use of language yet I think the most horrific piece for me is 'flayed from her flesh whilst alive'; really made me feel uncomfortable.

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    3. Very dark, and yet a compelling read!

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    4. Decaying , maggots, flesh - it's got everything a story could need

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  21. Phantasmagoric
    more magical imagery, just what I need this duff Wednesday where everything that could go wrong is going wrong. Thanks for a superb read.

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  22. OK, here goes with my entry

    Daydream

    Listen, I only tell you once of my dream.
    She comes, all fair hair and eyes of promise and body that bounces and burning mound of Venus.
    She is not riddled with that disease – HELP, no! Fool that I am! AIDS.
    She comes, we love – oh how we love – and she ends up on the hook in my cellar – with the others.
    This is my dream.
    This burns.
    I must make it happen.
    It hasn’t happened – yet.
    But look now, I have told you of my dream, have I not?
    That means, forgive me, but you cannot leave.

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    Replies
    1. I can keep a secret...honest I can. :-)

      Creepy work,Antonia a chilling craft.

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    2. The yearning of psychopaths can only ever lead to trouble! If that is their daydream I dread to see their nightmares!

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    3. Hi Antonia - long time no see. Oh, how we love - and she ends up on the hook in my cellar - with the others.

      A great scene! Can I go now, please?

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  23. So looking forward to commenting on these fine, fine entries tomorrow night as well as welcoming our newcomers. 'Twill be late, and after the Feardom has slammed its doors - but I'll have me lips puckered for parlay.

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  24. Here's a riddle for you men out there. How many hooks are in Venus's girdle?

    None, silly! She doesn't have any arms! How could she unhook anything?

    Wait! Don't go! How about this: If you, a mortal man, want to hook up with Venus, how long should your cock be?

    Hmm? I'm waiting.... Well, obviously you find that question intimidating, probably due to feelings of inadequacy, so never mind.

    Try this: How many short-dicked men does it take to change a light bulb?

    Just one! Unless, of course, he doesn't have any arms, in which case it...

    Wait! Come back!

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    Replies
    1. This girl's scary, I'm off while I still got arms, although that may be the least of my worries!

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  25. She dangled, naked, from the butcher’s hook. The blood congealing on her body was not hers, but of the sacrifices made to whet the gods’ appetite. The maiden, and the mother had died, screaming. Their corpses lay empty at her feet.

    It took a long time to find this trio, but the sequence has to be right, last must be the crone; mother of the mother, grandmother of the maiden. The riddle of life, starts with the mound of Venus, the site of the first incision. The long cut the will end at her throat. The cycle will be complete.

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  26. Sorry Lily - 2 mins late! It wouldn't work from CHrome so I had to change to Firefox! took me 10 mins to get sorted. Hope I am forgiven.

    ... yes I remember that song. 1970 just started my apprenticeship ...

    Kim

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  27. All, I have just returned home. It's been a horribly traumatic week; I can't share any of the details with you but I have just heard some very good news and am in rather an emotional state of tears and relief.

    I seem to have been asking your forgiveness a lot lately, but I'm simply not up to commenting on your amazing entries this week. Special apologies to new Predictioneers. I assure you all I have read every brilliant word, and will judge accordingly in the morning.

    Love life, everyone - appreciate it, nurture it, treasure it and respect it - because you never know when it could be snatched cruelly, and permanently away.

    I genuinely love you all, and I won't apologise for that.

    Lily xx

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  28. What ever it was/is, I hope it is resolved now.
    Take care of you and yours Lily,

    Kind regards,

    Shaun

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Lily Childs is a writer of horror, esoteric, mystery and chilling fiction.

If you see her dancing outside in a thunder storm - don't try to bring her in. She's safe.