Author: Chris Hall

Novelist, story writer, writer of just about anything for anyone!

Oh, the Olympic Games

Chris Hall58 Comments

Edin on Unsplash

previously

The red-head woman had been still smirking as she got into the taxi, she had rather a lot of euro coins as earlier she’d won at table-football with several people in the lounge in the Hotel St Germain, and she’d pocketed it them in her big bag, meanwhile the helpful concierge had been dialling one of the taxi ranks from the lobby.

The taxi pulled out and it seemed very busy, she craned up looking around – and then it had dawned on her: she’d completely forgot about the Olympic Games in Paris, and it was already happening, it was so interesting and massive, and right here too (she’d been distracted for several weeks), but now she was very excited.

The taxi had drawn up, almost right at the door, as the red-head woman opened her big bag and digged deep into her compartment, unearthing her money and got rid of most of her coins; she gave him saying – ‘keep the change’ – while he grumbled and then smiled.

The red-head woman heaved up her bag and hurried up to the top of her tiny flat, she deposited her bag, then opened the little balcony; she saw the two gargoyles who were hovering over her, ‘can we come in?’ – she nodded.

‘We’ve been busy for the past two weeks, as we have a temporary job, helping the climbers in the Olympic sport,’ they started, and stopped…

‘Gosh, sorry, got to go, we’re going to watch the final of women’s beach volleyball (ooh)!’

next episode

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Di of Pensitivity 101 – Thursday’s Three Things Challenge: DIG, UNEARTH, INTER

Denise Farley of GirlieOnTheEdge
Sunday’s Six Sentence Story Word Prompt: DIAL

One of the Gargoyles😂

Enigma: Take Two

Chris Hall52 Comments

she’s gold or bronze, but never silver
she’s a lion or a cheetah, not a pussy
she will never get old
her beauty will never fade
she’s always flourishing
her hair hangs down her face
creeping down over her eyebrows
forehead glistening with grace
she’s gold or bronze, and never silver
and she’s mine, always.

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Image credit: Engin Akyurt @ Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows the face of a woman, partly covered by her hair. Her visible face is covered in a glittery substance, her eyes are closed and there’s an enigmatic expression on her face.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #248 photo prompt.

What do you see # 248 – 5th August, 2024

At the lobby

Chris Hall59 Comments

© Ayr/Gray

previous

The red-head woman had her great big bag again, as she trudged around as usual; she had been walking around the streets of Paris, while her head was swirling still; where had she been? – she paused: she just saw a rather nice café, and the menu outside looked tempting; she sat down while deciding what to pick, and then she ordered.

On the other side of the street, she craned her head, looking at the rather magnificent and old hotel, and next door was a book shop, and she would have to go in.

After eating and paying, the red-head woman felt fortified, as she entered the book shop where there were so many books, from the floor to the ceiling; it was rather dark and dusty, but it smelled interesting.

The man appeared: ‘I will help you, I know exactly what you need – please sit down – I will track them down, very soon,’ and a moment later, the man had taken three books from the shelves, ‘I think that you want these, they are very old, and useful.’

‘I will also help you over to the Hotel Moderne, (now it’s known as Hotel St Germain, by the way), you’ll find out something else later there – trust me; but meanwhile go past the lobby and go into the lounge.’

And so the red-head woman had a great time, playing table-football and listening to the jukebox, while a young man mixed a cocktail for her – what could be nicer?

next episode

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Posted for The Unicorn Challenge, a magical challenge hosted by Jenne Gray and C E Ayr, where they provide a photo and we, in turn, provide up to 250 words.

Di of Pensitivity 101 – Thursday’s Three Things Challenge: PICK, MIX, TAKEN

Denise Farley of GirlieOnTheEdge
Sunday’s Six Sentence Story Word Prompt: SWIRL

Dear Lake

Chris Hall60 Comments

Dear Michigan, Lake Michigan
look out to see
(although, it is a lake)

it is huge and deep
wide and broad
and beautiful.

The man stares out
as the sun goes down
it disappears completely

but the waves and clouds
are still there
and then the moon appears.

She bathes in the moonlight
and the man stands up
as they dance together

and then, tomorrow
she’s gone, and he sits again;
Dear Michigan, come back… please.

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Image credit: Tom Barrett of artwork; sculpture by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a sculpture of a man, made by welding alphabets together. The sculpture is located at Atwater Park, overlooking the lake. In the distance, you can see the sun setting over the water and a cloudy sky.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #247 photo prompt.

What do you see # 247- 29 July, 2024

And now…

Chris Hall59 Comments

 Rosalie Gdy on Unsplash

previously

It was a busy night with the various vampires who were drinking and singing, rushing around, jumping over the tables and running up and down on the stairs; although not all of then.

Joan had brought her husband, Francis, he had long, thick and jet black hair, a very dapper gentleman; next to him was Joan’s best friend, Scatty, she had bright red and spiky hair – just like the red-head woman – she grinned happily, offering a little cache of magic around the three of them.

The old vampire had only appeared just now, he had opened his kitchen so that nothing was hidden in the stores, although almost everything had been eaten already; he had thrown open the huge French doors and welcomed everyone – ‘do you love my outfit – so modern, don’t you think?’ – ‘which century was it’ – said one of them, as he giggled.

‘This is the 20th century: platform shoes, very wide trousers and a lovely shirt and lots of medallions (they’re real, by the way),’ as the old vampire started to dance.

