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 the picture (below).
This week’s photo is once again one of Al’s own, and looks to me like his home town, Dover, gateway to France.
Click on this link to enter your tale, and to see what others have written.
© Al Forbes iction
Click here to hear the author read his story:
Vertigo
Her fear of heights surprises me.
I thought she was afraid of nothing.
She comes from the northern highlands, has tried most outdoor pursuits – skiing, hill-walking, mountain-biking, and various other adventurous pastimes.
And yet she tells me she suffers from vertigo.
Although she arrived here only recently, she loves the Mediterranean almost as much as I do.
We walk the beaches and port regardless of the weather.
She clambers over rocks in gale force wind and driving rain, and she is unperturbed.
She stands at the end of the pier with the elements hammering at her face, and she laughs.
But she will not climb the lighthouse.
I tell her the views are spectacular, she shrugs, shakes her head.
I point out that the stairwell is enclosed, she can’t fall.
I promise I will hold her tightly at the top, she doesn’t even have to approach the rail.
She will not even consider it.
Nothing can tempt her up those steps.
Which is why I am now so confused.
And devastated.
Today is calm and sunny.
I had to run an errand, said I’d meet her here.
At the lighthouse.
Where her body lies broken.
Sound Bite Fiction 
I guess her fears were warranted and so terribly sad that they were. You can tell she has this fierce independent streak but if she was so afraid, she should have waited for him to be there to help her up. I think her being foolish,y brave in the end makes the story doubly sad. Hugs again. 🙂
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I know someone who can’t go near edges because she just wants to jump off them. I wonder if this was the same, and she did jump. Or … if she went up against her will, and ended up pat the bottom the same way. Good story CE.
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I bet the police are suspicious of that “accidental” fall. Perhaps she was suicidal and didn’t trust herself. Either way, it’s tragic. Good writing, C.E. —- Suzanne
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I don’t particularly like heights – you’ve got me worried now!
Click to visit Keith’s Ramblings
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Very well written. Ceayr.
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She was right to be afraid – either and accident or I suspect she didn’t trust herself not to jump?
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Sounds like she had good reason to fear heights and so tragic that she decided to tempt fate.
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