Friday 31 August 2012

Sixty Eighth Friday Flash: Dragon Breath

Fire Breath (image source)



“Today we're reporting on another dragon fire outbreak. A hot summer coupled with dragon migration has resulted in record numbers of forest and house fires. Randy, is there anything that can be done about it?”

The dragonologist shrugged. His red and black uniform looking too warm for the heat of the day. “Dragons are Alsatian sized lizard type creatures that fly south for the winter. They're not used to the early onset of the season. Being prone to be bad tempered it's making them more likely to vent their anger by breathing fire.”

“What do you think of calls to declare open season on them?”

“Don't get my started on them. Besides being protected by the law dragons are majestic creatures and should be respected.”

“Any advice for our followers?”

“Yes, keep your distance and if you like you can download the dragon spotter app and report all sightings.”

“I hear it's quite popular.”

“Oh, it is. The more dragons you spot the higher you climb up the scoreboard.” Just then a flight of dragons went flying overhead. Roaring and flaming as they went by. “And one more thing. Make sure all small animals and children are indoors at all times during the migration season.”

“Very wise precaution indeed. We don't want a repeat of the Morning Rise creche snatchings of last year.”

“Oh, not at all. Not at all.”






Thursday 23 August 2012

Sixty Seventh Friday Flash: Phantom Footballer

Joshua Harmony (2005)

“I can't believe it, Barry Burma will be playing with us tonight.”

“Nah, it's not really him, it's a gimmick. A ghost.”

“Not just any ghost, a revived and holofied ghost. Hell, my shoulder is still smarting from yesterday's training session.”

“He's good, but it's kind of cheating isn't it? To have an all time great on our side?”

“Are you kidding me? The Rockets have Steve Stoner on their side. He can take on a freight train and win.”

“It's a good thing they only allow one holo player per team.”

“Exactly, my friend, so let's get out there and kick some ass. Maybe one day we will come back and get all the holofied babes.”

*If you like this ghost story you might like these others too: Ghost BusFight for your Right and The Other Side

Friday 17 August 2012

Sixty Sixth Friday Flash: Fire Awakening

Part 1Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 and Part 5
Image Source



“I can't believe it, so you bribed the receptionist?”

“If you call chocolates and flowers bribery... then yes.”

“Oh, I thought you had your eye on me?” said Phoebe with a raised eyebrow.

“The kind lady behind the desk is old enough to be my mother and you know it.”

“Maybe so, but love can spring up anywhere.”

“Granted,” said Tony with a smile. “Been having a bit of trouble getting back into your stride again?”

Phoebe brought her hot coffee cup to her chest to warm herself up, “Yes, not easy, plus I think the coma has broken me.”

Tony frowned. “How so?”

“Weird dreams and things happening when I blackout.”

“That's why I wanted to see you, I've been thinking about the whole thing, with the doctor and nurses, all burnt to death, plus how I saw you when we first met, with that fire costume. Somehow it's all connected.”

“You seem so confident?”

“Maybe I'm crazy,” said Tony looking away.

“No, I think I'm the one who is crazy.”

“Not at all,” said Tony, moving forward as if to comfort her.

“So, what are you going to do now? Turn me in?”

“Far from it, besides, what evidence is there to connect you with any of it?”

“I'm still questioning if all of this is real.”

“Maybe we can learn how to control it.”

“We?”

Tony laughed. “Do you think you will be able convince someone else to help you?”

“Don't need help.” Phoebe crossed her arms.

“Didn't seem like that a little while back, that was no simple nightmare.”

“Possibly, but what can be done?”

“Meditation.”

“Oh, super. A convenient store clerk is going to teach me how to channel my Chi.”

“Hey, I have doctorate in philosophy.”

“Alright, alright, then what?”

“Then maybe you can control the power, use it for good.”

“How do you know I'm not the next super villain in waiting?”

“I checked up on that doctor and nurses, not the best people.”

Phoebe smiled, “Such enthusiasm.”

“Ah, such a beautiful smile.”

“Buster,” she said staring him down. “Let's focus, ready to get started?”

“Always.”

oOo

“That's it, that's it, I can see you.”

“How clearly?” asked River Fire.

“Clear enough, your costume is so tight fitting,” said Tony forward and looking her up and down.

