About the challenge: Each Tuesday I will provide a photo prompt. Your mission, if you choose to accept the challenge, is to tell a story in 280 characters or less. When you write your tale, be sure to let me know in the comments with a link to your tale. This is important as I have noticed that some of the ping backs have not been working. If you would prefer to post your tale in the comments (some people have very specific blog themes but still want to participate), I am happy to post a link to your site when I post your tale in the Round Up.

A final note: if you need help tracking the number of characters in your story, there is a nifty online tool that will count for you at charactercountonline.com.

I will do a roundup each Tuesday, along with providing a new prompt. And if for some reason I missed your entry in the Roundup, as I have occasionally done, please let me know. I want to be sure to include your tale.

Finally, have fun!

Twittering Tales #141 -The Roundup

Starting us off..
The Dare
“Oh my god Ned! When I dared you to stick your head between the railings, I didn’t think you were stupid enough to actually do it! This picture is soooo going on Instagram!”
“When you’re done humiliating me, a little help maybe? I’m really stuck. Joe…come on…JOE?!!!!
~kat   (271 Characters)

By Reena at ReInventions:
Trap
“I’ve done this so often in childhood. There used to be some pretty interesting sights on the other side. I managed to find cash once.”
“Well, you’re not the same size anymore.”
“Please help.”
“I’m calling the police first. I dropped my wallet there. Curiosity kills the cat.”

By Tien at From the Window Seat:
127 Hours
“Hey kid, you’d your fun, now get your head out of the railings,” the security guard called out. “You’re scaring the tourists.”
He walked toward the boy. The crowd screamed when he pulled the boy out.
The headless body was trapped there like an executed criminal in a guillotine.
(277 characters)

By Kristian at Tales From the Mind of Kristian:
The Scent of Love
The breeze that wafted onto the balcony brought with it the scent of orange blossoms.
Jamie loved that smell, it reminded him of his Mother. Nothing could equal the comforting aroma.
Jamie put his head through the balustrade to breathe it in.
He’d never accept she’d gone.
[273 characters]

By Fandango at This, That, and the Other:
Where There’s a Will
His parents forbade him from going. Still, he always felt that where there’s a will, there’s a way.
He climbed the steps to the bridge that ran above the park. He stuck his head between the ornate concrete spindles. And he got a bird’s eye view of the city’s annual Pride Parade.
(279 characters)

By Enzo at Travel, Good Food, Arts and More:
View to the pool
David’s curiosity and lust were unstoppable, as it is the case for most teenagers who have received a repressive education. He could not refrain his attraction for what was going on around the swimming-pool below the terrace. The sensuality of these tanned bodies was untenable!
(278 characters)

By Jannat at Trust Yourself:
“Oh, hello I can see you spying on me. You better not do that. That’s really childish of you.” said Joey, a participant for a marathon, to his opponent who was observing his race routes and finishing time from the stadium’s terrace by sticking his head between the railings.
(274 characters)

By Teresa at The Haunted Wordsmith:
Do These Taste Funny?
Paul knew there was something off about the appetizers no matter what Lacie said. The only thing that kept his spirits up between heaves was knowing that she ate three times as many as he did.
192-character

By Kitty at Kitty’s Verses:
Dilemma
I thought this would be exciting, but where did I land myself in, wondered he aloud zooming in on his binoculars on the celebrity couple.He had to collect juicy tales for the gossip magazine he worked in by the end of the day, else face the wrath of the editor.
261 characters

By Willow at WillowDot21:
Timeslip.
This time travel lark is
just fine most of the
time but sometimes!
Take today I was
relaxing in a pub
with a quiet pint
minding my business.
Suddenly the edges
start to blur the
tingle starts, bang.
Here I am five years
old needing to pee
and my head’s stuck
in the blastrade.
(279 Characters)

