Photo prompt by Ted Strutz

No, no, no. Oh shit! I’m in trouble!

Today of all days to miss the bus, with a special arrival due. The boss made it plain; there were to be no stuff ups!

“They’ve been through enough, Fred,” he’d said in that deeply melodic voice. “They deserve quick processing; tender loving care. Don’t let me down!”

And, there. Already at the top of the escalator. Nobody to greet them. There’ll be questions; uncertainty. Have they arrived? Is this it? Do they belong?

The unfathomable guilt they carry. They survived. Have they suffered enough?

HE will kill me!

Photo prompt from J Hardy

People say, “we’ll put into storage.”

I ask, “why?”

Items forgotten; unclaimed. Not needed, but not able to let go.

When is enough, enough?

You say, “sentimental value; family heirloom!”

But what is the point of ownership, when kept out of sight?

When you die, it will have stood in storage. Unseen. Unloved.

There only for your heirs. Who gaze at it, with empty minds and hearts.

You have gone but left this.

In their grief, decisions. What to do? Sell; or dump.

Deal with it now. Make a choice.

In your living space, or dead to you now. (99 words)

Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here

NOTE: If you enjoy Random Thoughts by Trish, you may also enjoy my blog Trishs’s Place for Travel.

Prompt by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

Gorgeous light feature. Well done, city council.
It is good to see our taxes spent on beautifying the streets.
A quiet night though.

Pity there aren’t more people out to enjoy the installation.
Where is everyone tonight? Late night shopping. A lovely warm evening.
Usually the streets are packed.

My friends should be here though. Said to meet outside the Igis.
Squelch. What was that? I’ve stood on something? Can’t see …
No, hang on! There was a family up ahead. Where …?

Not lights. Some sort of alien creature. Suckers?
NO! NO! Oh no!! This is bad! (98 words)

Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here

NOTE: If you enjoy Random Thoughts by Trish, you may also enjoy my blog Trishs’s Place for Travel.

PHOTO PROMPT © Ted Strutz

“Those need sorting,” Janet muttered to herself as she passed the dusty collection of photos. Her only connection to a mother she barely knew; to a life she yearned for.

Stirring the pile, Janet chose one photo and wondered: “Is that me, in the arms of my mum?”

So many strangers, who might not be. It was disquieting and intriguing!

Fear, her constant friend, hollered “Don’t ask; don’t seek. They won’t want you!”

Hope, a new quieter voice, whispered “Love is worth the effort!”

Trembling, she turned the photo and read out loud “Sister Annie, with Janet, 1953”.

Aunty and child.

Janet smiled.

Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here

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I wake in the dark with bruise-like pain around my middle.

In complete darkness, with no sense of what surrounds me, I get to my knees and try to stand.

My eyes strain to see and my ears stretch to hear any sound.

A fluttering and as I recognise movement I notice a soft breeze, salt on my tongue and something else; bats?

Memories of stories – blood sucking, webbed wings and screeching. Are they hiding and waiting; holding their breath? If they cry, my heart will stop.

Bright lights; I scream and scream again at the movement – of sheets from the ceiling.

This is my submission for Friday Fictioneers. Photo credit to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields, who kindly runs Friday Fictioneers through her website.

The idea is to fashion a story that has a beginning, middle, and end and within 100 words.