Agnes lay awake staring at the roof of the tent. She gave Archie a nudge.
‘What now?’ he grumbled.
‘Don’t you hear that?’
‘I didn’t hear anything.’ Archie rolled over.
‘This wasn’t what I had in mind when you said you had a surprise planned.’
A strange howl sounded in the distance.
‘Was that a wolf?’
‘Could be,’ Archie mumbled. ‘You can get them around here.’
‘That’s it, I’m sleeping in the car.’ Agnes spent five minutes extricating herself from her sleeping bag then fumbling to open the tent door.
Archie heard her footsteps fading away and the car door slam.
Peace at last, he thought.
Written as part of the Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).
To read more stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.
Iain Kelly 
Haha brilliant. I love that. That’s a way to guarantee peace. Although I imagine the next day won’t be quite as peaceful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Al. I think you’re right – Agnes isn’t going to let him forget about this trip for a while! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tricksy Archie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Neil 🙂
LikeLike
That Archie is one naughty man.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A bit cheeky maybe 🙂
LikeLike
all for a peaceful sleep, i think i can forgive him for that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
A very good story and a good picture. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks, and thanks for the link 🙂
LikeLike
Haha! Loved this! 😄
LikeLike
Dear Iain,
Call it a hunch, but I don’t think Archie will take Agnes camping again. Good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Rochelle – maybe it’s a ploy so he can get away camping on his own in the future! 🙂
LikeLike
Clever and funny, a bit like Archie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, glad it raised a smile 🙂
LikeLike
There’s every chance he’ll be eaten by the wolf after that. Nice take.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, maybe he’d rather take his chances with the wolf than Agnes! Thanks Sandra.
LikeLike
I remember reading a story about an owl that gripped the top of a tent, the boy inside reaching up to touch the talon that had pierced the canvas. This reminded me a bit of that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha, in a good way I hope. Many thanks.
LikeLike
Great story. Our stories are very similar.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks, look forward to reading your take.
LikeLike
LOL, been there. Nice take!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haven’t we all! Thanks 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah… some things just cannot be shared… Sounds like my sister and brother-in-law. He used to take her camping. Then he didn’t! 😉
LikeLike
Haha! Very good, Iain. I like it a lot. That’s one way to tackle a problem, yes?
Five out of five lycanthropic imaginations. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lycanthropic, lovely word. Many thanks.
LikeLike
Hehehehe
I can so see this happening.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It seems like a realistic scene to me too. Thanks 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was expecting Agnes to be eaten by the wolfs,🙂
LikeLike
Liked this! Can see them remaining together for too long.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Claire 🙂
LikeLike
Ah, that’s great Iain! Really good. I suspect she snores, does she? Or just fusses and fidgets over camping? Made me smile 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Probably all those things and more! Thanks Lynn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
Now if I could only get my husband to sleep in the car I wouldn’t have to put up with his snoring!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You could always suggest he goes off camping for a couple of nights! Thanks Lizy 🙂
LikeLike
You never disappoint.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha, thanks. If only that were true for everything in life 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh dear. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I guess Agnes failed the test… either that or there will be a compromise with walls.
LikeLike
LOL, well that’s one way to get a good night’s sleep.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Needs must 🙂 thanks for reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This reminds me of an episode of The Simpsons (or is it Family Guy?) where it’s Homer who ends up sleeping in the car and getting a little more than he bargained for. In your take, I hope it’s Archie who gets more than he bargained for in the morning.
LikeLike
This made me laugh. This was my Mom when we’re camping. She thought it was bears and it turned out we were camping right near a farmers field –there were cows. Great piece Ian.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha I like that story. It could easily have been based on my mum too. Thanks Mandi 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
Dear Iain,
A great tale about the lengths a man will go to get some peace. Well done.
Yours,
Doug
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks Doug.
LikeLike
Great piece Iain. Just loved the flow. Hope it was good riddance for Archie, but then i guess only until the morning.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks. Yes, peace and quiet but only until the morning 🙂
LikeLike
Ha! Poor Archie or poor Agnes? Hard to decide!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m on Archie’s side I think 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
now i wonder if she snores so loud the wolves could hear it. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha maybe that’s why they started howling 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Agnes spent five minutes extricating herself from her sleeping bag then fumbling to open the tent door.” That lines sums up camping perfectly. A nice take on the prompt and enjoyable read.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s not for everyone, that’s for sure 🙂 . Many thanks.
LikeLike
Some people just aren’t cut out for the Great Outdoors. I hope he doesn’t have to walk home. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s true, she has the car keys…
LikeLike
Great!
LikeLike
This made me laugh and brought back memories of camping with my son. Just nodding off and “Dad! Dad!” “What is it?” “Tawney Owl!” “Great go back to sleep.” Me awake for the rest of the night.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Silence, woman!” This gave me a chuckle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Honie, glad you liked it 🙂
LikeLike
I say “Poor Agnes” if you are not a camping person, you are not, perhaps this is something Archie should have known beforehand.
Good dialogue Lain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Dawn
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha – Archie is quite a smart guy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
He knows how to get what he wants 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Made me laugh! Naughty Archie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Clare 🙂
LikeLike
Alice is probably thinking the same thing lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL! What I’m wondering is: Was the surprise Archie finally getting some peace?? 😉 Funny, your’s is the first story I’ve read and we both had a similar train of thought with the disgruntled co-camper!
Happy trails and peaceful dreams! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, he may have planned it as a surprise for himself, yes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Clever guy! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha well written Iain. I think his “peace at last” may soon last a lot longer, he and Agnes aren’t quite a perfect match!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks. That or they’ve been together too long and are past the stage of caring!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m with Agnes. I wouldn’t tent camp where there were wolves or bears. At least wolves give a warning. With a bear, I wouldn’t even feel safe in a car. Good writing, Iain. 🙂 — Suzanne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Suzanne. I agree with Agnes too 🙂
LikeLike