She sat cradling her mug of tea. From time to time she would lower her face to it, close her eyes and inhale the fragrant steam.
This was the tenth night in a row she had awakened screaming at precisely 2:10 am, the tenth morning after she had lain awake with the visions she would not disclose to me.
“I’m ready to tell you about it.” Her voice was a whisper. I leaned closer. She cringed as though I’d raised a fist.
“Sorry,” I said.
“It’s okay. I’m nervous. These things I keep seeing…”
“They seemed real?”
“No. They are real.”
Dear Josh,
Oy. You just left me hanging there! What is she seeing? Tight and well written, but I want to know more.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Initially I was picturing the world after most of humanity had gone (sort of like The Stand) but there’s no way to convey that in 100 words. Besides, King already did a superlative job with it, so there’s not much I could add.
I foresee a discussion about the nature of reality
I see the beginning of something very very sinister… real dreams are never good.
I imagined some ghostly figures based on the prompt photo. It’s not good, whatever it is she is seeing.
You’ve built a lovely tension there, luring us on until we need to know more. Well written, Josh
Uh oh! Seems like something sinister is lurking close by…
Great tension!
You did a great job of hooking us — but now where’s the satisfying conclusion?
That part is up to you!
Beautifully understated horror. Well done!
Creepy. In a good way.
Chilling – I wonder what she sees?
Carefully crafted. It’s a good hook for a longer piece.
Nicely written. You took me into that intimate scene. That end left so many unanswered question. My mind is running wild.
Now we are all wondering who or what they are! intriguing.
Click to read my FriFic!
Oh NO! Another story that leaves me hanging by a very slender thread. I want to know!
Suspenseful and leaves us wanting more.