Writing Prompt 3: Dinosaur
Amidst rusty machinery and a watchful dinosaur, find some more elements for writing an unforgettable story.
It’s a sunny day, somewhere mountainous, a haze hangs over the mountains in the distance.
A few people wander about sweating gently in the unexpected heat, the bright high sun creates short sharp shadows on the ground. I see an old pick-up with four flat tyres, some rusting farm equipment and a dinosaur looking over its shoulder. It seems to be looking right at me.
There’s a sign for jerky and fruit pies. I realise I’m thirsty and haven’t had any lunch. I take some more pictures.
Without getting too Jurassic Park, what story can you find here?
Seen From Highway 97a
An unpleasant faecal odour reached Malcolm's nostrils.
He winced and wrinkled his nose. Something hard and cold jabbed his forehead. He opened his eyes. Joe stood level with him, nappy full and sagging, pressing against the fabric of his pyjamas.
"Dad. Joe needs changing. I can't. I have to get ready for school."
Mary slammed his bedroom door behind her. Music blared from her room. Another slam and the sound muffled behind another door. Malcolm closed his eyes for a second. Another jab by his left eyebrow.
"Hey. Would you stop?" He sighed and sat up, pushing himself up with his elbows and swinging one leg out from underneath the duvet. Joe dropped his dinosaur and padded over to where Malcolm's prosthetic leg lay on the floor. Malcolm massaged the stump below his right knee. Joe dragged the limb over to him. Malcolm smiled.
"Thanks, buddy," he said. "That dinosaur of yours is pretty hard you know."
Joe dropped the limb by Malcolm's left foot.
"Okay," he said. "I see how this goes."
Malcolm reached down and pulled the limb upright. He pushed his stump into the cup and stood up. The plastic dug into his skin. He pushed his fingers underneath the edge of the cup re-adjusting until it sat more comfortably against his skin.
"C'mon. Let's sort out this crappy nappy, Pigpen."
Joe trotted behind him.
First posted December 2020 // Photo: Tanya Clarke - Log Barn 1912, Armstrong, BC. 2020
