dark – Page 3 – Afterwards

Fractured Figures – Room 101

A destructive tale of attraction

Penny watched from the shadows at the people walking by, all so oblivious to the dark creatures clinging desperately to them.

Helpless she followed a creature of jealousy and anger draw its host slowly towards a pretty red haired girl, surrounded by a pall of self doubt and fear.

There was nothing she could do, and she already knew how it would end – badly.

He smiled, offering his number. “I’m Dan” he said.

She blushed and took it, “Im Emma.”

The creatures grinned and hissed in delight. Grandma said it was a gift, but to her it was a curse.

Photo courtesy of pixabay

Teardrops and teacups – Room 101

Cross my palm with silver…

Thanks to Michelle for the prompt

Darren sniggered behind his hands as Madame Zabor peered intently into the cup.

“I see death” she warned, a crooked finger stabbed towards him. “Heed my warning” she continued “the fates have spoken.”

He sniggered before bursting into howls of laughter.

“I’m sorry” he said, quite obviously not, “this is ridiculous.”

“Change your ways” she warned as he continued mocking.

“Come on” he said, “what you gonna do, turn me into a toad?”

Darren doubled up laughing and started to speak but his words were cut short as her hands clamped tightly around his throat.

“Fate has spoken boy” she grinned.

Photo courtesy of pixabay cco

Naked Canvas – Room 101

Ever wonder where people get their inspiration?

Thanks to Michelle for the prompt

“Boss, you seen what Mary’s writing?”

“The ‘footprints’ woman?”

“Yeah her” Jonah continued “what did you do, this smells of you? Just leave them alone.”

“Look, I never asked to get stuck on this planet, and I certainly never asked to be anyone’s god” he snapped. “3000 years I’ve been here, it’s boring. Not once have head-office bothered to pop in and say ‘good job’ or read one of my reports.”

“What did you do?” Jonah pressed.

“Ok so I gave her the ‘I was carrying you ‘ dream.”

“Is that all?”

“…and gave her cancer.”

“Boss, you’re such a dick.”

Photo courtesy of pixabay

Bamboozled – Room 101

This is how it ends…

Thanks to Michelle for the prompt

“What I don’t get” said Zark, feelers twitching, “Is how they start quite pleasant and before you know it they’re quite reprehensible beastly slargvarbles.”

“Nature” said Ven entering coordinates into the navigation panel.

“Not nurture?” ventured Zark.

“Not a bleednorgs chance in snarbut” Ven answered, “there’s no way this species can be this awful without it being part of their very nature.”

“So that’s it?” asked Zark bringing up the targeting reticule. “They failed?”

“It seems so” said Ven quite matter of fact, “vaporise them and let’s go home.”

“Pity” Zark replied punching the incinerate button, “I did rather enjoyed probing them.”

Photo courtesy of pixabay

Mediocrity and Milkshakes – Room 101

How to get ahead in life.

Thanks to Michelle for the prompt

Theo opened the jar labelled ‘Calcium Powder’ and added it the blender.

“They won’t laugh at me this time”, he told himself grinning.

His scrolled through his TOR browser, following the recipe. They promised to make him faster and stronger, and even though it had cost him all his savings it would be worth it.

The browser flashed. ‘Add optional Ingredient X now’.

Theo grinned, walked over to the freezer and pulled out the head of Mr Tanaka from next door, a retired mathematician.

“Nothing wrong with some extra smarts” he said to himself grinning as he cracked open the skull.

Photo courtesy of pixabay

Fastidious Matters – Room 101

…Spencer licked his lips watching, eyes wide…

Thanks to Michelle for the prompt

Spencer licked his lips watching, eyes wide. His student drew the knife across her naked stomach as she strained against the ropes, issuing a muffled scream. The blade flashed in the candle light and he stopped over her heart.

“Slowly” he cautioned. “Carve the pentagram.”

Spencer inhaled, the blade tip digging into her skin.

Writhing she screamed, the blade slipping causing a long gash to her armpit.

“Bloody hell” spencer roared, his student wincing, “please be more careful!”

He paused.

“Okay, do over. Get a fresh one and be careful this time, it’s not exactly easy finding a virgin these days!”

Photo courtesy of pixabay

Orion’s belt – Room 101

Another Room-101 flash fiction piece told in 101 words.

Thanks to Michelle for the prompt

“You smell like strawberries” carl said smiling running his hand through her hair.

Helen’s heart raced being so close to him, lying in the grass, head on his chest. They’d only been together for a few months but she’d never felt like this before.

He raised a hand and pointed to a cluster of stars. “See there, straight up from that tree, the three stars in a line? That’s Orion’s Belt.”

“Where did you learn about that?” she asked, sighing.

