My name is HT Smith. The Smith, of course, is commonplace, and the H stands for Harold. The T name may never be spoken aloud. Call me Harold or Harry and I will send people after you to break your limbs. If you’re foolish enough to use the T name, older creatures will do much worse. So just call me HT and we’ll get along fine.
We both know the T is a taunt. You will never be able to ignore the search for its secret. And you lust after the power over me you believe it will offer.
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
Neil MacDonald Author 
Provocative writing. This made me want to find and list every derogatory T-word I can find, but I won’t because I will not rise to the taunting. Well I nearly did.
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Don’t. Bad things will happen
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I would instinctively stay away from the T. I used to know a bloke called Harold Smith. I suppose everyone as old as I am did. Lovely chilling lunacy from you this week. Great disturbed voice.
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Thanks, Jilly. I know I did a chiller last week, but hey” It’s Halloween!
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I was about to hazard a guess. But since I may be right, (I usually am where dreadful consequences ensue), I’ve decided to let it pass. Wonderfully menacing.
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Avoid it if you can, Sandra
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Expertly done – you have us all rising to your taunt and wanting to know what the unmentionable ‘T’ is! HT sounds like someone best to avoid at all costs. Well done Neil.
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Thanks so much, Iain
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Dear Neil,
HT looks like a must to avoid. What’s in a name? Apparently to him, a lot.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Some names must never be spoken aloud. Thanks, Rochelle
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Love this – deliciously creepy. I’ll think I’ll stick to calling him HT.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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It would be safer. Thanks so much, Susan
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High Tension stuff here, Tam!
If you are from Haiti, I rise to my full Height and give you a hat tip.
Hugely terrific story, Neil
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Nope, not Tam. Thanks so much
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That is one good story, Neil!
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Thanks so much
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A story I think to leave on the counter. Even the triffids are terrified
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Thanks, Michael
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Intriguing prompt. The guy sounds a bit full of himself. I can imagine there are a lot of these lonely guys sitting on a bus thinking megalomanical thoughts like this. Well done.
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Thanks so much Joshua
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Reminds me of Morse.. but somehow the ripples of threat underneath makes it so much worse.
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Worse than Morse? Surely not
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Endeavour — could it be worse than that? Thievel?
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you have a point
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You’ve written an intriguing story, Neil. The implication behind the warning is that although this is the first time these two have met formally, there is history behind their relationship. HT knows altogether too well what the other character is thinking, and that in turn implies that the other character knows that they share a common belief system.
The story stands alone – but there’s a raft more that could be told in a longer format!
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Thanks so much, Penny. I think HT has seen his type before. And, of course, he’s planting an idea
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Methinks I shall leave HT alone… and stay far away from him…
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Wise, I think
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A delightful mix of taunt and threat in the voice.
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Thanks so much, Alicia
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HT… hummmm, I’m sure that’s a technical term for Handheld Transceiver… Ohh, no, he’s a Transceiver… ARGH! Got me! hehehe! Great story this week… needed the laughter.
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I like that take on it, Jelli
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Nice breaking of the fourth wall neil. I do feel complicit now somehow, and ensnared despite my better instincts.
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Heehee.
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Oh no HT. I think I will be on my way. Thank you very much. Nicely done.
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Thanks so much, Jo
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What I’m wondering about is the parent(s) who gave you that much-hated name. What were they THINKING!
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not sure he has parents
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Trick or Treat?
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Oh trick. Always
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Will call you only HT. Don’t want to get my limbs broken. But what does T stands for? Os is it simply a paranoia?
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Oh no, Paranoia begins with P
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I was about to have a cup of T, but now I think I’ll have coffee instead!
Click to read my FriFic tale!
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A wise choice. HT is rarely drunk
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Odd how being told not to think about something puts it right in your mind….T is for tease on your part? Intriguingly creepy character.
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Damn, You saw right through me
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I think it would be wise to call him HT and forget the rest.
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We’re not known for wisdom as a species, but you’re absolutely right
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Ooooo i like this. So mysterious… a taunt indeed or perhaps tempt would be a better word.
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Perhaps it would, and it still begins with T
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HT. Is he in his own mountain of madness? Sinister.
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Don’t let him hear you say that
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that sounds ominous, in no mood to google for the answer
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That would be safest
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I spilled my T(ea) reading this. Good mystery in 100 words!
https://trailbrooklane.blogspot.com/2018/11/chess-eyes.html
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Professional exorcists warn that you should not try at home to guess what the T stands fo
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Gorgeously creepy.
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Thanks so much, Lisa
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My surname begins with T, i sometimes call myself Mr T, not to be confused with the A-team member of course! Great stuff as ever.
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Thanks for the read. If you’re not regularly accompanied by demon familiars, you’re probably not the T referred to
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Love the direction you went! The characterization is powerful and very vivid!
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Thanks so much
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I choose not to be taunted by you or HT for the same reason I avoid horror movies. Intriguing take on the prompt.
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Thanks so much, Magarisa
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Intriguing. Just stick to saying ‘Harold be thy name’ and be a step away from heaven.
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I’m not sure HT is from heaven
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Very ‘in your face,’ Neil. Sounds like a scary sort of guy to know
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He is good to his mother, though
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