Wednesday, 28 November 2018

Obsession - 100 word story

After writing a humorous story last week, this week's Friday Fictioneer's photo inspired something more chilling. 

 I am going off vagabonding in December, so this is my last story for 2018. Seasons Greetings and see you in the New Year.


PHOTO PROMPT © Nick Allen




OBSESSION
It all began in childhood. The Wizard of Oz sparked her imagination and became an obsession. An obsession that continued into adulthood. An obsession that wouldn't be ignored. And so she studied to become a biologist.
...  ...  ...
She entered the home-made lab. The rasp of metal against metal masked the terrible moans emanating from the pens. She hadn't perfected her art but she continued to strive.
The oil cans stood in a row. She anointed each individual, giving them relief.
A man lay in the last pen. Time to turn him to tin, like the others. Perhaps this one would succeed.

I hope you enjoyed this story and I look forward to your comments. 


If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE



If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 
- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.


On a final note - I always try to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been able to find your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign in first. 


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60 comments:

  1. Neil MacDonald28 November 2018 at 10:14

    Darker, indeed! At least she had the humility to keep her failures

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    1. Susan A Eames28 November 2018 at 10:45

      Yes, she did - but at what price? Thanks for commenting, Neil.

      Delete
  2. Sandra Crook28 November 2018 at 10:24

    Nice of her to care for them after she's subjected them to this suffering. Good take. Have a good 'vagabonding' and a lovely Christmas.

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    1. Susan A Eames28 November 2018 at 10:46

      I suppose it's the least she can do. Thanks for commenting, Sandra - and hope you have a lovely Christmas too. :)

      Delete
  3. Rochelle Wisoff-Fields28 November 2018 at 11:34

    Dear Susan,

    Yep, as soon as I saw the oil can, I heard the Tin Woodsman. I can only imagine what the failures might look like. Chillingly well done. Enjoy your vagabonding and have a wonderful holiday. You will be missed here at Frogtopia.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    1. Susan A Eames28 November 2018 at 11:46

      Ah, thanks, Rochelle. Appreciate your comment! See you next year. :)

      Delete
  4. Keith's Ramblings28 November 2018 at 12:29

    This certainly is chilling! Happy travels Susan - we'll miss you!

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    1. Susan A Eames28 November 2018 at 12:45

      I don't know how thoughts of The Wizard of Oz produced this dark tale. Thanks for commenting, Keith - see you in the New Year.

      Delete
  5. Brenda Cox28 November 2018 at 14:38

    The Wizard of Oz created a mad scientist. A very chilling tale!

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    1. Susan A Eames28 November 2018 at 15:07

      Yes, who'd have thought a fairy tale would have that sort of power?

      Delete
  6. Jo Hawk28 November 2018 at 19:13

    An evil genius of a story Susan. Wishing you a wonderful trip and a happy holiday.

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    1. Susan A Eames28 November 2018 at 19:30

      Thanks for the feedback, Jo. Happy Christmas and see you next year. :)

      Delete
  7. Iain Kelly28 November 2018 at 20:10

    Jeez, the Wizard of Oz in a new light! Happy vagabonding and happy holidays!

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    1. Susan A Eames29 November 2018 at 08:56

      Got to watch how fairy tales capture the imagination of children! Thanks for commenting, Iain - see you next year.

      Delete
  8. Linda28 November 2018 at 20:14

    Oy! Yes, that certainly was a contrast to a funny post! Gives me chicken skin :)

    Have fun vagabonding!

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    1. Susan A Eames29 November 2018 at 08:56

      Yes, sorry - had to go dark this week. See you in the New Year.

      Delete
  9. Magaly Guerrero29 November 2018 at 00:08

    The repetition of the word obsession works so well at emphasizing her eerie desires. And the thought of the details of that metamorphosis--eek!--I wonder what she does with the failed experiments...

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    1. Susan A Eames29 November 2018 at 08:57

      I don't think she knows what to do with them, Magaly, which is why she still has them. Thanks for commenting. :)

      Delete
  10. plaridel29 November 2018 at 02:28

    obsession or insanity? where do we draw the line?

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    1. Susan A Eames29 November 2018 at 08:57

      Perhaps when it endangers others? Thanks for commenting, plaridel.

      Delete
  11. Anurag Bakhshi29 November 2018 at 04:51

    Aah, so THAT's how The Tin Man was born :-)

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    1. Susan A Eames29 November 2018 at 08:58

      Scary thought, isn't it? Thanks for commenting, Anurag.

      Delete
  12. draliman29 November 2018 at 07:58

    Yeek, a gruesome image. Who could have guessed that a jolly family film could inspire such madness?

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    1. Susan A Eames29 November 2018 at 08:58

      I know! It never occurred to me until I saw the photo prompt. :)

      Delete
  13. liz young29 November 2018 at 14:56

    Eeek! I shall have nightmares now!

