Friday Fictioneers – One Two Three Four Legged Friend

Copyright -Douglas M. MacIlroy

One Two Three Four Legged Friend

I unsaddled Mystic and felt around in my bag for an apple. One left, it was a little brown and bruised from the ride but otherwise perfect. I rubbed it on my thigh and fed it to Mystic. The sun was heating up, telling me to head back to the air conditioned truck waiting to take me home without my horse. I looked around the large paddock. It was more than I could ever offer. She would be happy here.

“We’ve had some good times, haven’t we?”

Mystic tossed her head with a snort.

“Yeah, I know, I’ll miss you too”

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I found this one hard as there are so many lovely stories this week, I have found it hard to follow. In fact I was tempted not to post up as was struggling to put something together. Head over to Rochelle’s place if you want to have a go at Friday Fictioneers. Pop over to Doug’s to get the moving story behind the picture.

#Friday Fictioneers – Solitude

Thank you Madison Woods for the photo prompt. If you want to have a go at Friday Fictioneers, here’s the link

I haven’t done this in a few weeks, again done rather quickly on my lunch break. Some things never change!

98 words, critiques always welcome.

Solitude

Martha called it Home. It was nothing much, just four crumbling walls and a dusty floor, decorated with a single tapestry blanket.  The garden was thick with desert flora, rattlesnakes and scorpions. She went outside and gently patted her horse “I’m sorry” she said out loud “No riding today”.

Martha searched the horizon for signs of Ethan. He had ridden out the day before to find a doctor. A sharp pain shot through her back and Martha leant her weight on the horse. Breathing slowly, she felt liquid run down her legs.

“Oh Jesus” she muttered “Not now”

#FridayFictioneers Step by Step

I missed last week’s Friday Fictioneers so was looking forward to taking part again. I have written this on my lunch break at work so if it’s a little round round the edges then that’s why. I actually managed to keep it down to 99 words this time. Happy for feedback/critiques if you’re willing to give them.

Here is Madison Woods 100 word challenge if you want to take part.

Step by Step

With each tentative step, Liz felt the back of her heels sting. She perched on a rock and removed one walking boot at a time, carefully inspecting the offending blisters.  Liz had already hiked twenty five miles but her feet looked as though another step would finish them off.  She adjusted the heavy bag weighing down on her shoulders, wincing as the straps cut into her collar bone.

“Ten miles to go” she whispered, trying not to cry as she examined the steep forest path.

“Come on Liz, you beat the big C. This is a piece of cake.”

 

#Friday Fictioneers – Sirens

Thank you Madison for this weeks photo. I found it tricky again but I think that was also because I haven’t had much time to write this week. If you fancy a go, view the photo here and write approx 100 words.

Sirens

All the hope of freedom was held in that barn. Peering through the crack in the wood Sarah could see bodies of the young.

Engulfed in flashing light the adolescent army danced with their arms reaching up towards the sky. Broken rumbles disturbed the dust beneath her feet and a deep bass line triggered euphoric memories. The mood was hypnotic but Sarah wouldn’t allow it to take her prisoner.

Running away from a crime she didn’t commit, her proof of innocence belonged to a girl. Sarah desperately needed to find her but as the sirens drew closer she had to choose between liberty and exoneration.  Tonight the shadows beckoned, the truth had to wait and Sarah vanished once more.

#Friday Fictioneers The Hunter

I have never done this before but came across it on another blog and thought I would give it a go. A visual prompt from Madison Woods to inspire your 100-word story.

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Samsun had been walking for months. Winter had been harsh and the blizzard had made foraging impossible. He kept moving south to locate the food from the autumn hunt, still preserved in ice.  He followed his nose towards the spot where he had left his feast and despaired as the ground turned from white to grey. The landscape below his paws felt dry and his home was now a new world. Samsun walked past the once frozen lake thawing for the first time in his memory. At the spot where he should have found his salvation, only bones and dust remained.