Let’s have a bit of fun shall we? It’s time for the Fictioneer’s to do their wonderful little dances with words again. The prompt, as always, comes from Madison Woods.
You know the drill. Comments, criticism, and half drunken rants are gladly accepted. Plus, as an added bonus. For this one time only, I’ll also be accepting fully drunken rants. Don’t miss out on this limited time offer!
Photo by Lura Helms
The Fairy House
“Mommy, look!”
“At what ,dear?”
“The fairy house!” Gabby pointed at the skull embedded in the crook of the tree, her smile so big her tiny face could barely contain it.
“That’s lovely, honey.” The woman was too focused on her phone to care about fairies.
“Mommy! A fairy! Hi, Miss Fairy!”
“Hello, little fairy.” Still, she didn’t look up.
“Hey, you’re not a fairy!” Gabby screamed and ran away.
Her mother barely noticed. “Don’t go too far!”
A guttural laugh in the tree drew her attention. Finally, she lifted her gaze. A large, toothy grin stared back at her.
—
Join the rest of the Fictioneers by clicking the image below:
I had this all scheduled and ready to go, but then a new idea struck me so I thought I’d include it here as well. Feel free to skip over this second drabble if you so choose, otherwise, consider it a bonus.
The Eye of Glenwood
There is a tree which can be found on no map, a tree of great power. Legend proclaims it the spawn of the Glenwood witches. It was cast out, to forever roam amongst its brethren after the eldest sister was stricken down by the abomination’s visions.
Should you happen upon it, t’would be wise to avert your eyes. Do not look upon the skull embedded in its crook. An eye lolls there, awaiting the gaze of any foolish enough to look upon it.
Lore insists that this eye can see any man’s fate, and what it sees is never good.
Adam Ickes 
August 17th, 2012 at 12:31 AM
the curse of cell phone induced unconsciousness — liked it
August 19th, 2012 at 8:16 AM
Don’t know about you, but I’m about sick of cell phones.
August 17th, 2012 at 6:14 AM
Both are great, but the first one is so topical.
Here’s mine: http://unexpectedpaths.com/friday-fictioneers/thus-endeth-the-lesson/
August 19th, 2012 at 8:16 AM
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed them.
August 17th, 2012 at 6:17 AM
Enjoyed them both, preferred the first. Satisfyingly horrific.
August 19th, 2012 at 8:18 AM
Thanks, Sandra. Glad you got your horror fix.
August 17th, 2012 at 7:17 AM
I think it’s amazing the way this prompt inspired two totally different stories from you. I enjoyed them both. Here’s mine: http://postcardfiction.com/2012/08/17/discovered/
August 19th, 2012 at 8:19 AM
Very different indeed. Thanks for reading, Janet.
August 17th, 2012 at 7:29 AM
Get off the damn phone, Mommy! Both stories are stellar. I expect no less from you, Adam. I loved your intro as well. Dances with Words. Very clever.
here’s mine: http://www.rochelle-wisoff.blogspot.com/2012/08/casualty-of-war.html
August 19th, 2012 at 8:20 AM
I hate when I see people on cell phones ignoring their kids.
August 17th, 2012 at 7:45 AM
Technology is the curse of modern times. Enjoyed both
August 19th, 2012 at 8:21 AM
Indeed it is, but it can also be used for good by the right people.
August 17th, 2012 at 10:47 AM
I do believe in fairies! And other things that lurk in trees… Darkly delightful. A fairy castle that looks like a dried up old skull. I don’t know if that was your intent, but I like it. And I agree with you. Time for Mommy to pay less attention to her phone and more to real life. Hmmm… Maybe I should get off my iPad.
August 19th, 2012 at 8:22 AM
What better place for fairies to hide than in a place no one would expect?
August 17th, 2012 at 10:56 AM
Good contrast of the distractions provided by the mother’s cell phone and the child’s imagination.
August 19th, 2012 at 8:23 AM
Thanks.
August 17th, 2012 at 11:10 AM
I think both are grat in their own rights. Well done. Mine is here and linked: http://readinpleasure.wordpress.com/2012/08/17/fridayfictioneers-the-withered-flower/
August 19th, 2012 at 8:24 AM
Glad you enjoyed them both. Thanks for reading.
August 17th, 2012 at 1:07 PM
Part time parenting thanks to technology. That’ll teach her! I enjoyed both pieces – very different points of veiw.
August 19th, 2012 at 8:25 AM
There’s always been part time parenting. Technology just makes it easier than ever before.
August 17th, 2012 at 1:10 PM
Not all fairies are good, that’s for sure, and the distraction of the phone (or laptop/computer/TV) all too real!! A fairy tale for today. Who knows what the not-fairy could be? Good job.
August 19th, 2012 at 8:25 AM
I’m not sure what the not-fairy is, but I know it has big, sharp teeth and it’s hungry.
August 19th, 2012 at 8:36 AM
And children are so tender and tasty…but a mom will do if there’s no one else around. 🙂
August 17th, 2012 at 1:12 PM
P.S. I enjoyed the second one, too.
August 17th, 2012 at 1:18 PM
I like them both. But – I have to choose one – I think it would be the 2nd one. It sounds like a real story that has been passed along for centuries…
August 19th, 2012 at 8:26 AM
That’s one tree I’d want nothing to do with.
August 17th, 2012 at 2:04 PM
Great stuff in both stories, and such differing styles too. Enjoyed them both and finding it hard to choose one over the other, though the very last part ‘what it sees is never good’ caused a shiver down the spine!
Mine is here http://anneorchardwriter.wordpress.com/2012/08/17/tree-hugger-friday-fictioneers/
August 19th, 2012 at 8:28 AM
Thanks, Anne. Glad you enjoyed them.
August 17th, 2012 at 3:21 PM
I loved both stories, but the fairy story seemed more “complete” and was character-driven, so I agree with your choice to put it first. As always, very interesting and well-written.
August 19th, 2012 at 8:41 AM
Yeah, character driven stories are often better, but I still like the idea behind the second. If I ever make the second into something longer I imagine it’ll be character driven, just hard to do something like that in 100 words.
August 17th, 2012 at 3:57 PM
Oh what scary peices. The First one is the best though. I love the Parenting Fail. Not that she deserves what’s in front of her. I just love how distracted she is. I mean I really love the first one. Have a great weekend.
August 19th, 2012 at 8:44 AM
Glad you enjoyed it, Atiya. Just a little observation on modern times. Too much of this going on if you ask me.
August 19th, 2012 at 10:42 AM
I really liked the first one. It’s Sunday afternoon here, so I’m not fully drunk, but I think there might be some space / comma issues in the second line, but other than that no criticism to make – great story.
I’m a little late, but here: It was sweet, but good. I wonder if the third word should be ‘inside’ rather than ‘insider’?
I’m a bit late, but here: http://worksbyclaire.wordpress.com/2012/08/19/short-story-recipe/
August 20th, 2012 at 11:53 AM
I prefer the first story. Mom preoccupied on the phone. We’ve all been there, mom’s AND dads! Always listen to that daughter of yours. And always believe! That’s my aged wisdom!
August 20th, 2012 at 2:15 PM
My adult children are obsessed with their phone, and I’m afraid the same (or worse) will happen to their children. I thought both stories were good, but the 1st one was the better of the two.