
Time stopped. I mean, not everywhere. Obviously. Time stopped for me, while, for the rest of the world, the present continues to rush madly into the past, everyone chasing a future that’s always an instant away. I’m not even sure what tense to recount this in. Grammar’s not set up for narrators who step out of the flow.
Narrator? That’s it! I can see the start and finish together, trace beginnings in the light of their ends. For me, the world’s a story. If I could, I’d tell you how it turns out. But I can’t.
There’s no way back to you.
.
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

Dear Neil,
What tense indeed? You’ve captured the tense nature of the prompt.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Rochelle
LikeLike
Interesting, with echos of Groundhog day. I suspect, when time stops you write in the present tense, but as soon as the clock moves forward, you need to revise the work in the past tense. Who knows?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much. James
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this, Neil. What tense, indeed when all seems to be going at different ones.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank so much, Dale
LikeLiked by 1 person
He cuts a lonely figure – being an optimist I hope maybe he’s wrong and he will get back to the ‘you’ who is important enough to be mentioned.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a kind hope, Jilly
LikeLike
What a fascinating read. Nice one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much
LikeLike
Oh wow. I love this. I see you saw stopped time in the image like I did. Love your interpretation. Time stop or stepping from the flow of time, seeing it all… my kinda tale. Brilliant
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Laurie. Yes, we saw a similar thing, and made very different stories from it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
sometimes we need to learn to live in the moment to keep our sanity. forget about the past and the future.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The present moment keeps speeding away
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful disconnectedness. This hits a strange cord yet familiar chord, and I really enjoyed the read!
(If this is a duplicate comment, please erase. WP is acting up on me…)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Angela. Just the one comment
LikeLike
The MC seems like they are trying to convince themself of something, a distraction from the last line.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Jade
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Neil.
LikeLike
Yup! It’s a lot like that.
Very relatable Neil.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much, Dawn
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nicely done! The speed is felt, sounds like how Dr Who must feel as he flits and zips through time. Wonderful take on the prompt!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Fleur
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome 😊
LikeLike