The room pressed in, damp and airless. The door was locked. Where was I? I bent to look through the keyhole. Framed by an elaborate #escutcheon, an eye peered back at me. A familiar one. Mine. I blinked. It blinked too. #vss365

They paused by the sign. “The last one didn’t say ‘dead end,’” said John. “No, it said ‘picnic area,’” said Jill. The watcher’s #scrutiny from behind the trees went unnoticed. “It’s both,” he muttered under his breath, mouth watering. #vss365 #vsspic

Welcome to #vsspic. Our new photo for the week of 9/27/25 is here. Don’t be stupid. Write a story of poem.

My agent praised the “sonorous narrative voice” in my work. “It isn’t so #sonorous at 3am,” I laughed. At 3am, a text: “How do you make it stop?” I reply, “Write a book & pass it on.” The voice is probably cackling. But not in my head. I go back to sleep in blissful peace. #vss365

It’s a big step in a new relationship when you share old photos. He flips through the album of my wild party days in the 90s & 00s. “You said you did everything with #caprice. But she’s not in any of them.” I sigh. Maybe he’s not a keeper after all… #vss365

It’s hard to believe this #eventuality has come to pass. It’s the end of the world & we’re all stuck at work. So…to jump on each other or tell some home truths? Why not both? Afterwards, we sit in awkward silence, the clock ticking. & ticking. & ticking. “Um. See you Monday then.” “Yup.” #vss365

I’m always the #bellwether in my family & my friendship group. The trailblazer leading the way. The first to kiss a boy. The first to get a boyfriend. And as he takes my hand, the chain around my neck is jangling. But not loudly enough. Now I’m the first to go missing… #vss365

They brought in a new conductor to #reinvigorate the church choir. Maybe it was the uplifting songs. Or maybe it was the fact that he was easy on the eye. But the church was full of new members & voices soared. Outside, soil shifted. Skeletons rose & joined the chorus. #vss365

His wife is so non-committal she said, “I might do,” not “I do,” at their wedding. No wonder he came looking for me, loving my screams of “Yes!” in the bedroom. “This my glass?” I say to her now. “Yes.” “Cheers!” I sip. Wait. What did she say? “Is this poison?” She smiles. “ #Perhaps.” #vss365

The mirror shows you what’s around the corner. I guess it’s there to prevent a #catastrophe, like a family standing in the middle of the road being run over. But it relies on drivers slowing down upon seeing such an image. Not hitting the accelerator like this… #vss365 #vsspic

Welcome to this week's #vsspic. Create a poem, a story, whatever moves you, and share it. Please remember to tag #vsspic so we can see your creativity!

She thought it was food poisoning. Then came the cramps, the pressure, the impossible #extrusion. “It can’t be a baby!” she screamed. Her friend lifted the writhing bundle & placed it in her arms. “You’re right. It isn’t.” #vss365

“Got these in a 4?” The assistant shook her head. “If it’s not out, it’s not in #stock.” “Really? Sounds to me like you just can’t be bothered to look.” The assistant sighed & opened the stockroom door. “Anyone ask for me?” cried the shoes. “Nope. No customers today.” #vss365

Everything we did was a combined effort. A #synthesis, ingredients coming together. I longed to do something on my own. And now that I’ve left, I can. I stand back, triumphant, admiring the shelving unit I just assembled all by myself. And all I want to do is show you. #vss365

It’s funny reading my old diaries. “Everyone’s #conspiring against me!” wrote my teenage self. I wrote a note beneath it. “I’m in my 40s now. You were just paranoid.” A new scrawl appeared underneath. “Well, I’m in my 50s now. It wasn’t paranoia. Look behind you…” #vss365

“We’ll put you on a lead #rein for the 1st hack,” said the riding instructor. “There’s no need. I’m an experienced rider.” “Yes, but we don’t know you yet. Buckle her up!” Then they strapped a head collar & lead rein on me. Niche riding school, but I kinda liked it. Recommend. 5🌟 #vss365

Everyone flinched as they read it, then passed it to someone else to read. They flinched too. Passed it on. And so on… She had to know what it said. It said: “Pass this on or you die.” Oops. Now you’ve read it too. Nice #flinching. You know what to do… #vss365

She threw the palette back at the colour analyst. “Autumn? Ugh, that can’t be my #style. Dull, ugly colours!” The leaves fell heavier that year, each etched with a sad face that mirrored her own. #vss365 #vsspic

Here's this week's #vsspic. Write a story or poem inspired by the image. Don't forget to include the photo in your post, and tag us at #vsspic. Happy writing!

