Written for the Friday Fictioneers. A story, about a dramatic change in life but familiar things still remain, begins after the photo.
Genre: Speculative Fiction
Photo by: Adam Ickes
House Guardian
Val found the stuffed ram’s head while helping unpack. “Oh Karen! Let’s throw this out.”
“That’s Craig’s,” sighed Karen. “He said it was the House Guardian.” She hung it in the entryway.
“Sweetie, it’s been three years. Time to move on.”
“I know. I still want a memento of him.”
“Hey, I’m pooped. Let’s run out for a frappuccino.”
Later, the women returned to Karen’s new house. Just inside the door, they found a man laying on the floor, unconscious, lockpicks still in his hand. Above him, the ram had a balaclava in it’s mouth.
Karen winked at it. “Thanks Craig.”
________________________________________
Each week, wads of willing writers wax poetic in this weekly writing challenge called Friday Fictioneers. 100 words from a photo prompt, stimulate sundry stories of special skills and surreptitious sallying. Look here for more stories from the photo prompt above: http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2014/07/16/18-july-2014/
EagleAye
Momus News 
I did a “haunted house” bit too, although in mine, the ghost owns the house. Yours was spooky, mine is silly.
LikeLike
Hey, silly is cool. I like that. Thanks for stopping in! 🙂
LikeLike
Bah! That was a wild ride! I’m always a fan of inanimate objects coming to life, and this is so much better than Toy Story! 😀 Really clever humor here. I’m sure Karen’s never getting rid of that thing!
LikeLike
Me too. I just love stories like that. Karen is definitely keeping it forever. It’s already proven its value. Glad you enjoyed it. I really appreciate hearing your thoughts! 🙂
LikeLike
Well, there’s one thief who will think twice about breaking into someones house again. Nice one Eric. I always look forward to seeing a Momus News notification in my mailbox 😀
LikeLike
Oh yes, and I’m sure he’ll be wondering what the heck happened for many years while doing time in the state pen. Thanks so much, Lyn. Likewise, I always smile when I see a notification from you. Thanks for being here. 🙂
LikeLike
Very nice. I was wondering what you will come up with. Superb as usual.
LikeLike
Thanks so much, Indira. Your comments always make the sun come out over here. 🙂
LikeLike
And I thought I can not express how much I enjoy your writing.
LikeLike
😀
LikeLike
What a great security system–I want one!
LikeLike
And decorative too! I’ll have to ask Karen, but I don’t think she’ll give it up. 😉 Thanks for stopping by, Jan!
LikeLike
Word Nazi says “lying” on the floor, but cute little story. 😆
LikeLike
Ach! Good catch. I’m glad you enjoyed it anyway. Thanks much for the visit!
LikeLike
Dear Eric,
Gone but not forgotten. 😉 Nice twist at the end. Or should I say twisted humor? Good job.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Hehe. Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for the visit Rochelle! 🙂
LikeLike
Fantastic security system. Good one.
LikeLike
Yep, it works very well. Thanks so much, Sandra! 🙂
LikeLike
Oh, this is great!
LikeLike
Thank you kindly! 🙂
LikeLike
And much more attractive than a Gargoyle! 😉 Great job!
LikeLike
I sure think so so. Thank you very much! 🙂
LikeLike
OOOHHH!!! That’s funny. Well done!
LikeLike
Thank you kindly. 😉
LikeLike
I think that it’s a keeper.
LikeLike
Most definitely! It will have an honored place. Thanks for stopping in!
LikeLike
Great story though I must admit that I read the word as “baklava” at the end, rather than “balaclava”, and wondered why the man was feeding the goat baklava. Then when I realized the word was “balaclava” I had had no idea what that was, except maybe a musical instrument, so I scrambled to my dictionary, and suddenly the ending took on a new face (pun intended). Thanks, Randy
LikeLike
Haha! This is one of the funnier comments I’ve read in a long time. Truth be told, when I see balaclava, I think baklava too, because…it’s tasty and good. Puns are highly prized here at Momus News. Keep ’em coming! Thanks so much for stopping by. 🙂
LikeLike
Hmmm…I might get one of those! Can never have enough security measures. Great story!
LikeLike
So true. I don’t know if they’re filling up on the shelves in Walmart, yet. Glad you enjoyed the story. Thanks for stopping to visit!
LikeLike
Dear EagleAye, Good story – and who would of ‘thunk’ that a ram would be better than a thief catcher! Good job! Nan 🙂
LikeLike
Haha! Thanks, Nan! Those thieves should be very careful. The ram will lower his head and give them a piece of his mind. 😉 Thanks so much for the lovely comments. 🙂
LikeLike
EagleAye, I’d like to hear the ladies explaining to the police about what happened. Funny and well written. 🙂 —Susan
LikeLike
Hmmm, that would be interesting. “No officer, I I have no idea why the man’s balaclava looks chewed by a goat. I realize the imprint on his skull looks like that ram’s horn, but honestly, we were getting coffee. What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
Thanks so much Susan. I’m glad you got a laugh. 🙂
LikeLike
I really enjoyed this. That ending is perfect. You turned the creepy rams head into a hero.
LikeLike
Hehe. Yeah, even creepy ram heads can do good things, especially when inhabited by the ghost of a protective husband. Glad you liked it, and thanks for stopping by!
LikeLike
I wonder what would have happened if she’d brought a new lover home? That would make a great story, Eric. See what you can do with that. 🙂
LikeLike
I know! That would really complicate things. He might cease to be guardian. Who knows. Thanks much for your thoughts!
LikeLike
I like this cross-genre story. It’s a love story brought to an unexpected ending (death). It’s a ghost story. Well done in only 100 words.
LikeLike
Thank you! Yep, it’s a ghost story with a bright future for Karen. She’ll never be alone. Thanks for being a careful reader! Thanks for the read! 🙂
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike