Sunday Photo Fiction is a weekly challenge presented by my old friend Al Forbes.
The idea is to write a short story (200 word max) inspired by what you see in his picture (below).
Click on this link to enter your tale, and see what others have written.
Below is an example of what I call Sound Bite Fiction.
Copyright Al Forbes
Time Machine
I built it years ago.
Although it has not been fully tested, I know it works.
She made me promise never to use it.
I loved her more than anything, much more than my fantastic ambitions.
So, although it was my life’s work, and dream, I did as she asked.
But now she is gone, I am going to try it out.
You see, I have a plan.
My beautiful lady, my reason for living, was taken from me by an arrogant idiot.
An idiot who decided he could drive his high powered car after a night out with his moronic chums.
I don’t need to spell it out, do I?
Because his family is obscenely wealthy, with the connections that buys, he got a suspended sentence.
Walked free.
While I have a suspended life.
And my darling is dead.
But my task is simple.
The inquest heard all his movements for that dreadful night.
So I just set the coordinates and meet him in the car park at the Waterfront.
Then I can shoot him.
Or maybe I will strangle him.
But I have a problem.
How can I tell her I broke my promise?
Sound Bite Fiction 
An intriguing story. Having a time machine throws up so many “what if…” questions. I like the idea that time cannot be changed. So, if you travel back in time, you potentially go back to another time line that won’t affect your own!
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Hi Steve
I seem to have totally missed this very kind and thoughtful comment.
Time travel raises so many questions, and alternative answers, for the curious mind.
See today’s post, coming up soon!
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Hi & thanks again for visiting my blog 🙂
Thanks also for pointing this one out – the premise of time travel & it’s uses are favourites of mine (I’m a sci-fi fan from way back). What I really liked here was the punch at the end – how do I tell her I broke my promise – showing your MC’s not the slightest bit concerned with the ethics of vengeance or murder, but baulks at the thought of disappointing his love. A skewed point of view that works well in your first person writing style.
Cheers -I enjoyed this & will keep an eye out for future posts 🙂
KT
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Thank you, KT, for your time and your comment.
But there is slightly more to it than just disappointing her.
The explanation is likely to be rather fraught, don’t you think?
Hi, honey, you were a bit dead so I broke my promise, killed a guy, et voila, you’re home!
Somewhat far-fetched, perhaps?
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Dear C.E.
This has to be one of your best and certainly most thought provoking stories. I loved the juxtaposition of the killer receiving a suspended sentence and the narrator having a suspended life. Nicely penned there.
Then one has to ask what other repercussions would going back in time to change the events would have. Time travel stories fascinate me.
Again, very well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, Rochelle.
You have once again identified the salient points and the critical question.
And good to see you away from your own wonderful weekly challenge, Friday Fictioneers.
Shalom.
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Oh! Go ahead and do it, she won’t care! LOL! Great story C.E.
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I am not so sure, dear Joy.
Does he tell her she was dead?
She forbade him to use it, maybe because she understands what it means to change time.
I think she cares deeply.
Glad you enjoyed the story, and great to see you here as always.
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Great story, and a lot to think about! If it works for him once….he may decide to use it again to solve another problem he has one day.
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Exactly, dear lady, he is on the brink of an ethical minefield.
Will he eventually use it because he is late for an appointment?
And, most importantly, what will she say?
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A complicated little story you have there. Even after reading all the comments I’m still thinking about all the little details involved if he does kill him.
DJ
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Thank you, Danny.
I too am still thinking about so many things here.
I cannot see a happy ending, regardless.
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Nice story. Took a while for me to get it. The key is all in the title. Very thoughtful twist.
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This is apparently slightly more obscure than I intended.
Glad you sussed it.
And yes, I did intend to raise some serious ethical questions here.
Will she forgive?
Does the writer tell her she was dead and that he changed the world?
And, as Francesca asks below, is killing ever justified?
Thank you for your thoughtful comment.
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Ah, excellent summary! Thank you!
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And thank you.
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Nicely done!
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Thanks, Roger.
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Does killing justify killing?
A very well told story.
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Stupid me, I mean, if he kills him, will that solve anything?
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On the contrary, Francesca, it changes everything.
His lady does not die if the driver is killed in advance.
Justification is another question.
Thank you for your visit and comment.
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Hard decision to make. Not only break his promise, but end up in a situation she would never want him in. Jail or possibly Death Row. And yet how to live while the other does not pay the toll?
Well done.
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But he would not be a suspect in the apparently motiveless killing of a total stranger, would he?.
And he is obviously somewhere else at the time!
But thank you for understanding his situation, and giving it some thought.
Cheers
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Sounds like you given this some though. This would make for a longer story. Novel even. We know what he did, but would root for him anyway.
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Thank you again for your comments.
I am considering an expanded version.
And I have given it much thought.
There are a number of moral and ethical questions inherent in this.
I do not claim to have the answers.
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It should be interesting. If you post on your blog, please drop me a line so I can read it.
Phyllis
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Well done! I enjoyed your story very much. Be well… ^..^
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Thank you, Babs, on both counts.
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