By Larry at East Elmhurst A Go Go:
Think Twice
Linus had been told to be careful around Alice, and not to drink her tea. Now he found that he was imprisoned in a courtyard, with giant chess pieces preventing him, night and day, from escaping. ‘I mean, she’s lovely and all,’ he admitted, ‘But is she really worth the trouble?’
280 Characters

By Tina at Tina Stewart Brakebill:
TWBB* Strikes Again
Ben was patient. He could wait.
No couples or guys. Girls or little kids or moms were best. He could outrun them.
His back ached but he’d wait. For the perfect target.
SPLAT!
Shock. Fear. Relief. Then anger or laughter.
Run or bow? That space of unknown. That moment. Perfection.
280 characters
*The Water Balloon Bandit

By Di at Pensitivity101:
Stella took this picture and captioned it
‘Pawn to King Seven’.
Richard was not amused.
85 characters

By Tessa at Tessa Can Do It!:
Where’s Joey?
“Where’s Joey, Linda?”
“Ron he was next door at Larry’s. We have to get this stuff out of here.”
“Dad, help,” Joey was yelling.
“What now? We need to get out of here before the fire marshall comes by again.”
“Dad, my head is stuck.”
“We might need that fire marshall to help us out.”
278 characters

By John at The Magic Shop:
Sal’s Head
Liz thought she would give Sal another ten minutes. He had already been gone for an hour. She knew he was cheating. What better trap than letting him overhear her talk of women tanning nude under the marble bridge. Liz knew he would get his fat head stuck between the stone glancing a peek.
(299 characters)

By Ron at Read4Fun:
What Movie Did I See?
It’s disgraceful! I know we got this mansion cheaper than the going price for most in the area, but no one told me our neighbors converted their property to a Drive-In Movie. At least I don’t have to avoid admission price in the trunk of my cousin’s car like when I was fourteen.
279 characters

By Lisa at Tao Talk:
Peeping Tom
Tom was a curious boy – until he saw what he shouldn’t.
Ma told him to mind his own business, but he couldn’t resist the sounds on the other side of the fence. Just a tiny peep was all he needed.
It was the last thing he ever saw.
But every night he sees them in his dreams.
[278 characters]

By Sadje at Keep It Alive:
He always wanted to peek over the bannisters to see what was down below. What he didn’t know was that he had vertigo. He managed to pass his head through the broken plaster pillars but now fear held him captive there. It took some doing to rescue him!
Character count: 251

By Radhika at Radhika’s Reflection:
The Strategy!
With Sam’s head stuck between the pillars, the entire city thronged there to witness a grueling four hour effort, before he was finally rescued.
Smiling, the next day, he collected a cool 500 $ from his friend, winning the bet, to get his picture published in the newspapers!
LC : 279

By Deb at Twenty Four:
They exchange a pointed glance aware that synchronicity was the key. Too soon they would give the plot away, to late and he’d escape.
They waited a moment and then they ran towards him, wings flapping, necks outstretched, beaks ready to strike.
Taking the revenge of the quakers.
(278 characters)

By Peter at Peter’s Pondering:
The fortune teller told Simon that he would become a pillar of society, and his name would be emblazoned in all the newspapers. He would be famous.
Only when he saw all the photographers, with cameras poised, did he realise it was going to happen much sooner than anyone thought!
(278 characters)

By JP at JP the Wide-Eyed Wanderer:
Futility
People scurry about
short meaningless lives
in search of diversions
but finding none
never stopping to notice
the sullen sound of a rainstorm
or the flower reaching for life
from a crack in the sidewalk
they see only the futility
I see a boy with his head
stuck in a railing
and I smile
character count 276

By The Dark Netizen:
I Spy
Spying is fun.
My new neighbour is so cute. I wonder what she’s looking for on her terrace. I think I’ll fit in here, need to have a closer look. Yum. Her husband is one lucky man. Wait, isn’t that him? Why’s he tied? What! Did she just knife him?
Shit! I’m stuck and she’s seen me.
Character Count: 280

