UNDER THE TREE, BY THE POND

Posted on October 5, 2016 by hafong

It’s Wednesday and snowing big times here in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. It’s a good day for storytelling. What better venue than the Friday Fictioneers. We like to tell stories of 100 words to a photo prompt. We are hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields of Addicted to Purple. Here is my story.

PHOTO PROMPT © CEAyr

I sat at the base of the tree, cradled by two roots. I gazed across the pond. Right out there in the middle was where my brother and I got stuck. We were chasing the water buffalo with sticks. We didn’t get very far before we couldn’t go at all. We had to be rescued. Boy, did mother give it to us after! We were soaked and caked in mud.

Those were the good memories. What haunted me still was the memory of my grandmother being publicly humiliated and persecuted by the village under this very tree many years ago.

Click, Clock! Click Clock!

Posted on September 29, 2016 by hafong

It’s Thursday. I’ve been missing my 100 words and Friday Fictioneers. I’ve dusted off my fiction cap and joining in again. We’re hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields of Addicted to Purple. Our mission is to write a story of 100 words inspired by a photo prompt. Here’s my story to Amy Reese’s photo. Hope you enjoy. If you like, you can join in and tell your story.

from-amy-reese

My footsteps were so loud. Click, clock! Click, clock! They echoed down the long empty corridor. I paused and listened. Was someone following me? I held my breath. My skin tingled with anxiety. Only the thudding of my heart was audible. Slowly, I turned my head and glanced over my right shoulder. No one!

I let out my breath. My shoulders relaxed and dropped. I started my steps again – slowly and on the tips of my shoes. The EXIT sign flowed in the distance. Just then came click, clock. Click, Clock. CLICK, CLOCK! I picked up my heels and ran.

SWEET DREAMS

Posted on May 11, 2016 by hafong

It’s Wednesday, time enough for Friday Fictioneers and their stories of 100 words or so to a photo prompt. We are hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields of Addicted to Purple. Anyone can join in. Here is my little story for this week. I admit it is a little sappy but sometimes it is nice to sweet dream. Life is harsh.

PHOTO PROMPT © CEAYR

The summer night was warm. The moon bright even through her rheumy eyes. A breeze stirred the hair around her face. She sighed softly remembering another night.

They were sitting on the Lido Deck on the Carnival. A bottle of champagne and two glasses between them, the moon and stars above. There was silence saved for the lapping of the waves. The warmth of the night wrapped around them. They sat in its protected cocoon, savouring their last moments. Tomorrow…

Her head jerked. She sat up with a start. Where was she? Oh, she had fallen asleep with sweet dreams.

BIRDS ON A WIRE

Posted on May 4, 2016 by hafong

It’s another Wednesday and another photo prompt for Friday Fictioneers to tell their stories of approximately 100 words. We are hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields of Addicted to Purple. Here’s my story of 100 words this week – inspired by this photo, the heat and Leonard Cohen.

HOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot

There was tension in the air. You can almost feel it crackling like tinder under a match. Her heart raced and thudded. It felt like a stallion was galloping through her chest. Any minute now. It was coming. She was sure.

The sky was grey and ominous. Enormous clouds hung over the rooftops. The telephone wires drooped heavy with crows, gathered and waiting as if for a funeral.

Where could she hide? Just then a bolt flashed across the sky. She clapped her hands over her ears as thunder rumbled and shook the walls. The rain came. She was alright.

WORDS ON A WIRE

Posted on April 20, 2016 by hafong

It’s almost Friday, close enough for Friday Fictioneers. We are a group of writers who like to tell stories of 100 words according to a photo prompt. We are led by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields of Addicted to Purple. Anyone can join in if so inclined. Here are my 100 words this week.

PHOTO PROMPT © Madison Woods

Sarah felt the sting of the woman’s words. Every hiss and barb. They tore into her soul. She didn’t matter.

“You don’t talk, Sarah. You don’t get to talk until I am done!”

She could not get in a word. Tears clouded her eyes. She screamed into the telephone.

“You stupid woman! You stupid cow! Who do you think you are? Why can’t I talk?” It was all in futility. The woman kept up her barrage. Sarah slammed the phone down.

