Sue’s #writephoto prompt.
It was on nights like tonight that Percy regretted his day job.
You see, his day job meant that he was out on the streets every night too.
He sat there looking out at the snow covered ground, ice forming on the river surface, feeling the chill seep through his skin and deep into his bones.
It wasn’t like he could even buy clothes or a blanket even, to keep warm. The shopkeepers, the customers, children, well, everyone actually, would look at him and scream in terror, closing doors, windows, curtains…
Lights twinkled from the windows of houses. Percy could make out the silhouettes of people, families getting together during this festive time, all merriment and cheer. They were eating and drinking, singing and dancing, and all he could hear was the crack of ice, the howl of the winds picking up.
He settled down to eat his festive meal, well actually it was his usual meal, breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Fish.
Sometimes, if he was lucky he managed to catch a duck, but those occasions were few and far between.
If only he had a roof over his head, and a kitchen where he could actually cook a meal. Instead he was forced to eat the food raw. It was so damp, he couldn’t even get a small fire going.
But who would house him? The Landlords were the same as the rest of the world, slamming doors in his face. He’d tried that long ago, before he realised the ‘free fish’ perk of his job was pretty much the only one.
“Great Prospects!”
That was what had caught his eye in that advert 15 years ago.
“Live-in job, own property included. All the fish you can eat. Respect from the community.”
Sounded ideal, especially since he had been struggling, since the wife left him…
“Strict manner required, adherence to rules.”
Oh yes, he was a man of honour, and knew exactly how to stick to rules, and how to enforce them too.
He’s gone off to the address at the bottom of the advert, and without any interview, or checking of references, the strange woman had given just looked at him, nodded and given him the job, and sent him on his way to a specific location.
Reaching the bridge, he looked around. No house here, but maybe that property across the way was the promised home he would have.
A little wizened old man had beckoned him under the bridge, “Percy? You took your time, I have been expecting you. It’s time to pass on my duties to someone else. He took off what looked like a fur coat and draped it over Percy’s shoulders.
Things started to tingle, and Percy felt a funny turn coming over him. He must be getting hot with this coat. Trying to take it off, he pulled at the sleeve, but it seemed to stick to him. It was like pulling a fistful of hair from his arm.
The old man turned to him, with a little smile, “25 years, that will keep you company Percy. My time is up now, just be guardian of the bridge, it made a great home for me, it will for you too.”
And with that he had disappeared.
Percy looked at his hands, which appeared to have sprouted extra hair. He looked at his reflection in the flowing river.
A hideous face looked back at him, not his own. What was happening to him? And what was his job? Guardian of the bridge? He looked around for the man, who was sure to explain in more detail, but there was no sign of him.
But it didn’t take long to find out what he was meant to do.
“Aaaaargh!” a scream sailed through the air. Percy looked up to see three figures running away. They were shouting as they ran. The words slowly reached him, and it dawned on him what he was now destined to be…
“Troll! The Troll is back!”
Hugh's Views and News
Oct 05, 2016 @ 08:12:08
At first, I thought Percy was a cat. Never dreamt he was applying for a job as a troll. Let’s hope the job description says nothing about the internet.
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Ritu
Oct 05, 2016 @ 11:49:49
Lol! Funny where my mind wanders…!
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Bernadette
Oct 04, 2016 @ 21:27:42
What a nasty twist of fate. Poor Percy. I hope the time passes swiftly.
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Ritu
Oct 04, 2016 @ 21:33:16
Just another 10 years to go…. 😊
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davidprosser
Oct 04, 2016 @ 14:33:53
I’d better warn the billy goats gruff.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
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Ritu
Oct 04, 2016 @ 18:04:50
They’ll definitely need warning!!🌝🌝🌝
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dornahainds
Oct 03, 2016 @ 16:21:04
What a poignant tragedy. 🌹
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Ritu
Oct 03, 2016 @ 16:28:59
Poor Perry Troll!!!
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Erika Kind
Oct 03, 2016 @ 07:26:20
Hmm…. does not look like him liking this new job better…… outch!
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Ritu
Oct 03, 2016 @ 07:40:56
No… sometimes you need to do more research!!!
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Erika Kind
Oct 03, 2016 @ 13:26:42
Yep…. as my father always said: First think then act!
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Ritu
Oct 03, 2016 @ 16:26:29
I say “think of the reaction before taking any action” to my kids all the time. That’s my quote!
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Erika Kind
Oct 03, 2016 @ 19:05:22
That’s a fantastic rhyme to keep in mind! I am sure they will tell it their kids too once!
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Ritu
Oct 03, 2016 @ 21:12:19
I do hope so!!!
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Erika Kind
Oct 04, 2016 @ 09:25:21
For sure…. keep up repeating!
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Ritu
Oct 04, 2016 @ 12:13:39
😂😂😂
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Erika Kind
Oct 04, 2016 @ 15:46:26
😁😁😁
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willowdot21
Oct 02, 2016 @ 22:05:49
A cautionary tale, check job details before accepting!
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Ritu
Oct 02, 2016 @ 22:11:57
Exactly Willow… you never know what they really want you to do..!
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willowdot21
Oct 02, 2016 @ 22:22:05
No Ritu be careful what you wish for
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Ritu
Oct 02, 2016 @ 22:35:12
so true,….!
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Madelyn Griffith-Haynie, MCC, SCAC
Oct 02, 2016 @ 20:21:35
VERY clever! I was thinking in oddish vampire directions until the bridge – and the coat. This was great. xx, mgh
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Ritu
Oct 02, 2016 @ 20:35:54
Thank you Madelyn! I had the idea since the prompt was set but only had the time to put fingers to keyboard today!! 😊
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Madelyn Griffith-Haynie, MCC, SCAC
Oct 02, 2016 @ 20:43:30
I know – I read the comments. Puppies before pleasure, right? xx, mgh
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Ritu
Oct 02, 2016 @ 20:47:48
Lol yes!!! I shall try to post pup pics later too!!!
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Madelyn Griffith-Haynie, MCC, SCAC
Oct 02, 2016 @ 20:54:03
I may have to get some pro to snap TinkerToy. $$$ unfortunately.
My truly adorable Shih Tzu doesn’t photograph well with my cell (his muzzle is darker than surrounding fur – makes his head read oddly sans special lighting).
I’ll look forward to seeing your fur-babies.
xx,
mgh
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Ritu
Oct 02, 2016 @ 21:35:58
Coming soon!!!
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Madelyn Griffith-Haynie, MCC, SCAC
Oct 03, 2016 @ 01:26:27
🙂
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TanGental
Oct 02, 2016 @ 19:50:22
ha good one, Queen Rit, loved the idea of a troll
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Ritu
Oct 02, 2016 @ 20:34:48
Thank you His Geoffleship ! Means a lot that you liked it 😊
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Sue Vincent
Oct 02, 2016 @ 19:23:53
Ooh.. that’s a good one! And oddly enough, the second troll of the prompt 🙂
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Ritu
Oct 02, 2016 @ 19:29:15
It was playing on my mind doing from.the moment I saw the photo but what with life and dog guests … I hadn’t time to write it sooner! Glad you liked it! 😊
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Sue Vincent
Oct 02, 2016 @ 19:31:41
I did… very much. And as for the rest… I completely understand 🙂 Ani has only just put the ball to bed 😉
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Ritu
Oct 02, 2016 @ 19:48:07
🐕🐶😊
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