By Kelley at AuthorAnonBlog:
Evidence
“Oh shit.” Mark disappeared below the railing.
“What?” Emmy strained to see beyond the trees.
“No, it’s Mrs. Smith!” Mark leaned between the columns. “She has her tongue down the pool boys throat again.”
Emmy handed the camera up to him. “We’re here to get evidence after all.”
48 words – 276 characters

By Margo at That Little Voice:
He could be watching the Yankees battle the Dodgers through a loose board at the stadium. Or has he lifted the tent flap to spy on performing elephants when the circus came to town
The memories of youth led him to yet another hopeful peek through a hole in the wall.
(266 characters)

By Regina at Help From Heaven:
Being height-challenged, John struggled to see the clowns walking in the parade below. So he stuck his head through the balustrade spindles, to get a better look! How beautiful was all of the colors and the smiles of the clowns! He was so happy that he had not miss them.
(272 characters)

By Hayley at The Story Files:
Over the Wall
He heard music and laughter coming from the other side of the wall. Curiously, he stuck is head through the balustrades and saw his newly divorced wife having a party with her friends. She looked happier then she had been in years.

By Lorraine at Lorraine’s Frilly Freudian Slip:
Binksy*
binsky*, an American street artist, has a way with the satirical. Their latest installation, s-t-( * )-u-c-k, captures the present state of American politics and culture.
Posted on instragram, with cryptic clues as to it’s location, binksy sends all on a merry art chase through DC!
(278)
* nod, nod, wink, wink to street artist Banksy and the Banksy effect (Hop over to Lorraine’s blog to read more!)

Excellent roundup everyone! Thank you for taking on the challenge! For this week, a photo by sasint at Pixabay.com. It’s a familiar hospital scene, but the possibilities are endless. Write about the doctor (is he thinking about something else?) Or perhaps the patient is having an out of body experience. What about that. Whatever the story keep it under 280 characters. I’ll see you at the roundup!

Twittering Tales #143 – 25 June 2019

Photo by sasint at pixabay.com

Normal

“Dr. Gerard, you can finish up here.”

“Yes sir. Tell me, why would such a beautiful woman want to change how she looks?”

“She wanted to look “normal”. Told me not a day goes by that she is not ogled at or propositioned.”

“That’s sad. Well I hope she gets what she was hoping for.”

~kat

277 Characters

About the challenge: Each Tuesday I will provide a photo prompt. Your mission, if you choose to accept the challenge, is to tell a story in 280 characters or less. When you write your tale, be sure to let me know in the comments with a link to your tale. This is important as I have noticed that some of the ping backs have not been working. If you would prefer to post your tale in the comments (some people have very specific blog themes but still want to participate), I am happy to post a link to your site when I post your tale in the Round Up.

A final note: if you need help tracking the number of characters in your story, there is a nifty online tool that will count for you at charactercountonline.com.

I will do a roundup each Tuesday, along with providing a new prompt. And if for some reason I missed your entry in the Roundup, as I have occasionally done, please let me know. I want to be sure to include your tale.

Finally, have fun!

Twittering Tales #135 -The Roundup

Photo by jplenio at Pixabay.com

Starting us off…
A Little Rain…
“They’re calling it the storm of the century. I’m telling you, we need to get to the shelter…now!”
“You go on. Ain’t nothin’ but a thunder storm. People go crazy over a little rain!”
“Come over here. Look. You call that a thunder storm?”
“Holy crap! Where’s that shelter again?!”
~kat
278 Characters

By Lorraine at Lorraine’s Frilly Freudian Slip:
Armageddon?
The dark cloud perches atop the CN tower like a carrion bird. Ready to pick at the steel bones of the city below.
The child smiles at his creation.
“Albus Severus! Put down daddy’s wand and back away slowly.”
Armagrudge[match]on! Who knew the Potters were 76ers fans?*
(266)

By Lisa at Tao Talk:
Symbiosis
D7, one of the living cloud-like chocolate donut “charging stations” for the sky cities orbiting above Io’s surface, wasn’t busy today. Nucleo glowed as D7 pumped neutrinos into it. When the powerhouse gauge said full, 100 humans were fed to the tractor beam as payment.