“My dad used to take us out camping as kids, he loved the stars.” He said wrapping his arms around her.

____________________________

I know, no twist or anything macabre or weird or twisted or offensive. I’m half way through this challenge I think and thought I would make the lack of a twist the twist. I could have had him be an alien, or murder her or have a satellite fall on them or worse but some days, it’s just nice to be nice 😊

Photo courtesy of pixabay

Breezy Blunder – Room 101

Chief Hennessy wiped soot from his face. “Thanks Kate, as far as preliminary reports show looks like a mains gas escape.”

Thanks to Michelle for the prompt

“Chief, Kate White Channel 8 News, can you tell us what happened?”

Chief Hennessy wiped soot from his face. “Thanks Kate, as far as preliminary reports show looks like a mains gas escape.”

“Any reports of casualties?” she pressed.

“I can confirm two deceased occupants found on the premises.”

Two hours earlier

“Bend over more” Ben howled holding the lighter to his brother’s bottom.

“It’s coming, light it, light it” Tobias shouted, eyes popping as he strained.

“You smell that?” Ben said suddenly looking about, his smile gone, lighter still burning.

“You smell this?” Tobias laughed, letting out a huge fart…

Photo courtesy of pixabay

Insignificant artefacts – Room 101

“On my mother’s life” Jeb answered “got them from a friend’s friend who works on the hill, 100% percent kosher.”

Thanks to Michelle for the prompt

“How much?” asked the hooded stranger.

Jeb smiled. “For you friend, twenty sheckles”.

“They’re the real thing?”

“On my mother’s life” Jeb answered “got them from a friend’s friend who works on the hill, 100% percent kosher.”

“Ok, I’ll take them” he said handing over a small cloth coin pouch.

Jeb turned, popping his head through the adajcent doorway.

“Malech, bring me the you know what’s.”

Both men stood, waiting while Malech went into the back, grabbed a random pair of heavy iron nails and wrapped them in a bloodied scrap of cloth.

“There you go boss” he said handing them over…

Photo courtesy of pixabay

Flaming Arrows – Room 101

…”I thought they’d make a lovely couple” Cupid said folding his arms defiantly….

Thanks to Michelle for the prompt

“Cupid what are you doing” J shouted grabbing the bow.

“I thought they’d make a lovely couple” he said folding his arms defiantly.

“You know who they, why would you do that?”

Cupid paused, his eyes narrowing.

“Do you know what it’s like watching all these people living and loving?” He snapped, “I have nothing, no-one. I haven’t even got a decent change of bloody clothes, I’m done!”

J looked down at the couple in the coffee shop queue, separated at birth now unexpectedly reunited.

“Just wait until they find out she’s pregnant” Cupid laughed, “they’re gonna need some serious therapy”

Photo courtesy of pixabay

Killing Curiosity – Room 101

Another Room-101 flash fiction piece told in 101 words.

Thanks to Michelle for the prompt

“Peter, Mate” said Barnabas looking confused “they’re never ever going to believe all of this surely.”

Peter laughed. “Trust me, they’ll believe anything we tell them. They fell for that stuff about coming back from the dead didn’t they.”

Barnabas looked uncomfortable. “They’re not stupid they’ll find out, then what?”

Paul put down his quill. “Tell you what we’ll do” he said scratching his chin, “we’ll tell them if they don’t believe it then they’ll …” Peter paused searching for words.

“Suffer for eternal damnation?” offered Barnabas

“Oh that’s good” said Peter making a note on his parchment grinning “that’s real good.”

Photo courtesy of pixabay

Still of night – Room 101

“So this is it then?” Clarke asked, though he knew the answer that would come.

Thanks to Michelle for the prompt

“So this is it then?” Clarke asked.

“Yes” the voice replied, “this time tomorrow it’ll all be over.”

“For everyone?”

“Everybody Clarke, this is how it ends I told you that.”

“After all we’ve achieved though?”

The voice paused. “I think perhaps it’s for the best.”

“If you ask me it’s a real waste” Clarke said pointing to the ribbon of fire that filled the sky before him. “Just look at that sunset.”

“That’s a sun about to engulf the planet Clarke” the voice said quite calmly.

“Oh shit yeah” Clarke replied.

“Now go home and say goodbye” the voice said.

Photo courtesy of pixabay

Beads of Sweat – Room 101

He ran his tongue slowly across her stomach, bead of sweat pooling on her soft pale skin.

Thanks to Michelle for the prompt

He ran his tongue slowly across her stomach, caressing her as beads of sweat pooled on her soft pale skin. He breathed deep, her perfume filling his senses and his heart racing.

“I’ve wanted this for so long” he said tasting her on his lips, “I knew we were meant to be.”

Running his coarse hands the length of her outstretched body he pulled himself on top of her.

