The jeep jolted over rough terrain. Phillips struggled to breathe under the thick gauze. His wrists ached where they were strapped together.
***
‘You’ll travel to Idlib. They’ll make contact, then take you to their base somewhere in the An-Nusayrirah mountains.’
‘Seems awfully thin.’ Phillips said.
‘Our government thinks it’s a chance worth taking if it gets them to negotiate.’
Phillips kept quiet. It appeared the only risk involved was to his neck.
***
The jeep skidded to a halt. He was thrown to the ground. He felt cool metal pressed into his temple.
It didn’t feel like the start of a negotiation.
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 stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.
Other short stories featuring the character Phillips are here: THE PHILLIPS SPY STORIES.
This is densely-textured and filmic. Great work Iain!
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It doesn’t look good does it, seems like his fate is sealed… It felt like I was there
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Thank you. Maybe he can talk his way out of it, if they give him a chance.
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Thanks Neil
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Phillips better be blessed with the gift of the gab! Very well written, Iain. Loved the tone and the imagery.
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Thanks Brad, glad you liked it.
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Varad even, autocorrect! 🙂
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Brilliant, as always.
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Too kind, thank you.
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Your character came alive in so few words. I wanted to read more.
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Thanks Michael, I hope to write more of this character at some point. Who knows when…
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Great as always 🙂
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Thank you
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You’re right. It doesn’t sound much like the start of negotiations. And it doesn’t sound as though he’s got much to negotiate with either. Good one.
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I have the feeling he has been used as a pawn in a much bigger game. Thanks Sandra
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Dear Iain,
I could see, feel and hear in this vivid piece. Nope. I don’t think anything remotely akin to negotiation is in Phillips’ future. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle. I’ll have to think of a way to get him out of this one…!
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I was there bumping along, heart thudding. Poor Mr.Philips, another pawn in the governments’ game. * Nit-picking – in the second line, did you mean ‘breathe’?
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I think I probably did. Thanks for the nit-pick 🙂
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Seems like Phillips is going to be another of the nameless bodies in the nameless holes in the desert. Nicely done.
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Thanks. He’s a resourceful man, you never know…
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Seems like they did a lot of talking if all they were going to do was take him out to the desert and cap him. I mean, it looks as if he were already restrained.
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Perhaps he is part of a bigger plot, an expendable sacrifice to let the rebels think they have made a small victory.
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Perhaps. Maybe you can expand upon it.
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If time and will power allows 🙂
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Oh, how horrible a fate. Good writing.
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Thank you.
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I’m still hopeful for Phillips, seeing that he is the hero of a series. 🙂 This is great action writing: vivid, exciting, and what a cliff-hanger!
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Oh yeah, he’ll definitely be back 🙂
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Oh no! Was he only a pawn? I hope there’s still hope for him. Excellent story.
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Thank you, there is always hope with a hero spy story!
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I have faith, Philip will be able to negotiate his way out of this one.
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He’s talked himself out of many tight spots before.
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What a crackerjack! Write the novel, and I’ll buy the book!
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Thank you Penny
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I have tried to comment on your story, but my comment hasn’t appeared, I seem to be having some technical gremlins at the moment. It may be sitting in your ‘Spam’ folder if you want to check!
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I got your comment just fine. I hope it wasn’t too hard.
Poor hostage! It didn’t feel like good negotiation even before the last sentence.
Great flash!
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Thanks Alice, it seems to be the WordPress hosted sites that are blocking me, so you are fine! Thanks for the comment 🙂
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Great story. Tought to get a way out of this, would love to know if he can and how.
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I mean hard. spelling mistake.
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Thanks, he’ll have to come up with something quick.
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Nope, at first there might seem like that there is no other option… but I think soon he will sit in a hut drinking tea…
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Of course, that is how the gentleman spy conducts his business! Cheers Bjorn.
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The details in this story sucked me right into Phillips world. You set this tragic scene beautifully. I’m rooting for him.
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Thank you Cindy, glad it drew you in and you’re on the hero’s side!
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Looks like a horrible start. Hope he comes out of this alive and kicking. Great story, Lian.
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Thanks Neel
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I think Phillip should have paid more attention to the ‘and other duties’ clause of his employment contract. But I am sure he will find a way out of this. Heroes always do. Good job!
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Thanks Susan. Hopefully he would have known the risks before hand. Perhaps he should’ve declined the work trip abroad!
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Taut and vivid prose. I agree with Penny. Time for a novel!
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Thank you Sascha 🙂
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Wonderful tension here, and the ending just drills it down — definitely does not seem like an auspicious beginning. But I’m sure he’ll turn it around. 🙂
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Thanks Joy 🙂
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A dangerous situation just got worse. Tense!
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Tense is good. Thanks!
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This reads like a taster of something bigger yet to come! More please Iain!
Click to read my FriFic
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Definitely a character I would like to try in a longer story. Thanks Keith.
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I somehow have full faith in him! He will escape for sure – now if only you would pen how he does so 🙂
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I smell Vince Flynn-style all over this. Well done!
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Thanks Miles
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Super one Iain. Vivid and very cinematic. Could see it unfold in front of my eyes.
More power to you!
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Great story. Keep up the good words!
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Thank you Caerlynn.
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it looks like it’s not up to a good start, indeed. hopefully, he could be offered as an exchange for one of theirs.
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There may be a way out of it for him yet!
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Now how are you going to get him out of this one? We need to hear what happens next. 🙂
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Like Phillips, I’m trying to think quickly…
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“Well, Philip, we have a brilliant idea to start a negotiation. There is a slight risk…”
Philip: another brilliant idea not working!
A common scenario, though not as extreme for most of us!
Great job!
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Yes, thankfully most people’s work leaves them frustrated, but not necessarily in such danger!
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Ah no… not a negotiation methinks
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Afraid not…
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Brave man. Too bad it went sideways. Well done. :o)
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He’s not giving up yet. Thanks.
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OOOoooooo this is scary, and gritty, and I want to watch the movie!
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If someone buys the rights I’ll let you know 🙂
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🙂
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Such a tense, terse gripping story- with an ace twist in the tail – well done.
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Thank you
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What fabulous descriptions, Iain. Like Neil said, it feels filmic. I could picture the whole scene… Brilliant
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Thank you Dale
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I too struggled with Philip in the rough terrain. very good description.
I have a ray of hope that he will save his skin and get away.
https://ideasolsi65.blogspot.in/2017/09/the-fort.html
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Wonderful narration! Loved it…
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Thanks Meha
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Excellent narration, feels just like a good old spy story. Left us hanging in suspense.
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Thank you
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Great story and a great character. I’ll be looking forward to reading more.
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Thank you
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Edge of your seat drama!
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Thanks Dawn
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Iain, this was great. So well written. I’m glad I’m sitting here with a pup under each arm with the laptop on my lap. No interest in trading places at all.
Hope you have a great week.
xx Rowena
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Thank you. Have a good one!
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I could imagine the whole story in a 100 words! superb narration 🙂
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Thank you very much
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It’s a pity you only had 100-words as I really want to know what happens next. Lovely the way you sandwiched the background between the tense and unknowable present.
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Thanks Sarah Ann, definitely could be one to write more on.
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The plot thickens…..will he survive this with his neck intact?
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