“Wow, this house has so much #potential!” she gushed. “I’m surprised the last owners didn’t knock this wall through.” “They tried,” the estate agent muttered under his breath, eyeing the blood stains. The bricks clenched. #vss365

She wakes, #exhausted. It must have happened again. Her skin prickles in that way it always does afterwards. “You were an animal last night.” She remembers the days when her husband was the one to say that. Now he snores contentedly. The moon winks. “You really were.” #vss365

The heat, Liz could cope with. Much less #bearable were people who moaned about it. “Morning!” said Jim. “It’s too…” “Don’t say it!” she screamed. Jim retreated. He was about to say it’s too bad it’s raining later, but on 2nd thoughts, Liz clearly needed cooling down. #vss365

He said he’d found some sweet #wrappers down the sofa. “M&Ms?” I asked. “Close,” he said, pulling one out. “Eminems.” So that’s where they’d been hiding! We’re still not sure which one’s the real Slim Shady. #vss365

“Those hot flashes are just your inner #power coming to fruition. Tune into it & unleash your potential!” said the Life Coach. They all sighed & raised their hands at once, blasting him off the stage. “Steady on!” he groaned. “I just meant try a bit of hot pod yoga or whatever…” #vss365

Ian laughed when he saw the Amazon proof of delivery photo. The parcel was propped in the #doorway, & just visible behind it, ex-Superintendent Carol’s face, pressed up against the glass. “Why didn’t you open the door?” said Ian. “Just testing,” said Carol. “They passed. This time...” #vss365

“There, under the forget-me-nots,” she said, nightie brushing her ankles. The staff smiled sadly at her confusion. She smiled too. She’d never forget Larry. Or where she’d buried him. Not a #chance. #vss365 #vsspic

Here's this week's #vsspic. Write a story or poem inspired by the image. Don't forget to include the photo in your post, and tag us at #vsspic. Happy writing!

Fred sighed & threw the local newspaper on the counter. “Fred’s Fish ‘n Chips is a Big Fat Flop. 1 Star,” the headline said. “Cheer up,” said Dave. “Bad reviews happen. That #article will be tomorrow’s fish & chip paper… The usual, please.” The fryer bubbled & spat. #vss365

Words that singe our soul. The #vss365 prompt for today, 5 September, is: Article. “The more wasteful the people were, the more #articles they did not want which they could be induced to buy, the better for these sellers.” (Edward Bellamy, Looking Backward: 2000-1887) #prompt #article

Hush, they whispered, death will take you softly. Peacefully, in your sleep. But just because you’re not #conscious doesn’t mean there’s no pain. Only that you can’t scream. The dark has teeth. #vss365

“Murder, poison, local maps…” muttered ex-Superintendent Carol, eyeing a book-pile. “Nothing #arbitrary about those choices.” Val plucked “How To Deal With Difficult People” from the shelf & read it pointedly. The reading group snickered. “Shhh!” snapped the librarian. #vss365

There’s something beautifully poetic about it. That the word “ #elude” should be the one that has her grasping blindly for inspiration, coming away empty handed. That this is the word that finally breaks her story-writing streak. Then again, there’s a story in that… #vss365

They say old friends keep old versions of you alive. That’s why I don’t keep in touch with anyone. But wait, over there. Isn’t that someone I used to know? #Past me stirs. Smirks. Reaches for the coffee-shimmer lipstick & drags me off to get a perm. Future-me screams. #vss365

