PHOTO PROMPT © Amanda Forestwood
Eighteen to the top of the ancient steps. When Luna aligns with carved openings in hilltop’s stones, we, in our flowing cotton garments, climb them. We depend on Mother Haggis’ rolls of the bones to determine our order and duties.
I’ve been chosen as drummer and take position at the end of our procession. It begins.
My drum stops when everyone and everything is in place. Silver spotlights through the circles upon the flat central slab of obsidian, where the ritual unfolds.
My drumbeats resume. Mother Haggis intones words as we “ohm.”
Marina’s raised blade descends, neatly bisecting the watermelon.
[100 words]
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the blue sky host of Friday Fictioneers.
Tao Talk 
brilliant Lisa! Loved it! :-)
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lol! Were you surprised by the twist?
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Yes, very surprised 💜💜
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<3
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Obsidian slabs are always a bit problematic. I’m glad it was just a watermelon
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Thanks, Neil. I don’t know my stones very well but it sounded like a cool thing to make a slab out of.
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Some Native Americans made arrowheads out of obsidian. Very tough, very sharp material. I also remember in the fuzzy edges of my mind that surgeons used to use obsidian blades before sharper instruments were manufactured.
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Good info to know, Alicia, thank you. Seems like a good stone to have around and a slab of it would be a real treasure.
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That kind of info comes with being an archaeologist.
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Oh, wow, didn’t realize you were an archeologist. What a fascinating field of study.
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As a friend of mine said about me, “You are a real Renaissance woman.” I’ve been an archaeologist, made crowns in a dental lab, worked as a bookkeeper for said dental office, and taught aerobics. Now I’m one of three people in charge of our local community garden. Guess I’ll never settle.
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Wonderful amalgamation of skills to have. I think your friend’s moniker is just right for you.
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Well done. I like the last line. What a twist.
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:) Thank you.
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Dear Lisa,
I gasped at the end. Great misdirect. Well done!
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, happy to know I “gotcha” :)
Thank you.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Thank goodness it was just a watermelon, I feared the worst for a second! Well done.
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Thank you, Iain :)
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A delicious ending, thank goodness. (K)
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I enjoyed writing this one, especially the ending.
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Oh, it was a watermelon 🍉🤪
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:)
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😍
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You threw a curve at the end…I liked it.
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Thanks, Max!
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I enjoyed the steps toward the ritual, and held my breath as the raised blade descends. Nice turn of events at the end.
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James, thanks. I was surprised at the end also :)
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Looks like you surprised us all! Nice one, Lisa!
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Thanks, Keith. I admit, I did draw readers in with dark bait.
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The cult of Gallagher? I guess there are worse cults. They could have chosen Carrot Top.
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lmao so funny, Nobbin.
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I was expecting so much worse…
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:)
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I love the misdirect. Found myself ready for a totally different ritual! Are there special entry requirements to belong? Coz, I’ll have me a slice, please, if I can!
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A love of watermelon is the only requirement for The Cult of Gallagher (thanks again, Nobbin!)
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Sweet! Yes, I saw Nobbin’s comment ;-)
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::::pushing one large slice through pixels to you::::: Enjoy!
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Yaya!! 🍉💞
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Phew!!! than goodness just a melon 🍉cracking Lisa🙌
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A watermelon feast sounds fantastic. Lovely surprise at the end.
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Thanks for reading :)
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You’re very welcome.
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Great ending! Not what I was expecting, but what a relief!
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Thanks much :)
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Hi Lisa, The watermelon was a good twist. I was wondering what the blade would come down on. Phew! That was a relief.
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Thank you for reading and your comment, Smitha.
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Sounds like a nice picnic. Although it looks a bit damp, so cotton may not be the best fabric to wear.
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lol. The thing about cotton is that it wets quickly but it also dries quickly.
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Hahaha great twist! I love the slow build in this, thinking it’s darker than it turned out. Fun.
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Thanks, Laurie :)
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Haha. Loved the twist at the end! Get that watermelon, Marina.
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:) Glad you enjoyed the story.
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