Friday Fictioneers: The Meeting place

Posted on by Louise Bunting

This is my entry for this week’s Friday Fictioneers Challenge run by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. This week’s picture prompt was provided by Marie Gail Stratford. The challenge is to write a story within 100 words.

Photo prompt: © Marie Gail Stratford
Photo prompt: © Marie Gail Stratford

The Meeting Place

Genre: Futuristic Dystopia

Benjamin travelled through a desolate land. Crops withered in fields, un-harvested. Once bustling towns stood empty, haunted by tense individuals who shied from contact. The fear of infection remained strong. Society lay splintered.

He offered treatment wherever required. He couldn’t save his family as the pandemic swept through; he’d accept no other failures.

Whispers of change guided his footsteps to the silo.

“It’s time we gathered together,” the woman announced, her animation captivating. “Society can be rebuilt – we all have skills to offer.”

Teacher, farmer, carpenter – voices were raised. Hope grew.

“Doctor,” he added.

It was time to start anew.

Word Count: 100

Click the little blue frog to see other entries or to add your own.

FIC

50 thoughts on “Friday Fictioneers: The Meeting place”

  1. Great story, I love this genre 🙂
    It’s time for society to start again, I wish them luck! It just needs one charismatic person to get people working together.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Its a genre that I’ve always enjoyed reading but have rarely ventured into writing – though I had enough ideas with this one to probably write a whole novel! I’m glad you liked it. 🙂

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  4. I can see them gathered in twilight’s glow…history and the future in their hands. Eyes wide with purpose and determination. Nice beginning, Louise (may I call you by your given name?) Like others have commented, perhaps a 500 – 1000 words to do this story justice.
    Very well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂 This is one story that may well be continued – I’ve had enough ideas to write a whole novel about these characters! And yes, you may call me Louise. Is there another name I can call you by, or shall you forever remain Ad Dawg? 🙂

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      1. Frank. They tell me it is English for “free man.” lol. I must say, though, Ad Dawg will be moving to my Business Webpage/Blog in the near future and you will see a new username. Something that fits better with my blog…

        This makes 2 story ideas you have on your plate for extension….can’t wait.

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    1. Thank you. 🙂 I always spend a while editing but this one took absolutely ages to get down to the word limit. I didn’t want to lose any content by cutting out big chunks!

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  8. Something about the picture just screams collapse of civilisation, doesn’t it? And yet there’s something hopeful about it – must be the blue sky. I am a big fan of dystopia and I’d like to read on. Great job, Louise 🙂

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  9. You have created in 100 words a startling image of the future. Very powerful writing. And, I agree this is the introduction to a novel! You have so much scope to write with, and I look forward to reading it!

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  10. I’m terribly envious of your short story skills. I write like fat people diet. I just don’t know when to quit. Marvelous work as always. Thank you for sparking my imagination.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you! This was much longer originally and took a lot of editing to get it down to the word limit. 🙂 And I like to strive for positivity whenever possible.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. “Hope
      Smiles from the threshold of the year to come,
      Whispering ‘it will be happier’…”
      ― Alfred Tennyson
      Thank you for your kind words. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  19. I love it, and it could be part 2 or 3 to my story, too. 🙂 I think it’s realistic, too. Humans don’t give up easily, and are very adaptable. That’s what makes us so successful as a species, and so dangerous for ourselves and our environment.

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