Every Sunday a photo is used as a prompt for a story of around 200 words. If you want to have a go, go take a look at Sunday Photo Fiction, or if you want to read some of the stories that have been written, then take a look at the LinkUp page.
The bell had been the focal point of the village since before he could remember, and he could remember a lot. The old man smiled as he climbed the 176 steps to the top. He remembered every step; every crack, every chip, and every scratch. He had walked up and down these steps for as long as he could remember, and he could remember a lot. Now the time came to ring the bell again, and this time, he was really looking forward to it. Far too much time had passed since the last peals sounded. He stopped and looked at a step, frowning. There appeared to be a new chip, one he did not remember. He would remember anything new, he could remember a lot.
Arriving at the bell, he looked around to try to find anything out of place. He saw the chains attached to the bell, the woman manacled in it, the wires attached to different devices, and a door slightly open. He remembered closing that, he could remember a lot. He smiled to himself, someone always tried to get involved, and it always ended badly. He remembered it all, and he could remember a lot.
He grabbed the womanโs hand and rang the bell as a gunman levelled his weaponย and shot, the bullet finding the head of the old man. The woman breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at the gunman.ย She remembered his face, she could remember a lot.
A Hunchback and Noted Dame?
Hunched back and not the dame
Intriguing story. Like passing the baton kind of thing.
Yep, just so he could live longer
Oh I didn’t get that. He took over the woman’s body. Wow!
Yes he did ๐ Unfortunately I ran out of words (I was already on 260) to explain what happened. It was a hint when I changed it to “She could remember a lot”
This was certainly a very intriguing twist or idea for this prompt Al!
It is definitely a story that could really run away from this short piece into something quite longer. As it is, all by itself, it is “jolly good fun” —- in a sad and weird way. Leaves me thinking “hmmmm.” ๐
I wanted to write so much more but I already have four serial stories at the moment, it would be unfair to do more as it would confuse people
roflmbo — well, a bit of confusion here and there can be a good thing, if no harm is intended.
At least you have the bonus of shelving this idea and running with it as you wish. It certainly has great promise – and so for now, we’ll just accept it for what it is – which is Great! :0
Thank you ๐
What a heart pounding thriller. Crime is on her mind and whatta smart move:)
๐ Thanks Vishal
๐ฆ Yoshiko
>
I take it you didn’t like it
Nope. Though I like your photo, the story is sad
I love your image! It reminds me of the old mission churches around San Antoine. Hugs, Barbara
Thanks Barbara. If you remember the photos from inside the church I took a couple of weeks ago, they were from this church ๐
That is cool. They are all beautiful. Hugs, Barbara
I love this I had to read it 3 times! It is so good! ๐
Thank you M ๐
So cool that it ends the way it begins. I liked the style of this one. Well imagined and well executed. Great job Al!
Thanks very much Eric ๐ I’ve been trying to write this all week
Ah, I do think the transference of ‘power’ is an important aspect here. I thought the gunman might be her rescuer. But if she looses herself to the ‘bell’ then perhaps even with saving she is lost? Is the bell smart enough to outwit the gunman? Well that’s my circular thinking ๐
Yep, as soon as the bell rings once, the transfer takes place, so he shoots what was the woman
Oh, so the gunman is the bell? So if the woman was also shot, who now rings the bell – kind of like a spiders web?
This is intriguing Alastair, wouldn’t mind knowing more — why was the woman shackled to the bell, who was the gunman? So many questions ๐
I did want to explain so much more, but I had already gone over the word count. I was on 260 at this point. The idea is that when the bell rings, his essence is transferred into the person who is shackled to the bell. Which is why it went from he could remember a lot, to she could remember a lot after the bell rang
Ahhh, now that explains a lot. That has the potential for a full blown novel. So much could happen from this point. You clever little Alastair you ๐
It did start off as a part of Dan’s Story, but as I went up the steps, it changed completely
I did wonder about that, but as there was no mention of Dan… ~sigh~
I know people could get annoyed if it was all about him, so I may put both Dan and Raynard on holiday for a bit.
awesome… why are there dog footprints on the bell tower???
That’s what I called them the first time I saw them as well.
Those dang giant climbing builder dogs…
That is what I was wondering too — lol!
I like the dog print tower.