Friday Fictioneers is hosted by the wonderful Rochelle, the undisputed master of what I call Sound Bite Fiction.
She sets the weekly challenge, and the standard.
I found today’s gleaming photo by Amy Reese somewhat foreboding.
So my mind went, not unusually, to a strange dark place.
The idea, as always, is to write a story of around 100 words based on the picture, below.
© Amy Reese
Click here to hear me read my story:
The Prison
Urgent, come quickly.
I arrive within the hour.
It is a frightening place, remote and intimidating.
The chief guard hustles me to the governor’s office.
I glimpse long, empty corridors, shuttered cells on each side.
This is the most secure and the most brutal prison in the country.
It houses only the most dangerous inmates, men who kill without compunction.
We have an escapee, I am told.
But why call a private investigator, I ask, why not the official agencies.
No one can ever know, says the governor.
Names don’t matter here, only the numbers.
Welcome to your new home.
Sound Bite Fiction 
This happens all the time. Where is justice? Just saying…
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I knew there was something evil about you! Hope you’ll be out before the end of the Trump Administration.
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Just an innocent bystander, Perry.
I hope there will never be a Trump Administration.
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Oh no, how mean! And they let the horrible killer run free… Scary twist, you don’t disappoint.
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Mean, yes.
Run free, probably not, but they have no intention of bringing him back alive.
I am happy that you are not disappointed, Gabriele.
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Ha! Great surprise ending!
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Thanks, Dawn, I always like to get your seal of approval, I know my job is done.
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Ouch, so he’s to take the place of the escapee. Was he chosen at random? because he won’t be missed? Loads of questions raised and a chilling scenario to ponder over.
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You have it in a nutshell, Michael.
Well read, sir.
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What a twist, CE! Quite a punch at the end. No names here, and not any more with this guy. Well done.
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Glad to know it worked for you, Amy.
Thank you
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“Surprise!”
Loved it. You do have a way!
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Aw shucks!
Glad you enjoyed.
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Chilling twist.
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Chilling is good, thank you!
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I like that you left me to fill in the blanks. I fell sorry for him, not at all convinced he deserved to be imprisoned with all those killers.
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In 100 words the reader often has much to do!
Glad you found it worth the effort.
And no, unless there is something in his dark past…
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And he was never heard from again… Great concept from the prompt.
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Precisely.
Thanks, Iain
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Oh, I had a bad feeling and it was confirmed at the end! Wow, the chills!
AshleyDannie
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Well thank you, Ashley, bad feelings and chills make me happy!
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That can’t be good. It seems he’s made someone high up really angry. Dark but good writing, as usual, C.E. 🙂 — Suzanne
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No, just fits the profile to ‘disappear’.
Thank you, Suzanne.
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Well, someone has the fill the escapee’s slot. Problem solved.
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Got it in one, Russell, exactly what happened.
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I felt the urgency!
Lily
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Then it worked well!
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Clang! He must have done something awful. Even though, I knew there would be a killer last line, I was taken in until the end!
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He did nothing, he was just available.
Happy to have lived up to your expectations.
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Oh my, not the luckiest day in his life.
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Laughing.
So true!
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Ooh, chilling. No arrest, no jury, no sentencing. If he’s just a number he’s never going to get out is he. I like it.
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Concisely summarised, Claire, he is in forever.
Thank you.
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Sounds like one job he shouldn’t have taken. Creepy stuff!
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Exactly so, sir.
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Oops! I fear he has walked into a trap.
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Yep.
End of the movie for him.
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This sounds like he got himself to an awful situation, filing the body count at a terrible prison. I’m worried he’ll be killed or much worse, by his inmates. And I wonder if he as a ‘private investigator’ was chosen to be in this prison to snitch? I don’t think his inmates will like that if they find out.
Great piece CE. Hugs as always.
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Thank you, Amanda, I always enjoy your comments, especially when they are longer than the story!
No, not a snitch, just someone to balance the book of inmates.
Hugs to you, as always
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Thank you CE. Hehe sometimes I’m inspired. Your piece must have done that for me 🙂 Hugs to you as well.
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Gruesome….just numbers!
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Yep, totally dehumanised.
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Oh dear! Great twist 🙂
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Thank you, Jade.
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oooh nice twist! Poor unsuspecting dude lol 😉
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Exactly
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Oooh, ouch. I like the line “name don’t matter here, only numbers”, and how you lead us in before socking it to us. One of your best!
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Thank you, Jennifer, glad it worked for you.
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New home indeed. Excellent story. I like your style very much.
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Thank you, Indira, I appreciate your comments very much.
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Excellent.
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Thank you
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I just want to know what he’s done. Was it something to do with his PI work? And why the hell did the fool go in there when he must have been aware he was a possible inmate? A dark tale, nicely spun as always, C. Hope you’re taking care 🙂
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Nothing, Lynn, that is the point.
He is just disposable.
Taking care?
Gosh no, I am living my life!
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Such is life – bad things do not come to the bad, good does not visit the good. Glad you’re not taking too much care then 🙂
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A PI less maybe, or there might be way out by being snitch I guess…
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Well done, Bjorn, getting into the nitty gritty of the tale
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Spooky. I can hear the bolts sliding and the keys turning.
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Now that is cool, the reader fills in the blanks, thank you!
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You know, I hope i never commit a crime worthy of THAT place.
Awesome, C.E., as usual.
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You don’t have to.
Just don’t answer their invitation.
Thank you, wmq.
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Oh no! Is he stuck there now too?
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He sure is
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Looks like he is joining Mr Bond
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Except with no escape
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I heard the door clang shut
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Never to reopen.
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Dear CE,
This doesn’t bode well for the PI. Chilling.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Indeed, m’lady, it appears that his jolly old goose is cooked.
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