Once again, a group of writers from different parts of the globe join forces to create one linear adventure. The theme this time? Love.
The photograph above serves as the inspirational theme for the 6th Flash Fiction Chain hosted by Jithin of ProTraBlogger. Give his beautiful site a visit and feast your eyes on the inspirational photos or read about his exciting adventures.
A comprehensive list of important characters in the story:
(Main)
Anna Brighton- a 32 year old CEO that owns and runs a publishing company
Alex Burns – well established author, Anna’s ex, Toby Blackwell’s cousin
Melissa Doyle – the bride, Anna’s dear friend
Toby Blackwell – co-owns the Blackwell estate, Alexis’ cousin
(Supporting characters)
Jenny- Anna’s secretary
Adam – Owner of Adam and Eve’s
Harrison – Melissa’s fiance.
Percy Tuppence – Owner of the ring shop
I am entrusted to write Part 7 of the story… To know what has happened already, check out the previous six parts below…
PART 1 by Sona
PART 2 by Yinglan
PART 3 by Priceless Joy
PART 4 by Frenesthetist
PART 5 by Dr Ko
PART 6 by Sweety
Part 7
Alex stared off into the road. His mind was running at a hundred miles an hour while he chewed the inside of his lip; contorting his face in grimace and frown.
What had he hoped for with Anna? He didn’t feel that way any more, did he? They had been good together once, but breaking up had been for the best. Was it pride? She had cut their relationship short claiming she couldn’t stand not being the thing he loved the most in the world. Unusually for him, he’d had no words in response. He’d felt she was right, even if he didn’t like it. But recently…
He felt a gentle tug on his trousers. Looking down he saw the smiling face of a little girl. It was Sara the flower girl. She had a gap toothed smile, resting peacefully under bright eyes.
“Hello little princess,” he said, squatting down to meet her at eye level. “What’s that you got there?” he asked, gesturing to the cone and flowers in her hand.
“Cupid chose me to carry the flowers.”
“The perfect choice,” Alex said, smiling.
“He left the flowers outside my door. Mum says it’s because I have a loving heart, and that my spirit is pure. I think you have a pure spirit too,” she said.
“Thanks very much Sara, it’s nice to know someone does,” he said, mussing her hair and smiling at her.
Sara blushed and looked down, giggling excitedly.
“Now come on, let’s go and find your mother. I reckon she’ll be missing her princess.”
There was a knock on the window. Anna looked out and saw the helpful and pasty face of Percy Tuppence, the ring maker. He didn’t look like he had been aged but rather, had been pickled. His thinning grey hair was gently being lifted by a slight breeze in the air as his tiny eyes tried to focus behind thick glasses. She wound down her window as Toby straightened up in his chair.
“Hello folks, sorry to interrupt. Miss Doyle called ahead and said I should wait outside with the ring for a red Mercedes,” said Percy softly.
“Thanks,” said Toby sarcastically. Even grumpy he was sexy. Anna felt frustrated she had been so close to getting her kiss, she wanted it more than ever now.
“I appreciate it. Can I have it now,” she asked.
“Oh of course, where is my mind,” he said, reaching a hand into his pocket. “It’s right here,” he said, rummaging around. However, when he retrieved his hand there was no ring. “Oh silly me, I’ve left it inside,” he announced in a croaking voice to the street. “Please bear with me one second while I fetch it,” he said before turning and shuffling back into the shop.
“Is he for real?” asked Toby. Anna found Toby’s subtle anger a little exciting. His attitude, she supposed, was not just from the frustration at the ring maker but also from his desperation to kiss her. It felt nice to be wanted, she hadn’t felt it for so long.
Percy appeared in the doorway with a ring box in his hand and was stepping cautiously on the pavement. As he was about two steps from the car a tramp ran over to him, grabbed the box, and pushed him to the floor.
Toby was out of the car in a flash and straight after the tramp. They disappeared down an alley and out of sight. Anna got out of the car to help the fallen Percy.
As she stepped onto the curb her phone began to ring. She answered instinctively, not giving herself time to see who it was.
“Hello,” she said.
“Hi Anna, it’s Mel. Where are you?”
“Just at the ring shop now.”
“Is everything ok? Is it Toby? Has he stolen your heart?” she said.
“Things are definitely getting stolen here.”
“You sound distracted. Are you two planning on running off with the ring?”
“Not both of us…”
“Are you joking?”
“We didn’t plan it…”
“Anna, are you coming back with the ring?”
“Sorry Mel, I can’t hear you, there’s a tunnel, an… rain… engine”.
She crouched down and helped Percy to his feet.
“How easy would it be to replace that ring?” she asked.
“Not very, it’s one of a kind. I had to get stuff specially shipped in.”
“It’s ok, I’ve got a plan.”
Stay tuned – part 8 coming next from Ruth
Part 9 by Austin
Part 10 by Rashmi
Part 11 by Phaena
Part 12 by Manvi
Part 13 by Sona
Part 14 by Yinglan
Part 15 by Yinglan
Oh wow !!! You got me so glued to the story…enjoyed every bit of it…Alex’s feelings ,the thrilling car ride , the kiss that never happened , Harrison’s mystery girl and the tramp !!! It was as if I was right in the middle of all of it..
