Second Campaigner Challenge
Traci Kenworth
I have decided to take Rache Harrie’s challenge and do a 200 word flash fiction piece with it based on the following prompt picture:
Smoke and Bones
The Iaeleter glanced at the bones, a gruesome twist to her lips. “Cremated,” she told my partner, Deid and I. Her gaze met mine. “Alive.”
I glanced around the cave, its mournful cry leftover from the wind pouring through its opening, caused goosebumps to rise along my flesh.
“You’re sure this happened during the Starburst?” Deid asked her.
She nodded. “The remains tell the tale.”
We kept our backs low until we were free of what had become someone’s tomb.
“What do you think?” I flicked a piece of cobweb from my shoulder.
“I think we’ve got a Aspaileta on our hands.”
“An alien species?”
“It fits the profiles of our vics. They must like their meat really crispy.”
Deid grimaced. He thumbed back the way we’d come. “Think she’s in on it? She did locate the last five bodies.”
“She’s just attuned to their pain. I hear someone like her suffers along with the target.”
“Still makes you wonder,” he said.
“You’re just by nature suspicious.”
“Can’t argue with you there.”
I flipped open my notepad, “how you want to handle this? A visit to the President?”
“The press. They sometimes do our homework for us.”
Traci Ashbe Dark Fantasy Author 
48 responses to “Smoke and Bones”
Interesting. Would definitely want to see more…. ;) Nice job!
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Thanks, Vanessa.
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Great job! I love the dialogue of it. Reminded me a bit of the X-Files. *grins*
Cherie Reich – Author
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Thanks, Cherie!!
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Wow, that’s a challenge in 200 words. Nicely done though.
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Yeah, I know. I wanted to go on and on…lol.
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Oh, this was cool! Really liked it. I could see you extending this into a longer piece!
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Thanks, Rebekah. I definitely didn’t want to stop at 200 so maybe…
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Wow. This is a really cool piece. Good job!
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Thanks, Linda!!
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Whoa! seems like you’ve created a whole story off of this prompt… very nicely done. I can tell you’re extremely creative. Like!
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Thanks, Morgan!!
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Ohhh…cremated alive. I got goosebumps myself. Yikes! (#30)
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Thanks for stopping by, Liza!!
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Ooh – great idea to go to the press! I like your creativity – well done.
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Thanks, Daniel!!
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This seems like a fantastic start to a novel. Really gets you wanting more. Great job!
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Thanks, Lauren!!
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I really enjoyed this. Such matter of fact discussions amongst such weird events :-)
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Thanks, Sarah!!
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I thought of Mulder and Scully too. ;)
I like the crispy comment, and I LOVE the last line. So true. lol
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Thanks, Jenn!!
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Intriguing! This could definitely be the start of something fantastic! More please! :)
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Thank you!!
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Dang. This is great:) Not sure if you write in this genre or not, but you totally rock it! I would definitely read on–way to bring us in the world and create intensity in so few words. “liked” :D
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Thanks, Morgan!! I normally write in the horror genre but sometimes I wonder between the edges…
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I really, really like it. I’m like everybody else.. this could easily turn into something bigger. Very well done. +1 like from here as well. :)
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Thanks, Kevin!!
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Really interesting. That was my favorite of the prompts, and you did a great job focusing on it.
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My favorite too, Laurie. Thanks!!
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Really enjoyed this! Good pacing, dialogue, and delivery of info. I saw a lot and enjoyed the first lines especially. Starburst was what I chose as well. Love that image.
Good luck & Happy Campaigning!
Jenn (challenge entry #84)
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Unfortunately, I am going to sound like everyone else – An interesting story! You used the prompts well and the piece could very much lead to a larger story! Great work!
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Thanks, C.M. I am happy just that everyone seems to like it!! It makes my day!!
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love the last line! great story!
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Thanks, Tara!!
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Ooh, a detective story! Love that crispy meat line :-)
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Thanks, Deniz!!
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Couldn’t find your blog all the time…finally, I found it!!!
My, that was amazing(both blog and story!)!!! Just left me wanting for more!!! When’s the sequel…? (Pardon me if I’m rushing you; it’s that good!)
And thanks for the encouragements on my blog…
Oh, and, “Like”! ;)
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Thanks, RaeAnn!! I’m glad you found my blog!! As for the sequel, I’ll have to work it in here somewhere. Thanks so much!!
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You do a great job of fusing a darker subject with a little bit of humor. I love what you’ve done here – its very original in that you’ve created an entire world in the space of 200 words. No easy feat, my friend. :-)
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Thanks, C.B. They were very fun to write!!
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It seems larger than the 200 words. You’re definitely masterful at creating a spooky atmosphere in just a few words and the dialogue made them feel like well-established characters. Great job!
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Thanks, Nick!! That’s music to my ears!!
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“They must like their meat really crispy.” Oh my, and I guess it tastes like chicken to them …
I liked the voice of your characters.
(I’m #82.)
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Thank you, Nicole!!
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[…] Read More: tracikenworth.wordpress.com/2012/03/07/smoke-and-bones/ […]…
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I liked your flash fiction piece. It made me want to know more about the characters and the story line. You did a great job. Are you entering my 100 word flash fiction contest with the prompt obsession. Once again you did a great job.
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Thanks, Shirley!! I will check out you flash fiction contest, sounds like fun!!
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