Every Friday, writers from around the globe join to write tiny tales in response to a photo prompt posted on Rochelle’s blog. It takes discipline to write a piece using only 100 words! It’s also fun to take part in the blog hop and to read the stories written by everyone else. 🙂
This week’s photo prompt has been supplied by Ted Strutz.
Both Ron and I (Joanna) sensed the same atmosphere of isolation and potentially dark deeds within this image, so I fitted my story with Ron’s to create a suspenseful duet. We hope you enjoy them!
Ron’s story ~ Twelve Dawns
The urgent call of the ferry again, and I am not there. Restrained in this chair with a view of freedom, but no chance of escape.
I am getting used to the pain my captors have inflicted over the past twelve dawns. Yet it still blinds me. I will never see dawn the same again, if I ever get away. Agony beyond time, then more hours recovering to prepare for the next morning session.
If I knew the answers to their pointless questions, I would give them up.
And then the drill starts again. HELP ME!
Then I fade away.
[100 words]
***
Joanna’s story ~ ‘The Call of the Wild’
The deep quiet of the wilderness gave a pervasive sense of isolation. Michelle shivered. Disembarking from the early-morning ferry just as it emitted its sonorous cry, she wished she could go back. But she couldn’t. Not until she’d found Max.
The ransom demand had been clear: “NO POLICE!”
The whispers from the trees huddled across the water folded around her.
The heavy chill of the lake seeped into her soul.
This place felt hard, rough, remote.
Hostile.
Then she heard the ragged scream. Max! She knew it was her twin!
The ensuing silence was superfluous.
Their link had been severed.
[100 words]
***
The tales written by other writers who’ve taken part this week can be found by clicking the blue frog below.
If you’d like to read any of our earlier stories, they can be found here and on our old blog.
We hope you enjoyed these tiny tales! If you like writing and want to take part in Fictioneers, please visit Rochelle’s blog for the “how to” guide. 🙂 All are welcome!
If you’d like to connect with us on Twitter, we are @LazuliPortals. 🙂
Joanna & Ron | The Lazuli Portals
The Lazuli Portals 
I really liked Ron’s story this week. It’s one of the routes I had originally considered. I couldn’t get it to play out. He did it seamlessly.
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Thank you, Dawn. He certainly inspired me! Thanks for reading!
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Both great stories, each in their own way. There was a real sense of raw horror in the first one, and the second one pursued something I’ve often wondered. Can you ever tell when your soul mate is no longer? Well done, I know I say it every time you both submit, but I look forward to reading your double helping of talent.
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Hi Sandra, thank you for your lovely comment! That twin bond is something special, to be sure; and I know from experience that others (non-twins) can share a similarly strong connection. Powerful stuff.
Thank you again; I always look forward to reading yours, too. 🙂
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Dear Joanna,
These are both excellent stories, full of dread and pain, each a dark side of their own Universes. The severed connection was especially subtle, but I suspect, like the phantom pain experienced by amputees, Max will always be calling to her. Well done.
Aloha,
Doug
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Dear Doug,
Thank you for spending time in our unusually dark world this week. I wasn’t sure whether the severing was *too* subtle, so thank you for your comment. Max will always be with Michelle in spirit, I’m sure.
Aloha, Joanna
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Oh no! I thought he was going to be saved and then the ending hit me like a brick wall. Wonderfully written, both of you. Love that you two also did a #replyfiction this week like me and Binks 🙂
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That was the atmosphere’s fault, Jessie! LOL.
Glad you enjoyed them. Yes, Ron and I often write counterpoint stories, when the mood takes us. Just a natural follow-on from writing novels together, I guess! 😉
Thanks for reading. Your interlinked stories were great.
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Great take on the picture…from his/hers viewpoint. As a reader, I want to know the end of the story. I’m hoping that a future Fictioneers brings closure! Haunting stories…well written!
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Thank you, Mary! Well maybe Michelle will crop up in a ‘sequel’, if a picture ever fits! I want to know whether she gets her revenge, as well. 😉
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Just maybe there is still hope.. Michelle might be mistaken.. and he’s still alive. I really liked the first story.. really a sinister view of being captured and tortured..
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I’m normally an optimist, Bjorn – at least in storytelling – but I think it’s pretty much a done deal in this one … sorry!!! 😉
Thanks for visiting and reading. 🙂
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Joanna, I liked both your and Ron’s stories. Different layers of the same event. Well written. 🙂 —Susan
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Thank you, Susan – I’m so pleased you liked them. 🙂
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Looks like it’s time to start counting kidnappings this week. I wonder if this will end in ransom or an additional victim.
Cheers!
MG
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It seems that way, Marie! Thanks for reading. 🙂
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Dear Joanna (and Ron)
Two sides of the same coin. Love it that they’re twins and subtle severing. Well done on both ends.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, Rochelle, for your lovely comment. 🙂
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Ouch and ouch. The loss and severing in Joanna’s story is really wrenching, and the unspoken conequence of the drilling in Ron’s, chilling. Well done both of you.
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I’m glad they hit the spot! Thanks, Sarah Ann 🙂
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