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 © ROGER BULTOT
To an unknown hero
The rock band was deafening, and I hardly heard the first gunshots. People started to scream. I laughed with excitement, and, as the light show dazzled, I turned to Michael, clapping my hands.
“We’ve got to get out,” he yelled, and pointed.
A hooded gunman was pumping round after round into the dancers.
Michael pushed me towards the nearest emergency exit. Shots ripped splinters from the door frame. Michael stumbled, blood pouring from his leg.
People barged past. “Please?” I begged them. “Please help!”
Eventually somebody stopped, and between us we manhandled Michael to safety.
Thank you, whoever you are!
Autumn Leaves 
Terrifying situation. It only takes one person to snap or decide today is the day and it could happen anywhere. Thank goodness for the heroes.
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You’re right, Iain. It’s the randomness that makes them particularly terrifying, isn’t it?
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People do quite unexpected things under pressure. I like that her intitial response was excitement
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Thank you for the kind comment, Neil. I’m glad you liked her excitement.
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A terrifying situation graphically described. Thank goodness for the unsung hero!
My story!
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Thank you for your kind comment, Keith. I expect it quite often happens that rescuer and rescued get separated after such an event and never even learn each others names.
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Too real for comfort! Well written.
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Thank you for your empathic comment. I’m sorry I made you uncomfortable.
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No worries– I got over it 🙂
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😉
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I was just watching Hotel Mumbai about a similar situation (and based on a true story). It really makes you think what would you do? I honestly don’t know. You want to think you would do the same, but would you? Very well done. I especially like the mystery of not knowing.
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Thank you for your kind comment. I remember the event on which Hotel Mumbai was based. It must have been dreadful for those trapped by the terrorists. I’m very pleased my story made you think.
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a helping hand always restores my faith in humanity.
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Thank you for commenting. There are some true heroes on our streets, thank goodness.
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Realistically portrayed. Sadly too many have been in situations such as this. At school. In the theater. In a bar. In their own homes. oy.
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Thank you for your kind comment, Na’ama.
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🙂 My pleasure and it was wall deserved!
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The story holds together well but I do not see its connection to the picture. Sometimes I look at the obvious and don’t understand.
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Thank you for your comment. I saw this as an emergency exit onto the street – perhaps from a cinema, or, in my case, a building with a large hall in which things like rock concerts took place.
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Yes, it does look like an emergency exit in some big center. Thanks.
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I like to believe people would stop and help others in these situations. Chilling tale. I guess the door is red for a reason.
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Thank you for your thoughtful comment. It must be very difficult to put your own life on the line to save somebody else.
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A terrible situation. I believe we all would help a fellow human in distress – but why do others wish to inflict harm in the first place?
Frightening story of many of todays events.
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Why indeed? Thank you for your thoughtful and compassionate comment.
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Dear Penny,
All too real. You’ve captured the horror of it so well, I hate to ‘like’ it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You hate to ‘like’ it? Now that really is a compliment! Thank you Rochelle
Shalom
Penny
xx
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A very terrifying situation. A shame this sort of thing happens (the shooting, not the helping!).
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Thank you for the comment, Ali. I’m sure the situation was terrifying, as you say.
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So real. I can imagine being there, thinking it was all part of the fun, then slowly realizing the horror was real. Thank goodness there are heroes mixed in with the villains.
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Thank you for your generous comment, Brenda. I’m glad you were able to imagine being there.
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Even in a nightmare, angels appear. Haunting tale!
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Thank you for your kind comment, Susan.
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Try connecting with me @
https://sillyfrogsusan.wordpress.com/
Somehow, people are being directed to my private site. I noticed that you tried to contact me at the wrong place.
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The link from your comment takes us to the private site. It also helps if you use your profile pic in the Inlinkz. Hope this helps!
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I’ll try that. Thanks!
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So sorry that your story resembles present times more than fictional events 😦 You told it well.
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Thank you for your kind comment. I’m afraid you’re right that this attack resembles several that we’ve seen in the last few years.
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You’re most welcome.
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You described this so well! Unfortunately , such horrific experiences have become far too common these days.
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Thank you for your kind comment, Fatima.
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Thank goodness for the good Samaritan! You’ve expressed the chaos and confusion well. With all the noise and commotion, no wonder the narrator thought it was all part of the show at first.
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Thank you for the appreciative comment, Mags. You’re right, the sense of confusion was a big part of what I wanted to say.
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