PHOTO PROMPT © Sandra Crook
Firey heat cast down upon her head, burning any skin that dared expose itself. She wrapped the extra shirt she’d tied around her head tighter. Her lips cracked each time she opened her mouth, exhausted breath panting from her aching chest. I will not die here. Did she speak aloud or was it in her mind. Her spaceship crashed on this isolated planet when the engines gave up the fight, her partners died in the traumatic landing. She was alone. Dying. No, I will not die here.
Ahead a shadow.
A cave? Shelter? She trudged on. Footsteps falling slightly faster.
This is a Friday Fictioneers Prompt
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Word count: 100
© Solothefirst & Laurie Bell. All Rights to the works and publications on this blog are owned and copyrighted by Solothefirst & Laurie Bell. The Owner of this site reserves all permissions for access and use of all documents on this site. NO AI TRAINING: Without in any way limiting the author’s [and publisher’s] exclusive rights under copyright, any use of this publication to “train” generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to generate text is expressly prohibited. The author reserves all rights to license uses of this work for generative AI training and development of machine learning language models.
PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot
It wasn’t just rain.
It was worse.
The end times had begun.
We cowered underground, praying to survive, to wait out the worst of the natural disasters that only seemed to grow.
The asteroid kicked it all off. Triggering everything, it seemed. Floods, earthquakes, landslides, snow, volcanic eruptions. No power, no wifi, no hope.
“Don’t you think they have learned their lesson, sir?”
The great presence seemed to sigh, though no sound was heard. “I fear their memories are too short.”
“You could do something about that.”
“Fine. Switch off Ragnarok. We will see if they understand.”
“Very good, sir.”
This is a Friday Fictioneers prompt
You can read more FF prompt responses here
Word Count: 100
© Solothefirst & Laurie Bell. All Rights to the works and publications on this blog are owned and copyrighted by Solothefirst & Laurie Bell. The Owner of this site reserves all permissions for access and use of all documents on this site. NO AI TRAINING: Without in any way limiting the author’s [and publisher’s] exclusive rights under copyright, any use of this publication to “train” generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to generate text is expressly prohibited. The author reserves all rights to license uses of this work for generative AI training and development of machine learning language models.
PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
It will come back.
I know it.
I’m gonna sit here until it does.
Well, after ducking out for another food run.
I hope I don’t miss it.
I won’t miss it.
Unless…
I make a call
“Seriously? Look at the mess in here. What are you doing! You’re wasting your time.”
I shake my head and shoo my brother away. “It’ll come back.”
“Aliens don’t exist, Gerry. People are gonna talk. Say you’re crazy.”
“I ain’t crazy. I saw the ship. It landed right there. I saw them aliens get out.”
He leaves, shaking his head.
I ain’t crazy.
This is a Friday Fictioneers Prompt
You can read more FF prompt responses here
Word Count: 100
© Solothefirst & Laurie Bell. All Rights to the works and publications on this blog are owned and copyrighted by Solothefirst & Laurie Bell. The Owner of this site reserves all permissions for access and use of all documents on this site. NO AI TRAINING: Without in any way limiting the author’s [and publisher’s] exclusive rights under copyright, any use of this publication to “train” generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to generate text is expressly prohibited. The author reserves all rights to license uses of this work for generative AI training and development of machine learning language models.
PHOTO PROMPT © Jen Pendergast
They thought they were clever hiding up there in the window. Hiding as those creatures.
Not clever enough.
I reported their position to my commander.
“Are you sure.”
“Yes. They’ve disguised themselves as garden gnomes if you can believe that.”
He gestured to my outfit of bright colors and completely useless wings.
“Not the same, sir.”
“Right, if the shifters move—”
“I’ll follow, sir.” The shifters were a band of thieves we’d been tracking for a while. “We’ll get the heart gem back.”
“Acknowledged. Get back out there.”
I returned to my post. They wouldn’t escape on my watch.
This is a Friday Fictioneers Prompt
You can read more FF prompt responses here
Word Count: 100
© Solothefirst & Laurie Bell. All Rights to the works and publications on this blog are owned and copyrighted by Solothefirst & Laurie Bell. The Owner of this site reserves all permissions for access and use of all documents on this site. NO AI TRAINING: Without in any way limiting the author’s [and publisher’s] exclusive rights under copyright, any use of this publication to “train” generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to generate text is expressly prohibited. The author reserves all rights to license uses of this work for generative AI training and development of machine learning language models.
Transcribing the last symbol into my notebook I let out a sigh and snapped my book closed. This truly was the most extraordinary find. The burial chamber, the headstone, the wall engravings! It was impossible to believe it was true. I touched the headstone and pushed to my feet. A strange buzzing caressed my skin. Gosh. I was so excited my trembling had become tangible. The vibration increased and the rock wall shimmered. Extraordinary indeed. Perhaps this was not the burial chamber of an ancient, but of another type of being. Holding my breath I stepped through the shimmering doorway.
This is a Friday Fictioneers Prompt
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Word count: 100
© Solothefirst & Laurie Bell. All Rights to the works and publications on this blog are owned and copyrighted by Solothefirst & Laurie Bell. The Owner of this site reserves all permissions for access and use of all documents on this site. NO AI TRAINING: Without in any way limiting the author’s [and publisher’s] exclusive rights under copyright, any use of this publication to “train” generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to generate text is expressly prohibited. The author reserves all rights to license uses of this work for generative AI training and development of machine learning language models.
About the Book:
It’s the 1970s and on Kangaroo Island, Mona McKenna and her brother Albert live with their grandparents at Cape Willoughby Lighthouse. For five long years they have mourned their mother and longed for their missing father to return. Since being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes a year earlier, Mona has been increasingly acting in ways that make her hate herself. While she loves the rugged beauty of their isolated sanctuary—and dearly loves her grandparents—she yearns for her parents and finds her diabetes frightening and confusing. Mona finds solace in the treasures she collects along the island’s shores. But when she encounters a mysterious sea lion pup, Neo, the world as she knows it is forever changed. The two siblings embark on a journey that leads them to uncover secrets hidden within their family’s past. As they bond with Neo, Mona and Albert’s quest for truth takes them deeper into the heart of Kangaroo Island. With the fate of their beloved lighthouse hanging in the balance, they must summon courage and resilience to protect their home and the endangered sea lions who call it their own. Rich with folklore and brimming with adventure, Legend of the Lighthouse Moon is a captivating tale of family, resilience, and the enduring magic of the sea. Join Mona on a journey of self-discovery where the whispers of the past guide her towards a future filled with hope, love, and legends brought to life.
My Thoughts:
This is a gorgeous book set in a gorgeous location. Young Mona is an adorable main character. She and her little brother are living with their grandparents after losing their parents in a tragedy. Her grandfather’s historic and yet still functioning lighthouse is under threat of being shut down, which threatens Mona’s new found sense of peace and stability after a few years of turmoil. Mona is also recently diagnosed diabetic and has been acting out. She discovers she has a strange connection with Kangaroo Island’s sea lion population, and through her new relationship with sea lion pup Neo, Mona discovers things about herself that are both surprising and mysterious.
This is a fabulous story with a sweet yet serious environmental message. Mona is written with a delicate touch. But what I love about Mona is that she still acts like a child despite her need to take her diabetes seriously (forcing her to grow up beyond her years). She still runs off, disregards her tests, grumps about her need to analyse her every result. You see her growth and attitude to her diabetes change as she herself changes and grows. The book cover is stunning and sucks you into the story. The sense of history, with the story being set in 1970s, is deftly woven into the tale without smacking you over the head with it. There is magic is the air, and the subtle introduction of the fantasy aspects of the tale are rewarding in the sense that the magic within could almost be real. I certainly wanted to believe it was real. I want one of those magical pelts! The relationship between Mona and her little brother Albert is beautiful. As is the relationship between Mona and her grandfather. A fantastic adventure story. A great read for both children and adults (and for adults to read with children as I am sure this story will spark off all sorts of interesting questions in the young.)
