Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers-
Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers is a new weekly fiction writing challenge. The goal is to write a story between 100-150 words (give or take 25 words) based on the provided photo.
FRYING-PAN INTO FIRE
by John Yeo
Image by Dawn M. Miller
We were desperately searching for somewhere to live, Mary was expecting our first child in three months. Our landlord rented our flat furnished, no children allowed. We searched the small ads everywhere and tried many agencies without results, they all wanted a massive payment up front, it looked as if homelessness beckoned.
I noticed a newspaper advert for a bookshop manager with accommodation provided. This is not my normal profession, I trained as a research scientist. I applied for the job where I met the adorable Tom and Barbara, both octogenarians headed for retirement. I was hired on the spot and after the interview Tom and Barbara became fast friends. We moved into a lovely spacious flat with furniture donated and provided by friends.
Then we learned about the gruesome twosome next door, Rock and Roll ravers and rebels who ran a drugs cafe, open 24 hours a day.
(149 Words)
Copyright © Witten by John Yeo~ All rights reserved
This is in response to a challenge hosted by Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. If you would like to participate in this challenge or need more information, please click the following link:
Oh no! It would have been such a perfect situation for him and Mary if not for the neighbors! I enjoyed your story and I hope he and Mary can somehow get rid of their neighbors (like having them put in prison) lol. Thank you for participating and I hope you continue. 🙂
I am sure there will be a happy ending Joy ~ Perhaps a magical conversion and the Gruesome Twosome will become reformed and known as the Gentle Greens ~ 🙂
That would be a happy ending!
Those neighbours can often put a spoiler on it
Sadly life is imperfect ~ Paradise can be lost to serpents ~ Thanks for the comment Cat ~
Things that seem to good to be true – often turn out to good to be true. Still, better than being on the streets with a baby…
That is so true Sonya ~ I dread to think of the possible outcomes of homelessness for new parents ~ Thanks for your response ~
Woah, twist! Both a nasty surprise for the character and the readers!
Thanks penshift ~ Some things are always too good to be true~ 🙂
Hence the title to your story John. It was all looking so good wasn’t it, then again if its that good it can’t all be that good……hopefully they develop a taste for rock and roll and maybe a small recreational drug habit???
I really like how this started out, I knew what the story was about. I think with so few words its hard to hook right away. The flow of the story was really good. And you had a nice range of descriptive words that really gave me a lot to go off of in so little words. I would’ve liked to be eased into the twist at the end a little smoother. Great job!