So appears Rochell Wisoff’s photo prompt for this week’s _ almost last week’s, it’s Sunday after all – Friday Fictioneers 100 word story challenge. Since Bumbastories is actively engaged (risen from the couch) in the “As I Sat On The Bus” International Invitational Mass Transportation Story Compendium and very pleased with how it’s coming along and invites everyone to visit, he feels he has to give this week’s prompt a try. After all, it’s a bus. Here goes:
The old bus passed with a heavy whiff of heat. Malcolm slowly rose and headed into the brush. Perhaps he could find some shade in there.
He walked into the hot, dry scrub. Soon he peered down into a large and deep valley. Before long he heard the sound of water. Malcolm quickened his pace. Though he had been exhausted and faint on the road, he now raced and jumped down the steep winding path. The stream was running. Malcolm ran straight into the chilly water. He bathed and drank his fill.
At that point three maidens appeared.
An Occasional Story or Magazine 
lol! That ending is excellent ! You’re sure he was drinking plain water? lol
groetjes, Francina
Thanks. The bus ride is inspiring.
Well, you get the prize this week for leaving your reader hanging ….
Do you have the co-ordinates for the spot. I can take the bus there. Nice story!
Thanks. I’m still looking for it myself, but when I get there I’ll forward coordinates and bus routes.
Maidenly cliffhanger – great stuff.
Thanks
Those are the “Sirens of the Lake”. They will sing sweetly to him … just like they did in “Oh, Brother!”
I can almost hear them.
By the way, the inspiration for both me and the Coen Bros. is the Odysseus story.
Dear Stephen,
Cool water and three maidens! This could be heaven or this could be hell. Vivid, full of sight and sound.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks. I’m afraid I didn’t link to the Fictioneers site correctly. My computer is having trouble currently.
And then things get interesting. 🙂 Hopefully he’ll make it out alive.
Fingers crossed for Malcolm.
Wow! Three maidens – Hallucinations? – What demons will they morph into, what angels to carry him forth – the story stalls for us to pen the flow?
Sure, you can continue. But leave one of the maidens in the water for me.
You can have all three – drown in love 🙂