AnElephantCant travel through time
He is not a writer of cool Science Fiction
He isn’t Asimov or Clarke
He stumbles around in the dark
Hoping Al does not serve notice of eviction
This is a weekly invitation to write a short piece of fiction (c. 150 words) based on a photo prompt (below) provided by Alastair.
Just click on the link to see some towering tales in response to this week’s excellent prompt.
But please first cast an eye over AnElephant’s ticking time bomb.
The Clock
Tick tock.
Tick tock.
He lies staring at the ceiling, knowing he will not sleep.
He wonders why, of all the night sounds, he hears only the clock.
There is traffic on the street far below, even at this hour.
There are footsteps on stairs and in corridors.
There are voices being raised.
There are doors being slammed shut.
But he hears only the clock.
That clock.
The one she bought for him.
Because, she said, she loved him.
She hoped it would make him feel better.
It is a beautiful clock.
She gave it to him the day he was at his lowest ebb.
The day before he pushed her out of the window.
Tick tock.
Tick tock.
An elephant is very clever. Now the clock is taking revenge.
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My Elephant Friend … Sometimes I find it hard to determine which I’ve laugh harder at …. your stories or your responses to comments about your stories. It most certainly extends the experience 🙂
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AnElephantCant always be entertaining
Although he confesses he likes a wee laugh
Please do not confuse him
Misuse or abuse him
Just be grateful he is not a giraffe
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“After her defenestration (along with that damned clock), his life brightened considerably.”
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She wasn’t educated enough to be defenestrated, Dave, she was just chucked out of the window!
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Very good love the tick tock ending
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AnElephant is sad that Donna did not like the tick tock beginning!
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What an ending! Very nicely written and entertaining!
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Glad you enjoyed, AnElephant tries to amuse.
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Yes, definitely a tinge of Poe. I wonder if Poe was part Scottish. LOL
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Who is this guy who keeps plagiarising AnElephant’s stuff?
Obviously must be a thieving Scot!
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LOL You don’t have to worry about him too much, as he’s dead.
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Oh, what a shame.
AnElephant didn’t even know he was ill.
Just thought he wasn’t writing much these days.
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LOL He was certainly prolific when he was killing off his characters.
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Ah, your usual happy ending. 🙂
DJ
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AnElephant does not write Jimmy Stewart Xmas movies.
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And for that I am thankful!
DJ
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Wow. Awesome piece. Didn’t expect the ending. Well done.:)
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Wow.
AnElephant loves to get a ‘Wow’.
Thank you.
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Awesome! She left her impression on him for sure!
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Yes, and on the street below.
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The use of Tick Tock reminds me of The Tell-Tale Heart by Poe and how the narrator could hear the dead man’s heart beat.
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AnElephant thinks it is time Mr Poe stopped stealing his story lines!
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Knew there was something ominous about that ticking clock, but didn’t expect the ending. Wonderfully done!
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Glad you enjoyed, Phylor, and happy to surprise.
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Ouch! That’s terrible. I am sure the tic toc of the clock will get only louder with time and will not let him sleep peacefully ever! A great take on the picture prompt 🙂
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Thank you, Shilpa, a conscience is a dangerous weapon.
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It reminded me of Poe also. Loved the “tick tock tick tock.” The sound of the foreboding clock that amplifies the murder of his lover. I have a feeling that tick tocking is only going to get louder. Great story!
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Yes, the tell-tale clock, methinks!
Thanks, Joy
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Yes, it is under the floor boards ticking. lol
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A good story in a short time
with a quick kick and a swift shove
so much for ‘feel better’ and love…
me thinks emm’s run out of rhyme.
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AnElephant is thankful for small ‘mercis’.
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Hmm. Ok.
I won’t rhyme, why should I?
I won’t rhyme, merci beaucoup
I won’t rhyme, don’t ask me.
I’ll leave the funnies
and the rhymies to AnElephant
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Not Asimov or Clarke but Poe. I think I’ve seen this in your words before.
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A wise man says that there are only 63 plots for stories.
AnElephant has posted almost 800 blogs.
Thank you for pointing out that he has used this theme before, he is happy that you are paying attention!
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63 plots? That many? I get stuck on one or two I find.
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