By Kate at Everywhere and Nowhere:
Storms Ahead
The black clouds formed suddenly, she was trying to get her emotions under control knowing her magic was a little unpredictable when she was upset or angry. She would love the cheating rat to be struck down by lightning but didn’t want the whole city destroyed in the process.
Characters: 276

By Martin at Martin Cororan: (Be sure to hop over to Martin’s page to see what he did with the photo…it was brilliant!)
You say ‘Tomato,’ I say ‘Extinction Event’
Nagrath surfaced for the first time in a billion years. The last occasion he’d felt this peckish there’d been an abundance of brontosauruses, but now it was all concrete and ants.
‘This’ll never fill me up,’ he sighed, but having polished off the marine life he’d have to make the best of it.

By Fandango at This, That, and the Other:
The Invasion
“I have never seen anything like it,” Ann said. “It’s covering the whole city. It looks like Armageddon.”
“It’s a whopper of a storm, but it will pass,” Jim said, trying to reassure his wife.
Then they heard the booming voice coming from inside the cloud. “People of Earth….”
(275 characters)

By Di at Pensitivity101:
The sky darkened and what had thought to be clouds joined forces to amass into a huge invader ready to devour the city.
119 characters.

By The Dark Netizen:
The Storm
Red alert has been sounded.
All the citizens have retreated into shelters. It is a pointless endeavour. I stand at the top of the tower, looking straight at the approaching storm. Storm of the century they call it. What fools! This is just the first one.
The first of my storms…..
Character Count: 280

By Neel at Neel Writes:
A pall of gloom hung heavy like an albatross above the sky leaving ordinary denizens fearful and wondering what celestial wrath had befallen uon their land.
Finally, the village occult pronounced, ” It’s the start of the end of human life. The Aliens are taking over.”
(279 characters)

By Larry at East Elmhurst A.Go.Go:
Sometimes Reasoning Doesn’t Matter
Mildred,” Herb told his wife, “Our preacher friend says the Rapture is coming. My New Age sister says aliens are attacking. What should we do?”
“Here’s what let’s do, Super Genius,” she said. “It’s just a hunch but I think we should leave without bothering with a poll.”
274 characters

By Tina at Tina Stewart Brakebill:
The End: Metaphor or Simile?
Metaphor? Simile? Musing as she stared. The future is a swirling suck hole. The future is like a swirling suck hole. Same diff. Either way we’re doomed.
Metaphorically tipping her hat to end-times, she cranked Bikini Kill.
Drowning out the lie. “Fear not we come in peace.”
279 characters

By Tessa at Tessa Can Do It!:
It was supposed to be the worst storm ever, but John could see deep within the storm cloud a huge space ship. He tried to show everyone, but no one would listen to him. He was positive the aliens were there to take over and had taken the chance to hide in the huge storm cloud.
277 character

By Kristian at Tales from the Mind of Kristian:
Clearly a Job For…
As he glided across his rooftop pool supported by a noodle, Suddenly the sky turned black across Gotham City.
He admired several of his enemy’s traits. Lex was tenacious, forthright and had the Imagination to think of something to cause havoc. Now He’d met his match in Superman.
[279 Characters]

By John at The Magic Shop:
Ashes
Security at the “Miniland” attraction were warned about today’s threat. They were to be on lookout for Robert Sym to carry out his previously denied request. Unfortunately, a rookie guard slacked off and Mr. Sym ran in dumping the ashes of his late Dad all over the park’s scale model of Seattle.
(300 characters)

By Anurag at Jagahdilmein:
Let the Storm Come!
Dark clouds gathered ominously over the city, threatening to unleash their full fury at a moment’s notice.
But this time around, there were no panicked preparations to weather the storm.
There was no need.
There was no one left to panic, the nuclear war had taken care of that.
277 characters.

