Throughout history, Anonymous has produced some of the best known and loved poetry, art, crime, and mystery. Also, cadavers (aka, John Doe) and AA members.
I’ve considered publishing my next book (also my first) under the Anonymous nom de plume to benefit from his/her/their great success and notoriety. Sometimes, events in my life made me want to be that person: Anonymous.
Today, Her Royal Craftiness, The Princess of Prevarication, Mistress of History, and Duchess of the Storied Squares, Madame Rochelle Wisoff-Fields has teamed with the formerly unknown, but now revealed, Brenda Cox, photo contributor to tempt us into the gated domain of Friday Fictioneers story telling.
Click the pic for a fantasy ride to Rochelle’s castle to learn how to play by her rules. Can you tell your story in one hundred words or fewer? Try it if you dare.
Genre: Dark Fiction
Title: My New Home
Word Count: 100
***
Vlad was my goth-looking guide into the witness protection program. As we approached the old ramshackle house I asked, “What is that horrible smell?”
“That’s cadaverine. We spray the perimeter with the ptomaine to keep people away. Only harpies and vampire groupies like it. The death odor attracts buzzards but keeps cartel soldiers, nosey lawmen, and reporters away. You’ll get used to it.”
When I opened the gate, I was struck by the sweet odors of hyacinth and incense. I saw the casket and glared at Vlad.
“Appearances. Protecting people like you is dangerous. Living quarters are underground. Welcome home.”
Look both ways.
Be alert doing good or evil.
Mind the gaps for major life changes.
***
Our Literary Journey 
Creativity at its best. Good’n, Bill!
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Thank you, Lisa.
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You’re welcome.
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Disguised as a vampire? That’s a hell of a protection programme
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Effective. Thanks, Neil.
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I wonder if he still feels he made the right choice to join the witness protection programme!
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Probably has doubts. I suspect they all do.
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What a haunting story.
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Good one! Had me pulling up the hood on my sweatshirt to protect my neck. hehe! Nom de Plumes…yep, I write under different names. One for my poetry, one for my fiction…. rarely under my own.
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Thanks, Bear.
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Quite the witness protection programme. It could end up being quite the adventure…
You’ve got such a wonderful imagination, Bill.
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Thank you, Dale. 🙂
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🙂
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I think I would run a mile. If the living quarters bedroom had a coffin full of earth.
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You’d need to be pretty desperate to go to those lengths. Not sure I would!
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I am a writer. Of course I’m desperate. 🙂
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That’s a switch. Usually, it’s the vampires trying to blend in. Good take. Very creative.
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Thank you.
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Great story, Bill and you packed so much into those hundred words. This is just encouraged me to behave myself, and also take a leaf out of the three wise monkeys book.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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Thanks, again.
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Dear Anonymous Bill,
Once more your intrepid imagination and your gift of storytelling have taken us to new depths. A tale from the crypt for certain. I’m not sure I’d want to be in that WPP. Thank you for all the titles. I’m blushing.
Shalom,
HRH Rochelle
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My Dear Mistress Rochelle,
Thank you for your wonderful praise. Without FF I could not. Tanks back atcha’.
Peace,
Bill
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Super story, Bill. I like the way you meld the genres of crime and horror. Could be the basis of a longer piece.
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Thank you, Penny. Perhaps a more prodigious pursuit? 🙂
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I like the idea of using odor to disaude nosey eavesdroppers. My mother on-law used to say, “Did you fart, or did something crawl up inside you and die?”
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I’ve heard that too. I came across that word while working on the alliteration effort. 🙂
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A thought provoking introduction. I love your story. It’s very creative! Not my idea of a satisfying witness protection program. I’m sure he’s conflicted.
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Maybe overprotected. 🙂 Thanks, Brenda.
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one way to remain anonymous, but it feels like prison. 🙂
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Friends in low places. 🙂
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Cadaverine? Is that for real? I think it’s a hilarious word either way. This is a funny story – very inventive.
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Thanks, Margaret. Yes, cadaverine is in the dictionary.
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Quite an extreme Witness Protection Programme! Though there’s nothing like a nasty odour to keep the “undesirables” away 🙂
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Very effective. 🙂
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Where can we buy such an odor? Does it work on parliament??
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I have no idea. Try it. 🙂
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To be hidden under those cicumstances seems a bit too much for me.
I must say there a creepy eeriness in this, Bill. I guess that was your aim.
Isadora 😎
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Maybe a bit of sarcastic humor.
Needing a new identity because of testifying against criminals is a pretty creepy thought. But it is reality.
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Oh yes, it happens to many who are in need of being hidden due to testifying against another. I just saw a movie on Netflix: Pieces of Her … the movie is about this change of identity thing. Your story is timely. I enjoyed it. 😎
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Good. I confess to being inspired by a movie, as well.
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Fun twist on the “witness protection” genre. LOL.
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Oh clever! The vampire is being protected by the appearances on vampires or zombies. Or are they just a normal person hidden by the myth? Very clever
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Thanks, Laurie. I suppose myth can be a good place to hide 😬
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Very nice post.
Sharing it on Hindibag
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Only 100 words?! Now that’s creative
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Thank you.
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