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  14. lisarey1990@gmail.com29 November 2018 at 17:27

    Very chilling! Great write.

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    1. Susan A Eames29 November 2018 at 18:47

      Thanks for the feedback, Lisa - appreciate it. :)

      Delete
  15. krawson29 November 2018 at 19:21

    Oh no, that is one twisted obsession!

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    1. Susan A Eames29 November 2018 at 19:23

      Yes, very twisted and misguided! Thanks for commenting, Karen.

      Delete
  16. Dale29 November 2018 at 19:22

    There is obsession, then there is this! Holy moly... at least she takes care of her "failures"...
    Enjoy your travels!

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    1. Susan A Eames29 November 2018 at 19:25

      Yes, although I don't know if they appreciate it! Thanks and see you in the New Year.

      Delete
  17. The Silver Fox29 November 2018 at 20:06

    Ahhhh, very nice. Nice... and demented... reminding me a bit of Kevin Smith's film, Tusk.

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    1. Susan A Eames29 November 2018 at 20:23

      Yes, 'demented' sums her up! Not familiar with Tusk - I'll have to look it up.

      Delete
  18. C. E. Ayr29 November 2018 at 21:04

    Would it not be easier to pop down to the store and buy a few tins?
    Horrible good story.

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    1. Susan A Eames29 November 2018 at 21:32

      He he - yes, might be easier, but wouldn't make much of a 'horrible good story'. Thanks for commenting, CE. :)

      Delete
  19. Violet Lentz30 November 2018 at 03:10

    Something a little Motel Hell-ish going on here?? whew!!

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    1. Susan A Eames30 November 2018 at 09:11

      Hellish anyway! Thanks for the comment, Violet.

      Delete
  20. Alice Audrey30 November 2018 at 04:15

    It's only gruesome when I let my imagination take on questions like "how?"

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    1. Susan A Eames30 November 2018 at 09:11

      Doesn't really bear thinking about, does it? Thanks for commenting, Alice.

      Delete
  21. Susan A Eames30 November 2018 at 09:10

    And the lion? A Were Lion maybe? Yes, scary fun! Thanks for commenting, Stuart.

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  22. Patsy30 November 2018 at 09:48

    Yikes!

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  23. Anonymous30 November 2018 at 18:37

    I was struck by the moans from the pens - seriously dark story. Well done and enjoy your travels, Jilly, Sugar on the Bee

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    1. Susan A Eames30 November 2018 at 20:25

      Thanks, Jilly. (I have no idea where my darker stories come from!)

      Delete
  24. Magarisa1 December 2018 at 23:48

    This gave me the chills! Reminded me of the failed Ripley clones in one of the Alien movies.

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  25. Susan A Eames2 December 2018 at 08:52

    Thanks for your comment, Magarisa. I appreciate the feedback. :)

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  26. Subroto2 December 2018 at 09:09

    The dark side of Oz. Those moans must be from Tinnitus. I hear it is painful.

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    1. Susan A Eames2 December 2018 at 11:01

      Ha ha, I hadn't considered tinnitus! Thanks for commenting, Subroto. :)

      Delete
  27. brudberg2 December 2018 at 18:01

    This make me think of a nursing home for old frankesteins... eerie

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    1. Susan A Eames2 December 2018 at 20:26

      He he - now that's what I call creative thinking! Thanks for commenting. :)

      Delete
  28. Sascha Darlington2 December 2018 at 19:53

    Oh, this is good! Creepy, but good.
    Seasons greetings to you and safe travels!

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    1. Susan A Eames2 December 2018 at 20:26

      Thank you, Sascha - glad you enjoyed the story. See you in The New Year. :)

      Delete
  29. i b arora3 December 2018 at 07:35

    left me a bit confused!!!

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    1. Susan A Eames3 December 2018 at 09:23

      This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. Susan A Eames3 December 2018 at 09:25

      Sorry to hear that - but the feedback is invaluable.
      Her obsession with the Wizard of Oz meant that she wanted to create a real Tin Man - so she abducted men to experiment on. She kept failing but kept her experiments 'alive'. The failures didn't stop her from continuing with her obsession.
      Hope that helps - although of course, if a writer has to explain a short story, then they have failed too.

      Delete
  30. Dawn3 December 2018 at 16:07

    Haha..yes, creepy good!
    Happy Holidays!

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    1. Susan A Eames3 December 2018 at 17:00

      He he - thanks Dawn - see you in the New Year. :)

      Delete
  31. Unknown4 December 2018 at 22:15

    Who would have thought that the Wizard of Oz would create a Frankenstein. Well told. Have a wonderful holiday.

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    1. Susan A Eames5 December 2018 at 11:17

      My imagination surprises me sometimes, Irene. Thanks for commenting and see you in the New Year.

      Delete

Many thanks for commenting. I appreciate your feedback.

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