I loved the fact that you kept Toby’s character the same way I had portrayed in my part..the charmer…It was exactly what I had on mind when I wrote my part , only more thrilling and adventurous 😀
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Thanks a lot Sweety. I tried to stick to the characters everyone already established and stay true to the storyline. Looks like there’s a lot to come from everyone here. Great story from all involved 🙂
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Oh my!!! You write like a professional novelist. You put the right amount of romance and mystery. I don’t know why, but the lines about the Alex and Anna’s being not programmed for that… alien and electronic , foreign and coded actually made me laugh. Nice words you chose. I’ll have to read the full story now.
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Oh my!!! You write like a professional novelist. You put the right amount of romance and mystery. I don’t know why, but the lines about the Alex’s feelings and Anna not being programmed for that.. Alien and electronic , foreign and coded actually made me laugh. What a choice of words!! I’ll have read the full story. I m hooked.
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Wow that’s high praise, thanks a bunch 😀 just trying to keep the story going and not lower the already high standard of storytelling from everyone 🙂
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And you are doing great. 👍👍
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Thanks 🙂
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Agreed… I like all the cold computer/machine jargon, puts ice right into the relationship. And think how much that really happens, where both members of a couple are trying to foster their careers and lose track of each other…… I think it’s common…..
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Yes… the downside of being high in one’s career.
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Oh good lord! Whew! There were some steamy moments here in there for Anna and Toby! It was just sublime! I must say, what a truly captivating read! Those damn dimples! 😀 You’ve added a great touch to Alex’s perspective at the beginning of the story. It got me giddily giggling all throughout the story. Superb writing Toby! 😀
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Oh Abs you dear, thank you. I hope it fits in with the story so far. I wanted to put ol’ Adam in there but you did such a good job I just couldn’t 😀
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It does connect to the story very well! I absolutely adore Mr. Blackwell’s character. Would love to see more of him and see how Alex is going to own up to his feelings for Anna. Plenty on possible things to happen in the next parts. Must wait and see 😀 Adam could make Anna a wedding dress at the end of the story if someone pops the question 😉
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That would be a nice end 🙂 who knows. Plenty more to come, I think we’re only about half way through. Exciting stuff 😀 sterling effort by the team so far. When’s your next poem up?
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It would certainly be a happy ending but then again, having a wedding is another way of saying that somebody is going to get laid 😛 yes, reading each parts is truly enjoyable. Actually there’s a new one right now. 🙂
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Bravo! I am enjoying the tension between two male characters, neither one a villain!
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I think it’s a lovely challenge to write a romance where there aren’t black and white characters and there are just people, who are complicated and can do dumb things…. and wish they hadn’t.
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Yeah I think those themes are universal and transcend race/culture/nationality. It is more a reflection of the human condition, that need for love and the obstacles that we and the universe create for ourselves
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I know you can very well relate with Toby 😉 Great continuation mate, and cool..no hot subliminal messages here and there 😛 And I loved that twist at the end.
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Yeah it was a bit of an existential crisis for me that one of the main characters shares my name (and my proper name too!) 😀
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haha… I know right 😀 Did you check my updated post? 😉
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Haha, yeah I did 😛
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😀
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Haha, “written by Toby Blackwell” 😀
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Excellent! Kept me glued to it in suspense and I wasn’t ready for it to stop. Great job!
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Lovely twist here, well done…
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This calls for celebrations for another great piece written by you. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I had a big grin on my face to see the resemblence of names on updated post. What a co incidence ! The kiss, the mysterious women, the stolen ring surely kept me glued till end.
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Thanks for taking the time to give it a read, and for the lovely comment 😀
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Wonderful job. The quality of writing is a exceptional and because of that a great engaging story is being told and continued. It amazing how many of the tropes and themes of classic loves stories have sort of work themselves in to this story. Very cool stuff.
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Yeah it’s funny how conventions manage to find themselves in, even when they are trying to be avoided 😛 Thanks for the comment 🙂
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Oh and just for the record I didn’t mean conventions in any snarky sense. And actually I am attracted to conventions in the sense that it gives the readers (and other writers in our case) familiar ground to stand on. And conventions seems to be a byproduct of larger Archtypal system that exists, which I am definitely interested in.
It is also in playing with these conventions, mixing them like alchemists, that we can discover new recipes in Literature. Also when you think about it we wouldn’t criticize the painter for painting the world and its conventions or working in the conventions of the medium, nor the photographer.
Anyway, sorry for the rant 🙂 Just an interesting subject, I think. I would love to hear any of your thoughts on the subject.
Best wishes,
Austin
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I totally agree, it is a very interesting subject. And I love your image of writers as alchemists, stirring together convention to smith new ones. No offence taken, I agree with you. Glad it inspired a passion within you so strongly 🙂
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OHMGOD. What is even happening. This literally had me on the edge of my seat. It’s simply Brilliant. :O
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Thanks a lot 🙂
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