“I love the taste of your sweat” he whispered in her ear.

He paused.

“God, what was I thinking” he said licking his lips and laughing “let’s start again. Dead flesh can’t sweat”

Photo courtesy of pixabay

Incessant Dreaming – Room 101

Each night since he moved in the woman from the picture filled his dreams. Her red hair, cherry lips and alabaster skin consuming him.

Thanks to Michelle for the prompt

Each night since he moved in the woman from the picture filled his dreams. Her red hair, cherry lips and alabaster skin consuming him.

“Stay with me” she would ask, and he would swear he would remain but with mornings advent they were parted.

“Why do you forsake me” she asked, “don’t you love me?”

“I do” he insisted, “with everything”.

“Then you know what to do.”

As his limp hand dropped the bottle of sleeping tablets, his life ebbing away, she appeared one final time – her face now a mask of death.

“Sleep” she said smiling, “welcome to my home.”

Photo courtesy of pixabay

Scalloped edges – Room 101

Edmund slammed his fist on the table in frustration. The edges were always so difficult to get right, and now it was ruined.

Thanks to Michelle for the prompt

Edmund slammed his fist on the table in frustration. The edges were always so difficult to get right, and now it was ruined.

“One more go” he said to himself angrily holding it up so Melanie could see it from where she sat shackled to the bed.

“Look what you made me do with your crying ” he shouted, eyes bulging.

He picked up the knife from the table, walked across and cut open her shirt, exposing the tattoos that covered her shoulders, back and arms.

His eyes narrowed, nostrils flared.

“How am I supposed to make anything with that” he roared.

Photo courtesy of pixabay

A Chance Meeting – Room 101

Waiting for the lights to turn Ichabod felt something pressed into the palm of his hand.

Thanks to Michelle for the prompt

Waiting for the lights to turn Ichabod felt something pressed into the palm of his hand.

“What the…” he mumbled spinning round to see a tall pale man in a long dark coat walk away through rush hour crush.

‘For what you have done, today you will die at 8am’ the note read.

Glancing down at his watch he laughed to himself as he stepped out into the road, and in that moment three things went through his mind.

The first was “It’s already 8:59 you dumb fu…”, closely followed by “Oh bugger, daylight savings”, and the third was the number 34 bus.

Photo courtesy of pixabay

Musical Undertones – Room 101

Caleb cradled the pistol in his lap, face contorted in pain, unable to to block out the sound of the piano.

Thanks to Michelle for the prompt

Caleb cradled the pistol in his lap, face contorted in pain, unable to block out the sound of the piano. It was Rachmaninoff’s no.2, her favourite piece. He’d watched her perform it the evening they first met.

Every morning he awoke and he could hear it and it never stopped until he closed his eyes to sleep. It’s emptiness, soaring heights, consuming passions and raging emotions all reminders of what he had done and that which he had hidden for so many years.

Enough. He put the pistol in his mouth.

Rebecca smiled, closed the piano lid, and drifted into nothing.

Photo courtesy of lailajuliana @ pixabay

Prolonged Agony – Room 101

From the corner of the room Gary looked down at his cold and lifeless body spread-eagled, face down, on the bed.

Thanks to Michelle for the prompt

From the corner of the room Gary looked down at his cold and lifeless body spread-eagled, face down, on the bed.

“Oh shit” he thought as a crime scene officer took photographs of the 12 inch black ‘thundercock’ hanging out of the back of his quite obviously deceased self. “What’s Karen going to think?”

The CSO pulled out her phone, snapped a photo, and quickly put it away again.

“I know him you know” she said to the police officer stood at the door.

“Yeah?” he replied.

“Yes” she answered smiling broadly, “ex-fiance, he cheated on me with his current wife.”

Photo courtesy of pixabay

Cradled and Cocooned – Room 101

He kicked out angrily, desperate to hurt her, wanting her to scream.

This morning I was looking for some inspiration to start doing a themed daily piece. I was listening to the Eurhythmics album 1984 (The one for the film adaptation of the George Orwell Book) and it got me to thinking about doing a Room 101 kind of thing in 101 words and on a dark and twisted theme.

Not quite there yet I then took another look at Michelle’s prompts over at Her Writing Haven. They are a great set of prompts and you should take a look at them, so I decided to use those as my daily prompts to be combined with my Room 101 idea. I may also combine them with the WordPress daily prompt if possible. Anyway, here is the first Room 101. The “Cradled and cocooned” prompt comes from Michelle and the “Dancing” prompt from WordPress daily prompt..

He kicked out angrily, desperate to hurt her, wanting her to scream.

“Oh look he likes it” he heard her say, that sickeningly elated tone in her voice. “He’s dancing.”

“He has your terrible taste in music” the man joked laughing loudly.

