This week Charli’s prompt asks for sound. August 27, 2014 prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) use sound to announce some sort of change. It could be at the beginning of the story–a lonely bar keep on a quiet road hears the rumble of motorcycles and anticipates customers. That could be good news or bad…Or you could tell a story that unfolds as expected until a character hears something–like a bride getting ready upstairs at the church who hears a shattering below followed by the shouts of her groom, “I’m outta here!” Sound can trumpet, clang or whisper. It can foreshadow or be the twist.
Respond by noon (PST) Tuesday, September 2 to be included in the compilation.
“Look at those crows circling.” Marcia said “Gives me the creeps knowing someone’s going to die tonight. Like vultures waiting to take the soul to another place.”
“Don’t be stupid. That’s just an old wives tale.” Peter’s exasperation was apparent. “Just because they’re circling doesn’t mean anyone’s going to die.” They walked on in silence, lost in their own thoughts.
Crrrrrack! Peter looked up at the noise to see the branch falling rapidly toward him.
Boom! The ground shook from the force of the impact. Marcia shook her head as she looked at Peter’s lifeless eyes. “Old wives tale huh?”
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
That is morbidly funny! And an interesting take, too on the prompt as I fully anticipated the sound to come from the crows but it came from the cracking branch. That’s a good twist to keep us riveted! Growing up, I learned the Native American version–an owl outside your house (or teepee) signaled death to someone inside. One of my favorite songs by Michael Martin Murphy is Wildfire, about a woman who goes missing chasing her horse. One chilling line is, “There’s been a hoot owl outside my window now three days in a row; she’s coming for me I know and on Wildfire we’re both gonna go…”
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Just listened to the song. It’s great. I had never heard it or of Michael Martin Murphey so thanks for the introduction. Glad the flash worked.
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Love Michael Murphy and that song Wildfire – haven’t listened to it for a while now though. 🙂
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I hadn’t heard it before so listened on you tube. Great song.
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One word on this, Irene: Ouch!
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Very
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Oh dear. So much for that old wives tale! I love your flash twists Irene and this is no exception 🙂
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Thank you for that wonderful compliment. Glad it worked Sherri. 🙂
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❤
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Poor Peter! Really shouldn’t laugh at his sad demise … but can’t help it.
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Glad you did laugh.
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Fun entry — poor guy.
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Thanks Laura.
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Great story Irene. I really enjoy the twist – serves him right! Just goes to show – belief or non-belief makes something neither true nor untrue! 🙂
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Glad you liked it Norah. I think there was an element of satisfaction although of course there shouldn’t have been.
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Of course there should!
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