Friday Fiction – Is Anybody There?

I’m working Friday this week and it’s supposed to snow heavily in the afternoon which means I could be snowed into work – a horrible prospect – so just in case I don’t make it back, here’s my slightly premature Friday Fictioneers offering. The first draft came out at a whopping 156 words so I’m quietly proud (in a British understated sort of way) that I managed to chop it down to 100 without losing the essence of the story.

For those who don’t know, this is a challenge to write a 100 word story from a picture prompt. It’s hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields, and anyone can play. Thanks for hosting, Rochelle! Check out the link at the end of my story to see what other fictioneers did with this week’s prompt.

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Copyright-Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

Is Anybody There?

Uncle Harold was a cantankerous old git, so Auntie Agatha’s decision to contact him from the Other Side surprised us. Reluctantly, we positioned ourselves around the dining table holding hands.

‘A candle to light your way,’ Agatha said, placing the candlestick near Harold’s picture. ‘A telephone to aid communication.’

‘And the crayons?’ I asked.

‘If the line’s busy, he can write a message.’

The candlelight flickered. Heads bowed, we closed our eyes.

Silence.

Then a gasp. Our eyes flew open. Across the photo was scrawled, in Harold’s unmistakable hand:

“For God’s sake, woman, can’t you leave me in peace?”

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Click the blue frog to read more stories from other fictioneers.