
Thank you for that heel of bread—the first I’ve had in days. I have seen too much, and too little. Two kilometres up the road, there’s a checkpoint. What happens beyond that is a mystery. Maybe lovers walk the meadows, and cows graze the fields. Maybe there is only rubble, I don’t know. But I know what happened here. I could tell you stories. But I’d rather forget. I just want to feel something again.
.
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
The breakfast looks so good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Much better than my character enjoyed
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true, being two miles away can mean living a totally different life
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Michael
LikeLike
Careful what you wish for. Sometimes being numb is a blessing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Tannille. Yes, numbness is a powerful protection
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Neil,
I don’t know which is worse. Intense pain or nothing at all. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Rochelle
LikeLike
Of course my mind immediately went to Ukraine. Excellent writing, Neil.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, Ukraine was what I had in mind. Thanks so much, Linda
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think without numbness, registering the horrors would be unbearable. Poignant writing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much
LikeLiked by 1 person
A timely tale, well done Neil.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Keith
LikeLike
Powerful storytelling, where the impact is between the words.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much, Jade
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re very welcome, Neil.
LikeLike
‘I know what happened here’ is a line that hopefully won’t be drowned out by the politicians who try to deny and obfuscate.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I suspect there will be politicians for whom it’s useful to allow this to be heard
LikeLiked by 1 person
There’s a bit of sadness to this, Neil. It rings of disaster on one side and a better life on the other.
I enjoyed the read.
Isadora 😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Isadora
LikeLiked by 1 person
You use an interesting technique in this story, of showing us your MC’s milieu without actually describing it. It’s a good way of showing his conflicting desires, of simultaneously trying to forget and yet wanting to feel emotions again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Penny, What an interesting analysis of my piece
LikeLiked by 1 person
Terrible stories I am sure!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Danny
LikeLike
Two miles can make the world of difference. And then again, it may not. I love “heel of bread”. Such a graphic phrase, not used in my part of the country but so expressive.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Sandra
LikeLike
Good story Neil. So many emotions in few words
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much
LikeLike
this reminds me of two people who died after a mortar strike in ukraine leaving a loaf of bread on a nearby bench. war is hell.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was Ukraine I was thinking of
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful take, Neil. Of course the darkness shows through.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much. Bill
LikeLiked by 1 person
Someone who has seen too much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, sadly
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe it’s time he went past that checkpoint?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t think it would be good for him
LikeLike
His bewilderment is understandable. I don’t think our minds can really process events such as those he has experienced. Whatever the specifics of his trauma are, he represents so many poor souls in our world today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Margaret
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like the character has gone through a lot during their evacuation … I hope it gets better
LikeLiked by 1 person
Only time will tell
LikeLike
Such a poignant story, Neil. LIfe on the other side of the fence can appear much greener, but it also has it’s troubles. Mind you, this place sounds like it has had some exceptional horrors.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Rowena
LikeLike