fear – Afterwards

Jelly Jars – March Prompts 12/31

Of all the things you hold most dear.

M’s writing prompts for March came with the following instructions:

“…set your timer for ten minutes and begin writing about one of the prompts listed below. Don’t worry about spelling, punctuation, neatness, or anything like that; just write!”

Let us see what I can do in ten minutes…

You can see the prompts here.

There is a man with jelly jars

Keeps babies teeth and fallen stars

And virgins tears and la-de-das

And fathers best cigars

Into your home he sneaks at night

And steals the things you hold so tight

And harvests thought both dark and light

And steals them without fight

And when you wake it feels amiss

You cant remember your first kiss

You thought you had more cash than this

and fear replaces bliss

and so he steals your dreams and plans

and time and love holds in his hands

lets slip away like grains of sands

and returns to distant lands

Tales of Tinsel – Room 101

101 words with a twist thrown in just because…

Let’s do another month of M’s prompts shall we. 101 words allowed only. I know I said I was done with them. I lie.

Slowly Damien sneaked downstairs, not daring to breathe. He’d heard something, and he was convinced it was him! Christmas lights twinkled as he entered the room, his heart pounding, and there he saw a bearded, round bellied man silhouetted against the moonlight.

He had him!

“Sant…” he began to shout when suddenly he noticed two bodies lying unmoving on the floor. He knew from the matching reindeer slippers it was mum and dad.

The man stepped grinning from the darkness carrying a large sack and raised a gun with his free hand and pushed it into Damien’s chest.

“Merry Christmas kid…”

Photo courtesy of pixabay

Bedknobs and Broomsticks – Room 101

Saving the worst for last.

Thanks to Michelle for the prompt

Okay. This is the last Room 101 and the most stupid and rubbish. It is an unedited version that I bashed out and when I read it I had not a clue what the hell was going on. Broomsticks made me think witches, bedknobs made me think bed knobs and that got me to dildo’s and suddenly we have this abomination. It made me laugh though so stupid is it and I thought I would leave it as it is as a reminder to myself that its okay to have a really crappy first draft and sometimes ideas just don’t work.

The swirling contents of the large Iron pot hissed and fizzed as Hilda tossed in a handful of wolfsbane. “Agnes, fetch the stranglewort from my bag” She asked leaning over the pot.

“This is brewing up very nicely indeed” she said to herself cackling.

“This?” Agnes said holding up a small silver bottle she’d taken from a large cloth bag.

“No no girl” Hilda snapped.

“How about this?” she said presenting a posy of white flowers.

“No, STRANGLEWORT” Hilda said angrily.”

Agnes rummaged around.

“This?” she said holding up large wooden dildo.

Hilda blushed.

“Let’s just leave it out shall we…”

Photo courtesy of pixabay

The art of boredom – Room 101

Ever feel like this is all just one big joke?

Thanks to Michelle for the prompt

“Boss, that’s a terrible idea” Caleb said shaking his head.

AJ smiled, his brown eyes twinkling. “I’m telling you they’re stupid enough to fall for it.”

“You think?”

“Oh absolutely, remember Hitler?. You underestimate their self-destructive nature.”

“But why? Seriously?”

AJ huffed. “I’m bored. Bored of this planet, bored of these people. I really do need a new assignment.” He paused, sensing Caleb was almost persuaded. “Plus it could be hilarious, especially when it comes out what he did to his daughter.”

“Fine” said Caleb resigned. “But don’t blame me when head office find out.”

AJ grinned. “Good call, good call”

Photo courtesy of pixabay

Ceiling wax – Room 101

Sam closed his eyes and pulled the blankets over his head to block out the scuttling of the creature across the ceiling…

Thanks to Michelle for the prompt

Sam closed his eyes and pulled the blankets over his head to block out the scuttling of the creature across the ceiling. He knew it was there, he could see the trail it left. Every night it appeared, crawling and scratching and watching him as he slept.

He would wake his mother screaming but she simply could not see it.

“There’s nothing there” she’d insist before kissing him on the forehead and tucking him in tightly.

“It’s just a dream Samuel” she would say as she closed the door.

