Friday Fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here.
Click here to hear the writer read his words:
Sunset
I’ve never liked sunsets.
Sure, they can be quite spectacular, lots of rosy hues and all that, but they always make me think of death.
Because, y’know, it’s the end of something, something that might have been great, and the beginning of something else, something dark and lonely.
Thing is, I spent too much of my life in darkness, alone and frightened.
Then you came along, and brought sunshine, laughter and love.
Especially love.
I thought it would be like that forever.
But you left, without a word.
A heart attack, they said.
For me, it was just another sunset.
Ahh, a sad story at the end… what else would I expect? Very nicely done, CE.
Seems I missed this comment, Chris, sorry about that! Thanks for kind words.
So many endings. Sometimes it feels like one too many. This was emotive perfection CE.
I love ’emotive perfection’!
Thanks, Jodi
A sad story beautifully told. The last line is a gut punch.
Thank you for the kind words. Sorry about the ending.
There is something about the cycle of life here. How often can we repeat the turmoil until the wheel stops?
Until we die, James?
sad relatable story. well done.
Thank you
Beautifully written, CE. It is a sad way to look at life but sometimes life throws it at you until you become jaded.
Thanks, Dale, he’s not had a lot of luck, it seems
‘Twould appear…
A very poetic way of thinking of death. Great job.
Cheers, David
C.E., excellent musical accompaniment. You told this just right. He may even be innocent 😉
Thanks, Lisa, but I’m confused by your last thought.
You’re welcome. I’m not sure if you’re kidding or serious. This part:
“But you left, without a word.
A heart attack, they said.”
Knowing the stories you used to write made me question, “A heart attack, they said.”
If you didn’t mean a more sinister ending, my apology.
Not kidding, genuinely confused.
And you’ve reminded me why I stopped doing FF.
No worries, CE. I’m just a reader who may have seen it differently. Once we release our work to the world, it becomes the world’s to grok.
I found this very moving, it captures the raw feelings of sorrow and fear, the conversational tone creates a special intimacy, thank you for sharing ❤️
I’m very happy this worked so well for you.
Thank you for your kind and thoughtful comment.
Good to see you again, old friend. It doesn’t sound as though your character expects much out of fate, and it seems he’s unlikely to be surprised or disappointed. If this comment appears twice, well that’s down to WordPress. I think I’m in the naughty chair again.
Good to see you again, old friend. It doesn’t sound as though your character expects much out of fate, and it looks as though he’s seldom disappointed.
Thank you, Sandra. Yes, he’s not had a lot of laughs in his time.
That’s so sad.
An interesting analogy, the sun’s setting as I write this…
It is a bit bleak, isn’t it!
The night also brings peace.
Not to everyone, James
Great last line. The dislike of dusks is apparently called Hesperian depression
Thanks, Neil. As Don McLean says ‘Evening brings the memories I can’t forget’
Dear C.E.
A heartwrenching story. Elegantly written.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you, m’lady
It’s amazing what you do with 100 words – a whole life of emotions, barely described but totally conveyed.
‘For me it was just another sunset’ – ouch.
Thanks, Jenne