Welcome to Friday Fictioneers, where writers attempt to write a 100-word story based on a photo prompt. Many thanks to the talented author and artist Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for hosting our group each week. Also a big thank you to Connie Gayer, aka Mrs. Russell, for contributing the photo this week.
I had some difficulty coming up with a story for this prompt. I remembered a story I heard on NPR about people who dig up dinosaur bones for profit. It made its way into my story this week. It just goes to show you that you never know what will end up in a story.
If you’d like to participate, please visit the Friday Fictioneers page.
Genre: Mystery/Suspense (100 words)
Buried
“Who’s tearing up our land like a bunch of feral hogs?” He had dark slits for eyes that cut like knives.
“I let him in, Pop. We won’t have to sell,” Jessup said, gripping the newspaper. “They dino hunters. We get ten percent of any bones they sell. We’ll be millionaires.”
His father pinned him to the floor in a choke hold. “No one digs up our land.”
But they unearthed dinosaur bones. And human ones, too. Jessup finally understood why the only dead relative on the mantel was Aunt Nora.
Hidden in plain sight, but not for long.
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For more stories based on this prompt, visit this Linkup.
Love that name, “Jessup!” This was pretty creepy… maybe you are still in Halloween mode!
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I don’t know where that name came from, Kelly! Out of nowhere. Maybe so. When I think buried, I think creepy. Thanks!
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It’s a great choice for a family of inbreds from Appalachia… at least that’s what you put in my mind with this! lol
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Haha! That works for me, Kelly.
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That’s a heck of a way of making some money. Too bad I have such a small family.
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Well Per, just one small detail. They have to kinda be dinosaurs, too. They only get money for the dino fossils. 🙂
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Ooooo so creepy, very well done, I’m wondering who else they found!
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Ooh, I don’t know! I hope no one else. Thanks!
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Ah, creepily good. I wonder what pa had done.. 😉
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I’m sure it had to do with love, Bjorn. Thanks. 🙂
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Fun stuff… Methinks Pop’s got some secrets he done don’t want to tell!
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Methinks you are right about that one, Dale. Thank you.
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Whoa! Maybe Aunt Nora was the lucky one. This is great!I It reminds me of Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chavalier. Only family members weren’t buried in the yard.
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Oh, thank you, Alicia. Perhaps Aunt Nora got off lucky! I’m not familiar with that story. I want to check it out now. Thanks for sharing it with me.
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It’s very interesting – full of history.
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I always enjoy a bit of history with my fiction. 🙂
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So where’s Jessup’s mom? I can see why the father didn’t want anyone digging up the yard. Great twist at the end.
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I would say that Jessup’s mom is still alive! That’s all I know. That, and she won’t be happy about Aunt Nora – her sis. Thank you.
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Ooo… ooops! I love this! Great job Miss Amy! 😉
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Thank you, Courtney. Oh, so good to see you! I’ve missed you.
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Thanks.. I have been kind of busy and I tend to put my blog at the back of the line. I do read a lot, but there are days I have so many emails, I can’t get to them all. I always try to stop by and see your posts though. 🙂
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Aww, that’s so sweet of you to read my posts! Thank you! I know how busy things can be. I feel like I’m kind of barely hanging on. 🙂
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Good and scary!
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Thank you, Jan! Glad you enjoyed it.
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Oops. Well, Jessup wasn’t to know about all the skeletons in the closet (or under the garden). Great story!
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I guess he’s going to find out after all. One dig will lead to another dig. Thanks, Ali.
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Good one, Amy! Jessup certainly stumbled into that one!
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It would appear so! Thanks, Cathy.
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Whoa! … and the discovering the family mysteries are to come. Good one, Amy!
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I bet this isn’t the end of the findings, Frank. Thanks so much!
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You just never know what you will find when you start digging!
Lily
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Very true, Lily. Thanks.
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“slits for eyes that cut like knives” – Oh I love that phrase, that image.
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Oh thanks, Melanie! I’m glad it worked. I hope it didn’t seem too stilted. 🙂
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Dear Amy,
This gives new meaning to skeletons in the family closet. If I were Jessup I’d be high-tailin’ it outta there.
Good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Me too, Rochelle. Thanks so much.
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I’ll make no bones about this… you played this out very well. 🙂
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Ha ha. Glad you enjoyed it, Plaridel. Thanks.
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You wrote a great story for this prompt, Amy. Spooky and interesting 😉
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Thanks, Dianne. Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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I wonder what Aunt Nora did to deserve a proper demise? Good story, Amy.
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I’m sure it had to do with love, Sandra. Doesn’t it always? Thanks!
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Oops. Poor Jessup wasn’t expecting that. I hope Pop has a good explanation for those human bones. Good story Amy that leaves us a lot more to imagine.
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I’m glad my end was unexpected. Of course, that’s the nice thing about a quick story! I don’t expect Pop’s story will sit well with anyone. Thanks, Sarah.
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Woops, didn’t expect that. Great story, very unique take. Pop will have some explaining to do.
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I’m not sure Jessup wants to hear Pop’s explanation. Thanks so much, Gah.
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Uh oh. Looks like we’re about to unearth some secrets.
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It appears so, Dawn. Thanks. 🙂
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You know I am picturing a human skull placed on the mantle with Aunt Nora written underneath. I’d say you got the creepy going on very well.
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Oh, no! Michelle, the skull would be really creepy. Can you imagine if Jessup put it up there and they all went about their business? Thanks for your delightful comment. 🙂
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Sounds like Pop is a weasel (sorry, couldn’t resist).
I am curious about the first sentence, “tearing up our land like it’s some kind of forest?” For some reason I stumbled there. Maybe a different word instead of forest?
Overall, it was a good read. The message came through loud & clear.
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Ha ha, Russell! Thanks for your feedback. Maybe he wouldn’t say forest, maybe something more related to farming. What about “Tearing up our land like a bunch of locusts?” What do you think? If you have something better, please let me know. Thanks again.
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How about feral hogs or armadillos? Both are very destructive and root up the earth–hogs being the worst.
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Ooh, I like it! Thanks so much for your help.
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Loved the dialogue and regional dialect, Amy, I can see why Pop didn’t want anyone digging there. It’s dangerous on some people’s land. You need to get permission first or your bones could be buried there next. Well done. 🙂 — Suzanne.
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Okay. That was your best one yet. I didn’t see that coming and what’s better than that?
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Thanks so much, Mark! I’m glad I was able to surprise you. Thanks for your feedback.
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Great story. Nice twist at the end. No wonder he didn’t want the dinosaur hunters in. Jessup is lucky methinks.
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Thanks, Irene. I’m glad you enjoyed the story. I think he’s lucky, too.
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