Who am I?
I could be your neighbour, your friend, a member of your family.
I walk amongst you. I dress like you, I talk like you, unidentifiable, nondescript.
We may eat at the same restaurants, go to the same theatres, watch the same films.
We could have lots in common.
But, did I mention I’m a master of revenge, adept at betrayal and if it’s torture, well, the bloodthirstier the better.
Murder? Why of course, come closer, I have a tale or two to tell.
I am a teacher of history, and oh, how I love it.
Written for Friday Fictioneers. A 100 word story inspired by a photo prompt. Read the other entires here.
fabricating fiction 
Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it. Those who do remember are also condemned. I disagree with Henry Ford on a lot of things.
I hadn’t heard that before.
My brother is a retired history teacher. I’m going to keep my eye on him.
I would!
Ha – love it… although I’m now afraid that ‘History teacher’ might take over from ‘vampire’ as the subject of popular fiction and I don’t know if people are ready for sparkly history teachers 🙂
Possibly not! Thanks
He’ll be part of history himself in the future methinks!
Rosey Pinkerton
Me too! Thanks.
Wow. Great take.
Thanks very much.
I must say, week after week you are raising the bar and getting better and better. I loved this so much!
Thanks. I thought this was my weakest so far, I almost didn’t post it ….
You were wrong. 😉
Always happy to be wrong!
Were you describing me there? Although I’m no history teacher 😉 Good one.
Slightly worrying if I was! Thanks.
Interesting take. For me the ending (last line) was a bit flat. The rest was very good.
Thanks for the feedback. I said to Lore that I nearly didn’t post it at all – I wasn’t sure about any of it! Super busy this week so it was this or nothing.
I’m glad you posted this! The words have a lovely rhythm.
Thanks Alicia.
I love it! They say those who can’t “do” teach. Well, I wouldn’t want to test this teacher on what s/he is willing to do!! 😉
Pretty much anything I think! Thanks.
Sounds like the justification of a terrorist to me.
Tracey
Thanks for reading.
Yeek, that’s one scary teacher. The scary voice comes over very well. It’s the victors who define history, and that person puts a spin on this.
Yes he is. Thanks very much.
Yep, we never know what lurks. In fact, do we ever know anybody? Very nice.
We see what people want us to see. Thanks for reading.
never knew that a history teacher could be so graphically described, good
Thanks very much.
She sounds scary but too good at what she does…history or whatever….
Oh gosh it’s like a Steven King Novel with history teachers.
Thanks Joseph.
🙂
Ooooo..spooky fun!
Thanks Dawn.
The best monsters are the ones we never notice.
They are indeed.
this is a thought-provoking piece. it made me look at myself in the mirror and wondered what it’s like to be me.
I hope it was all good!
Love! Love! Absolutely so much fun!
Thanks so much!
Ooooh, I like the creepy-realistic tone of this piece. Very well done!
Thank you Jan.
Good writing.
Thanks
I think kids would love to be taught by her. The right amount of spook and drama would have them hanging off her fingertips. Nice one.
I love that you said ‘her’!
Oh yes, history is full of it. Clever interpretation of the prompt.
Thanks Patrick.
Now I’m going to look behind my back with acute awareness
I should!
Reblogged this on Cole H. Turner.
Thanks!
Such a chilling, sinister narrator… very powerful, Louise!
Thanks Dawn
Once I reached the end of this story, the title was very spooky. Who are those people around us?
The narrator moves the story along at just the right pace.
Ellespeth
Thanks Ellespeth. I often wonder who people really are, I guess we never find out most of the time?
An interesting voice – that is one scary history teacher. Good story. 🙂
Thanks!
A nice twist at the end, a teacher no less. Edmund Burke did say ‘those who don’t know history are destined to repeat it’, but I suppose it works if you fail your history exam too 🙂
I guess it does! Thanks.