By Milly at Truly Milly:
It Will Flood
We can see black clouds towering over the city. The weatherman said he hasn’t seen anything like it. It might rain for days. Preachers on the streets proclaim, “The rain will flood the earth! Ask God for forgiveness!”
I knelt down inside my home, begging for forgiveness.
(273 Characters)

By Hayley at The Story Files:
Under Smoky Skies
From the first day of the aliens arrival the skies across the world had been darkened by clouds of smoke. Wars raged but in the end the invades won and mankind fall to death and slavery. The sky started dark forever more.

By Willow at WillowDot21:
Inhuman Nature.
The cloud had hung over the city for a month. The riots and looting had started week one. By week three all civil law had broken down. Today the city was locked down, total quarantine. It was plain to anyone with half a brain that it was people causing the problem not the cloud.
(280 Characters)

By Namitha at The Dame Writes:
Two Minds
“The sky looks so beautiful. I have never seen these colours before!”
Raima whispered as she was trying to close the window.
“Oh no! It’s going to be a gloomy day today. All my plans are distorted. I hate this weather”
Raima thought as she looked at her reflection in the window.
279 characters

By Sadje at Keep It Alive:
The Darkness Comes
It took us all by surprise, the day suddenly turned dark and even with lights on, one couldn’t see much. People peeked through the windows or ventured outside and were amazed at the sight they saw. The darkness slowly engulfed the whole of city, turning the amazement to terror.
Character count: 275

By Peter at Peter’s Pondering:
Carbon capture was great. The city could create pollution without fear of the consequences.  We kept on pumping the carbon emissions into the caves and fissures deep below our feet, and everything was fine.
Until, one day, the frackers breached the caves.
Not so great now is it!
(279 characters)

By Ron at Read4Fun:
Just Checking in on My Creation
Earlier, you crucified me. I promised to return; I’m back. Did you think I would come back as a bearded white tour guide to the heavens? I am all genders, all races, all of you, all. I created a perfect playground; you children try to destroy it. I am not amused. Play better.
276 characters.

By Rob at Art by Rob Goldstein:
A Midnight Storm
These dark reflections.
Storm clouds gather on a
midnight tear through
San Francisco.
He wants the storm to last
forever; he wants to be
hidden and faceless: dead
without dying.

By Tien at From the Window Seat:
Allied Destruction
When the Dark Elves came for Men from Deep Within, they were confounded; Gaia had unleashed a cataclysm which Men’s toys failed to anticipate. They stood in awe as she wrecked her artistic destruction.
Men were scrambling for fictitious safety, like ants in rampaging rapids.
(274 characters)

Great Roundup Everyone! Thanks for joining the challenge last week. Pingbacks are still acting up, so if you decide to give this week’s photo prompt a tweet, be sure to put your link in the comments. Without further ado, this week’s photo come to us from NRD at Unsplash.com. There could be a number of stories here. You could write a ghostly tale like I did…true story…back in the day when my kiddos were little we lived in Navy housing and were visited on several occasions by a poltergeist. It did things like hide our keys, turn the lights on downstairs after we had all gone to bed upstairs, opened the frig in the middle of the night, and the creepiest thing was when it took a spin on one of my kids tricycles in the living room. That thing went round and round in circles all by itself! Then there were the shadows looming over us while we slept…but I digress. Your tale doesn’t need to be about a haunting. It could be about an insomniac, or a sleepwalker, or naughty kids who raided the frig for a midnight snack. Or a late night talk with a pal with snacks of course! Whatever you decide, do have fun with it! I’ll see you at the roundup!

Twittering Tales #136 – 14 May 2019

Photo by NRD at Unsplash