Iain Kelly

He appeared naked, emerging from the mist hanging over the loch.

Mhairi stopped scrubbing the shirt. His torso was chiselled, the hair a dark mane, his eyes a piercing green. When the water no longer covered the top of his legs she knew she should look away, but she stared, as in a trance.

He spoke to her in a soft, lilting voice, ‘An exquisite creature.’ He took her chin in his hand, tilting her head up to look into his eyes. His skin felt smooth.

Mhairi could have dived into those green pools. She felt desire, lust. She opened her mouth, beckoning towards him. Take me, she insinuated.

He bent down towards her, his hands cupped her fulsome bust, his mouth opened inches from meeting hers. Her hungry tongue waited to receive his. Mhairi’s eyes were wide in anticipation. Just as she was about to close them and give herself fully, the man’s tongue flicked towards her – long, black and forked.

Mhairi recoiled. Now she saw the hooved feet of the engorged beast. She screamed and fell backwards as the man transformed before her into a huge horse. He galloped away, baying through the morning mist.

Mhairi picked up her basket and ran to the village. Someone had to warn them. The Kelpie had risen.

Written as part of Sunday Photo Fiction. Write a story of around 200 words based on the photo prompt given (above). Hosted by Susan Spaulding. For more details visit HERE.

To read more of the stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

The Kelpies statue in the picture from JS is about half an hour from where I live in Scotland and has become a top tourist attraction. A kelpie is a shape-shifting water spirit in Scottish folklore, often associated with demons or Satan, and with seducing mere mortals – Wikipedia.

My new novel, ‘A Justified State,’ is now available on Amazon in Paperback and on Amazon Kindle.

‘This is not your usual detective thriller. It is much more than that. A brilliant story!’ – Reader review.           Amazon.com / Amazon.co.uk