Friday Fictioneers – Fairy Tale

~ neilmacdon
HPIM0533.JPG
PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

A thousand years of footfall and cart wheels had worn grooves into the slabs of the alley. Cool arches, crafted by stonemasons gone half a millennium, shaded Rick from the Mediterranean sun. History lay heavy as a lover on this place.

And yet time had gnawed it hollow. Beneath his feet, metal lids covered the entrances to tunnels. Trunks of piping and gossamer threads of cabling slowly strangled the ancient street. Rick hacked through the undergrowth. He knew at its heart would be a secret, sleeping in a glass case. A kiss would awaken an old and terrible beauty.

 

Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here.

Fancy sharpening your skill with writing exercises? The Scrivener’s Forge offers a new exercise every month to hone one aspect of your craft. Take a look at this month’s exercise on character and action

 

 

 

73 thoughts on “Friday Fictioneers – Fairy Tale”

  14. Very atmospheric, I felt the love for the ancient city. I too loved the line “History lay heavy as a lover on this place.” I also loved the complexity in the last line.

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  22. I also noticed the pipes along the wall in the picture, and felt this modern convenience marred the beauty of the historical aesthetic of the buildings. So I liked how you described it as strangling the ancient. Wonder what the terrible beauty is?

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  25. This was great, captured a thought I often have which is how our modern metal and plastic despoils historical and natural beauty. When in a town high street I always look up at the buildings to see their lovely, original architecture above the plastic signs and bawdy sale notices.

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  27. As most of the above comments mention, the imagery is quite vivid and the undercurrent of something sinister can be felt right from the get go. Terrific writing. Cheers, Varad.

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  36. I like the way you have converted this picture into something that plays to your strengths. I can’t really say anything all the other commenters have already said. Enjoyable to read, and re-read, and re-read, sipping again and again like a fine wine.

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