The creature scuttled into the dark recess of the corner and waited…

Photo courtesy of pixabay

Never-ending sugar cubes – Room 101

Sugar? Or are you already sweet enough?

Thanks to Michelle for the prompt

Splosh plink went the sugar cube as Damien dropped it into his tea. He reached back into the bowl and with the silver tongs took two more.

“Lady Grey” he said taking a sip, “It’s rather good you know, a classic black tea with the fragrant flavour of orange, bergamot and lemon.”

His guest did not reply.

“Yes, really helps to get the fatty taste out of one’s mouth when the flesh begins to sour” he said stirring slowly.

Again there was no reply.

He was going to need a new guest for dinner, this one was decidedly on the turn.

Photo courtesy of pixabay

Temporary Turmoil – Room 101

By the light of the silvery moooooooon

Thanks to Michelle for the prompt

Darrell tossed and turned, his sleep filled with the sounds of ripping flesh and snapping bone. Heart racing and the metallic taste of blood in his mouth he called out but his cries were strangled by the thick darkness that surrounded him.

Fighting the frantic fear that consumed his mind, his blood coursed through his veins and burned like rivers of fire as he raised a hand to his face to see only claws and fur and blood.

“Nooo” he screamed sitting up in bed, his breathing heavy, sheets wet with sweat and a full moon streaming through the bedroom window.

Photo courtesy of pixabay

Jumbled Words – Room 101

Sorry just seems to be the hardest word…

Thanks to Michelle for the prompt

Jonah stood at the door, knocked and waited. He knew it was the right thing to do, he needed to do it to make the voices to stop.

“Yes” said a dark haired man opening the door.

“I I wa-wa-wa-want t-t-to te-te-tell you …”

“Jesus mate, get it out already” the man snapped

The voices screamed in his head.

“I-I-It’s a-b-b-bout your w-w-w-wife.”

The man paused. “My wife was murdered” he said “what do you want?”

Jonah blinked.

“My god come on you f-f- freak” the man mocked.

“Screw it “ Jonah said pulling out a knife “You deserve each other…”

Photo courtesy of pixabay

Wheezing and sneezing – Room 101

Some families aren’t always what they seem…

Thanks to Michelle for the prompt

“Dude what the hell have you done?”

“I know I know, but he was keeping me awake all night every night. I couldn’t take it anymore, I snapped.”

“So you just bashed his head in? No one complains about you.”

“You gotta understand man, the wheezing – it never stopped. Night after night it just went on and on and on I couldn’t take it.”

“Oh the boss is so going to go ballistic man.”

“Shit shit shit shit shit!”

“Get a mop, bucket and tarpaulin. We’ll sort it”

“Oh gosh thanks man really, thank you!

“The seven dwarfs sounds better anyway…”

Photo courtesy of pixabay

Crunchy munchies – Room 101

You know that feeling when you just gotta have something to eat…

Thanks to Michelle for the prompt

Granville sat back, chemical pleasure coursing through his veins.

“Food” he thought grabbing a large bag of crisps pushing handfuls of day glow orange goodness into his mouth.

“Oh so good” he said as his mind did a triple somersault and the television turned into a Shetland pony. “Soooo good”.

Handful after handful he shovelled into his cavernous mouth until they were all gone, his fingers thick with their dust.

“Eat them” shouted the Shetland mounting a mermaid that had 5 minutes earlier been a coat rack.

“Then join us” she said winking.

Granville grinned, opened his mouth and bit down…

Photo courtesy of pixabay

Iridescent truths – Room 101

Seems we all have our dirty little secrets…

Thanks to Michelle for the prompt

Cheap neon buzzed and flickered as James slipped inside the building, hood pulled down hiding his face.

God he hated himself for doing this. Such lack of control, suck desperation, so many lies. God the lies were killing him.

Most of all though he hated betraying Cath. Since he’d lost his job she’d returned to work, now she was never home and never had time for him.

“It’s not my fault” he told himself pulling the door closed, unbuckling his jeans, “I have needs, I’m only human.”

“James what the fu…” came Cath’s voice as his boxers slipped to the floor.

Photo courtesy of stux at pixabay cco

Fractured Figures – Room 101

A destructive tale of attraction

Thanks to Michelle for the prompt

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