Calling Mothership

robot

PHOTO PROMPT © Lisa Fox

It was an obvious trap. The robot was merely waiting for the right time to capture the children who thought it was just playground equipment and take them up to the mothership for experimentation. They might be kept on the aliens’ planet for decades and then be returned aged not at all.

“You watched ‘Independence Day” on the fourth again, didn’t you Larry?” asked his wife, Nan.

“Why do you say that?” he said innocently. “I’m just minding my grandchildren while they play.”

“You’ve got that look,” she accused.

“Wait! I think the robot’s about to launch. Get the kids!”

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Rosen Tantau

flower fence

PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson

Karl and Emma held hands as they walked toward their secret meeting place in back of an abandoned house. The two teenagers lived in a terrible place and time, but love always emerges strongest in youth.

“What are you doing?” Emma giggled as Karl stopped suddenly. He let go of her hand and cupped the red blossom peeking through the gray boards.

“It reminds me of how much I love our country,” he answered.

“Love our country?” An indignant Emma took a step back. “With that maniac in charge, that dictator?”

“I said I loved Germany, not Hitler,” he replied.

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One Last Moment of Beauty

flower fence

PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson

Michael stopped, startled not so much by the shocking red, but that something beautiful could exist against the background of ugliness.

It had been so long since he’d let himself see anything in the world except injustice and the need for vengeance and retribution. He looked at the flower and remembered his mother before she died. Then he recalled that all beauty died with her and finished snapping the magazine into his illegal automatic handgun.

Walking around to the front of the house, he rang the bell. A man answered. Michael aimed at the chest of one of the rapists.

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On A Dark Desert Highway

desert

PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

“I’m getting too old for this.” Jack wanted to put on a pair of sunglasses to beat the desert glare as he drove but he didn’t wear contacts anymore and needed his regular glasses to see pretty much anything.

“Up and down this damned freeway,” he complained. “I was raised in the desert.” He eased his car around a curve keeping an eye on his speed. “Buried Dad’s ashes here like he wanted but that was ages ago. Why am I still here when there are greener places?”

“It’s almost over.” The voice in his head was strange yet comforting.

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Summer Vacation

clouds

PHOTO PROMPT © C. E. Ayr

The hiking trail had been a refreshing interlude but he always came back to the same place. Facing the dehumanizing blocks of motel rooms, Richard sagged wishing he could stay among the trees with a roof of clouds and sky.

But she didn’t like to camp, said sleeping bags made her itch, and motels served a free breakfast.

“I can’t face it all again and especially her.” He stopped to glare at the suite of prison cells. “Hell with it.”

He turned around. The sun would set soon and he would be alone. Richard wondered who would find his bones.

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Duel in Freak Alley

freak alley

PHOTO PROMPT © James Pyles

They called it “Freak Alley” for a good reason. It was summer when they faced each other. Zephyr realized he didn’t quite remember the argument’s source. Then he saw Jaison at the other end and his blood virtually boiled recalling something about a matter of honor.

“You ready for it?” Jaison yelled with scorn.

“Who needs to be ready for you?” Zephyr spat back.

“Then let’s do it!” Jaison relaxed his hand and let the bag he was holding fall open.

Zephyr did the same and pulled out his first can of spray paint.

The graffiti duel ran for hours.

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She Can’t Hear Me Anymore

two chairs

PHOTO PROMPT © Lily

He watched her sitting in the same chair she always occupied. This was the resting spot on her daily walks where she watched the island. It and the empty chair beside her held terrible memories that would forever possess her.

“Lily.” He called her name but of course she couldn’t hear him. In a few moments she would go back to her walk eventually returning to the home they once shared.

All the while, he was trapped here, maybe forever. She could never forget the day she murdered him and he would always haunt these two chairs and the island.

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Not All Is Well Over The Rainbow

eureka springs

PHOTO PROMPT © Lori Wilson

Charles and Leon’s white and black fingers intertwined while exploring Eureka Springs.

“Glad we got here a few days early for their Pride event,” said Charles.

“Uh huh,” muttered Leon.

They started walking down a set of rainbow steps. Charles was fairly trotting while Leon let go of his hand and slowed to a stop.

“What’s wrong?” Charles looked back at him craning his neck
.
“This town used to have a lot of blacks in it,” lamented Leon. “I got old family photos. First the whites segregated us, then kicked us out.”

“That’s the real reason you came,” said Charles.

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Hank And Bob Are Available To Accept Your Sacrifices

hank and bob

PHOTO PROMPT © Lisa Fox

“I really hate these damn toys, Bob,” said Hank the propane barbecue on the left.

“Me too,” replied Bob, the one on the right. “They make too much damn noise and that motorized one is especially irritating. Kids should not be disturbing the sanctity of the backyard.

“Shall we consume them?” Hank asked eagerly.

“Won’t they melt and gum us up?” observed Bob.

“Hadn’t thought of that,” said Hank. “How about flamethrower action?”

“Yeah!” They opened their mouths and threw out white-hot flames of destruction.

Hours later, the firefighters had put out the blaze much to Hank and Bob’s chagrin.

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Junk Food Dragon

wall

PHOTO PROMPT © Fleur Lind

Twelve-year-old Warren finally stumbled into the clearing. He was tired of Jean and Bobby complaining that the treasure map he took from the trunk in Grandpa’s basement was bogus.

“I told you we’d find it,” he said.

“Find what?” asked Jean panting. “It’s just a wall and a bunch of junk.”

“Wait,” cried Bobby. “A giant keyhole with dragons on either side.”

“Fake dragons,” Jean smirked.

The brick wall flexed like plastic and they heard a gigantic burp. Out popped an old bird fountain.

“Excuse me,” said the dragon’s voice from inside. “I ate too much junk food last night.”

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