MLMM

MLMM Photo Challenge — The Canopy

Fandango11 Comments

I’m not sure how long I’d been out before I regained consciousness. All I knew was that I was lying on the ground. The cold and damp ground. And my head hurt something fierce. But how did I get here? Where was I?

Still on my back I looked up. It seemed surreal to me. I was under a canopy of tall trees towering above me, but unlike any trees I’d seen before. Some still had leaves on their branches, but others were bare. The one above me seemed to be in the shape of a giant four-leaf clover, but it appeared to be transparent at the top.

I was very disoriented and frightened. I tried to sit up to gain my bearings, but I couldn’t move. I could feel panic beginning to set in. I tried to scream but no sound was coming out of my mouth. I couldn’t breathe. Then I heard this voice.

“Sam, Sam, are you okay?” I felt two hands grasping my shoulders and gently shaking me. “Honey, you’re soaking wet,” the voice said. “Did you have another one of your nightmares?”

I looked at my wife, took a deep breath, and said, “Yeah, but I’m fine.” I lied. I was anything but fine.

Written for Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie Photo Challenge. Photo credit: Tanya Grant.

MLMM Same But Different

Fandango7 Comments

I didn’t rip your blouse
I didn’t steal your money
I didn’t pour out your milk
Why do you always leap to conclusions?
Why do you always shed tears?

Written for Mindlovemisery’s Same But Different Saturday Mix. The object is to take the five challenge words (below on the left) and NOT use them in our writing. The words on the right, below, are my substitutions

cut:rip
jump:leap
cry:shed tears
take:steal
spill:pour out

MLMM Photo Challenge — Reflection

Fandango14 Comments

He looked into the mirror, expecting to see his reflection. But instead he saw his black derby hat, his black shirt, and just empty air where his head should have been. He gasped.

He turned around and closed his eyes. He took a deep breath and furtively turned back toward the mirror. He opened his eyes slowly. Again, he gasped.

What has become of me? he wondered. His hands reached up to touch his face, but as in his reflection, there was nothing between his hat and his shirt.

This is when it dawned on him. He was an evil person, sinister, conniving, malevolent. And because of that, he was no longer worthy of being considered human.

Written for Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie Photo Challenge. Photo credit: Pobble 365. Also for these daily prompts: Word of the Day Challenge (furtive), E.M.’s Random Word Prompt (sinister), and Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (human).

MLMM Photo Challenge — The Lone Wolf

Fandango26 Comments

The lone wolf

Running through the forest

A twig cracks on the ground

The wind rattles

The branches of the trees

The lone wolf stops

Its ears perk up

Its nose twitches

Trying to catch a scent

No scent in the cold, damp air

To cause alarm

The quiet returns to the forest

The lone wolf cautiously moves on

Continuing on its quest

Searching for its pack

Written for Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie Photo Challenge. Photo credit: Photo credit Pobble 365.

Also for The Twiglets prompt, which is “the wind rattles.”

MLMM Photo Challenge — Fixer Upper

Fandango8 Comments

“You really need to focus on the view,” Wendy said.

“Yes, let’s focus on the view,” I said, “and not on the fact that there are only two exterior walls standing, no roof, no windows, no doors, no electricity, and no plumbing.”

“I told you it was a fixer upper,” Wendy said, “but you need to use your imagination. Think of it as an investment. With a little bit of sweat equity, you’ll be able to get your dream home with a killer view. And best of all, you could put your own stamp on.”

“When I told you, Wendy, that I wanted you to show me a house with a view, I was expecting you to show me a habitable house, not a stone ruin,” I said. “And, Wendy, if I wanted to put my stamp on something, I’d buy an envelope.”

Written for the Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie Photo Challenge. Photo credit: Sarah Whiley.