Ashamed, she caught her breath and dialed the number on display.

“Ello”.

“I’m sorry I yelled at you”.

CLICK!

THE URGE

Posted on April 8, 2016 by hafong

It is Friday night, a good time for Friday Fictioneers. We like to tell stories of 100 or so words according to a photo prompt. We are hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields of Addicted to Purple, author of Say Kaddish for Me, From Silt and Ashes and other books. Congrats, Rochelle on your book launch. Here’s my 100 humble words for this week.

PHOTO PROMPT © J Hardy Carroll

Dusk had fallen. Night coming fast. The urge stirred in his belly. He sucked in his breath. Clenching his abdominal muscles, he willed all to be still inside. He did not want to give in and lose himself. A growl rumbled in the back of his throat. He clawed at his neck. Hair was growing on the back of his hands.

He glanced upward. A sliver of moon slid out between the clouds. Can he hide from it? Can he hang on? He ducked into the darkness within the walls. Damn, too late! He raised his head and howled.

STILL SOMETHING

Posted on March 31, 2016 by hafong

Well, hello there. It is Thursday and I have a story for Friday Fictioneers. We gather each week to tell stories of 100 words or so according to a photo prompt. We are hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields of Addicted to Purple. Anyone can join in if so inclined. Here’s my 100 words.

PHOTO PROMPT © Marie Gail Stratford

It was a long ways down. Her hair fluttered across her face. The moving traffic below made her dizzy. She pulled back from the edge, stumbling. Her heart caught in her throat and she had to bend over to catch her breath.

Tears streamed down her face. She was not good for anything. No brains. No looks. No money. No courage. How was she going to face everyone, anyone? She was such a failure. Now what?

She stood and wiped her eyes and blew her nose. An anger rose in her. She had, still has something after all. Her stubbornness.

UP THE STAIRCASE

Posted on January 16, 2016 by hafong

It is Saturday and bitterly cold. It’s a good time to gather around the Friday Fictioneers. We like to tell stories of 100 words to a photo prompt. We are hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields of Addicted to Purple. Here’s my story this week.

She stopped. Her footsteps reverberated in the staircase. She could hear the echo of other footsteps beneath her own. She stood motionless till all was quiet except for the pounding of her heart.

Someone was following her. She took a breath, letting it out slowly. She climbed a step. Then another. She heard the faint sound of feet below her and felt the vibrations of another hand on the rail. Was her mind playing tricks on her?

Another step. She reached for the door. No more stairs. Next time, the elevator. She felt a rush of air behind her. No…

THE LONG RIDE

Posted on January 10, 2016 by hafong

Here it is, Sunday afternoon and I’ve finally penned my 100 words for Friday Fictioneers. We like to tell stories of 100 words or so to a photo prompt. Our host is Rochelle Wisoff-Fields of Addicted to Purple. Anyone can join in.

She had no choice. That was her only consolation. 5 hours to the airport. She started a conversation. Was she sorry!

She squirmed uncomfortably, willing the woman to shut up and move her fat thigh. No such luck. Tears were rolling down her cheeks as she continued the saga of her boyfriend.

Felicia glanced at the skinny dude on her right. He looked equally uncomfortable, jammed against the door. But at least he didn’t have the console up his butt.

She shifted again, using her hand on the car ceiling. A little better. Two more hours. One hour and fifty-nine, fifty….

THE MEETING

Posted on January 3, 2016 by hafong

It is Sunday of the new year. I’m a little late for the ball but what the heck. Better late than not showing up. So here’s my story for the Friday Fictioneers. We are storytellers of 100 words or so. We are hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields of Addicted to Purple. Here’s this week’s photo prompt.

She saw the coffee shop as soon as she emerged from the subway station. It was exactly where he had said. She stood for a moment then walked to the door. It was now or never.

She scanned the room quickly. The faces were all blurry. Her breath was ragged and her heart thumped.

“Slow down. Take your time.” She scolded herself.

“May I help you?” A waitress came up.

“I’m meeting someone.”

“Do you want to walk through to see?”

“Thank you. I don’t know what he looks like. I haven’t met him before.”

The waitress raised her eyebrows.

onethousandandtwo

Looking at Infinity

Category Archives: Fiction