“Hey, lady! Wait up!” the young man yelled. “You dropped your purse!”
He bounded down the steps calling after her. Finally, she turned around to see what the commotion was all about. Upon seeing the woman’s face, the young man stopped short. She wasn’t an old lady at all but a rather attractive woman in her mid-thirties. The teen was at a loss for words.
“That’s my purse!” declared the woman. “What are you doing with my purse?” Her voice was raised now and took on an accusatory tone. “You snatched it, didn’t you?”
“No! Honest, I would never” the teen stammered. “I found your purse at the top of the steps. I ran all this way to return it to you. See, take a look; one strap is coming loose; you must have dropped it and didn’t even notice with all those bags you’re carrying.”
“Oh, my goodness! Thank you” she replied. “You can never be too careful these days.” The woman reached into one of her shopping bags and handed the teen a bottle of water. “Please let me give you some money for returning my purse.”
The young man gratefully took a long swig from his bottle. Just then he was grabbed from behind. A chloroform-soaked rag covered his mouth; he was quickly dragged to a van and tossed in the back while the woman casually walked away.
“Not bad. That’s four today. That last one was a cutie. He’ll fetch us a pretty penny” she laughed.
NAR © 2023
It’s time once again for the weekly Unicorn Challenge. Shall we begin?
The Elephant's Trunk 
Oh wow…that’s quite the twist…and sad that things like that happen too often in today’s insane world…..
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I did not see that coming. Poor kiddo.
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Neither did he. Poor kiddo, indeed! Thanks for your thoughts, Bridgette.
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Oh no, didn’t see that coming!
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Sadly, neither did the victim. A very real problem that happens far too frequently.
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Oh great twist. I bow to your awesome storytelling ability.
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From you, Dear Iris of the Magic Quill, that is indeed an honor!
Thank you! I am humbled.
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You are welcome.
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What a twist at the end, Nancy! But I watched a video on kidnapping recently. I love the plot. Well done 👍
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Somewhere something like this occurs every single day. If is one of those sickening facts of life which somehow is running rampant around the world. It needs to stop!
Thank you for your thoughts.
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So true, Nancy! My pleasure!
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Excellent story-ette!
(Funny thing… your ‘hook’ was the same-but-different from the direction I took. I love it went that kind of synchronicity happens… totally evil dimension Spock kinda thing)
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Thanks, Clark. I don’t think I saw your story; must go back and take a loo. 🖖🏽
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The italics I tell myself each time pay attention to the italics 😁
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What italics? 😂
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😁👍❤️
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You, Madam, have a devious and entertaining mind! 🧐
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I take that as a compliment of the highest order! Thank you, Kelly!
BTW, do you have any interest in writing the next little segment of Pass the Baton? Let me know if it’s something you’d like to do.
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I’m flattered but even my writing group, which is fabulous, hasn’t held my attention this year. Kind of a dry spell, but I thank you for thinking of me.
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Ooh, that turned dark!
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Yes, I went there.
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Lad snatching! Crimping (shanghaiing) in the modern era. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghaiing
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Interesting, Doug, although I doubt my character was shanghaied to serve at sea.
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Wow, that was unexpected 😵💫
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In the blink of an eye these things happen!
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Good twist, Nancy. There are some wicked people in our imaginations, aren’t there? (Mind you… not necessarily in the imagination! 😳)
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You got that right, Tom. It’s great seeing the different takes on the photo prompts!
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Indeed! They’re all so different!
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Hey, Tom. Liz wasn’t able to contribute to Passing the Baton. Would you like to give it a shot? Read the pingback here on this page and see if you’d like to give it a go! I hope you do; it’s been great fun so far!
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Thanks for thinking of me, Nancy, but I’m with Liz on this one.
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Oh. My. God.
Clever tale, clever plot. You scare me, just a li’l bit. 😂🤣😂
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Haha!! I didn’t even see this message until just now! Thanks, I think.
Liz, take a look at the Pingback just above your comment. I’d like to nominate you to keep the baton going. Please read the story in the Pingback and see if you’re interested. Should be great fun!
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🥀 I have to drop this baton. Am overcommitted & not catching up!
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Oh, Nancy, you lured me in and then pulled the rug from under me! Very neatly done. That’s one callous woman you’ve portrayed in such a short space. Great story.
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I do love a challenge! A neat little package with a curveball ending is always fun. I’m delighted this one surprised you!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Jenne!
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Yikes!!
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I’ll happily take that “Yikes”.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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For such a sweet lady, Nancy, you write about some awful ladies!!
Nice and nasty this week!
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Salt and sugar look the same, CE. It’s only when they’re on the tongue that you can tell the difference and then it’s too late.
Good to know you appreciate a little nasty with your nice.
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Our young hero has been ‘hoodwinked’ …
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Great video, great song
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You’re welcome Nancy
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Tis.
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I do love my Bowie! Sound song.
Thanks so much, Ivor!
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My pleasure Nancy … 🎵😍
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What a devious woman
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Who … me or her?
Thanks for reading, Sadje!
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Her, obviously 😄
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Maybe not so obvious to everyone 😂
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🤗😍🤗🤗
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Oh no, that’s awful 😣
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It certainly is, Lesley. Without a doubt.
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Now that was a shock.
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Shocking and disturbingly accurate.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts today, A.
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Oh my oh my, …a sting and twist to the tale, ….✨👏✨
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Yes, Penn. I like a bit of a twisty tale, don’t you?
Thanks for your thoughts today!
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Yup, love the sudden turnabout, …makes for a ‘why didn’t I see that coming’ moment, …now I’m off to watch Man City vs United, …I’m a United fan, but…reality bites, … ✨⚽️✨
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Enjoy the match! Go United!
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Flipping heck, City’s scored in the first few seconds…I’m hiding behind the sofa…⚽️
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