What Pegman Saw – Scoop!

“What Pegman saw” is a weekly challenge based on Google Streetview. You can read the rules here. You can find today’s location on this page,  from where you can also get the Inlinkz code. This week’s location is Panama.

Scoop!

The cable-tie bit into my wrists, stopping me saving myself when I stumbled. The FARC soldiers laughed.

“Not far now,” said one of them, “only another couple of hours!” They laughed uproariously.

Their camp in the jungle looked permanent. They shoved me, wrists still secured, into a cabin. It smelled stale.

In the conflict between pain and exhaustion, exhaustion won. I slept, until a boot in the ribs woke me. Groaning, I opened my eyes.

The girl carried a knife.

“Sit still. I’m not going to hurt you.”

Startled by her American accent, I looked again.

“Lucy! You’re Lucy Cullen the girl who was kidnapped!”

She drew a finger across her throat.

“Shh!”

Swiftly, she cut the cable-tie.

“Go west. You’re only five miles from the road.”

“You coming with me?”

She glared.

“You’re just Yankee shit. Rafael, the boss, is my man. He told me to kick you out.”

Friday Fictioneers – Taboo

Every week, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (thank you, Rochelle!) hosts a flash fiction challenge, to write a complete story, based on a photoprompt, with a beginning, middle and end, in 100 words or less. Post it on your blog, and include the Photoprompt and Inlinkz on your page. Link your story URL. Then the fun starts as you read other peoples’ stories and comment on them!

PHOTO PROMPT © DAVID STEWART

Taboo

Stephanie sat outside the cafe, enjoying the evening and yet grieving for what had been lost during lockdown – spontaneous embraces, laughter for no reason other than joie de vivre.

She saw Michel, and waved. It was such a shame that lockdown came just as they were getting to know each other. He smiled, walked across, and sat down.

“Aren’t we supposed…?”

“You don’t mind…?”

They spoke simultaneously, and smiled.

“Sorry…”

“I beg your…”

This time they laughed.

“Would you have dinner with me?” asked Michel, taking Stephanie’s hand.

Her smile said yes. Her breath came fast at his forbidden touch.

Inlinkz – Click here to join in the fun!

Friday Fictioneers – Euphoria!

Every week, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (thank you, Rochelle!) hosts a flash fiction challenge, to write a complete story, based on a photoprompt, with a beginning, middle and end, in 100 words or less. Post it on your blog, and include the Photoprompt and Inlinkz on your page. Link your story URL. Then the fun starts as you read other peoples’ stories and comment on them!

PHOTO PROMPT © C E Ayr

Euphoria

I’d heard the music from afar and its lure was irresistible.

The bass was growling a low E over which the harmony shifted chameleon-like and the lead guitar squealed. The rhythm of the drums was complex, built over a regular beat that had my feet skipping, my heart soaring.

Abruptly, the key changed to G major, bringing tears of delight. I felt myself rising. I spread my arms and flew, flew towards the band, lifted as though by the ocean towards fulfilment.

“Put her down!”

The security guards’ strong arms seized mine.

“Crowd surfing is banned – and so are you!”

Inlinkz – click here to join the fun!

What Pegman Saw – An Angel Unawares

“What Pegman saw” is a weekly challenge based on Google Streetview. You can read the rules here. You can find today’s location on this page,  from where you can also get the Inlinkz code. This week’s location is Rhode Island.

An Angel Unawares

“God’s world is beautiful, isn’t it?”

The word ‘God’ would normally make Ralph shy away, but there was something reassuring about the man on the bench next to him. He was at peace and his eyes held the echo of a smile.

“I was thinking,” explained Ralph.

“You study here at Brown University? They’re great thinkers.” He chuckled, then added, “No, really, they are. Eight Nobel prizes and counting, I believe.” He stretched. “Listen to those birds!”

“I have to make up my mind. My girl has another two years study here, and I’ve been offered a Gates scholarship to study in Cambridge.”

“Hmhm?”

“That’s a fast track to leadership.”

“Ah!”

“Well, it brings a lot of prestige! But I guess you wouldn’t know about that.”

“Who would you lead? Where would you lead them?”

The man stood.

“I’ll leave you to it,” he said. “Just remember – your choices matter.”

