
It’s when the ringing stops you need to worry. Or the drums in the night. Or the fire beacons that flare from hilltop to hilltop against the chill and moonless sky. Have you betrayed a vital trust to keep the message travelling onwards? If you don’t answer, will the invaders storm unthwarted up the beach? If you don’t answer, will you wonder and regret for the rest of your miserable life?
You pick up the phone, but are unable to summon an answer.
A voice. Female. Angry. “Tell Benji he’s dead to me.”
.
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

What a disappointment! He said he wouldn’t but Benji’s been a bad boy again. Neatly creative story, Neil.
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Thanks so much, Jilly
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Great story, Neil. Unique take on the prompt. That last line … Good stuff!
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Thanks so much
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Dear Neil,
No doubt that voice was unexpected.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Utterly unexpected. And now, what to do?
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I remember it being easier to deliver bad news via telephone- but at least they were person to person communications- now you can simply text…
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The closer technology brings us together, the further apart we drift
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You’ve taken the whole historic pageant of signaling down to one disgusted message. Amazing 🙂
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Sorry
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Oh dear. I wasn’t being negative. No need for “sorry.”
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That was a 100 words inside of a much larger story. Loved it.
Tracey
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Thanks so much, Tracey
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I really liked the drama you gave us in 100 words – I could feel the dead to me response – and am curious as to what would unfold next…. hmmmm
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Thanks so much
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Fun story, Neil. What did Benji do?
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Sadly, history does not record. And that troubled the narrator for the rest of their lives
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i hate being left hanging. hopefully, there’ll be a sequel. 🙂
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Benji has proved untraceable
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Appreciated
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Thanks
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Not a voice I’d wish to hear. Nice one!
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And how do you now warn Benji?
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thats a lot going on…
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Almost beyond bearing
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Nicely built up Neil. Now if only Benji wasnt already dead…
PS For some strange reason, WP really throws a fit each time i try to comment on your blog.
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Thanks so much, Dahlia. Benji dead? Say it isn’t so
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I wish i had better news, Neil, but all the evidence points that way…
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As out-of-the-box endings go, that really takes the concept to a new level. One can’t help but be left wondering.
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Thanks so much, Sandra
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As the poor sod wonders who the hell is Benji and why did he answer the damn phone!
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Exactly. And now he’ll never know whether he coulda, shoulda done something
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Crossed lines there. Yes, aliens maybe sending us messages but there is no reception and so no answer.
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Thanks so much, James
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Oooo
Great use of the prompt
A call in the middle of the night is never a good thing
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Thanks so much, Laurie
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And if you answer the call, will you regret it? Great buildup and surprise ending.
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Thanks so much
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Intriguing.
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Thanks so much, Dawn
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