Joanna’s story ~ Sari’s Search for Answers
I finally found her in the library. Her pulse was irregular, as delicate as a snowflake.
This area had been evacuated weeks before; why had she come here?
A paramedic in HazMat gear forced a tube into her mouth while I held her chilled hand.
“Please live, Sari,” I prayed. “I need you.”
I stroked her waxen cheek. She seemed so fragile.
A sigh shuddered from her cracked lips.
“Sari?” I whispered.
“Had dream,” she croaked. “Cure for plague, one of these old books.”
My fingers stilled. “Which one?”
She didn’t breathe again.
I’d never told her I loved her.
[100 words]
I think the inspiration for this piece came from watching the television series, The Last Ship!
***
Ron’s ‘ronku’ ~ LIBRARY
Ron has created a new word! (Something he does often, actually!)
Ronku: An acrostic poem not much longer than a haiku 😉
(You can see the tongue in cheek, right?! :P)
Late morning lie over
Imbibing past
Bike too dangerous
Remembering nothing
After usual problem
Resolved to stop
Yet I really know!
[21 words]
***
Friday Fictioneers is a weekly challenge to writers to craft a 100-word story using a photo prompt. To read more of the stories written this week, click the little blue froggy below. (Apologies if it isn’t working; out of our control!)
If you enjoy writing and would like to take part in Friday Fictioneers, please visit Rochelle’s blog for the “how to” guide. Rochelle does a wonderful job of managing the whole Fictioneers thing, and all are welcome.
If you’d like to read any of our earlier stories, they can be found here and on our old blog.
You’re welcome to connect with us on Twitter: we are @LazuliPortals.
As this is likely to be the last time we’ll partake in Friday Fictioneers this year, we’d like to wish all our Fictioneer friends a very “happy holidays”. 🙂
We hope to see you again in the New Year! 🙂
Joanna and Ron | The Lazuli Portals
The Lazuli Portals 
I’m a couple of episodes behind on “The Last Ship”, but your story pictures it very well. Loved the last couple of paragraphs, the finger pointing line is so expressive. Well done. Regarding ron’s rocky, very original, very short!
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Thanks for that compliment! 🙂
Haha, Ron likes to be original, and can be a man of very few words…. 🙂
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Nice! I like your writing!!
check out:
tricksterchase.com
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Thanks 🙂
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Great story (getting drama and emotion in 100 words is a challenge), and well written.
Nice work.
KT
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Thank you, KT – yes, it certainly can be! Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
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Dear Joanna and Ron,
Two very different takes on the prompt. Acrostic Ronku…you might have created a new form. 😉 Very nice.
Vivid story, Joanna and a very sad ending. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
PS We’ll miss you. Enjoy your holidays.
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Thank you, Rochelle; always lovely to see you here 🙂 Glad you enjoyed them both!
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I have not yet seen the Lost Ship.. but what really made the story for me was the last sentence.. heartbreaking.. when the last word is wasted on something else.. the poem is such a nice invention.. I might have to try it sometimes.
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Thank you, Bjorn – I wasn’t really sure what would happen until I reached the end. I’m glad it worked. 🙂
Knowing you, I’m sure if you chose to work with the “ronku form” (!) you’d come up with something great! 😉
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Such a tragic story. I love the idea of a dream leading her to the library for a cure in a book. But the ending! Gripping. I also like he Ronku – maybe he can find a cure for his problem in the library too.
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I’m pleased you enjoyed them, Margaret! Your tale had drama aplenty, too. 🙂
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lovely post, very sad first part … but cool idea a sort of haibun with an acrostic …
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Thanks – glad you enjoyed them 🙂 Thanks for reading!
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You’re welcome! 🙂
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Love the story and Ron’s Ronku. It’s always good and helpful to read other’s take on a prompt.
Lily
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Thank you, Lily – glad you enjoyed them both 🙂
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Dear Joanna,
Your story left me with chill and Ron’s Ronku left me smiling. Bookended stories, both good and just what i needed. Very well done.
Aloha,
Doug
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Aloha, Doug! In that case I guess we did ok, between us. 😛
Pleased you enjoyed them, and always good to see you here.
Have a wonderful week 🙂
Joanna
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