The Friday Fictioneer Challenge: Write a 100-word story based on the photo.

Photo copyright Sandra Crook

Just Returning the Favor

Senior opened another whiskey bottle. “You were wild, needed discipline. I did you a favor.” That’s how Senior always rationalized dragging Chuck to the tree for a whipping. His father’s drinking and his belt were a dangerous combination for Chuck. It was years ago, but his emotional scars still matched his physical ones.

With research, Chuck discovered humans could die in three days without water. High temperatures and alcohol could shorten that timeline.

In the August heat, Chuck drove away from the deserted farm, leaving drunken Senior under the tree with his memories and whiskey. Just returning the favor, Dad.

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The photographer, Sandra Crook, is also a Friday Fictioneer author. Check out Sandra’s story here.

To read other Friday Fictioneer stories based on this photo, select the smiley blue frog.

The Friday Fictioneer Challenge: Write a 100-word story based on the photo.

Photo copyright Ted Strutz

Pack Mentality

Tina saw them approaching, knew what was coming. Get three boorish men together, they think they’re an army. Add alcohol and their delusions of grandeur expand, considering themselves invincible. Misguided pack mentality, she thought.

“We don’t like your kind in here,” one man slurred. “Why don’t you swim the rest of the way.”

She ignored him.

He leaned in, “Afraid of getting your hair wet?”

She growled, displaying her fangs. On cue, several other werewolves came out onto the deck, circling the men. Three splashes soon followed.

Yes, as the alpha werewolf, Tina knew a lot about pack mentality.

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To read other Friday Fictioneer stories based on this photo, select the smiley blue frog.

The Friday Fictioneer Challenge: Write a 100-word story based on the photo.

Photo copyright J Hardy Carroll

Location, Location, Location

Carol waited at the front door. Please let me make this sale, she begged the universe. She heard a commotion coming from the parking lot. A Roman chariot with two black stallions appeared.

“Mr. Vulcan,” she greeted her client, wondering about the smoke drifting up from the chariot. “Are you sure you need something this size?”

“I have seven sons,” he replied as he surveyed the property. “My forge in Rome no longer suffices. I have ten bags of gold coins for payment. Is that acceptable?”

Carol looked up the exchange rate on her smartphone, starting to swoon. “Yes.”

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To read other Friday Fictioneer stories based on this photo, select the smiley blue frog.

The Friday Fictioneer Challenge: Write a 100-word story based on the photo.

Photo copyright Sarah Potter

Ready to Retro

The Halloween party theme was As Retro As You Can Go. In the attic, Kevin found some stuff he’d worn in college. He cleaned up his shoes as the shorts and an Eric Clapton concert t-shirt were in the wash. He fondly remembered wearing them as his nonconformist uniform.

At the party, he went to the backyard where he found a group of men dressed exactly like him: scuffed shoes (no socks), plaid shorts, ragged concert t-shirts. They looked like sartorial clones. So much for being nonconformist, Kevin sighed, as he crossed the deck to be assimilated into the pod.

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You can check out Sarah Potter’s blog here.

To read other Friday Fictioneer stories based on this photo, select the smiley blue frog.