PHOTO PROMPT © David Stewart
This interminable train ride would never end. These creatures truly traveled this way. So slow and uncomfortable. When we take over, it will be a joy to cast destruction down. I have gathered evidence for my leaders. My report, as always, will be thorough and yet, it would be so easy to cast so many judgements. Slow interconnectivity, slow transportation, verbal speech even! It’s hard to imagine how these creatures function. After seeing their communications any hesitation I would have for total subjugation is completely lost. The lies, the hatreds, the daily deaths, the lack of empathy. It must stop.
This is a Friday Fictioneers Prompt
You can read more FF prompt responses here
Word count: 100
© Solothefirst & Laurie Bell. All Rights to the works and publications on this blog are owned and copyrighted by Solothefirst & Laurie Bell. The Owner of this site reserves all permissions for access and use of all documents on this site. NO AI TRAINING: Without in any way limiting the author’s [and publisher’s] exclusive rights under copyright, any use of this publication to “train” generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to generate text is expressly prohibited. The author reserves all rights to license uses of this work for generative AI training and development of machine learning language models.
PHOTO PROMPT © Ted Strutz
“Come in come in, don’t be shy. I have every potion ever made, any potion you may desire. I have potions for health, for vitality, for… loooove. Ha ha, yes potions galore! You seem skeptical. What about something a little rarer. Hmmmm? I have one here to find a friend, or convince your boss you are a superstar? No. I have invisibility potions, flying potions, mind reading potions. Yes. I have your attention now. Show me gold and I will, ah, but no… you would not be interested. Oh thank you. Here. I feel this is the one you need.”
This is a Friday Fictioneers prompt
You can read more FF prompt responses
Word count: 100
© Solothefirst & Laurie Bell. All Rights to the works and publications on this blog are owned and copyrighted by Solothefirst & Laurie Bell. The Owner of this site reserves all permissions for access and use of all documents on this site. NO AI TRAINING: Without in any way limiting the author’s [and publisher’s] exclusive rights under copyright, any use of this publication to “train” generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to generate text is expressly prohibited. The author reserves all rights to license uses of this work for generative AI training and development of machine learning language models.
PHOTO PROMPT © Mr. Binks
Crates gathered on the water’s edge like a nest. I chuckled at my inner dialogue and crept closer. The third crate down she said. As I inched closer the smell grew worse. Pinning my nostrils closed, I sorted through empty, broken plastic with one hand. It took longer but the smell was nauseating.
Then I spotted the package.
Damn.
That wasn’t the portal weapon. That was her arm. I recognized the tattoo on the wrist.
In my haste to evacuate, I tripped. Beneath an oddly placed panel was the portal weapon. Scooping it up I ran, promising she’d be avenged.
This is a Friday Fictioneers Prompt
You can read more FF prompt responses here
Word Count: 100
© Solothefirst & Laurie Bell. All Rights to the works and publications on this blog are owned and copyrighted by Solothefirst & Laurie Bell. The Owner of this site reserves all permissions for access and use of all documents on this site. NO AI TRAINING: Without in any way limiting the author’s [and publisher’s] exclusive rights under copyright, any use of this publication to “train” generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to generate text is expressly prohibited. The author reserves all rights to license uses of this work for generative AI training and development of machine learning language models.
PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson
The TimeLoop pod’s arrival was late.
“Is that even possible?” he asked.
His boss shook her head. “Shouldn’t be.”
“What do you think happened?”
“I don’t—”
The pod appeared in a spark of light flying around the corner of the loop. “Here it is.”
Releasing a hiss and a puff of compressed air the pod door rose. He raised his scanner. “Welcome to the future. We will take your identification scans here and then you will be escort—”
“Bob, there’s no one inside.”
“Huh. That’s not right, is it?”
She tugged him back. “No. Let’s get outta here.”
This is a Friday Fictioneers Prompt
You can read more FF prompt responses here
Word count: 100
© Solothefirst & Laurie Bell. All Rights to the works and publications on this blog are owned and copyrighted by Solothefirst & Laurie Bell. The Owner of this site reserves all permissions for access and use of all documents on this site. NO AI TRAINING: Without in any way limiting the author’s [and publisher’s] exclusive rights under copyright, any use of this publication to “train” generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to generate text is expressly prohibited. The author reserves all rights to license uses of this work for generative AI training and development of machine learning language models.
Rambles, writing and amusing musings 