Friday Fictioneers is hosted by the wonderful Rochelle, the undisputed master of what I call Sound Bite Fiction.
She sets the weekly challenge, the standard, and the prompt photo.
The idea, as always, is to write a story of around 100 words based on the picture below, which this week is apparently supplied by Secret Squirrel.
My story can be read, if you choose, as a prequel to last week’s story, which was, in turn, a prequel to the previous week.
© Unknown
Click here to hear the author read his words:
The Punch, Explained
Guess who?
The plate slips from my fingers.
She looks older, exhausted.
She is wearing a man’s coat and work-boots.
I need clothes and money, she says, heading for our bedroom.
The coat falls, and she is naked.
She is small, skinny now, brutally bruised.
They let you go?
She scowls scornfully.
Did you hurt anyone?
Only when deserved…
She dresses quickly, dark, practical clothes.
Quaking with fear, I give her all the money I have.
She punches me in the mouth, hard.
Payback, she says, or an alibi.
I-I didn’t …
But she is gone.
Back to the Resistance.
Tough times and a tough woman. I expect the man who lost his coat and boots will be bleeding to death in some dark dungeon.
Lots of brutal emotion here.
A girl’s gotta do, James, when she’s escaping from occupying forces.
In my mind the story is set in brutal and emotional times.
Definitely painted a picture for me. All that in 100 words. Wow, loved it! Have you seen the viral video of the cashier who punched and knocked out a man in Russia for bullying another man?
Thank you, GiN, glad the story worked for you.
And no, viral videos are not part of my world
Wow.
Great comment, thank you!
I could see that happening as I read. Nicely described!
Thanks, Ali, glad it worked for you
Gosh, that was a stunner, and in so few words!
Thanks, Liz, our hostess thrashes me with a soggy haggis if I overrun the count!
You painted a fine story, I enjoyed reading this.
Cheers, Mike
A moment caught so completely. Excellent. And I listened to your recording for the first time. Nice voice!
Thanks, Trish.
I’ve only been doing the readings for about 4 years, so you’re not too far behind!
And a second thank you for the kind words.
A powerful scene well described and impactful dialogue. Brilliant writing!
Thanks, Brenda, you are fast becoming a favourite!
Nice post!
Thank you, Aahana
Powerful story with great atmosphere. It makes me wonder whether the Resistance is something you want to join or avoid.
I guess it depends if you want to live on your knees or die on your feet, hmm?
Oh, and thanks!
Mmmm.
Loved the sparse yet powerful way you told this. It really packed a punch (sorry couldn’t resist.)
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Thanks, Susan, very few did resist!
Imagery well said. A wonderful example of ‘show, don’t tell’ yet leaves room for a reader to imagine. Good one.
Imagination is the most important element in a story as short as this. I just draw the outline, let you fill it in. Glad it worked for you, Bill
Literally delivered a punch!
Thanks, Anita, and an ambiguous punch at that!
For a moment I thought it was going to be a sexy story. Ha. He really needs to grow balls and dump her. Great stuff.
Really, Tannille, you think he’s had it rough?
That is a powerful punch of a story. My kind of shero 🙂
Thanks, JJ.
‘shero’ is new to me, I like it a lot!
Really created a mini-world, CE. Nailed it. Bravo!
Thanks, Kent
Dear CE,
I echo Sandra on this one. I felt like I was there. Well done, sir.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you, m’lady, happy that it connected.
Action packed, vivid imagery. So vivid I could have been there, but I’m rather glad I wasn’t. Well done.
Thank you, Sandra, much appreciated.
Loads of intrigue. Again.
Intrigue is fun. Again!
The end really had a punch packed in it.
I do try, Reena!
You deliver a lot more than the effort 🙂
Great character, my kind of hero. The Resistance is in good hands.
She has a certain style, doesn’t she!
She’s not Scots then. No head butt
Sadly, Neil, we don’t have a Resistance