This is my entry for this week’s Friday Fictioneers Challenge run by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. This week’s picture prompt was provided by Dawn Q. Landau. The challenge is to write a story within 100 words.
The Journey
They weren’t together, her opinion was unchanged – they just happened to be travelling in the same direction. If at times they shared a meal beside the path or a philosophical chat about the significance of the journey, it was purely the passing company of the road. Every evening Rachel found shelter in a hostel and Scrap slunk off into the night.
There were too many bad memories for anything else, too many kicks and blows. Too many broken promises.
If occasionally Scrap enjoyed an ear rub, resting her head on Rachel’s knee, it was not because she was softening.
Word Count: 100
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An Enchanted Place 
So sad!!
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Hopefully by the end of her journey she’ll have found a human she can trust. 🙂
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I hope so too!
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A very haunting tale. After years of abuse, she must have built up a a very high wall of emotional indifference.
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She’s definitely not had a happy life but hopefully some day she’ll let someone past her walls. 🙂
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This is well-crafted. You’ve had me guessing until the final paragraph if this was human or dog narrating. But by the end, it’s clear.
Poor doggie, but it looks like she’s finally found a decent human…
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I hope she has. Scrap just needs to let down her walls enough to realise it. Thank you for your lovely comment. 🙂
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Such a moving story, that is actually not far from the truth! This sweet dog followed us for miles, and two days… clearly he’d had some rough times and was so happy to be treated well and with affection. Wonderful take on this prompt!
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Thank you. I’m really glad you liked it. The picture of the dog, with the roughness of his coat and the distance between him and the girl really shouted at me. 🙂 This story was scribbled in my notepad yesterday when I was in the middle of writing about stone circles! It was a really good picture prompt. 😀
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It’s funny, I sent the photo so long ago, I’d forgotten about it. But the memory of that day is very fresh… and, again, your story really captures that day and the reality of the day.
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I love this stry. You’ve kept the narrative voice ambiguous right till the end.
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I didn’t want to give it away too soon. 🙂 I’m glad you like it.
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Well crafted story! I love reading the ones this week from the storytellers who opted for the dog’s point of view. I chose another route : ) Good story and I hope Scrap learns to trust again.
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Thanks! I’m glad you like it. 🙂
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What a great story! I’m glad is trusting Rachel to rub behind her ear. It’s so sad to see a dog unable to trust.
Ellespeth
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Hopefully in time Scrap will come to trust fully. I’m glad you like it. 🙂
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One more vote for the ambiguity from me.
When I first thought the girl to be speaking,
all the way past the kicks and blows phrase,
my impression was that the girl had left home
& was rejecting her own dog for the memories
it carried along and despite its loyalty …
That your piece could even offer that darker yet alternative is a sure sign of subtlety
two thumbs up Louise, Tay.
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I was quite careful to create that ambiguity (I really didn’t want to give it away too soon!) so I’m very glad you like it! 🙂
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Sweet and sad story.
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Thank you, Sandra. I’m glad you liked it. 🙂
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A very touching tale! I hope Scrap will be able to get over all those sad memories and experiences!
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I think it will be a long journey but hopefully she’ll get their eventually. 🙂 I’m glad you like it.
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Dear Fairymind,
Very sweet and well written.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, Rochelle. I’m glad you liked it. 🙂
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Maybe finally they have found each other.. I have a feeling it’s just a beginning of a beautiful friendship
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I think you could be right. 🙂
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very touching fairy!!! and I love the image!
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Thank you! Unfortunately I can’t take credit for this image – it’s the Friday Fictioneers prompt. This week’s picture was by Dawn Q. Landau. 🙂
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if rachel couldn’t help scrap, i don’t know who will. i just hope rachel doesn’t give up on her..
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Missed this one last week. Parallel stories here. The seem to be bound together despite the denials. Lovely.
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Thank you! There are so many entries in the Friday Fictioneers that it’s very easy to miss people – I know that there are lots I still haven’t seen. There definitely a connection beginning to grow between these two. Maybe by the end of their journey things will be different. 🙂
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