FF – Part of the Artwork
Here is my story for Friday Fictioneers, hosted by Rochelle. This week’s photo was contributed by J.S. Brand.
Copyright J.S. Brand
Frank finished his latest carving. He loved his work, moulding a still-living tree, ripping through the bark, rending… Packing up, he froze. What was that? Whispers, all around, disembodied… murderer… mutilator… defiler… die…
The sun already high in the sky, Mirabelle went to look for her father. He loved carving, though he’d never stayed out all night and she was starting to worry.
“Dad? Dad?” she called. Nothing, no sign at his camp. Strange. Even his carving wasn’t his usual work, a twisted, agonised face carved among his usual designs. And yet, that face looked strangely familiar…
Mirabelle screamed.
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Friday Fictioneers
draliman on life 
Talk about being consumed by your art. I’m sticking to making quilts — and you may find me wrapped up in one at any time. 😉
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Quilts sound much safer and snugger 🙂
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The trees strike back. Chilling.
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We’re so focused on the “rise of the machines” we’re missing something closer to home…
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Revenge of the trees! Eek!
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Quite right too! Poor trees.
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Yikes! I wasn’t expecting that! Nicely done.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Neither was Frank! I’m glad you liked it.
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A case of his bite being worse than his bark?
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Groan 🙂 Only this time the bark was worse than his bite!
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it looks like he picked the wrong tree and died because of it. he could have been more careful, but it’s too late now.
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To be fair to him, it’s not something he could have foreseen 🙂
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I carved my initials on a tree once – now you’ve got me worried!
Click to read my FriFic tale!
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When you hear the whispers… time to run!
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Vengeance is mine, said the tree. Let that be a lesson…
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About time they fought back 🙂
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Oh boy! Does this mean we’ll finally get to see chainsaw carving on humans now? This should be fun…
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Chainsaws. Wielded by squirrels. Coming to a forest near you.
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Chainsaw carving should only be done on trees that died naturally.
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For sure.
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Excellent horror story, Ali. I wasn’t sure what to make of these artistic carvings myself, so I really enjoyed your interpretation. Keep on keepin’ on!
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It just looked really creepy to me. I’m glad you liked it!
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Yikes! A chilling one, Ali.
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A little late for Halloween but I got there in the end 🙂
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Oh, you went on the creepy side and did it very well.
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Thanks, it was all the twisty carvings that did it, I saw my story straight away 🙂
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Consumed by art – such dedication. I found this both mystical and a bit scary – although on reflection, full of humour.
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The story with everything!
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I feel bad for his daughter. Nicely done scary tale and a good reminder that nature has a way of fighting back. =)
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Yes, poor girl 😦 Nature will always win out.
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Tree has taken Frank. He has defiled its trunk.
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He has paid the price.
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Creepily good:-)
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Thanks!
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Dear Ali,
The moral to the tale is don’t mess with Mother Nature’s artwork or you’ll find yourself barking up the wrong tree. Very well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Very true, I’m glad you liked it!
Ali
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And that is why, one must chose one’s medium wisely…
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Yes, preferably something either long dead or never alive.
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I like your interpretation of the carved piece.
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Thanks! Everybody saw something different.
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I saw a chaotic soul in the carving.
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What a tense and spooky story – so well told. Love the way it starts off so calm and normal, then turns into a clever revenge twist at the end. Good writing Ali.
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Thanks! I got the idea straight away but it took a bit of fiddling to fit it all in 🙂
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A proper horror story. And I’m impressed that you managed to pack quite a bit of tension into so few words. Nicely done.
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Thanks, it’s always a struggle to keep within the 100 words.
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Perfect ending for a horror story–she screamed. Indeed.
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Thanks, I’m glad you liked it!
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Wow, what a blood curdling story!
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Some post-Halloween horror!
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Its bark wasn’t as lethal as its bite. Creepy and intriguing. I really like what you saw.
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The whole thing looks twisted and evil to me 🙂
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Like old man willow, hell hath no fury like a tree that’s been carved.
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Something Frank sadly didn’t consider.
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I gotta say…”you made me look”. (lol)
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He’s there somewhere!
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Haha, the revenge of the tree. Nicely worked.
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Thanks! About time they got some payback.
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Chilling!
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What a way to go!
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