HAMELIN - a story in one hundred words

HAMELIN

Clowns outside the school attracted every child to their offer of free rides at the fairground. In the scramble, only the fittest won a ticket, and Belinda had to stand and watch as her luckier classmates climbed aboard, the music blared and the ride started.

But something wasn’t right. The speed increased rapidly until the children’s faces blurred, the music became deafening, and when a flying shoe struck Belinda she backed away.

Then the noise reached a crescendo and the ride stopped abruptly – empty. Belinda, sobbing with fright, turned and fled as fast as her crutches could carry her.

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There is something about the frenetic noise of a fairground that could so easily escalate into nightmare, and this story is what J Hardy Carroll's photo brought to my mind. To read what it inspired other writers to write, go to  https://rochellewisoff.com/  and follow the Blue Frog links.

For those who don't know the story of The Pied Pper of Hamelin, there are accounts of the (allegedly) true story on Google. 

ps. If you haven't read my book A Volcanic Race yet, the link to Amazon is at the top of this page.

MARVIN'S MARVELS - a 100 word story

 MARVIN'S MARVELS

Marvin scanned the crowd weaving through the fairground and took the money for his Chair-o-Planes automatically, filling all the chairs except one – that was for his special passenger.

Suddenly there she was – only ten but already crippled by disease. Her father lifted her into the chair and held her face between his hands to kiss her tenderly.
Ignoring the man’s tear-streaked face, Marvin started the ride, and together they watched as it sped up to a blur.

When it stopped the girl had vanished.

“She will be whole again,” Marvin promised, but the father sobbed, “I know, but will she be loved?”

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Thanks as always to Rochelle, who has 'retired' to be a full-time author but still manages to prompt the Friday Fictioneers each week to write 100 words inspired by a photograph. 

https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/  is her blog where you will find the link to other stories.