Trifextra 103 – One Final Misunderstanding

We were finished –

She seemed heartbroken, yet accepting.

‘One of us should go…tonight,’ I said.

‘I agree,’ she whispered, as the carving knife sliced into my kidneys.

Bitch!

She knew damn well that wasn’t what I meant

These 38 words form my entry into the Trifextra 103 challenge.

We were asked to write a story that ended with the words ‘that wasn’t what I meant‘. To be honest I’m not a fan of prompts which define a story’s last words; however, that said, I hope you find some merit in what I came up with.

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Trifextra 102 – Unseen Advances

He only wanted to be her friend:
To touch her, to breathe her.
She now lies still in the wood –
Tender bird song framing the silence,
As bluebells sway in the summer breeze.

These 33 words form my entry into the Trifextra 102 challenge.

We were asked to write a story about ‘love gone wrong‘ which didn’t include any of the following words: Love, Heart, Sad, Tears, Pain, Wept. I hope you enjoy what I came up with.

Trifextra 101 – Opportunities Lost

I pass here every day,
Checking my reflection;
Looking, but not looking –
Willing those eyes to notice mine.

Today the table lies empty.
My reflection walks by,
Heartbroken and alone,
Praying you’ll return.

These 33 words form my entry into the Trifextra 101 challenge. The story was in response to the above photo prompt (picture courtesy of Thomas Leuthard/Foto.com). I hope you enjoy what I came up with.

Trifextra 100 – Self Assembly

The first time I saw them words I think I cried.

I  can’t do that, I can’t, I sighed.

Yet how so much I tried;

Till my brain was all but fried.

Flat pack just aint for me.

These 38 words form my entry into the Trifextra 100 challenge. The Trifecta editors asked us to add 33 of our own to their starting five. I hope you enjoy what I came up with.

Trifextra 98 – Vegetable of Mass Destruction

On Brassica Oleracea they wait.

Patiently.

On earth hapless, festive fools prepare;

Oblivious to the perils of ‘The Boiling’:

Its pungent, noxious cloud crumbling earth’s already withering defences.

Paving the way for invasion.

These 33 words form my entry into the Trifextra 98 challenge. The Trifecta editors asked us to write a humorous, festive themed story. I hope you enjoy what I came up with.

Trifextra 97 – To Be Forewarned is Forearmed

The sun’s rays dazzle against the crumbling basin of the central Antarctic reservoir.

High above carrion circle;

Emaciated penguins collapse in the dust.

Meanwhile politicians fester in their myopic delusion:

Global Warming?

Nonsense!

These 33 words form my entry into the Trifextra 97 challenge. The story is based on the words ‘Basin‘, ‘Dazzle‘ and ‘Myopic‘. I hope you enjoy what I did with them.

Black Friday Deals

The confirmation email made it clear:

Delivery in Seven Days. No Cancellations.

Eyes briefly flickered from the screen as the neighbour’s dog growled;

Watched as dark clouds tumbled past the window.

And waited.

These 33 words form my entry into the Trifextra 96 challenge. I had this idea almost straight away, but it took ages for me to fit it into 33 words. I confess the premise is quite subtle so I hope people will get what’s going on/down!

Trifextra 94 – The Cleaning Crew

Theirs were the only three names on the list:

The only three not already dead.

As the Geiger-Müller clicked and crackled,

Three pairs of resigned, bloodshot eyes continued their work.

Death their reward.

These 33 words form my entry into the Trifextra 95 challenge. We were asked to write a story containing a particular word three times. My chosen word was three.

For more information on the story behind the image please visit Alex Pardee’s Blog.

Trifextra 93 – The Quick Learner

“31, 32….hmm, 33 late AGAIN?”

“Sir!”

“Yeeess 25?”

“Sir, 33’s gone.”

“GONE! Explain yourself 25!”

“Sir, he’d been, umm, creating his own, err, universe for a while, Sir.”

“Sit DOWN 25!”

“Yes, sir.”

These 33 words form my entry into the Trifextra 93 challenge. We were asked to write a story containing 33 Gods. I hope you enjoy where I went with it.

Trifextra 92 – The Numbers Game

‘It is the first day of November and so, today, someone will die’

The memo couldn’t have been clearer.

I nervously rechecked my figures;

They were good –

Good enough?

From behind came a scream.

Turning, I saw an empty, blood splattered chair.

I’d survived another year.

The 33 words which follow the opening line form my entry into the Trifextra 92 challenge. We were asked to complete the story – I hope you enjoy where I went with it.

Trifextra 91 – Malware

The laptop’s freshly fried motherboard crackled;

Exposed wires sparked and hissed.

A slick of glowing, orange slime trailed from the smoldering wreckage to the open window.

Frankie Junior was nowhere to be seen.

These 33 words form my entry into the Trifextra 91 challenge. They were inspired by the idea of  beasts in unexpected places.

Trifextra 90 – What You Don’t Know Can’t Hurt You

Food, warmth, family, love –

I have them all.

Now pretty white snow is falling;

Sparkly lights flash on the tree.

Life couldn’t be any better.

Why would us turkeys be afraid of anything?

These 33 words form my entry into the Trifextra 90 challenge. They were inspired by the idea of  what triggers fears.

Trifextra 89 – Another Day in Hell

We get them:

The ones He doesn’t want.

Murderers, rapists;

abusers, losers.

You think I want to be with these people?

You think I enjoy this?

You think?

…Hell, yeh –

I love it!

These 33 words form my entry into the Trifextra 89 challenge. They were inspired by the Rolling Stones classic ‘Sympathy For the Devil’.

Trifextra 88 – Double Sacrifice

We watched on,

Indifferent to her terror; apathetic to her cries.

From the loch it emerged –  

Trailing seaweed; dressed in algae.

A slimy claw ripped at her swollen belly.

We retreated,

Suddenly ashamed.

These 33 words form my entry into the Trifextra 88 challenge. The photo prompt, which you can see on the Trifextra page, asked us to write about a creature coming out of the water. I hope you like my idea.

This piece was my first winning effort in the Trifecta Writing Challenge. I have placed five times in all, but this was my debut appearance on the top step of the medal rostrum! As ever I am flattered that those judging saw something in my work. 

Trifextra 87 – What Might Have Been

‘How’s the new book coming along?’ queried the agent.

‘First draft complete. Have a really good feeling about this one – the working title is The Two Musketeers’

‘Sounds fabby Alexandre  – keep me posted.’

These 33 words form my ‘famous trio’ themed entry into the Trifextra 87 writing challenge. 

This piece became my fourth effort to get into the Trifecta Writing Challenge winner’s circle – my first in the weekend Trifextra – achieving a third place. As ever I am flattered that those judging (my fellow writers!) saw something in my work.