PHOTO PROMPT © Liz Young
Spider felt weary in his marrow. The gravity of depression was unsettling. His hunting clockwork, accustomed to clicking along as it explored angles to exploit, had unwound, stopping here, in the featurelessness of beige.
Why had Poppy vanished? Yes, he would have ground her heart to dust in time, but still, not even a good-bye?
For an apex predator, allowing any feeling in was a death knell to success. He punched himself in the face, then headed to the martini bar.
The old girl was nursing a cosmopolitan when he sidled up to her.
“Get you a drink?” he purred.
[100 words]
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the fun-loving host of Friday Fictioneers.
Tao Talk 
Interesting story Li.
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Thanks, Sadje!
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You’re most welcome
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Think she better say no. Well done!
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Thank you, Athling.
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Step away, girlfriend! Most interesting take, Lisa.
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Glad you find the story interesting, Dale, thanks!
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I do!
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May I buy you a drink? Said the spider to the fly.
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Exactly!
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A good ole drink of death.
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lol beige, grey, black can all bring on the blues … give me vibrant colours any day! Love this quirky but deep story :)
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Kate, pleased that you enjoyed the story, thank you :)
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Creepy. I was leaning forward as I read. Well done.
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Thanks much, T!
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I hope “the old girl” has developed the wisdom to walk away from a predator!
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After a couple of cosmos I’m not sure even I would!
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An intriguing tale indeed, I like where the prompt took you!
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Thanks, Keith!
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What a brilliant story. Predators get old and blah too.
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Gabi, thank you!
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Dear Lisa,
He sounds like a creepy troll. Hope this lady walks away before it’s too late. Interesting and unique take. Good thinking outside the prompt box. ;)
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, thank you so much for the kind words on the story. I truly was at a loss at what to write on the image, but the muse came through for me.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Will she take the bait? Inquiring minds want to know.
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Russell, my guess is it depends on how many cosmos she drinks… Thanks for reading and your comment :)
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Let’s hope she kicks him into touch 😃
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Haha!
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He’s a little scary…
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Yes, he is, and I think Poppy was wise to skeedaddle.
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She’d be well advised to refuse!
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Liz, I think you’re right. Thanks for reading :)
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prey alert, it looks like there’s still plenty left in his game. :)
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Heck yes. Somebody that smooth is bound to be bad news.
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I love how you took this so far from the prompt and came up with a proper skin-crawl character to use for your POV. I suspect the old girl doesn’t stand a chance.
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Thanks so much for reading and your comment, Jen.
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Oh, the web he weaves … nice one!
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Thank you, Brit!
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