Our gracious host, Rochelle, at Friday Fictioneers
encourages us to be creative by writing a story in 100
words or less using the photo prompt below. I am also
going with Fandango’s Story Starter #222 to provide
my first sentence. Here’s where the prompts took me.
The woman’s body lay in the alley on the darkened street, as yet undiscovered. When found, the cops will immediately see she was bludgeoned. If they’re on the ball, they’ll determine the woman was not killed in the alley; too little blood. Perhaps they’ll find splinters pounded into her head, not from a bat or club but from a hefty tree limb….maybe from a hardwood tree in the nearby woods. If the cops get lucky, they’ll find a broken branch on the blood-soaked ground beneath the tree. There’s blood on the branch. Her blood. Too bad; the dead woman isn’t talking.
NAR©2025
100 Words
This is “Black Horse And The Cherry Tree” by KT Tunstall
All text, graphics and videos are copyright for Nancy Richy and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.
The Elephant's Trunk 
Dear Nancy,
Grisley, well told story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, Rochelle! I was in my Law & Order mode!
Shalom
🕊️
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They’ve got a real mystery on their hands. Will you consider writing a part 2?
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Probably not. Thanks, Lisa.
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Those cops any good? Sound story, Nancy!
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Probably not. They need to call in Columbo! Thanks very much, Chris!
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Ah yes, wonderful Columbo!!
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A crime of passion, a little regret? But hopes for not being accountable; a real threat.
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The idea was to have this read like an episode of Law & Order. Hope that came across.
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Impressive and convincing voice. Loved it!
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Thanks very much, Anonymous!
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As I read the story, I thought it was being told by the one who killed her, glad she was silent. Engagingly eerie story! I do love jamming with the songs your post, Nancy. 🙂
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Thanks so much, Brenda! When I wrote this story, I was hoping it would sound like an episode of Law & Order. I’m delighted to know you enjoy the song I choose for my stories; that means a great deal to me. Thank you.
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That’s a wow Nancy. Great story and love the song too
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Thanks very much, Brian. KT Tunstall is a great performer.
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Hmm, it would have been easier to kill in the alley and hide the body in the woods. Takes much longer to find!
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Oh, I agree! I’ll speak to Fandango about his story starter! 😂
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Great story and song, Nancy! ✨🧡👏
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Thank you, Lisa. So pleased you enjoyed them both.
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i feel bad for her, finding herself in the wrong time and place.
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Me too, plaridel. This kind of thing happens far too often.
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I loved the song you included, Nancy.
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Thanks, Jim. KT Tunstall is terrific.
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The tree got her.
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Yes, unfortunately.
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With the way AI is going, it’s just a matter of time before the dead start to talk.
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EEK! That’s to scary for me!
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That’s a mighty angry tree; she must not have been a tree hugger …
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Hahaha! No, and look what happened!
Sinéad was so wonderful, wasn’t she?
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Yes, Sinead put so much emotion into her singing that it’s a quite a buzz to listen to …
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lol, you have our minds wandering now, Nancy…🥴
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Oh, that’s good, Destiny. Thanks!
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my pleasure…🤍
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An eloquent silence
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Thank you, Neil.
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Great combination of the prompts
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Thanks very much, Sadje.
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💖💖💖
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Sounds like the dead woman is telling quite a tale in her silent, post-mortem manner. If the cops are paying attention, anyway. Great job.
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Exactly right! Thanks for a great opening line, Fan.
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An accident or premeditated. Tension and mystery in this story creates the mystery.
I do enjoy all of KT Tunstall’s songs.
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She’s terrific. Thanks, James.
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