First, they offered us blooms. That was clever. Just the gift of crimson beauty thrusting through the border. We were charmed and dismissed the scrabbling and bulging on the other side. Seams tore, but so gentle and slow we barely noticed. A little disorder is expected in all things—the Second Law of Thermodynamics tells us that.
But, behind the blooms, marched serried ranks of thorns. It’s too late now.
.
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 
Serried ranks – great phrase. But no rosy future here.
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Thanks so much, Jilly
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Good one!
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Thanks, Reena
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Such a sinister atmosphere! “Scrabbling and bulging on the other side” such vivid, visceral terms. For some reason I thought of a funeral, followed by hell.
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Thanks so much, Lisa. Your comment proves that stories live a life of their own once they enter a reader’s brain
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You’re welcome and well said, Neil.
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Very neatly done!
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Thanks so much., Violet
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First a carrot and then a stick.
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Indeed
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Great use of the invasive metaphor to explore themes of complacency, deception, and inevitable ruin🙌
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Thanks so much
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❤️
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How very evocative, Neil! The imagery is wonderful (even if the subject rather nefarious).
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Thanks so much, Dale
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Dear Neil,
Beware of neighbors bearing blooms. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks so much, Rochelle
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Ooooh good stuff Serried Ranks, had to goggle, new word logged !!
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Thanks so much
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Serried ranks, I had to Google that one too. Great imagery, there are sinister undercurrents. Nicely done!
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Thanks so much, Fleur
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You’re welcome 😊
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This superb piece of writing had a distinct feel of present-day politics to it, all promises, lies and deceit.
A real feeling of ‘First they came for…’
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That’s so kind of you. It’s a pleasure to see what different readers have brought to this little piece
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Very good. Behind the beauty lurks the beast.
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Thanks so much, James
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This creeped me out – in a good way, mind you. “behind the blooms, marched serried ranks of thorns” is a glorious line.
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Thanks so much, alicia. That’s exactly the impact I wanted it to have
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It’s fun to imagine what could be scrabbling and bulging on the other side – I’m picturing a thorny, drooling monster.
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Or perhaps just an out of control garden?
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Could be – but it’s more fun to picture a monster. : )
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Ooooooo great descriptions of the plant uprising here. No turning them back now. Clever use of descriptions
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