“Hey you, watch it” she replied happily. He could feel her slowly rubbing her stomach.

As if having to listen to her life coursing through her body wasn’t enough, he now had to listen to the awful music she played incessantly.

He really could not wait to be born and one day be old enough to kill them both.

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/dancing/

https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/34953311/posts/1648533588

Badger and Fox

Badger appeared slowly from his set. Sniffing the fresh morning air he had a rather pleasant and leisurely scratch and considered the day ahead.

In response to the daily prompt word:Amble

Badger appeared slowly from his set. Sniffing the fresh morning air he had a rather pleasant and leisurely scratch and considered the day ahead.

“Worms might be a good start to the day” he mumbled to himself “or maybe some bugs” he continued “i do rather like bugs.”

As badger decided on whether it would be juicy worms or crunchy bugs there came a familiar voice from the nearby bushes. “Are you taking to yourself again my old friend?”

Badger knew that voice only too well. It was fox, and if fox was about this early it could only mean trouble.

“What do you want fox?” Badger asked impatiently, his black and white stripes bristling. “I was just going to go and have some breakfast.”

“Oh my good badger, no need for such grumpiness” said fox grinning, “it is such a lovely day and that is no way to greet an old friend.”

Badger gave a low growl. “You are no friend of mine Fox” he said rearign up to his full height “either speak your mind or hold your tongue for I am hungry and wish to have my breakfast.”

Badger had long claws and a short temper when he was hungry, and fox knew too well what happened when you crossed a hungry badger.

“i have a proposition for you” Fox said smiling, “and it is one that you surely will enjoy”

“And what exactly might that be” Badger asked.

“Well you see” Fox continued “I know a place where you will find the juiciest worms.”

“Hmm” said badger. “i do rather like worms.”

Smiling, Fox continued “all I ask is that you do a little digging for me, and in return you will have the most plump and juicy worms.”

Badger thought for a while. He did enjoy digging, and he especially enjoyed plump and juicy worms. “is it far?” he asked.

“Oh no no” Fox replied. “Not far at all. In fact it is just over the brow of the hill and beyond the large oak tree.”

“That is not far at all” Badger replied. “And I am yet to have my breakfast.”

“Perfect, just perfect” exclaimed Fox his bushy red tail swishing. “How about we set off now then?”

With tummy grumbling badger followed Fox up the hill through the long green grass and over the brow and further on past he old oak tree.

After a short while the pair reached a small mound between two great sycamore trees which was covered in meadow flowers. “Now Badger” Fox said, his eyed wide, If you would just be so kind as to dig through this mound here you will not only be doing me a huge favour but I believe that you will find some of the most plump and juicy worms in the wood.”

“I will?” Badger asked warily “And how do I know you aren’t lying Fox?”

“Oh my good fellow” Fox replied “I have it on very good authority I assure you.”

Badger’s tummy rumbled. “And why exactly am I digging?” he asked.

“It’s a new den for my family” Fox replied “but I have an ache in my paw and find it very hard to dig you see.”

It sounded reasonable badger thought, and with his tummy rumbling he began to dig.

Now badgers are very good at digging, much better than foxes – especially foxes with achy paws and it was not long until Badger had managed to uncover rather a lot of juicy worms, just as fox had promised. As he chewed a particularly fat and juicy worm he asked fox “is this deep enough?”

“Just a little more” Fox replied.

Badger ate a little more and then dug a little more. “How about now?”

“Just a little more still ” Fox replied.

“This is rather deep for a fox den” badger remarked slurping up an especially long and wriggly worm.

“it will keep us warm in the winter” Fox replied, his tail swishing back and forth in the morning sun. “okay, stop!” he shouted excitedly “That is just perfect.”

Nibbling on more worms in the freshly dug soil Badger backed slowly out of the hole.

“Splendid job, quite splendid” Fox exclaimed. “i could surely never have dug so deep.”

“Is that it then?” Badger asked. “All finished?”

“Oh indeed yes” Fox replied smiling. “I can do the last bit of digging myself”

Badger turned and began to wander off. “Thanks for the worms Fox” he shouted back.

Fox didn’t reply, he had already headed down his freshly dug hole and Badger could hear him digging furiously.

Badger ambled slowly back in the direction of the old oak tree, the warm sun spilling through the canopy of the wood in warm pools.

“Good morning Rabbit” said Badger as rabbit raound the old gnarled tree.”

“Goood day Badger” she said hurriedly “Cant stop, can’t stop for I have left my babies alone in the between the two great sycamores!”

Fancy something else?

https://afterwards.blog/2017/07/03/first-blog-post/

https://afterwards.blog/2017/07/14/we-unlikely-few/

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/amble/

Photo courtesy of tpsdave@pixabay