PHOTO PROMPT © CEAyr
Her fingers trail in the mossy water.
The pond is still, no breeze to trouble the surface. Last time she was here, wind frothed the water, turning rain to mist. Though she’d shivered, her core remained warm, enfolded.
With him.
Now the bank is cold under her, damp creeps through her clothes, into her bones, worms up her spine. A chill stone seems to form in her stomach, heavy enough to hold her under the water. She feels so slight she could slip in with barely a ripple.
Should he return, he will find her. The water’s puppet.
Written for Rochelle Wisoff-Fields’ Friday Fictioneers. Write a story of no more than 100 words to accompany the photo. See here to join the fun and to read the other tales.
Word Shamble 
Oh that reminded me of that Nick Cave song…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooh, which one? Don’t know many Nick Cave songs apart from Red Right Hand of course 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The weeping song perhaps?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah that’s a great song! It made me think of this one… Although I’m not a kylie fan at all!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do remember this. Nick killing poor old Kylie and lobbing her into the river. Don’t remember how successful it was though. Perhaps a bit gothic for the times.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was an odd collaboration!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not a natural pairing. But then I didn’t envisage her with Michael Hutchens either. I’m guessing she must be a darker monkey than she’s portrayed 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah I was very jealous of her with Hutchens… he was meant to be mine!
LikeLiked by 1 person
He was handsome, though I found I preferred him in black and white than full colour (the Need You Tonight video). Sad end to his life too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I liked him any way he came tbh!
But yes it was tragic for him to die so young and in such a sad way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I found it interesting after he died, that his parents wanted to believe he had committed suicide and Paula Yates wanted the cause of death to be auto-erotic asphyxiation. The family couldn’t cope with the shame of the sexual angle and Yates didn’t want to think he’d chosen to leave her. I can understand both angles. Such a bloody waste either way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very evocative as always Lynn, got a real sense of atmosphere and longing – and a hint of danger too. Excellent 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much Iain. Glad the atmosphere came across. Ta for reading 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting ethereal, mysterious vibe. I’m not exactly sure what’s happening, but it made me shiver to read it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Joy. Nothing good is happening, I know that. He’s gone, probably never to return and she’s contemplating something awful …
LikeLiked by 1 person
That last sentence is very evocative. I could imagine her floating this way and that with the wind across the water. Good one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Sandra. I’m glad that image came across – it was exactly what I intended. Thanks for reading 🙂
LikeLike
Really atmospheric. I felt cold just reading this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Louise. Glad some of the atmosphere came through. Thanks for reading 🙂
LikeLike
I could feel the chill going to the bones… so well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much! Glad the atmosphere came through. Thanks for reading 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was going to say evocative, but others have said it. I was going to say atmospheric, but that’s also been said. So, I agree
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! Thanks Neil. And thanks so much for reading.
LikeLike
Beautifully written, as always, and heart-rending.
But the meaning, and the subject, of the last three words escapes me.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks C, you’re very lovely :). I would have expanded on the last lines if I’d had more leeway with word length, so I’m not surprised if it’s unclear. It’s supposed to be an image of a body held by the water, limbs suspended at her sides like the water’s puppet. Thanks for reading as always 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I got that right away. It’s a stunning vision. Well done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much Alicia – glad you could see what I saw! And thanks so much for reading
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did get what she was pondering, the last line almost a hope that he would find her… many times suicide is punishment… most likely it’s not worth it… he’s a creep girl and not worth it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your great comment, Bjorn. Glad my intentions came across on the screen. I think you’re right, there’s an element of ‘I’ll show him’ with this girl. A sad and wasteful attitude, though. Thanks so much for reading 🙂
LikeLike
Dear Lynn,
Evocative and atmospheric have been used, so I won’t…although indeed it is. 😉 I felt the cold and suffocating moss. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much Rochelle. An interesting photo that provoked some great stories 🙂
LikeLike
Feels like a death poem, Zen-like in tone.Nicely done.
Randy
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much. I think you’re right – sometimes these shorts tend to come out like prose poetry. Sort of unintentional but I quite like the result anyway. Thanks so much for reading 🙂
LikeLike
The description in this is very effective. I felt the chill!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Clare for the lovely comment. Glad it made you shiver 🙂
LikeLike
Beautifully written. I do feel she is his puppet, not the waters.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’re quite right – she’s definitely been that. Thank you so much for reading and for your kind comment 🙂
LikeLike
A sad dark story. Must be the picture. I get it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’ not the most cheerful of photos … Thanks Dawn 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person