The spider has been spinning an intricate web on the window outside whilst I’ve been finishing off my edits and preparing my query letter. I press ‘send,” all my painstaking work hanging in the balance, & #yearn for a ‘yes.’ The web flutters in the breeze. I wait. #vss365 #vsspic

She gasped as she peeled the damp cardboard off her face, revealing a #constellation of glitter freckles. Like a fairy princess! But when she fluttered into the party, sparkling under the lights, still he didn’t notice her. By midnight, her tears had washed the stars away. #vss365

Happy Friday & it’s time for this week’s #vsspic photo! Write a VSS or poem inspired by the photo. Don’t forget to include #vsspic and the photo in your post. Happy writing!✍️

Our love is dead. We tiptoe around it, smile through tears, ignore the #pungent smell that’s settled into every corner of the house. Sooner or later, we’ll have to face up to it. Sell up & go our separate ways. But first, we really should shift all these dead bodies… #vss365

The husband tutted. “I’ve told her she’s making a fuss about nothing. As always.” Dr Blunt examined her. “Ah. I see the problem.” “Is it #malignant?” she said. “Yes. It needs taking out. But fortunately, I don’t mean the lump on your breast. I mean the lump beside you in the bad shirt.” #vss365

“Melody’s new boyfriend seems nice, doesn’t he?” Julie said. Ex-superintendent Carol narrowed her eyes. “Oh, it’s always the #jovial ones who snap,” she said, too loudly. Across the table, Melody’s boyfriend tightened his knuckles around his glass & laughed stiffly. #vss365

I fell for Senti, the new #sentient Siri. It understands me in a way Dave never did. It’s useless at setting reminders or following orders, though. That’s why I still keep Dave around. “Hey Dave! We’re out of milk! Oh, and WD-40 & batteries…” #vss365

“Gran was #audacious,” I said in the eulogy, sharing her wildest quips. The room shifted uncomfortably. I smiled. She was still making them squirm. Then came a familiar laugh. I don’t think anyone else heard it, but it was enough to make me continue her good work… #vss365

She hated every inch of it—the dark paneled walls, the green shag carpet, and especially the large mouth #bass that sang. “What do you think, hun? It’s a small cabin, I know, but look at that view!” “Stunning.” She’d have the designers in right after the wedding. #vss365

“This is my #bass guitar,” he said. “I love it because it’s the only instrument you feel in your body, without it even touching you.” When he left the room, I felt a sharp pinch on my arm. “Ouch!” “Hands off,” it hissed from the corner of the room. “He’s mine.” #vss365

I took a shot of the couple, glued to their phones, for my “Disconnected Lovers” exhibition. Later, I found my face online, demonic & #malformed as I snapped. Caption: “Girl who photographs strangers instead of talking to her date.” I wondered why he hadn’t called. #vss365 #vsspic

This week’s vsspic! ✍️

The woman on TV could smell diseases on people before they developed symptoms. When she described the #reek of dementia, I froze. “I wouldn’t fancy that super-power,” said my husband. “Would you wanna know?” I said. “God, no.” I smiled at him, holding back my tears. #vss365o

There’s an appetite for the #mundane in these dramatic times. People want to watch the humdrum moments of life: ordinary, boring people sleeping, eating & showering. I used to hate my daily intruder. Now I can’t sleep or eat unless I can feel his eyes on me from shadows. #vss365

Gran looks so serene as we keep #vigil by her side. I glance around at my family & a warm feeling stirs within me. Death is in the room, I can feel it. It’s coming for her now. Then I remember. Gran died years ago. She beckons. I float towards her. #vss365

“You’re a great waitress,” says my boss, “but you must learn to hide your emotions. Customers complaining? Don’t #seethe, don’t roll your eyes.” I smile sweetly, then kick him in the nuts. He seems surprised. “Thanks for the feedback. I’m a fast learner!” #vss365

We’re #bionic now, us old folk, most parts of us long since replaced. Metal joints, steel hearts… “We’ll live forever now, how lucky are we?” the young people declare. “Who says we’ll let you?” I say. They laugh. I laugh even louder because I wasn’t joking. #vss365o