PHOTO PROMPT © Björn Rudberg
The cello sat silently in the corner, polished and ready to play. Twinkling lights dripped from the ceiling around the podium.
Edward hurried in, brushing the snow from his heavy navy cashmere coat. He glanced around furtively, confirming he was alone and swiftly poured himself a double Jack Daniels from behind the bar, which he necked and repeated three times. He drew a deep breath and sternly told himself to behave normally.
He wasn’t anxious about the concert. Pre-performance jitters disappeared the moment he picked up his bow.
What troubled him was the carnage he had left in his bedroom.
Word Count: 100
Written for Friday Fictioneers – a 100 words story based on a photo prompt. Hosted by Rochelle. Read the other entries here.
Clare Hempstead 
I hope he has maid service
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Ha ha! He’s going to need industrial cleaning services! Thanks for reading and commenting, Neil. 🙂
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Oh dear, someone is going to have to clean that up! Nice take, made me laugh 🙂
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Thanks very much, Iain. I’m glad you liked it.
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Killer of a last line, in more ways than one. 🙂 Well done.
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Thanks Sandra. 🙂
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Well, who knew cellists are so violent? Great story. 🙂
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Ah, but has he been violent or just gone home and found his house mate’s body?!
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Well, who knew cellists are so violent? Nicely done. 🙂
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Sounds like a whole new story ‘the carnage in his bedroom’. I enjoyed this Clare.
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Thanks Mike – there is certainly more to tell! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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What a great, darkly dramatic last line. What carnage indeed? Sounds like the opening to a crime novel to me. You going to write the rest 🙂 Gret tale
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Thanks Lynne. I just might expand this and see where it goes!
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It has potential – I say go for it 🙂
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Oh oh oh. Sinister and unfeeling! Music makes you sensitive, not insensitive!
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You would think so wouldn’t you? Thanks for reading and commenting.
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It’s the wet job afterwards that take the joy out of killing… 🙂 Thanks for the possibility to laugh at splatter.
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You’re welcome. Glad you liked it.
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I loved that last line, one can take it in so many ways.
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Thanks Mike. I nearly substituted the word ‘carnage’ for ‘scene’ which would have made it more ambiguous, but opted for the drama instead!
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Great build up, perfect pace, killer last line
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Thanks Mick. Sorry for the late response.
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No wonder he needs three shots! Whether he did it or saw it, he would need a-calming!
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Ha, ha. He certainly would. Sorry for the late reply!
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Well, after three double whiskeys I’m sure he thinks his performance is top-notch… 🙂
I wonder if he’s just left his bedroom in a mess or if something more sinister is going on? I’m thinking the latter.
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I’m thinking the latter too!
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Great story and I loved the last line. My cousin is a professional cellist and I’m going to be a lot more circumspect around her in future. She seems so nice! Cellists have been getting up to all sorts in this prompt.
xx Rowena
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It’s always the quiet ones! Thanks for reading and commenting.
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I agree. I’m an extreme extrovert!
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Ooh! I love this. My mind is imagining the worst. Delivers a lovely punch at the end.
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Thank you Louise. Sorry for the delayed response!
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Dear Clare,
Carnage in the bedroom would be cause for concern. 😉 At least he’s at ease in concert. I don’t know whether to laugh or cringe. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle. Really sorry for the late reply!
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Nice contrast with someone sensitive enough to play the cello yet is a brutal killer.
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always like the ones with the “killer” last lines! well done.
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Thank you very much. So sorry for the late reply!
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You’re welcome. And, no worries. 🙂
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Ha! Great twist and yes, love the last line and how it can be taken in a few different ways.
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Thanks Poppy. Sorry, I am late replying!
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No worries x
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That must have been some night he had! Excellent, Clare! 😀
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Thanks very much. Really sorry I haven’t replied sooner!
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No problem. Sorry I haven’t written much in the way of stories recently. 😀
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I’m trying not to imagine what he left behind! Creepy twist, Clare!
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Thank you Dawn. So sorry I haven’t replied before!
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NO worries! 🙂
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O.K. I said, “Oh!” right out loud. What has she done?
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Thanks Alicia. I’m glad it had that effect! Sorry, for the slow response to your comment!
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Yikes!
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Thank you – sorry for delayed response!
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Wow, Clare. That was a real surprise twist. I understand now why he needed the alcohol. He should probably be leaving town instead of playing a concert. Good writing. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thanks Suzanne. He thinks if he carries on as normal, nobody will suspect him! Glad it caught you unawares! 🙂
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