This week, Friday Fictioneers, hosted by Rochelle proposes a shiny prompt for a 100 words story. When I saw Roger Bultot‘s photo I thought of the striations on a boule de pétanque, clear as day. Every little town in Provence, including Medville, has a court where everybody meets, gossips, and plays…
Thanks C.E Ayr for the inspiration. There’s no one like you!
Shadows
A wail of sirens tears the morning light as he’s crossing the boules court.
Another tragedy he thinks as an aroma of fresh bread tickles his nose.
Shadows of leaves splash façades and windows.
Delivery doors roll up and slam shut.
Sea haze covers the sky in moody strands.
Munching on his baguette, he takes in familiar faces, greeting all with a word, a nod or a smile.
He loves this place. Paradise he answers when asked.
The only problem is I live here, she said long ago.
He didn’t believe it then.
She’s not a problem now.
Pool accidents are common here.
unbuttoned or undone 
Hey, I did kill someone this week after all!
Great story, Em, your poet’s soul shines through, even as you gurgle your last.
But seriously, a beautifully written piece.
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Cough, cough!!! gurgle gurggle… I’m glad you liked it. But beware, I have nine lives…. one to go . Thank you for the encouragements.
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Impressive that you able to weave the sound of the sirens and the closing of doors in with the easy pleasures of the morning without alarming the reader. (Or at least this one, anyway). And then the trap snaps shut. All in one hundred words. I enjoyed your story very much.
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Glad you enjoyed it oglach. I learned a lot from the pack of writers on Friday Fictioneers . Ceayr is the master of the ‘drop dead’ last line that blows you out of the water!
I usually have over 200 wds when I draft a tale; then it is slash, cut and whittle! A challenge for a long-winded scribbler. 😉
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I can barely introduce myself in less than 200 words. 🙂 I think I may give shorter fiction a try in the near future.
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Haha I love it. Brilliant. I can see C.E> getting his inspiration like this. Well done Em.
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Can’t you just? you can see him look up and smile a bit and give it a half nod as the story takes shape in his head! Glad you enjoyed.
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Very much spot on 🙂
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That was an unexpected end!
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Thank you. I am happy you read the story.
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Excellent sinister twist. Up until that point I was enjoying my happy stroll through the village!
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Good! Glad you were surprised. Thank you for taking the time to read this.
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A little murder on Thursday, always nice 😉
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Spice things up a bit, wouldn’t you say? 😉
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What’s a home without a few blood stains on the carpet, huh?
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Yup! It gives it a lived-in feel.
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Two people meandering through Medville murdering people in delightful ways, what fun. I especially like the switch from tragedy to deliciously smelling baguette.
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Never a dull moment here in Medville!
Wonderful to see you stop by, thank you.
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ZING! Now we know, don’t we? Nice one, Emmy. 😀
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Not sure what we know except that there are fertile imaginations in Medville and two writers strolling the same streets… I’m glad you enjoyed my little foray in FF this week, and thank you for leaving a comment.
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You are MOST welcome.
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Nicely turned tale and reminded me of so many places in France.
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I’m pleased that you enjoyed it Michael.
Yes, Medville is like any other small town in France mostly built after WWII. It’s the people who make the place. And of course the light, the mountains, and the Med that make it magic (not necessarily in that order).
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Dear Emmy,
I can see Mr. Ayr’s influence loud and clear there. There’s definitely no one else like him. A wonderfully written piece.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle.
C.E Ayr is the Elephant in the room 😉
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This is chilling, though I’m not sure why, which means I shall have to read it again! Well done 🙂
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Thank you very much Liz. I often have to read things over to see the mechanics of the story, how /why itleads me where I end up!
Chilling is good.
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Oh I do love the hint of a murder… after all pools are common… and it could be slippery when wet.
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It most definitely could…
Thank you Bjorn.
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Well, Emm, accidents will happen, won’t they? I didn’t even see the guillotine till I saw my head rolling down the street past the bagel shop! Beautifully done. ……………. Hugs. 🙂
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