It’s time for Friday Fictioneers. Thank you to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for hosting this adventurous group of writers. This week’s gorgeous photo was provided by Jennifer Pendergast.
This photo inspired a supernatural element today. This feels more like a middle of beginning of a story, so I’m not sure how to categorize it. Join me at the museum.
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Genre: Mystery/Sci-Fi
Copyright – Jennifer Pendergast
Special Collections (101)
Nick limped up the stairs and leaned on the railing. His insides threatened to hurl, his body dripping with sweat underneath his sweater. He noticed a trail of blood, but from where he did not know.
“I can’t. I don’t want to,” he said, looking at Maureen who was gallantly curving around the staircase.
His words crushed her. “Don’t you hear the party? We’re missing it. I need this. We need this.” She didn’t wait for a response.
There was silence at the top, and no sign of any party nor of Maureen. He only saw a door with a padlock.
Ooh, nice and creepy. Just the way I like it. 🙂
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Ooh, me too! Thanks, Carrie.
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Creepy for sure. Nice job.
Tom
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Thanks, Tom.
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oh oh…..I can just imagine the ‘collection’…..great story and very collective. 🙂
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Thanks, Jackie. I think I may continue this one. The collection could be a number of things. Hmm….
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great suspense from the beginning! I did not see the padlock coming 🙂
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Why thank you very much! Thanks for reading.
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Well one person missed out on the end of the party…
Well crafted. I agree I felt the middle of a story with the picture prompt
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Thanks, Leslie. I think he might be the lucky one.
I think so, too. I always try to complete a story with the prompt. But, then again, I write what I can.
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I love the vibe of this. Very nice.
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Thanks, Deana. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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Egad!
You’re going to add on to this, right?
Right?!?
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Guapo, do you think I should?! Thanks! I just may do that! I feel inspired.
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YES! You dropped us into an inspired bit of madness in the middle of a story. So many questions, so few answers…
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Oh, uh…sorry bout that! Yes! I will continue if only to answer your questions and find the answers.
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Oooo! I love this! I was in the mood for something creepy and mysterious and you delivered. I’m with Guapo, keep going!!
Lisa
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Cool, Lisa. Thank you for indulging me and reading. I’m happy you enjoyed it. I’m going to write this one. Yes, I will do it.
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Poor Maureen. I’d sure read more.
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Do you feel sad for her? Thanks, He Who. I appreciate that.
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Yes, but I admit I also feel sad for Nick. In my mind he will be looking for her, never knowing. It’s the never knowing that keeps me on the edge.
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Thanks, He Who. What if she disappeared forever? Then, my story would be over. That won’t happen…
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Oooh, yes! More please, Amy!
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Thanks, Christy! Thanks for reading.
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I feel so sad for Nick. Sounds like he’s being locked up in a mental facility. That’s a special collection, for sure.
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Thanks. It could go that way. Or, maybe he’ll rescue her!
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Did she set him up for that? OhhhHhhhh who did what to whom? 😉
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Thanks. Yes, there’s room to develop this for sure.
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Nice cliffhanger, Amy… what gives?
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Something to do with that staircase, Ted. Thanks.
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Yes, this definitely needs to go somewhere more so we know what’s really going on. Creepy start to the weekend and stay away from spiral staircases if you see any!
janet
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Definitely…I will be staying away from spiral staircases from now on. I’m afraid of my own story. Thanks, Janet.
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Dear Amy, I am mystified. Feel like I did at room 237 in the Overlook Hotel. What are you doing to us?
Aloha,
Doug
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Dear Doug, Well, I certainly wasn’t expecting to mystify you. Thank you very much. What will I do?? Something disturbing, I hope.
Aloha,
Amy
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I wonder if there is a key?
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Thanks. I think there should be…
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Oooh, spooky story, Amy. I love this one 🙂
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Thanks, El!
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I love endings like that. 🙂 Nice and creepy. I hope you do continue this story. You could do a lot with it.
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Thanks, David. I think I will write it if only to see where I would take it, because I think you’re right, there are a lot of things I could do with it.
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I liked this
Very creepy and mysterious. I want to know what happens next
Dee
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Dee,
Thank you! Me, too. What will happen next….Thanks for reading.
Amy
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that feeling of helplessness with no where to turn — very creepy. Was she in on it ?
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Thanks, Bill. I’m glad it had that feeling. I would say, no, she was not in it. My thought was she was being pulled toward this, while he was feeling the opposite feeling and trying to resist it, and not feeling right about it.
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ahhh…
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Hmm, so many questions – why is Nick in such a state before he reaches the party? Where’s Maureen gone? What’s behind the door? Really enjoyed this and hoping you give us some more.
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Thanks, Sarah. Those are all good questions to ask. Thanks for the feedback!
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So I’m thinking Nick’s on the market now. “Looking for a girl who doesn’t like to party.”
Loved the story (and also the image which served as its catalyst or inspiration). I think it can be a lot more challenging to write an interesting piece with a limited number of words, but you’ve done admirably. You’ve created enough plot elements that an imaginative reader can “fill in” the rest of the story for himself/herself, which can take it anywhere.
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Thank you, Smak. I appreciate it. I do the like the structure of this exercise. You never know where it will take you. I hope my story took you somewhere interesting…as I could be “filling in” quite a lot here. Thanks for reading.
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Don’t go through that door!!! Dear lord, have you never seen a horror movie?? 🙂
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Oh, but he must find her??!! If it were me, I’d got straight back down the stairs. I’ve seen horror movies!! 🙂
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Thanks for reading my Stairs” prompt. I enjoy your work-please keep reading! beebeesworld
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Thank you, Bee Bee! Thanks for reading mine, too. I’ve got some momentum with this one, so I hope I can write it. Thanks for the encouragement.
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a chilling tale! wasn’t expecting that padlock at all..
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Thanks, kz!
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Very gripping, suspenseful – excellent!
That stair case is something else, too…
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Thank you! Yes, isn’t is a beautiful photograph. It’s actually a lighthouse!
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Very creepy indeed! Well done 😀
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Thanks Dianne. I hope I sufficiently creeped you out!
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Oh, I got a few shivers run through me there. I’d say this begs for more.
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Why thank you, Michelle. I appreciate that very much.
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Oooh, nice twist. Didn’t see it coming.
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Thanks, Adam. Good to know.
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Nick – run!!!!
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Right, Denmother….but of course, he won’t….
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Dear Amy,
I join the ranks of the mystified and creeped out. Good job.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Thank you. Please don’t take this the wrong way, but I’m glad I creeped you out!
Shalom,
Amy
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Hitchcock creepy.
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Thank you, Frank.
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The suspense, Amy! I’m SO curious! Which must mean this is totally working! I’ll probably start sweating the next time I come across a spiral staircase (before I’ve even fallen down the thing)!
🙂
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Thanks, Robert. I hope I can deliver…I want to make this a bigger story. We’ll see. 🙂 Not that I want you to feel anxious around the spiral staircases…
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Nice and creepy. Love it! Good one
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Thank you! I appreciate it.
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So much going on. I’ve no idea what, but if this were the opening lines, I’d be flipping the page to find out!
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Thanks, Jennifer! I appreciate that. I’ve got some ideas…
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