Another one had appeared, this time even closer to my house, as if manhole covers were the new pox in our ancient city. I didn’t hear workmen last night. Had I really been that drunk? I squinted at the swinging hips of a woman carrying her shopping down the narrow lane, resisting the urge to run after her and ask is she’d noticed the two new arrivals. Crouching down I ran my fingers around the edge of the one closest to me. It was hot, even though the morning sun hadn’t yet found it. That’s when I heard the humming.
Written for Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle. Thanks Rochelle for hosting the challenge.
PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields.
Tudor Manor Borne 
25 comments
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June 28, 2017 at 1:10 pm
Claire Fuller
Ooh, I like this. What’s under there!? How did it appear…?
June 28, 2017 at 1:11 pm
loopygoose
Thank you Claire. I found out about this through you. It’s so much fun!
June 28, 2017 at 1:15 pm
rochellewisoff
Dear Loopygoose,
Welcome to Friday Fictioneers! And you leave me wondering from whence came the manholes. Nicely done and imaginative.
Shalom,
Rochelle
June 28, 2017 at 3:09 pm
loopygoose
Dear Rochelle, thank you so much for posting the photo and for this fun exercise. I’ve only just realised that it was of the Jewish Quarter in Jerusalem! I’ve been many times; such a fascinating place. I’ve adapted my story to make it resonate more.
June 28, 2017 at 3:20 pm
rochellewisoff
Dear Loopygoose,
I always thought the second coming would be through the Eastern Gate rather than a manhole. 😉 Apt title.
Shalom…again,
Rochelle 😉
June 28, 2017 at 3:27 pm
loopygoose
Yes of course!
June 28, 2017 at 1:17 pm
Moon
Oh wow! Does she come back after a few steps ? Intriguing !
June 28, 2017 at 3:09 pm
loopygoose
I think something very curious is happening under that manhole cover!
June 28, 2017 at 1:27 pm
neilmacdon
Glorious! I love it that you made the manholes the core of your story
June 28, 2017 at 3:10 pm
loopygoose
Thank you, Neil 🙂
June 28, 2017 at 5:42 pm
Courtney Wright
Interesting take.. I didn’t even notice the manhole covers until I saw your story! Well done! 🙂
June 28, 2017 at 5:50 pm
Keith's Ramblings
If I were you I think I’d get outta there – fast! Run loopy!
Please click to read my FriFic
June 28, 2017 at 7:53 pm
granonine
Uh-oh! There’s danger afoot!
June 28, 2017 at 8:56 pm
Iain Kelly
Love the detail you have picked out of the photograph, and an intriguing story you spin form them. Well done.
June 28, 2017 at 10:04 pm
Life Lessons of a Dog Lover
Ha, great take on the prompt. Humming is never good.
June 29, 2017 at 12:30 am
Mrs. Completely
Maybe it’s just a TacoTime down there. Maybe it’s nothing terrifying at all. Unlikely, I admit, but I’d rather not borrow trouble until I have to.
Great story. Welcome to Friday Fictioneers. :o)
June 30, 2017 at 12:50 am
Miles Rost
Welcome aboard! And the humming, and hot temperatures, seems to tell me someone did something wrong in the construction of the manholes. Well done! ^_^
June 30, 2017 at 3:17 am
Nan Falkner
Dear Loopygoose, I have NEVER trusted manholes – heck, just look at the name! Very nice Loopy! Nan
June 30, 2017 at 6:12 pm
James
The mole men are coming!
June 30, 2017 at 10:50 pm
Sascha Darlington
Neat story. What’s going on beneath the city?!
July 1, 2017 at 12:16 pm
Michael Wynn
I like the way you lead us through this, not too hurried and leave us with a yearning to know what is going on down there
July 1, 2017 at 5:53 pm
neeltheauthor
What a wonderful suspenseful story. Now i want to know what’s under the earth.
July 2, 2017 at 7:00 pm
csheldonblog
What was under the manholes!!
Good piece of work,
July 3, 2017 at 2:19 am
lingeringvisions by Dawn
Welcome to FF.
Good mystery!
July 19, 2017 at 12:42 pm
Kelvin M. Knight's blog
Intriguing, my curiosity is well and truly piqued. Well done!