PEACE AT LAST

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 tentย door.

Archie heard her footsteps fading awayย and the car door slam.

Peace at last, he thought.


campsite-jwf
ยฉ Jan Wayne Fields

Written as part of theย Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more detailsย HERE).ย The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

To read more stories based on this weekโ€™s prompt, visitย HERE.

80 responses to “PEACE AT LAST”

  1. Haha brilliant. I love that. That’s a way to guarantee peace. Although I imagine the next day won’t be quite as peaceful.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Al. I think you’re right – Agnes isn’t going to let him forget about this trip for a while! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  2. That Archie is one naughty man.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. A bit cheeky maybe ๐Ÿ™‚

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      1. all for a peaceful sleep, i think i can forgive him for that.

        Liked by 1 person

  3. A very good story and a good picture. Thanks for sharing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Many thanks, and thanks for the link ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  4. Haha! Loved this! ๐Ÿ˜„

    Like

  5. Dear Iain,

    Call it a hunch, but I don’t think Archie will take Agnes camping again. Good one.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Rochelle – maybe it’s a ploy so he can get away camping on his own in the future! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  6. Clever and funny, a bit like Archie.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, glad it raised a smile ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  7. There’s every chance he’ll be eaten by the wolf after that. Nice take.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Haha, maybe he’d rather take his chances with the wolf than Agnes! Thanks Sandra.

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  8. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ha, in a good way I hope. Many thanks.

      Like

  9. Great story. Our stories are very similar.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Many thanks, look forward to reading your take.

      Like

    1. Haven’t we all! Thanks ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  10. 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! ๐Ÿ˜‰

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  11. Haha! Very good, Iain. I like it a lot. That’s one way to tackle a problem, yes?
    Five out of five lycanthropic imaginations. ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lycanthropic, lovely word. Many thanks.

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  12. Hehehehe
    I can so see this happening.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It seems like a realistic scene to me too. Thanks ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  13. michael1148humphris Avatar
    michael1148humphris

    I was expecting Agnes to be eaten by the wolfs,๐Ÿ™‚

    Like

  14. Liked this! Can see them remaining together for too long.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Claire ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  15. Ah, that’s great Iain! Really good. I suspect she snores, does she? Or just fusses and fidgets over camping? Made me smile ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Probably all those things and more! Thanks Lynn.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Now if I could only get my husband to sleep in the car I wouldn’t have to put up with his snoring!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You could always suggest he goes off camping for a couple of nights! Thanks Lizy ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

    1. Ha, thanks. If only that were true for everything in life ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  17. I guess Agnes failed the test… either that or there will be a compromise with walls.

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  18. LOL, well that’s one way to get a good night’s sleep.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Needs must ๐Ÿ™‚ thanks for reading.

      Liked by 1 person

  19. 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.

    Like

  20. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Haha I like that story. It could easily have been based on my mum too. Thanks Mandi ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re welcome ๐Ÿ˜‚

        Liked by 1 person

  21. Dear Iain,

    A great tale about the lengths a man will go to get some peace. Well done.

    Yours,

    Doug

    Liked by 1 person

  22. Great piece Iain. Just loved the flow. Hope it was good riddance for Archie, but then i guess only until the morning.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Many thanks. Yes, peace and quiet but only until the morning ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  23. Ha! Poor Archie or poor Agnes? Hard to decide!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m on Archie’s side I think ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  24. now i wonder if she snores so loud the wolves could hear it. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ha maybe that’s why they started howling ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  25. Life Lessons of a Dog Lover Avatar
    Life Lessons of a Dog Lover

    “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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It’s not for everyone, that’s for sure ๐Ÿ™‚ . Many thanks.

      Like

  26. Some people just aren’t cut out for the Great Outdoors. I hope he doesn’t have to walk home. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That’s true, she has the car keys…

      Like

  27. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

  28. “Silence, woman!” This gave me a chuckle.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Honie, glad you liked it ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  29. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

  30. Haha – Archie is quite a smart guy!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. He knows how to get what he wants ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  31. Made me laugh! Naughty Archie!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Clare ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  32. Alice is probably thinking the same thing lol

    Liked by 1 person

  33. LOL! What I’m wondering is: Was the surprise Archie finally getting some peace?? ๐Ÿ˜‰ 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! ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, he may have planned it as a surprise for himself, yes!

      Liked by 1 person

  34. 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!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Many thanks. That or they’ve been together too long and are past the stage of caring!

      Liked by 1 person

  35. 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. ๐Ÿ™‚ — Suzanne

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Suzanne. I agree with Agnes too ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

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