Photo courtesy of Sandra Crook
I’m so pleased to share my news with my fellow fictioneers today, that I’ve signed a three-book deal with Bookouture. You can see the official announcement here. Excited!
Dark
I’m trapped and fear pinpricks my skin.
Smell
Fear and sweat.
Burning
My lungs grapple for air. I’m going to die.
Cold
He forced me to wear fishnet stockings.
Hate
I wish I’d never met him.
Pain
The box is too small and my muscles scream.
Tick-tock Tick-tock
His voice low and angry, and I swallow my tears. Search for a way out.
My palms sting as they slap against the wood and then I feel it. The catch.
I sprawl onto my hands and knees, blinking in the spotlight.
Applause
The magician bows.
I’m never being his assistant again.
Written for Friday Fictioneers. A 100 word story inspired by a photo prompt. Pop over to host Rochelle’s blog and read the other entries.
fabricating fiction 
FANTASTIC news—congratulations!
Thanks so much – I’m a little stunned.
Dear Louise,
Fabulous news! Congratulations.
Your story is a masterpiece of misdirection. Very well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks Rochelle. I’m thrilled.
Wow, wow, wow! Brilliant news, Louise. So pleased for you! And a great story – you had me going right until the last line.
Thanks Claire – I need to reread my story – I’ve no idea what I wrote today!
Lovely stuff. What a bastard – fishnet stockings.
Congratulations on your contract. The pressure is now ON.
Thanks Patrick. Pressure – yes…
Wow, great news! Congratulations, what a busy bee you are going to be. 😀
As for your story, it was so intense from the beginning, I didn’t know what to expect. Certainly not that ending, what a relief. Great story!
Thanks so much – it’s been a crazy few weeks but I think will be even more hectic now!
I like your story and was surprised at the end. Well done.
Congratulations on your book deal.I hope that it is everything you dreamed it would be.
Ω
Thanks Allan – me too!
Superb misdirection, and terrific news, you deserve it – congratulations.
Thanks so much Sandra.
Wow, wow, wow. Another FF writer hits the big time. Many congrats, Louise. I do really need to spend more time on my own writing – I’m so jealous!
Thanks Paul although to be fair I haven’t sold any books yet! You’re a good writer – keep at it.
Haha ..cute story.
Thanks
Congratulations, you must be chuffed..!
I loved your take on the prompt. I wouldn’t be his assistant again, either. 😉
I am Carolyn – thank you.
congratulations sweetheart. I’ve always adored ur writings and now we’ll get them in hands. Excited too… 😉
That’s so kind of you – thank you.
Great build-up and then the twist at the end. Brilliant! I loved the format you used with the words in bold.
Thanks very much 🙂
Terrific!
The story and the news.
Well done on both.
Thanks very much.
Oh, that was a good story! Thanks!
Thank you.
I like the format, very creative. And the surprise ending – no the homicidal maniac I imagined, just the worst boss ever! Congratulations on the book deal!
Thanks on both counts Trent 🙂
Phew! I was glad to get out of that box!
So was she!
Congrats!
Excellent surprise ending, and congratulations on the book deal.
Thanks Liz.
Wow! That’s an amazing story!
Congratulations on the book deal 🙂
Thanks very much.
What a great story! A wonderful twist at the end.
Conratulations on your book deal 😃
Oops! I mean congratulations!
Thanks very much Jan.
lovely twist i didn’t expect. 🙂 my congratulations on this well-deserved deal. movie rights should be next. 🙂
Thanks so much. One can hope!
Great build up and ending which I tried to guess, but got nowhere near. ell done Louise.
Thanks 🙂
Amazing! I certainly didn’t expect that ending!
‘About Harry’, my 100 words!
Thanks Keith.
Fantastic! What a surprise end! Well done!
Thanks for reading.
Congratulations on the book deal. And excellent piece of misdirection here. Well done.
Thanks very much.
Love how you mislead me… And congrats on the deal.
Thanks very much.
Hehehe, what a twist, I walked right into your little trap. And congrats, what wonderful news!
Thanks very much.
I was worried here. Oh yay, it’s just a show! I hope she can find a new line of work. Congrats on your book deal. I’m so thrilled for you. I wish you tons of success.
Thanks so much Amy. Perhaps she’ll lock him in a box.
Congratulations, Louise! That is fabulous!!
What a most fantastic story!
Thanks so much.
Congrats on the book deal! That’s awesome!
Great story also. I never expected that ending, but it fits so well.
Thank you Adam.
Congratulations, that’s fantastic news 😁
Loved the story, you built the suspense brilliantly. Great twist at the end.
Thanks very much Cheryl.
What a wonderful way to finish the story – loved it. And huge congratulations on your book deal.
Thank you Margaret.
Brilliant, clever girl 🙂 Then, I’m not surprised about your good news. It was only a matter of time!
Just loved your FF contribution this week. Such a wonderful twist at the end. You had me convinced there was no escape for the poor girl.
Thanks so much Sarah xx
My mind was going in a totally different direction, but I loved the surprised ending. Very well-written!
Thanks very much Lori.
My pleasure 🙂
Congratulations on your news, and a great story to go with it.
Thanks for reading.
Good story, Louise. What a great lead-in to the actual circumstances. Great twist at the end. Congratulations on your book deal with the publishing company. That’s just great. All the best to you now and in the future of your career. Well done. 🙂 — Suzanne
Thanks so much Suzanne for your good wishes – it means a lot.