Optical Illusion
I love what you’ve done with the place! It was so empty and wanting when you first found it. It’s too bad you and Stephen didn’t last as a couple. He would have loved this. Funny, how he disappeared.
Tell me, wasn’t this room larger? That wall seems so much closer, now.
In Writespiration #117 52 Weeks in 52 Words Week 21, Sacha Black offers a photo (above) and asks that we tell a story of why the room is empty – in exactly 52 words. My response is a sequel, of sorts, to the response by Jane Dougherty.
Funny and yet horrifying at the same time. The name “Stephen” of course makes almost any contemporary reader think of the contemporariously famous horror writer — but only using the first name steps it back from the precipice of cliche, and yet, cliche is good here, especially if it is understated and stepped back. Furthermore, “I love what you’ve done” is another cliche, but again, it works here because it is a trope for horror, yet tongue-in-cheek horror… too bad it couldn’t have lasted HAHAAHAHAHAH what ever happened to baby Stephen eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
me I would have made something about my ankles being chopped off by the rotating fighting blade in the middle of that room
but that would have been my cliche and nowhere as sweet as I love what you’ve done with this
and yes, you probably get my message by now, that I love what you’ve done with this, Kenworthy hahahahahh cackle cackle snort.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I see what you did there, Daniel!
“my ankles being chopped off by the rotating fighting blade in the middle of that room
but that would have been my cliche and nowhere as sweet as I love what you’ve done with this
and yes, you probably get my message by now, that I love what you’ve done with this” (52)
LikeLike
Your take on this is adorable… It reminds me of my friend’s little brother coming home from Hebrew school one day back in the ’70s, and telling us all about the story of “Adam and Steve” from Genesis. I was like 8 years old at the time, and I already had a keen appreciation for the 6 year-old’s version of antiquity!
LikeLiked by 1 person
With Adam and Steve breaking down the wall.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well done, Ken–perfect sequel, too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Merril!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ew. So that’s where Stephen went.
LikeLiked by 1 person
lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love it, Ken! I wouldn’t have been able to write a sequel, but this has just the right amount of suggestion that something horrible happened.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 Thanks, Jane 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think I would have disappeared too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No telltale heart? 😉
LikeLike
Nope
LikeLiked by 1 person
Actually renovating old houses must come somewhere to the top of the list of causes of marriage breakdown.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This gave me a lot to think about in a good scary way. Loved it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks.
Doing some remodeling, are you?
LikeLike
We’re on our 3rd house that we brought back from the dead ( no allusion intended, but it happened, didn’t it) and this room reminded me of some in our last house, adding another layer of horror to your writing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah. Very ‘Cask of Amontillado’. One of my faves. Nice one!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the call and response…a perfect fit. (K)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. It’s my first time responding to this prompt. Even if I had seen it, i don’t think I’d have responded if I hadn’t seen Jane’s little story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
awesome entry, love that you followed on from Jane’s too. Thanks so much for joining in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike