© J Hardy Carroll
By some miracle, they survived the fire and the subsequent vandalism. Leah’s adversaries thought she must now be truly lost, but the stained glass works remained, still hanging by the unbroken windows. The second one from the right was what she was looking for.
Stepping lithely through the debris, she made her way to the map. “The people of this world tried to trap me here, but now I know the way home.”
The map showed her the hidden portal to her own dimension. It was only a few blocks away, but she knew she was being followed.
Written for Rochelle Wisoff-Field’s Friday Fictioneers writing challenge. The idea is to use the photo above as a prompt to write a piece of flash fiction no more than 100 words long. My word count is 98.
To read other stories based on the prompt, to go InLinkz.com.
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Oooh, a gripping snippet into a world of fantasy! I wonder what kind of dimension she lives in and exactly who is following her?
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I think people in general consider her an alien enemy, Jade. I also think it’s not so much what kind of dimension she comes from, but that she’s different that makes her a perceived threat.
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That’s an intriguing perspective, and quite apt for current times, I think.
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Dear James,
People always fear those that are different, don’t they? E.T. phone home and get through that portal! Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, Rochelle.
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Will she make it or won’t she? You’re leaving us hanging!
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That’s how the story is, Christine.
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Interesting character! I wonder what would her world be like.
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Hopefully one with more accepting people than this one.
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I hope she makes it.
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I had to leave that indeterminate to end on a note of suspense, Elizabeth.
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You built up the suspense really well. Nice creative take on the prompt.
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Thanks. Not always easy to do in less than 100 words.
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Great suspense – hope she gets back to her own dimension!
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Me too, Clare.
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Love the sci-fi twist.
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Thanks.
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This was a very fun take!
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Thanks, Dale.
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I liked this. The idea she has found her escape route lulls you into thinking she’s safe, then the last bit, she’s being followed.
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Thanks, Michael. I wanted to create suspense and uncertainty at the end.
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Great story, James. That’s an original place for a map, a stained glass window. I wonder what her world is like on the other side of the portal. I hope she makes it. Good writing. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thanks, Suzanne.
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Oh, I like the idea of the map being “hidden” in the stained glass. Nicely done.
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Actually, when I saw the stained glass in the photo, the one I indicated really does look like a map to me, Alicia. Thanks.
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She may know where it is but getting there’s going to be difficult. Unless they’re following her so they can find the portal too…
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Or they’re following her to stop her. Of course, you bring up a good point that they may want to find the portal to close it permanently.
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