River Fire vanished again. “Thanks, a lot!” said Phoebe from his side. Looking up from her crossed leg situation.

“Still very good progress, and can't believe it, you can actually manifest an ethereal being outside yourself.”

“We should work on the fire next, I want to be able to control it more and not rely on my emotions.”

“Maybe tomorrow, you've been working hard this week, I've never met much an avid student.”

“I don't know, that coma guy is regaining his power, I saw him yesterday, I think he's planning another attack.”

“Only in your dreams, he can't manifest himself like you can.”

“Still very scary though.”

“If he does just remember the escape tricks I taught you.”

“I will, once we're ready, what happens next?”

“We go bring some justice to the world.”

“Oh, goodie, can't wait,” said Phoebe sighing and collapsing onto her pillow.  

Tuesday 7 August 2012

Old Red Tricycle



Found this in the storeroom. Old red tricycle. Has a hosepipe as a front tyre.

Friday 3 August 2012

Sixty Fifth Friday Flash: Fire Fountain

Part 1Part 2 Part 3 and Part 4


Phoebe was at home. It had been a week since her last blackout. She had pretty much become a shut-in. Ordering takeaway. Or just ignoring food altogether during her low points. How could she be trusted to be a nurse again if she was prone to blackouts during stressful situations?

She had ignored three calls and seventeen messages. She liked Tony, but she didn't feel like herself or having company anytime soon. It was most probably a good thing that he didn't know her address.

She had just eaten her last potato chip and the next episode of her favourite was about to start when she nodded off to sleep with a tear in her eye. She felt so disgusted with herself, sleep was her only solace, maybe she would have a good dream for a change.

Ding dong. Phoebe rolled over. Ding dong.

“Alright!” Phoebe snatched the door open. “Just get lost, okay!”

A man barely out of his teens stood there before. “Hello, you don't remember me do you?”

“Should I?”

“You saved my life. You're nurse Phoebe right?”

“Not anymore.”

“You can still help.”

“I doubt it.”

“Your friends sent me to try talk sense into you.”

“I have friends?”

“You do, more than you know.”

Phoebe paused for a moment and looked at the boy, there was something oddly familiar about him, and that sense of hope in his eyes. Maybe he could help her. “Tea?”

The young man smiled. “I would love to.”

He followed her to the kitchen. She put the kettle on and turned away to get some cups, when she turned back he was holding a knife. She dropped them, they shattered. “What is this?”

“You see,” he said turning deathly pale and his very body shriveling before her. “You didn't save me, in that hospital you miscalculated my medication and put me into a coma.”

“How... how are you here?”

“Look,” he said pointing at her reflective chrome kettle.

She caught her breath. She was dressed in her River Fire costume.
“I've been watching you, I saw you burn that doctor and fry those nurses. So much rage and anger. You taught me to not just carry on sulking and make something of my situation.”

“Good for you.”

“It is,” he said. His smile ghastly. “First I will get revenge on the person who killed me.” She advanced at him with the knife.

River Fire snatched up the boiling kettle and threw it at him. It bounced harmlessly off his head, spilling all over the floor. “What...?”

“You're not the only one with powers.”

She tried to bring her fire powers to bare, but nothing came out.

“Haha, just as I thought, your subconscious knows you did wrong on me. No one to save here.”

“Don't do this. People come out of comas.”

“Not me, I don't want to leave this, abandon this power.” He charged at her with the knife.

A flashback with the gang on the street and Tony flashed into her mind. She froze in terror. A sharp pain erupted in her chest.

“Haha I've got you... hey, no! Why are you fading? I'm not done with you yet.”

oOo

“Ah, there you are!”

“Tony... we need to stop meeting like this,” she said, wiping the drool, from her chin, wait it wasn't drool, her whole face and front was wet. “You threw water on me?”

“You were shouting, and screaming, and I couldn't get you to wake. I had to do something.”

She felt her chest, it was very painful, but looking down there didn't seem to be any blood. “I don't understand.”

“What happened?”

“I don't know, but I don't think I will be able to sleep again.” The young man's eerie haunted face popped into her mind when she closed her eyes. “Coffee?”

“Please. And I guess you're wondering how I found you?”

“Oh, yes.”