Mark met Bob from Accounting at the bottom of the stairs.
‘Another Monday morning,’ said Bob, as they began the trudge up to the office. Mark grunted in reply. Bob began every Monday with the same conversation.
‘Don’t you ever feel like we’re hamsters in a wheel, going round and round and getting nowhere?’ Bob continued. ‘There must be something more exciting in life than this.’
As Mark prepared to answer, the lights went out. Out of the window they saw bright orange beams cut through the air. Aircraft buzzed around them, firing at one another. Buildings exploded as aircraft and missiles crashed into them. The sky darkened as a large spaceship loomed over the city. Mark ducked as a piece of debris crashed through the glass next to them. It caught Bob and sent him plummeting to the ground below.
**
The writer paused and read back what he had just typed. It all spiralled out of control too quickly. He sighed and pressed Ctrl+A and Delete. The cursor on the blank screen blinked at him. He started again.
**
Mark arrived at work at the same time as Bob from Accounting…
Written as part of Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. The challenge is to write a flash fiction story, in around 150 words (I’m pushing the word limit a bit this week, apologies to all) based on the weekly photo prompt. For more information visit HERE.
For more stories based on this week’s photo prompt, visit HERE.
I like this. Excellent.
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Cheers Chris.
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A great twist. You are on to something here.
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Many thanks Scott.
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Heh, I like this. Nicely done!
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Thanks Sonya – yeah, I had to dig your comment out of spam. Glad you liked it.
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Nice, the number of times I have gone through this process as a writer though… and what is it with people of accounting being so early to the office hmmmm
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Always the first in aren’t they! Thanks, something about the picture just made me think of how my mind works when writing – always end up going round in circles!
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Glad to know they are the same all over the world!
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Iain, these just keep getting better and better. This has a brilliant twist
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Thanks Shehanne, was all down to a good starting photo this time – makes it so much easier!
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You never disappoint. You have real talent at this.
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I know given what you work at and as you have many other talents, but your own is quite something it its own right .
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Lovely job there Iain and a nicely satisfying read. Love the characters and the writer being caught in that loop together, mirroring each other. Great story
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Thanks Lynn, but for the word limit they could keep going round and round… 🙂
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🙂
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I love your spin on the prompt! Brilliant! Hahaha! All writers can relate to this!
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I thought it might strike a chord with a few fellow writers out there! Thanks for the compliment.
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Haha! Great story!
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Nicely crafted. Loved it.
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Many thanks.
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Love this one Ian. Not only is Bob and Mark in the hamster wheel, but the writer as well. I liked where the story was going though. Ironic after the men having this same conversation every Monday morning in the doldrums. I think the writer should keep it 🙂
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I think the writer will keep the scenario but write it better next time – or keep rewriting it until happy with it! 🙂
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This was such a creative take, and one of my favorites from what you’ve written so far! To have the scene play out the way the writer types it and then to have it change along with the writer, it’s intriguing to say the least. Really superb, Iain!
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Awww, thank you Jade that’s really kind. Glad you liked it so much.
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This was really great! 🙂
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Many thanks 🙂
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Others have said it better than I could, this was a great piece of writing.
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Thanks Michael, much appreciated.
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Thanks Michael, much appreciated.
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ah, well, we have all been there, haven’t we? Delete..delete….delete!
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And keep trying again and again. Thanks for reading 🙂
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yuppers, it’s part of the fun….or so I keep telling myself.
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best so far, Iain! Love the twist which shows the twisted mine of writers! HAHA! ❤
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Everyone seems to be relating to it, good to kmow I’m not the only one who goes through this when writing!
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yes! you’re not alone. 😉
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I can so relate to this.
Great story.
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Many thanks
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I absolutely love this spin on the prompt. Masterfully Crafted Iain!
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Thanks Morgan, much appreciated.
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you never disappoint 🙂
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Hang on what was wrong with that first effort, spiraling out of control can be good…..great response Iain
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Thanks Michael.
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Excellent story, Iain. I really like the way you used the abrupt change in the middle to create the twist. The ending seems to resonate with many of us! Very well written.
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Thanks Millie, much appreciated.
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Okay. Wow. This was great. XD Again, of all the Written Challenges for this week, this one is my fav.
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Too kind 🙂 Thank you
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I love how you used the spiral pattern of the image as the core of your story. Ohh, I know that feeling all too well, if starting all over again. 🙂
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Many thanks. A lot of writers seem to recognise this feeling 🙂
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I love this!
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Thanks Vivian, glad you love it 🙂
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Great, Iain! Love how this ends.
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