Friday Fictioneers — Troll

Frost on a stump. Sandra Crook.

The girl stepped out from behind a beech tree, her hair a crest of gold. ‘Over that bridge lies forever-winter.’ Icy breath twirled out of her mouth, although she stood in the sunshine. She pointed towards a frosted glade full of broken stalks, clumped grass, and bedraggled seed-heads, all glazed with frost.

‘It’s in the shade, that’s all,’ I said.

‘I dare you to touch that stump in the middle.’

I crossed the stream and crunched over the white, sure I was heading towards the gnarled remains of an ancient alder tree, until it winked, yawned, and swallowed me whole.

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Friday Fictioneers: 100 words stories
Photo Prompt: image (c) Sandra Crook

Author: Sarah Potter Writes

Sarah is a British eccentric who writes offbeat fiction, haiku and tanka poetry. When stuck for words, she sketches or paints instead. She's into nature conservation, sustainability, gardening, dogs, natural health, and reading. Her sociability is something that happens in short bursts with long breathing spaces in between.

28 thoughts on “Friday Fictioneers — Troll”

    1. Thank you, so much, Dale:-)
      Images are superb triggers for stories. This used to get me into trouble at school, as I’d see a picture in a textbook and then sit there scribbling a fictional story in class, instead of concentrating on the actual lesson.
      Why don’t you have a go with Friday Fictioneers one week? You remember I said the same thing about you writing a haiku? And look how splendid you’ve proved to be with that. So why not write a 100-word story from a picture prompt? It’s great fun. If you want to find out how you can join in, click on the link beneath my story.

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  7. And I thought that old stump was quite friendly…at first! Yikes o_O Love your imagination and flash fiction Sarah…a disturbing story and I love it 😀 Have a wonderful Mothering Sunday…I’ve got my boys home this weekend so will be absent from blogging, but will catch up very soon 🙂 xxxxx

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      1. No nightmares…yet, haha 😀 Ahhh…thanks so much dear Sarah, had a wonderful day indeed and hope you did too, and yes, will catch up and reply to your lovely email as soon as I can! Meanwhile, wishing you a productive, fulfilling and steady week ahead 🙂 xxxxxx

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  8. I loved this story – such an original take on it. Too bad she got swallowed but apparently he must have burped her out because she is alive to tell the story. 🙂 Or maybe she’s a ghost telling the story.

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    1. Dear Rochelle,
      Your comment about being careful who you follow, brings to mind the story of the pied piper. I remember as a child thinking how very silly those children were following him. Easy to say that when you know the outcome in a book, but not so easy to override curiosity in real life!
      All best wishes 🙂
      Sarah

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