PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson
Fifteen-year-old Daphne plopped herself down on the chair next to the table.
“This is stupid.” She blew a random cluster of hair out of her eyes. “We’re looking for an old book, not old junk. What is this crud?”
The backpack at her feet stirred and Skinner’s head lolled awkwardly to the side. “That ancient tech would be an adding machine and a typewriter.”
“How would a sorcerer’s familiar know that?”
“The spirit trapped in this dead cat knows a lot,” Skinner croaked.
“My great-grandma better have that stolen spellbook or we’ll never get you out of that murdered kitty.”
It’s Wednesday and once again time to participate in Rochelle Wisoff-Fields’ 13 June 2025 edition of Friday Fictioneers. The idea is to use the image at the top as the inspiration for crafting a poem or short story no more than 100 words long. My wee tale is exactly 100 words.
I leveraged my current WIP into the scene, although nothing like it takes place in the actual story. I’m writing a short story that must contain a familiar, a spirit animal typically employed by a witch or a sorcerer. But what if the familiar animal was killed and the spirit still trapped inside (and remember, I came up with the idea first)?
Promotional art for the anthology “Dames, Derringers and Detectives: Moggie Noir”
To read other stories based on the prompt, visit inlinkz.
My crime noir short story “Last Wish of a Dead Man” is now available in the Raconteur Press anthology Dames, Derringers and Detectives: Moggie Noir. The story requirements included a hard-boiled detective, a murder, and especially a cat. The third in my “Margie Potter: Haunted Detective” series made the cut.
Also, my horror short story “Haunting Chloe” is now available in the ghost story anthology Haunted Places (universal link) by Blackbird Publishing. Pick up a copy of each, give them a read, and don’t forget to leave honest reviews at Amazon and Goodreads.
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I love your take on the prompt. Imaginative and creative! Nicely done.
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Thank you.
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What a great take on the prompt, James! Love this.
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Thanks, Dale.
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Unique take!
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Thanks, Sandra.
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Yikes! Not only transported into a cat, but a dead cat
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The cat was alive when the spirit occupied it. Now it can’t get out.
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Oooo! I loke this!
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Thanks, Violet.
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The title says it all!
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It sure does. Thanks, Clare.
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felt like I was there when she moved (blew) the “random cluster of hair out of her eyes” – 🙂
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Thanks.
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;0)
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I wonder what secrets the old Spell Book holds?
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For one thing, how to get a spirit out of a decaying cat’s body. 😉
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What a delightful take 🙂 Nothing like a spirit inhabiting a dead cat!
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Very true, Linda. Thanks.
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i wonder what happens next. i ‘m holding my breath. 🙂
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I’m still writing the short story. If it gets published, I’ll let everyone know.
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Oh clever concept. Love the use of old stuff for a packed attic search. Poor spirit. I hope she helps him out of that cat. Creepy. Well done
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I finished and submitted the short story, so now we’ll see. Thanks, Laurie.
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Fingers crossed !
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