Friday Fictioneers – Write a 100-word story based on the Photo Prompt image above by © Trish Nankeville
Checkmate
Rose breathed deeply, sending familiar scents up her nostrils, filling her heart with memories. It was good to be back. Leaving the city life behind, the family bach was perfect for gatherings. In the bush, a stream nearby, they shared songs and stories around the fire pit.
She was distracted by a scuffling sound when she put the seasonal blooms in a vase. Turning sharply, she gasped.
“At last. It’s just you and me, Rose. We have a score to settle.” her estranged cousin sneered, grinning menacingly.
“Seriously? Let it go, Frank! I won that chess game, fair and square!”
Thanks for reading
Note: Pronounced ‘Batch’, a ‘Bach’ is a common slang term used for a holiday home in NZ.
Fleur's Fables 
LOL – sweet scents and happy memories, then fear, followed by sudden hilarity! Great mix, well done 😁
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i love the twist at the end. well done. 🙂
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Thank you, Plaridel 🙂
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Thanks for reading, Trish. That last sentence was the game changer…deciding whether to go sinister or silly!
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A happy twist in the tail
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I was debating how that last bit of dialogue would go. It’s hard with just 100 words! Thanks for reading, Neil 😊
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Wow! You pulled all the emotions in well with this one. Some people hate losing don’t they?
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Thanks, Mason 😊 I considered a few options with how it would end but with just 100 words, there wasn’t enough wriggle room to do anything sinister!
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I think you did great with such a small word count.
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Thank you 😊 it’s always a challenge, sometime whittling down the word count from far too many lol
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Some people take forever to get over setbacks. Good one.
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Oooh… Time for a rematch!
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One and done or best out of five?
Nicely done and thank you for the Bach explanation. 🙂
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LOL. Loved this.
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Awww thank you RM Carlson. Thanks so much
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Poor Frank, he’s never going to get over it, is he?!
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Not a good loser, but I don’t think he is vicious either. They need more games. Two out of three, maybe.
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Thanks for reading, oneta, I think I’ll have to try and work a sequel into a future photo prompt for this one. I agree, hes not vicious, just the odd one out in the family who didn’t quite click with the others. There’s a lot more to him than 100 words can tell. More challenges, 2 out of 3…that’s a great idea!
😉
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I’m guessing he’s a bit competitive. Nice take on the prompt.
I’m like that when I play cards with hubby.
If he wins I want to play again, and again until I win. LOL
Isadora 😎
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Thanks for reading, Isadora. Yes he’s a competitive fellow, wants to finish on top of his game. I think maybe he was feeling cocky when they started to play, not realising Rose’s smarts.
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i sense an ongoing lifetime of rematches between these two, just when the other least expects it 🙂
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Thanks for reading, leedeamali, yes I think so too, these two might be often butting heads, and one will spring a duel with no prior notice!
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Dear Fleur,
That loss wounded his fragile male ego, I’d say. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you so much, Rochelle 🙂
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Such good scene setting, with lots of sensory cues.
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Thank you, msjadeli, I really appreciate your thoughts 🙂
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You’re very welcome.
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I wonder what his intention was and whether her response brought him to see the silliness in his grudge. This could go really well or really not!
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That’s true, he’s not the favourite in the family so it could go either way. Thanks for reading, granonine 🙂
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So Frank is a sore loser. Great scenic build up.
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Yes, I don’t think he’ll settle for a truce somehow. Thanks so much, James.
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Thank you James 😊
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