Everyone joined in, as the party became even more raucous; a couple of the vampires started to eat just-dead rats and that was too much for the red-head – she swooned.

She woke up at noon, someone must’ve put her to bed, she looked out, everyone had gone, only her car remained; she ran down and out, looking up at the window, was it a statue? but no, it was the old vampire, and he waved.

next episode

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Di of Pensitivity 101 – Thursday’s Three Things Challenge: STORE, CACHE, HIDE

Denise Farley of GirlieOnTheEdge
Sunday’s Six Sentence Story Word Prompt: PLATFORM

White Wolf

Chris Hall49 Comments

in the distance
light plays in the forest
huge trees stand tall
both close and far

the winter forest yearns
filled with mist and mystery
and then the wolf appears
she’s completely white

she turns around quickly
and she seems skittish
and then a moment later
she vanishes

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Image credit: Marek Szturc @ Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a white wolf standing in a foggy forest, with white light illuminating it from behind.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #246 photo prompt.

What do you see # 246- July 22, 2024

Now that was weird

Chris Hall57 Comments

© Ayr/Gray

I had a little problem, back a couple of years. At the time, my right eye could hardly see at all.

I would miss things, especially on the floor. One time I opened the dishy-wishy (that was what I called it then – the dishwasher). I turned around and back again, and I forgot what I was doing. But then I tripped and fell over the open dishy-wishy (oops) – but fortunately I wasn’t hurt.

However, if I was out in the sunshine, I could see the bright light and the beautiful sun. I could see the reflection on the pavement, but I couldn’t see anyone on my right side. I would walk on the pavement and around the beach, there were shadows on the ground but not next to me. But hey-ho… It was fine as I always love the light, the sun and the sea.

But I couldn’t understand how it worked. Why does the reflection move me?
How odd. How very odd. But does it matter?
Thank goodness it’s better now and I can see properly again.

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Posted for The Unicorn Challenge, a magical challenge hosted by Jenne Gray and C E Ayr, where they provide a photo and we, in turn, provide up to 250 words.

The Unicorn Challenge-19/07/24

The Chateau

Chris Hall40 Comments

unsplash.com/@tama66

previously

The red-head woman was sleeping blissfully; Joan had just woken up, she looked down at her friend and smiled – she almost opened her two little fangs, but she’d thought better of it and she stood up quickly, then she bicycled back to the chateau.

Later, the red-head woman woke up – what a long sleep she had, she stretched her arms and sat up on the grass, but where was Joan? – she jumped on to her bike and hurried back to the chateau too.

Meanwhile, Joan had been talking to the old man, as together they had been poring over those antique deeds, as the two gargoyles had sent it than using a courier; the old man grinned ‘look, we’re getting there,’ as he glanced up, ‘who’s it?’ as the red-head dismounted.

He shuffled around the library and then he walked down the steps and opened the door of the chateau – ‘come in, my dear,’ – he bowed and said – ‘you know, I’m a real live wire, apart from my demise, of course,’ as he laughed out loud, ‘and everyone knows that I’ve a very dry sense of humour, even for a vampire!’

‘We’ll have food and wine… and dancing, don’t you think?’- as he held up his hands taking Joan and the red-head woman, ‘what’s your name, by the way?’

‘I just need to set up the lights and music; and there’ll be some other people – indeed I think I can hear them on their motorbikes – it’ll be quite a party!’

next episode

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Denise Farley of GirlieOnTheEdge
Sunday’s Six Sentence Story Word Prompt: WIRE

Island in the Lake

Chris Hall53 Comments


She steps onto the jetty
its planks still moist with dew.
She tugs the mooring rope softly
and she draws the boat towards her.
She drops lightly into the boat
casts off, and slips away into the morning.
Her tiny island awaits:
just blissful.

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Image credit: Unsplash+ in collaboration with Serene arches
(Sadje has purchased the membership of Unsplash+ so any image is permitted for this)

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a beautiful wooden rocking chair, placed on a small carpet. The setting is unusual as it is sat upon a three-tiered stone circle, beside a swamp / marsh.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #245 photo prompt.

What do you see # 245- 15th July, 2024

Enjoy the race!

Chris Hall51 Comments

ORLÉANS AND CYCLING – see here

previously

The next day, the red-head woman and Joan of Arc (also known as the Maid of Orleans), had agreed to go to see part of the Tour de France – and it was even better since there was a rest day before the next race.

The red-head woman had been driving (she’d borrowed a car for a couple of days) and Joan had been looking at the scenery, it was only 2 hours from Paris, down to Orleans, as they were chatting happily all the way.

Soon they drove into a grand chateau, just outside the town, and Joan beamed at it: ‘I have been there before – centuries ago – and you know what,’ said Joan, ‘we’ll stay there, since I know a very old friend who lives there.’

They left their things in the car for the moment and walked around the beautiful town, Joan kept out of the sun, meanwhile, the red-head woman bought two ice cream cones as they walked over to the bridge; ‘you know what, we could go on a little adventure,’ they looked at each other, ‘let’s find a couple of bicycles,’ as they giggled.

They rode around the chateau, and passed the tall trees, cycling happily, then they raced for a little way, then they stopped and got off, putting their bicycles down.

They laid down on the soft grass where it was shady and sweet, where the scent of lavender was blissful; but will both of them be able to get up again?

next episode

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Denise Farley of GirlieOnTheEdge
Sunday’s Six Sentence Story Word Prompt: CONE