Image copyright: Lucy Fridkin
Nobody underneath the path of the drone could hear it as it cruised undetected over the bay, losing height as it approached the near-deserted beach.
A thousand miles away a tall man leant over the drone pilot watching the screen. He pointed. There, he said, that family with the red towels. The pilot examined the group, noticed the man’s heavy beard, the battle scars, the adoring family.
At that point the man looked up from the beach straight into the camera.
Now, said the tall man.
Click.
That’s what I call a great family portrait, said the tall man.
Prompted by Rochelle Wisoff-Field’s weekly 100 word writing challenge found here.
patrickprinsloo 
I’m going to think that’s a happy ending. Great twist. Good writing, Patrick.
You very quickly made us suspect the worst, then – smile!
So you think they weren’t annihilated?
Hm, I wonder who the tall man is. Paparazzi or spy? I was expecting worse than photography though. Intriguing.
If I had a higher word count I would have referred to a tall man wearing a belted trenchcoat and with his hat pulled down over his eyes. Does that help?
Yup. Thank you. 🙂
I see a lot of drones in the Christmas sale papers. Personally, I’m not crazy about everyone having them. Might make good target practice, though.
Hopefully the FAA will enforce the rules. But probably not.
They make great blenders.
Terrific story-telling, Patrick!
But watch those blades.
A very interesting take on the prompt. MMMmmm. Well done.
Thanks. Can you do a tractor?
Drones. I can see some good uses for them but the bad things they are put to far outweighs the good. Even your story hints at this. Well done
Watch out for hundreds of hobby drones caught up in trees, power lines on Boxing Day.
I was holding my breath for the tragic end that was sure to come and was not expecting the nice ending.
Aha. Deception is the game.
Technology can be used for good and bad purposes. Hopefully we see more good in the world. Good story.
We hope so.
Creepy drones. Fierce drones. Deadly drones. Got it.
Good. Thanks for reading.
Excellent take on the prompt, like others have said, something ominous about the drones.
Thanks Iain
However, they are used there’s something sinister about drones, even the word seems sinister
It’s certainly a word that gets people concerned.
Patrick, when are these stories of yours going to become a collection, in a book?
Flattery!
Sorry to miss you at the Xmas readings.
paparazzi,or predator? How big is the difference?
Are you looking for metric or imperial?
It does sort of suggest that the drone is much more sinister than a paparazzi gone wild. One question, how did the man a thousand miles away know it would be the family with the red towels?
He knows. There are spies everywhere. Don’t look behind you just now.
I just looked behind me…
Dear Patrick,
Is the tall man paparazzi or predator? A bit menacing either way, I think. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks. Beware tall men!