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 author read his words:
The Light
I lie awake in the dead of night, eyes closed, listening to the sound of nothing.
I’m at peace.
Then, behind my eyelids, I see, far in the distance, a bright light.
The light at the end of the tunnel, I consider briefly, before, in a moment of panic, forcing my eyes open.
I’m suddenly aware that it was another, very different light, the one that heralds the end of life.
I’ve never felt that I’m afraid of death, but I believe that I haven’t yet finished the things I want to achieve here.
I sigh.
I’ll soon be ready.
Death has its own agenda and cares not for our whims. I hope when death comes I am aware of all that I am leaving behind.
This one gives the reader a lot to think about.
Carefully positioned matchsticks will keep the eyes open, delay the inevitable.
The light that heralds the end of life, implies to me how we are all living in the darkness of some concealed truth. Your cover the eternal question, that even the tax man fails to grasp.
I think we’re only ready when we’re very old, or very sick. I wouldn’t want to be fit of mind and body and think I did everything I wanted to do in life, having nothing left, and just waiting for death.
Ah well, that’s life, and…..
It must be comforting to feel that one has accomplished all that one hoped to and then can accept the inevitable. An envious position, methinks. One I am so not ready to see.
A shared story for us all. I hope he finishes his desired goals before it’s time to go. Fantastic writing!
Now, I swear I just wrote a comment, but it’s disappeared…
And if it reappears, I’ll be repeating myself – well, it won’t be the first time!
The Light – the story we all share in.
Succinctly told and beautifully read – says it all really.
You have too many murders yet to be committed to print to pop your clogs right now. And for a moment I thought that one of your assassins was heading your way with a torch… Good one, CE.
I’ll leave the killing to you, Sandra, you do it with much more elegance!
Dear C. E.
Not too soon. No one wants to leave a story unfinished. Well written.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you, m’lady
Hopefully the day is far off – nice writing 💞
Thanks, Ange – twice!
Not too soon, I hope.
Only the good die young, Nancy
Death doesn’t wait for us to be ready.
We’ll see!
I believe a life well lived – is best left when there is still plenty left to do….
Hmm, I’ll have to ponder on that, Jodi..
The light above heavens door. You won’t be knock-knock-knocking just yet, at least, I hope not!
You can’t get rid of me that easy!
The nightmare remembers, even when we forget…☠️
You think we forget, Liz?
Great story, CE. One tiny thought: would the last line be better as “I’ll be ready soon”?
Thanks, Neil. I don’t see that.