My Way – Friday Fictioneers

It’s time to write another piece for Friday Fictioneers! Thank you to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields who hosts this venture. Each week Rochelle chooses a photo prompt to inspire writers to produce a 100 word piece of flash fiction. Do use the link to her blog if you are interested in joining the group. It’s a great way to get involved in writing!

140 under-bridge — PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

My Way

Her dreams lay in ruins. She looked longingly through the window. She had to get away from this situation – the bending of her will, the unwanted journey to a destination not of her choosing.

“The contract must be signed, Ella,” said her agent.

“There are things I’m not happy about.”

A dismissive wave of the hand. “We’ve been through those.”

“But I need to …”

He pushed the document towards her. “Just sign.”

For a long moment, Ella looked at him. Taking the pen, she wrote the word, “NO” in large letters, then turned and walked out of the door.

A fairy tale – Friday Fictioneers

PHOTO PROMPT © J.S. Brand

A fairy tale

Deep in the darkness of the woods stood a solitary tree. Its changing features spoke of enchantment. Alyssa was irresistibly drawn to it.

She had heard of the handsome prince trapped deep inside and reached for the handle shape on the trunk. The tree burst open and out stepped a man dressed in black.

Ignoring her, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a mirror.

“Free at last and looking good!”

“That’s not the way the story should go,” Alyssa said in dismay.

He pushed her aside. “First thing you should know. I’m not the hero you’re looking for!”

My eyes told me what my heart felt – Friday Fictioneers

138 chess-eyes — PHOTO PROMPT © Jeff Arnold

My eyes told me what my heart felt

The door closed and I turned to see two girls staring at me.

“This way, Amelia. Mummy will be back soon”, said their mother. I followed her silently into the playroom.

In the middle of a game I didn’t understand, one of the girls shouted, “You’re looking at my cards! That’s cheating.” Her older sister responded by asking me what I had seen. I kept quiet. I had seen nothing.

For the remainder of the day I sat alone. A cautious observer of everything around me. But I couldn’t see or understand why the woman was my mother’s best friend.

Under another sky

137 rogers-skylight — PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot

Under another sky

The sea was calm under the tranquil sky and the waves lapped gently against the boat. The world lay in front of us and offered us a wealth of opportunities – so varied, so beautiful, so new.

Without warning, the clouds gathered around us. I reached for you but found myself all alone.

From out of the mist, a voice spoke to me softly. “I’m sorry to disturb you but the gallery is closing now.” I looked into the curator’s sympathetic face and stood up with a sigh.

There would be another time to dream. Another day to say goodbye.

There you will always be – Friday Fictioneers

136 jill-f

There you will always be

This is the place. I take your hand and gaze at all the familiar sights. The tree-lined streets, the bustling shopping centre, the crowded coffee shops and lively bars. The tower standing sentinel as the sunlight pours through its soaring metal curves.

The present and past come together as we walk slowly along the shore. The incoming tide washes away our footprints and leaves no trace of where we have been.

Everything changes. I reach out for you but you’re no longer here. The sun shines less brightly and the gentle breeze, like my thoughts, breathes a long, low sigh.

When the past calls – Friday Fictioneers

135 stone-house — PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

When the past calls

I took a walk along the stony path to where the fields stretched into the distance. The cows that were brushing past the tangled hedgerows looked up briefly as I passed, then turned away. A solitary robin sang out a bitter-sweet refrain.

I gazed across at hills, vales and woods, all shrouded in a silver mist. Somewhere in that landscape was the farm. The house and garden, barns and stables. The fence and gates we played upon. The pump, the old oak tree and the swing.

A tear slipped unexpectedly down my face. A sudden realisation. I couldn’t go back.

The way home – Friday Fictioneers

134 sandras-shells — PHOTO PROMPT © Sandra Crook

The way home

“Workplace stress!” I grumbled to myself as I hurried to the station. I’d had enough of office politics and the unending competition for position and status.

When I left the train, I went for a walk through the fields that stretched out under a cloudless sky. The trees quietly dropped their leaves as I passed and the birds sang through my restless thoughts. A solitary fox stared at me and shrugged, as if dismissing my concerns. I stood in silence and looked all around. Nature’s warm embrace restored me and took away the cares that would make me wilt again.

Beyond a cup of coffee – Friday Fictioneers

Another piece of story telling for Friday Fictioneers! A little later than usual but here it is! Thank you to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields who hosts this venture. Each week Rochelle chooses a photo prompt to inspire writers to produce a 100 word piece of flash fiction. Do use the link to her blog if you are interested in joining the group. It’s a great way to get involved in writing!

133 dinner-table-prior — PHOTO PROMPT © Yvette Prior

Beyond a cup of coffee

Standing on the opposite side of the road, Bella looked with pride at the place she had created. She heard music playing; the people sitting at the tables having their conversations – some animated, some quiet. She felt the atmosphere. It was relaxed, welcoming, inviting. This was the place to be.

Bella smiled. It was everything she had worked for. A successful business.

A bus pulled up, blocking her view. As it moved off, it took with it the thriving coffee bar and left, instead, the sight of the boarded-up frontage. The stark reality of the dream that hadn’t come true.

Colour in the dark – Friday Fictioneers

132 cafc3a9-terrasse-dale-r — PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson

Colour in the dark

I sat in the bar, waiting for you to arrive. I wasn’t sure that you would turn up. The last couple of times we’d met, you’d been distracted; things on your mind.

We’d been together a long time and had our ups and downs. This was different. There was silence where the words used to be and the moments of laughter were increasingly rare.

I checked my watch and reluctantly accepted that I wouldn’t be seeing you. As I stood up to leave, you suddenly appeared in front of me.

You smiled.

A flash of colour to brighten my darkness.

Out of this world – Friday Fictioneers

Another piece of story telling for Friday Fictioneers! Something a little different this week to stretch the imagination! Thank you to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields who hosts this venture. Each week Rochelle chooses a photo prompt to inspire writers to produce a 100 word piece of flash fiction. Do use the link to her blog if you are interested in joining the group. It’s a great way to get involved in writing!

131 jhc-clock — PHOTO PROMPT © J Hardy Carroll

Out of this world

I awoke in unfamiliar surroundings. It was very quiet and there was no-one else around.

I sat up, bemused. I had been out with friends and I remember feeling overwhelmed with tiredness. Now, here I was.

But where?

It was an old wooden building. I explored it from top to bottom. Hearing a noise, I approached the entrance. I recoiled in terror at the giant figure that filled the space in front of me. Looking down, I saw the ground so far below.

What had happened to me?

The doors were open. But for me, there was no way out.