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. 


60 comments:

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

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

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

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

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

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    1. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Have fun vagabonding!

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

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

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  10. obsession or insanity? where do we draw the line?

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

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

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

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

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

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  13. Eeek! I shall have nightmares now!

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

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  15. Oh no, that is one twisted obsession!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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    1. Hellish anyway! Thanks for the comment, Violet.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. 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.

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  29. Haha..yes, creepy good!
    Happy Holidays!

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

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

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

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Many thanks for commenting. I appreciate your feedback.