 

Friday Fictioneers – A big decision

Every week, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (thank you, Rochelle!) hosts a flash fiction challenge, to write a complete story, based on a photoprompt, with a beginning, middle and end, in 100 words or less. Post it on your blog, and include the Photoprompt and Inlinkz on your page. Link your story URL. Then the fun starts as you read other peoples’ stories and comment on them!

PHOTO PROMPT © Jan Wayne Fields

A big decision

“So, which one would you like?”

James looked at the sunhats and wondered whether he dared say.

“They’re all baseball caps, mum. I don’t like baseball.”

“You’ve got to have a sunhat, James. Just choose one.”

Blushing, James pointed to the pink one. His older brother, Edward, sniggered.

“Oh, I don’t think that’s suitable. What about this one? It says ‘Aloha’. And it’s bright – you like colourful clothes.”

“The pink one’s only 35 talas; I’ve got enough spending money. Can I have it if I buy it myself?”

“Oh, James…”

“Let the boy have it,” said his dad, quietly.

Inlinkz – click here to join the fun!

What Pegman Saw – Buddhists chanting

“What Pegman saw” is a weekly challenge based on Google Streetview. You can read the rules here. You can find today’s location on this page,  from where you can also get the Inlinkz code. This week’s location is Qinghain, Haibei, China.

Buddhists chanting

People chanted in the courtyard, and the north wind carried the sound like prayer across the waters of Qinghai Lake. A few of the participants shivered, some hugged their thin jackets tightly around themselves, but most withstood the chill stoically. They were people of the high plateau.

The little man at the front shouted a text. The assembly copied him. He shouted the text again; it was a quotation from Mao Zedong’s red book. The people copied with resignation. The leader harangued them; his voice pitched hysterically. He struck a man in the front row. The man winced but made no effort to retaliate.

“The Chinese have taken Tibetan Buddhists and detained them in this so-called re-education facility in Haibei,” said the commentator, and the video ended.

The team who had produced the video looked towards their orange-haired President.

“Great work, fellas. Get it over to Fox News straightaway.”

 

 

Friday Fictioneers – Dumping the Future

Every week, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (thank you, Rochelle!) hosts a flash fiction challenge, to write a complete story, based on a photoprompt, with a beginning, middle and end, in 100 words or less. Post it on your blog, and include the Photoprompt and Inlinkz on your page. Link your story URL. Then the fun starts as you read other peoples’ stories and comment on them!

PHOTO PROMPT © ROCHELLE WISOFF-FIELDS

Dumping the Future

The men had guns. They also had my daughters.

“We’ve had enough of scientists,” drawled one of them. “They were the ones got us into this mess.”

The one who seemed to be in charge said, “You’re gonna dump all your electrical goods, all computers, mobile phones, everything.”

“And then…?”

“Then your girls still have a father, and we won’t need to take care of them.”

“Where do you want it dumped?”

He shrugged. “Who cares?”

It took two days, but my girls are back.

I’ve missed cold beer this summer.

I hope I’ve cut enough logs for the winter.

Inlinkz – click here to join in the fun!

What Pegman Saw – An unexpected treat

“What Pegman saw” is a weekly challenge based on Google Streetview. Using the 360 degree view of the location provided, you must write a piece of flash fiction of no more than 150 words. You can read the rules here. You can find today’s location on this page,  from where you can also get the Inlinkz code

An unexpected treat

“Don’t worry – I’ll pay,” said Ricardo, firmly.

“But the Gingerbread Restaurant’s expensive!” Roseline opened her eyes very wide, and Ricardo kissed her.

“No problem.”

Roseline giggled when the starter came; the dish looked like a painting. Ricardo smiled, and stroked his fingers along the cornrows of her hair. “Would you like some wine?” he suggested.

The food was – interesting, Roseline decided.

As they ate dessert, Ricardo cleared his throat.

“I had my exam results last Thursday.”

“You never told me! Were they good?”

“I was top.”

“Oh, well done, Ricardo!”

“I have an internship at Clinica Union Medica del Norte.”

“But – that’s in the Dominican Republic…”

“I’ll phone. And text. If you want to, you can join me there when you’ve finished your studies.”

Roseline’s heart sank.

“Do you love me, Ricardo?”

“Yes. Yes, of course”.

“Then let’s get married.”

Ricardo stared at her, then grinned.

“Why not?” he said.