
Muffled in mist, the shouted words are indistinct. But she hears the rattle of heavy chain and the clangour of metal. The ship is making ready to depart for another week, and seven days’ aloneness descends again.
The ship’s horn gives a last bass call, like a circling raptor. Go and open the door, she thinks, but is afraid of the creatures that will populate the silence. Go and open the door. Death won’t be standing there in his dark fedora.
She opens the door, but drizzle shrouds the vessel heading into the sound. There is moisture on her cheek.
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.
Fancy sharpening your skill with writing exercises? The Scrivener’s Forge offers a new exercise every month to hone one aspect of your craft. Take a look at this month’s exercise on character and action
Everything sounds cold and lonely in this story, Neil. Mist, metal, drizzle, silence. Well crafted story.
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Thanks, Fatima
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I think you brought fourth the fear in a great way… I just wonder what will actually happen (if anything)
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Thanks, Bjorn
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Dear Neil,
Atmospheric. I could feel the damp cold and the moisture on my own cheek. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle
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Death in the rain, water dripping off his hat. Love it.
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Thanks so much
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Eerie. Have expect something to freak her out when she does get out. 🙂
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The mist, the fear, the noises–all brought to life. Great take.
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Thanks so much
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Atmospheric and intriguing, you captured the mood of the prompt very well.
xx Rowena
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Thanks, Rowena
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I can’t add anything to what’s been said except another vote of well done. Loved the fedora.
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Thanks, Kecia
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How did you create such drama in so few words? Nicely crafted, perfect pitch, truly unnerving and atmospheric. Lovely tale Neil
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Thanks so much, Lynn
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Well, that gave me shivers! I love the uncertainty whether she’s alone or not or on the boat or watching it leave…. Well done.
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Thanks, Alicia
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Many a sailors wife will have felt this. Top story
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Thanks, Michael
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What everyone said! *Shivering*
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Thanks, Dale
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Wow, Neil. A nice read with a satisfying ending. Poetic and lyrical.
Five out of five fedoras of death. 🙂
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Thanks, William
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I agree with the comments that you build up the cold feel in this story until the end. I felt the moisture on her cheek, had a warmth to it. Nicely done.
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Thanks so much
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Actually, Death might look pretty cool in a dark fedora.
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Beautiful writing!
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Thanks, Sascha
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Sounds like she chose the wrong mate, poor woman.
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I felt a bit chilled reading this, Neil. Her mood and the weather fit together perfectly. Good writing. —- Suzanne
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Thanks, Suzanne
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Chills, sadness and an overwhelming feeling of loneliness. Phenomenal write …
Isadora 😎
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Thanks, Isadora
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Brrrrrr. I’m shivering. A well-crafted piece, full of foreboding and dripping with damp.
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Thanks, Sarah
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Beautiful, atmospheric story. Leaving so much unsaid and left to our imagination is very effective, indeed.
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Thanks so much
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I have no idea what’s happening, but I’m enjoying thinking about it. Good wordcraft.
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My job is done if you’re enjoying thinking about it rather than being annoyed
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Atmospheric and intriguing. Brilliant
Click to visit Keith’s Ramblings
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Thanks, Keith
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I’ve taken many night ferries in my time and recognised all the sounds you wrote about, beautifully described
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Thanks, Michael
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Yes, dripping with dread and a cold swampness all around it. Very well crafted. The tone matching right upto the chilling end.
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Thanks, Neel
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This reminds me a lot of the song “The Sea” by Briege Murphy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BOj4kb95mk). A man going out to sea because it’s his job, or because he loves it, and the woman staying behind…worrying. Well done, Neil. 🙂
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Thanks, Miles
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Very atmospheric. I could feel it on my skin.
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Thanks, Dawn
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A great build of suspense leaving us wondering what she has to be frightened of. What is left there with her on the island?
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Thanks, Sarah Ann
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Wonderfully descriptive. The sounds make the story come alive.
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Thanks so much
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You are a wonderful author – I’m so impressed with your story! Very enjoyable and easy to picture in my mind because of your description too! Great job! Nan
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Wow! Thanks, Nan
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The sea, the sea, you have captured droplets of Iris Murdoch’s sea. 😇
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