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Worn out – 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!

114 dadsshoes

© Photographer prefers to remain anonymous.

Worn out

A solitary figure stood alone at the top of the tall cliff, measuring the views with sadness in his eyes.  With a shrug, he took the path away from the restless surf and through the long miles of woodland.  He trudged through the night under the critical gaze of the silent moon and slept in the shadows of the unwelcoming hedges.  He seemed not to know where the road would lead him but pursued his course with resigned indifference.

 I came across the boots.  Abandoned.

I wondered where they had been and whether there was a purpose in the journey.

 

 

44 thoughts on “Worn out – Friday Fictioneers”

    1. Dear Rochelle

      Thank you. I’m so glad you think this piece could be the opening to something more. It is certainly a story that I shall develop further.

      Best wishes

      Edith

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  8. You’ve written this story beautifully. I particularly enjoyed “He trudged through the night under the critical gaze of the silent moon and slept in the shadows of the unwelcoming hedges.”

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    1. Thank you for your appreciative response and for picking out this particular sentence. I hoped it would convey the displeasure of his surroundings at his lack of enthusiasm for the journey so I am glad it struck a chord with you.

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  9. Edith, once again you’ve come up with a beautifully written and atmospheric piece. I loved it and like Penny, was struck by: “He trudged through the night under the critical gaze of the silent moon and slept in the shadows of the unwelcoming hedges.”
    I also question the the last line of the piece, which to me shows that person to be a bit off beat as well. My first thought would be what had happened to the owner of the shoes and were they okay, especially after reading the stories leading up to yours. I guess I’m thinking the purpose of the journey was to end his life and you might be just about to make a horrific discovery.
    Very well done.
    Best wishes,
    Rowena

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    1. Thank you so much , Rowena, for your appreciation of what I have written and for the ideas you have expressed. It’s interesting that I see the ‘walker’ turning away from the possibility of ending his life when he takes the path away from the cliff top and the restless surf below. I see the abandoned boots as a sign that he has found his way, at last,and no longer needs these worn out items to remind him of the long journey he has had to take in order to gain the understanding of where he needs to go.
      Thanks again and very best wishes
      Edith

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      1. That’s a very interesting take on that, Edith which makes total sense to me now. He’s in the market for new shoes or even the thrill of bare feet. My daughter dances and it’s amazing how a dancer can move their feet, almost like hands and how much of the rest of us just pop them into out shoes and don’t think about them until they hurt. My experience of my own feet became a lot more conscious after I broke my 5th metatarsal a few years ago and was in a boot for a few months and doing physio exercises. My toes had never had so much exercise before.
        Best wishes,
        Rowena

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  17. I sometimes come across an abandoned shoe along a path or road. I conclude they have fallen from a bag or passing car. But two boots together is unsettling, like the atmospheric tone of your story. Well done.

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