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.
Haha brilliant. I love that. That’s a way to guarantee peace. Although I imagine the next day won’t be quite as peaceful.
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Thanks Al. I think you’re right – Agnes isn’t going to let him forget about this trip for a while! 🙂
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Tricksy Archie!
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Thanks Neil 🙂
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That Archie is one naughty man.
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A bit cheeky maybe 🙂
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all for a peaceful sleep, i think i can forgive him for that.
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🙂
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A very good story and a good picture. Thanks for sharing.
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Many thanks, and thanks for the link 🙂
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Haha! Loved this! 😄
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Dear Iain,
Call it a hunch, but I don’t think Archie will take Agnes camping again. Good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle – maybe it’s a ploy so he can get away camping on his own in the future! 🙂
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Clever and funny, a bit like Archie.
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Thanks, glad it raised a smile 🙂
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There’s every chance he’ll be eaten by the wolf after that. Nice take.
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Haha, maybe he’d rather take his chances with the wolf than Agnes! Thanks Sandra.
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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.
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Ha, in a good way I hope. Many thanks.
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Great story. Our stories are very similar.
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Many thanks, look forward to reading your take.
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LOL, been there. Nice take!
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Haven’t we all! Thanks 🙂
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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! 😉
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Haha! Very good, Iain. I like it a lot. That’s one way to tackle a problem, yes?
Five out of five lycanthropic imaginations. 😉
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Lycanthropic, lovely word. Many thanks.
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Hehehehe
I can so see this happening.
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It seems like a realistic scene to me too. Thanks 🙂
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I was expecting Agnes to be eaten by the wolfs,🙂
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Liked this! Can see them remaining together for too long.
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Thanks Claire 🙂
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Ah, that’s great Iain! Really good. I suspect she snores, does she? Or just fusses and fidgets over camping? Made me smile 🙂
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Probably all those things and more! Thanks Lynn.
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🙂
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Now if I could only get my husband to sleep in the car I wouldn’t have to put up with his snoring!
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You could always suggest he goes off camping for a couple of nights! Thanks Lizy 🙂
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You never disappoint.
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Ha, thanks. If only that were true for everything in life 🙂
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Oh dear. 🙂
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I guess Agnes failed the test… either that or there will be a compromise with walls.
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LOL, well that’s one way to get a good night’s sleep.
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Needs must 🙂 thanks for reading.
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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.
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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.
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Haha I like that story. It could easily have been based on my mum too. Thanks Mandi 🙂
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You’re welcome 😂
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Ha!
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🙂
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Dear Iain,
A great tale about the lengths a man will go to get some peace. Well done.
Yours,
Doug
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Many thanks Doug.
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Great piece Iain. Just loved the flow. Hope it was good riddance for Archie, but then i guess only until the morning.
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Many thanks. Yes, peace and quiet but only until the morning 🙂
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Ha! Poor Archie or poor Agnes? Hard to decide!
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I’m on Archie’s side I think 🙂
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now i wonder if she snores so loud the wolves could hear it. 🙂
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Ha maybe that’s why they started howling 🙂
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“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.
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It’s not for everyone, that’s for sure 🙂 . Many thanks.
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Some people just aren’t cut out for the Great Outdoors. I hope he doesn’t have to walk home. 🙂
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That’s true, she has the car keys…
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Great!
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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.
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“Silence, woman!” This gave me a chuckle.
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Thanks Honie, glad you liked it 🙂
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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.
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Thanks Dawn
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Haha – Archie is quite a smart guy!
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He knows how to get what he wants 🙂
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😀
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Made me laugh! Naughty Archie!
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Thanks Clare 🙂
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Alice is probably thinking the same thing lol
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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! 😉
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Thanks, he may have planned it as a surprise for himself, yes!
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Clever guy! 😉
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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!
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Many thanks. That or they’ve been together too long and are past the stage of caring!
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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
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Thanks Suzanne. I agree with Agnes too 🙂
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