Friday Fictioneers is hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields who provides us with a photo prompt. Each week’s challenge is to write a 100-word story inspired by the photo. Click here to play along or just read more stories.
The Shadows
She swore the shadows whispered, seemed to be alive.
At first, friends and relatives laughed. They thought Millie was teasing her next novel.
The table tucked away in the shrubbery of her yard was where she did the majority of her writing. She hadn’t gone near it in months. Her niece, Margie, realized it was more than a lark and took Millie to see a psychiatrist, Dr. Chad Oh, who proposed a picnic lunch for the three of them at that table.
As they sat, the shadows crept ever closer to the table tucked away in the shrubbery.
Maybe I need somewhere like this to inspire my writing… or maybe not!
LikeLiked by 2 people
It depends on the risks you’re willing to take for inspiration. There have been days I would have been all in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And it would be a cold place to write in winter
LikeLiked by 2 people
Millie doesn’t have to worry about that. She hibernates from November through May. Problem solved.
LikeLike
Sometimes the people who seem really crazy are the ones who see the real thing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
And sometimes they’re just crazy. Only the shadows know for sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Were they offered any tea?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe that’s all the shadows wanted, a cucumber sandwich and tea.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like this. Has a Twilight Zone vibe. More story beneath the surface?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Much like a shadow, it only alludes to something more.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Quite horrifying. Not even reassuring that now two other people are going to confirm her suspicions, because it doesn’t sound as though any of them may live long enough to enjoy discussing them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Who knows? Maybe they’re nice shadows.
LikeLike
Sadly I fear Millie was right all along…
LikeLiked by 1 person
You never know with shadows. They’re sneaky bastards.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooh, loved that ending! Deliciously spooky.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. “Deliciously spooky.” I love that description.
LikeLike
We never believe the mad man, but he is always right. Great ending.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t know if the mad man’s always right. In fact, I hope that’s not the case. There are a lot of crazy people with a lot of crazy ideas in our world. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Seems they are about to learn she is right – the hard way!
My yarn!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There’s nothing easy about admitting someone else is right.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Nobbin,
Ominous ending that leaves us with the question is Millie imagining or are they all about to be swallowed by the shadow. Only the Shadow knows. 😉 Good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Only the Shadow knows.” was running through my head the whole time I was working on this story. Growing up, any time someone would say, “Who knows?” my grandfather would say, “The Shadow knows.”
Thank you, Rochelle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe the shadows could give her ideas for her next novel. Spooky tale!
LikeLiked by 1 person
If she survives. Thank you.
LikeLike
Dr. Chad Oh. Brilliant 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah! Somebody got it. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is really nice, writing a story inspired my a photo is really creative! I am going to try and write a short story inspired by this picture tomorrow 🙂 – thanks for sharing!
Feel free to read some of my blogs 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. If you write your own, make sure to post it on the group page via the link in the preamble. It’s a very supportive group.
LikeLike
While they might now believe her, they might also not be able to share it with anyone! Nice suspense.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No sharing. What happens in the shadows, stays in the shadows. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ahh… gotcha.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Have no fear! Dr. Chad Oh, the Shadow Whisperer, is here! 🙂
An intriguing tale. Makes me wonder if writers are more inclined to go insane than the rest of the population. Or perhaps writers are the only sane ones.
LikeLiked by 2 people
🤣 I love that first line. I think insanity is the only true sanity. Maybe that’s crazy. Thanks Mags.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Glad you do. What’s the use of being sane while living in an insane world? Maybe the ones considered insane are those with the strongest imagination.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If that’s insanity, I’ll take a heaping serving, please.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, nothing like a little proof to shut them up! 😀 Good story!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Maybe shut them up for good. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great story. I really like the last line.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wow I really like this! I’m new here and was wondering if you could check out my page. I recently wrote a darker suspense story! Have a nice day! caleecreates.wordpress.com
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you. Welcome to WordPress. I can spare a few minutes to read your story.
LikeLiked by 2 people