PHOTO PROMPT © Anshu Bhojnagarwala
It was a surprise for Berr. Cooked meat, with a new tool that Eli called fire. Over many moons Kaya’s friend taught her how to make fire.
Berries and a fist of boar meat, which Eli gave to her, spread out on the rocky floor. A sound alerted her to Berr’s entrance. Dragging Eli by his hair, matted with blood. The light in his green eyes muted by death.
“You belong to me. No one else.” his voice echoed around the small cave. The smell of blood and roasted meat overwhelmed her. Kaya threw up, tears burning her eyes.
99 words
What an awesome, inspiring image! Certainly was challenging but I enjoyed writing this story that weaseled its way out onto my blog.
Written for Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. The challenge is to write a story in 100 words or less. Submit it to the link (frog icon) below and read other flash fiction too.
Hope you’re all had an awesome week and here’s to an amazing weekend!
Fajr, Books & That First Cuppa 
Intriguing story. I liked the discovery of fire and the use to which it was put. I’m not sure whether you’re saying male dominance has always existed. You probably know, though they’re rarer, that there are gener equal societies in the record
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Glad it appealed to you, Neil. I recall an article I read of viking warriors who were assumed to be male. Later, scientists realised they were female. My personal belief, is no gender should dominate another. Women are just as capable of domestic violence too. And not as rare as one might think. That said, male dominance is easier to apply in communities where brute strength prevails. And the existence of gender equal societies throughout history does not negate that male dominance has always existed, right?
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Not it doesn’t, and it’s the most common pattern. But the existence of even one equal society proves that the pattern isn’t biological or inevitable
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It certainly does prove that, and I like to think we are moving towards such a society on the whole.
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Jealousy was more primitive than fire. A primitive man knew about his possession, when he could not cook his meal.
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I like your comparison of jealousy with fire. Interesting… primitive as fire, and also burns like fire too.
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True. Even before humans learnt to light fire they had a sense of possession.
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Is it the taste of this new meat that causes her to be sick, or Eli’s behaviour. Probably a bit of both.
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It is actually Berr’s behaviour that made her sick, when he murdered her friend Eli. 🙂
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Your story is graphic and vivid. I like the way you depict the eternal triangle. You show Eli and Kaya spending much time in each others company as Eli teaches her the secret of fire. Then Eli gives Kaya some boar’s meat that she cooks for Berr. What did Eli receive from Kaya? Was it Kaya’s conscience that made her cook a special meal for Berr?
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Gosh, Penny I always look forward to your comments as you make me see things in my own story that I didn’t before! In this case, I think Kaya was simply trying to please her man. But he jumped to conclusions, and the wrong one at that.
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jealousy can be dangerous thing. it can consume someone like a raging fire.
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So true, it consumes both the jealous one and the person it is directed towards.
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Dear Fatima,
Some men are still cavemen. 😉 Well written and imaginative.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Some haven’t evolved since, have they? Thank you, Rochelle.
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The jealousy, the murder of perceived rivals–a universal trait and seemingly never ending, regardless of gender. Let’s hope we learn better one day.
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Well said, very intriguing tale.
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I suppose it is human nature, and one we must try continuously to transcend.
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I think this type of jealousy still exist… maybe it’s even stronger these days than during the stone age.
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Sadly, there are certainly many cases to prove your point, Björn.
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Very well-written. There is a sinister feel to his jealously. Great write.
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Thank you, Lisa!
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Most animals fight for the top position…
WEll done, Fatima
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You fooled us–Eli seemed like a feminine name, in the circumstances 🙂 Really well written.
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All territoriality. It’s a good thing she learned how to make fire.
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