
A thin sunlight sifted through the branches like snow, dusting him with photons. He blinked in the sudden cold glare, hunching deeper into his army-surplus greatcoat.
Behind him, a single track of footprints snaked through the trees. Ahead, the landscape lay virgin, untrodden. His breath frosted above him, a speech bubble bereft of words.
The way home was long and uncertain, wolves shadowing every step of the trek. He threw back his head and filled the speech bubble with a silent howl of desperation. Exile makes sense if you were never really at home in the first place.
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 creativity
Lovely build-up of atmosphere here, with the cold, sharp descriptions. Can you expand on what you mean by that last phrase?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jane. No, not with only 100 words, sorry
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t mean for the story, just for my personal enlightenment. I was curious.
LikeLike
Oh, well, he doesn’t really want to be going home at all. He left, perhaps a long time ago, perhaps never intending to return. There may have been harsh words
LikeLike
That’s what I thought. That’s certainly the impression that the piece gives, so it works.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great winter-y atmosphere.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Iain
LikeLiked by 1 person
How bleak, to undertake a perilous journey that you don’t really want to. Nicely done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sandra
LikeLike
Masterful scene setting, Neil. I especially loved the part about filling the speech bubble with a howl of exasperation. Nicely done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Neil
Bleak and cold. You set the scene, and for me, the last line said it all. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Rochelle
LikeLike
Great description. The last line tied it all together. Cold, cold.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much
LikeLike
A ‘lone wolf’ followed by vicious wolves along the way. You’ve created such a strong atmosphere: a desolate landscape in the dead of winter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, magarisa
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well if any light is around you at all, technically you’re always being dusted by photons. 😉 I’m worried about the wolves though. Most of the time, they go out of their way to avoid humans, but I still wouldn’t want to be exiled among them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Technically, yes. But the image is intended to summon up snow
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good story. You can’t beat the old army greatcoat
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much
LikeLike
I love the speech bubble image. Mine are often thought bubbles—things I dare not say outloud.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Russell
LikeLike
Nice pioneer sentiment at the end. Good job.
LikeLike
I didn’t know I had a pioneer spirit. Thanks, Josh
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the stark coldness you’ve created. It matches perfectly with the last line. I especially like the phrase “speech bubble bereft of words”. Very good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jelli
LikeLiked by 1 person
I, too, loved the speech bubble!
Well done all round.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Dale
LikeLiked by 1 person
Speech bubble is a great image… I felt that he had reached a point where his home was exile.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Bjorn
LikeLike
I agree with everyone who liked the idea of a speech bubble. Your story made me cold. Well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Alicia
LikeLike
A desperately bleak situation. He is driven by the need to return home but exile makes more sense to him. Such a powerful story – it makes compelling reading. I loved it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pehaps by the duty to return home. Thanks, Edith
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing atmosphere building. Suitably bleak 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much
LikeLiked by 1 person
The cold desolation is wonderful imagery for the desolation one lacks a sense of belonging or home. Lost. Lone wolf. Great story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Fatima
LikeLike
I love the atmosphere and mystery of this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much
LikeLiked by 1 person
A painful road ahead – both physically and emotionally it seems. A vivid scene, Neil
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Lynn
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure 🙂
LikeLike
Expert imagery. I need another sweater now! A very intriguing character.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jan
LikeLike
‘Speech bubble bereft of words’ is masterly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much. Liz
LikeLike
A man going somewhere he doesn’t want to go, driven by forces he can’t control, only to find that the wolves pursuing are inside him as well as outside. Bleak, Neil, bleak.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And I was trying for something seasonal!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry! Have a merry Christmas, Neil!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gosh great tension in this. I hope he wants to find a home soon
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. Laurie
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wonder where his desperation will take him. Well done Neil.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Susan
LikeLike
Well painted scene. This would make a great opening hook for a novel.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Christine. Maybe it will one day
LikeLike
Dark and Deep – liked it.
Mine: https://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2017/12/22/tend-to-your-knittin/
Scott
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wlcm
LikeLike
‘Lone wolf’ also popped into my head. He seems part man/part wolf himself. Draws us on to wonder what is waiting at home for him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Only grief I think. Thanks
LikeLike
Absolutely splendid.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much
LikeLike
Great descriptions Neil. Merry Christmas, see you on the other side
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Michael
LikeLiked by 1 person
I get a sense of sadness from him, but the landscape you paint is beautiful – ‘… dusting him with photons.’ A very poignant last line.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sarah Ann
LikeLike
If it hadn’t been for the army coat I would have suspected he was a lone wolf without a pack. I guess he’s living like one. Great description and writing, Neil. Season’s Greetings. 🙂 — Suzanne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Suzanne. I’m glad I added the greatcoat then. I’m not the biggest fan of talking animals
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLike
Amazingly descriptive. Beautifully done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much
LikeLike