#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 – Mother of the Universe

Thanks Madison Woods for a superb photo prompt this week. You can see her story here.

I love mountains and find stories about climbing them fascinating so I was thrilled when this photo came up. Here’s my attempt, little over this week with 130 words.

Mother of the Universe

Climbing over abandoned crampons and climbers curled up in tombs of ice, I struggled to catch my breath.

For two days we had been stranded at camp three. I could do nothing but lay motionless in the pitch black and listen to the storm pound the tent. Aching lungs and a heavy head did little to deter me from my summit dream yet the deafening roar of the wind reminded me that I was in a world that did not belong to man.

My canned oxygen felt thin doing little to help the destruction I was inflicting upon my body. As the moon landscape disappeared the peak beckoned us into pale yellow and blue sky. Her spirit possessed us. Surrendering to the mother of the universe she captured our souls.

#Friday Fictioneers – End of the Rainbow

A little late in the day yet again! Thank Madison Woods for the photo.

I couldn’t think about which way to go with this but  I liked this one over the horror version I had. If you fancy having a go, click here to view the picture and Madison’s 100 word story.

 

End of the Rainbow

Grass at her feet and a crown of daisies in her hair, Sophie watched the clouds part and felt the sun hit her face.

Rolling over she smiled at Deacon who was blowing smoke rings into the air. His sunglasses perched on the tip of nose, Sophie could see him watching her.

“So, we going to do this?”

Sophie wanted to say no. At seventeen she had so much to achieve and the whole world to see. But as much desire she had for her future, she longed for the precious life inside of her.

She rested her head on Deacon’s shoulder and sighed.

“My mum is going to kill me.”

#Friday Fictioneers – Mizu in the Sky

If you fancy giving this week’s Friday Fictioneers a go, make sure you visit Madison Wood’s blog for this weeks photo prompt.

Mizu came from the sky, released by the big black clouds haunting the mountain. Falling into the river she travelled through the thick forests and over the rocks covered in slippery algae. Fish loved her as she hid them from the air and they powered her with momentum. Pushing through the rivers Mizu had so much to see but sunlight always took her home too early. This time she was determined to be a part of the big drop. Racing down the river, she could hear deep rumbling as the current pulled her closer. Today the sun favored Mizu and finally she was granted the gift of the sea. The cycle had been fulfilled and a new adventure awaited her.

The List

Today the hills look more like mountains and the light drizzle is refusing to be deterred by my waterproof jacket. Shivering, I push back the sleeve to look at the time on my wrist and I instantly feel disheartened. Despite it only being five in the morning the day already seems bleak and I start to dread what I have let myself in for. The brochures promised sunshine, blue skies and picturesque gentle hill walks. I had no idea that I would be up earlier than when I have to endure the daily commute through the city. This holiday was supposed to be a break from the daily grind but I just feel like an alien who has landed on the wrong planet.

I look across at Alan. His glasses are steamed up and rain is pouring down his face, scrunched up by his tightly pulled hood but I never seen him so bloody happy. Sometimes it is of great wonder to me how my husband and I ever managed to walk down the aisle with so little in common. Give me a large jug of sangria and a sun lounger by the pool over hill walking and rain any day.

The group gathers together under the tree and pull out their water proof maps, making sure they are stocked up on Kendal mint cake, plasters and flasks full of coffee.

“I hope by this point you have walked in your walking boots” heckles the guide and I question whether he is referring to me, the naughty girl at the back. Little does he know that my feet are already walked in thanks to years of pounding the streets in six inch heels, blisters have nothing on me.

“Today’s walk will start off with steady and gentle incline. After a few hours it will increase a little but if we keep at strolling pace we should be up and back down by tea time without too much strain.”

Alan joins me at the back still beaming.

“This is just perfect isn’t it?”

I would like to say ‘no’ and ‘get me back to the hotel and a hot brew’ but ever since he returned from hospital, Alan has been desperate to complete the walk he fondly remembers from his childhood. For the months we have compiled The List and this was placed as the first challenge. You could say people always compile mental lists of hopes and aspirations for their future. Although the intent is there, time and life somehow gets in the way. However now life and time are no longer a luxury to Alan and I and so The List has become our guide. Together we are clinging on to borrowed hours, days, months before we part. Now at the bottom of Snowdon, soaked through and shivering with cold there is nowhere else I’d rather be than with my husband. He takes my hand and smiles as we begin the climb up our mountain.