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.


danny-boweman-1
Copyright Danny Boweman

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.

96 responses to “REBEL HELD”

  1. neilmacdon Avatar

    This is densely-textured and filmic. Great work Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. beautyswot Avatar

      It doesn’t look good does it, seems like his fate is sealed… It felt like I was there

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Iain Kelly Avatar

        Thank you. Maybe he can talk his way out of it, if they give him a chance.

        Like

    2. Iain Kelly Avatar
  2. Varad Avatar

    Phillips better be blessed with the gift of the gab! Very well written, Iain. Loved the tone and the imagery.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Brad, glad you liked it.

      Like

    2. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Varad even, autocorrect! 🙂

      Like

  3. Moon Avatar
    Moon

    Brilliant, as always.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Too kind, thank you.

      Like

  4. michael1148humphris Avatar
    michael1148humphris

    Your character came alive in so few words. I wanted to read more.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Michael, I hope to write more of this character at some point. Who knows when…

      Like

  5. hombrehompson Avatar

    Great as always 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Sandra Avatar

    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.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I have the feeling he has been used as a pawn in a much bigger game. Thanks Sandra

      Like

  7. rochellewisoff Avatar

    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

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Rochelle. I’ll have to think of a way to get him out of this one…!

      Liked by 1 person

  8. justjoyfulness Avatar

    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’?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I think I probably did. Thanks for the nit-pick 🙂

      Like

  9. J Hardy Carroll Avatar

    Seems like Phillips is going to be another of the nameless bodies in the nameless holes in the desert. Nicely done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks. He’s a resourceful man, you never know…

      Like

  10. James Avatar

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Perhaps he is part of a bigger plot, an expendable sacrifice to let the rebels think they have made a small victory.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. James Avatar

        Perhaps. Maybe you can expand upon it.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Iain Kelly Avatar

        If time and will power allows 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  11. Jelli Avatar
    Jelli

    Oh, how horrible a fate. Good writing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  12. gahlearner Avatar
    gahlearner

    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!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Oh yeah, he’ll definitely be back 🙂

      Like

  13. k rawson Avatar

    Oh no! Was he only a pawn? I hope there’s still hope for him. Excellent story.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, there is always hope with a hero spy story!

      Liked by 1 person

  14. anintrovertedblogger Avatar

    I have faith, Philip will be able to negotiate his way out of this one.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He’s talked himself out of many tight spots before.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. pennygadd51 Avatar

    What a crackerjack! Write the novel, and I’ll buy the book!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Penny

      Like

    2. Iain Kelly Avatar

      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!

      Like

  16. Alice Audrey Avatar

    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!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Alice, it seems to be the WordPress hosted sites that are blocking me, so you are fine! Thanks for the comment 🙂

      Like

  17. Indira Avatar

    Great story. Tought to get a way out of this, would love to know if he can and how.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Indira Avatar

      I mean hard. spelling mistake.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks, he’ll have to come up with something quick.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar

    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…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Of course, that is how the gentleman spy conducts his business! Cheers Bjorn.

      Like

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

    The details in this story sucked me right into Phillips world. You set this tragic scene beautifully. I’m rooting for him.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Cindy, glad it drew you in and you’re on the hero’s side!

      Like

  20. neeltheauthor Avatar

    Looks like a horrible start. Hope he comes out of this alive and kicking. Great story, Lian.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  21. Susan Avatar

    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!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Susan. Hopefully he would have known the risks before hand. Perhaps he should’ve declined the work trip abroad!

      Like

  22. Sascha Darlington Avatar

    Taut and vivid prose. I agree with Penny. Time for a novel!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Sascha 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  23. Joy Pixley Avatar

    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. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Joy 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  24. draliman Avatar

    A dangerous situation just got worse. Tense!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Tense is good. Thanks!

      Liked by 1 person

  25. Keith's Ramblings Avatar

    This reads like a taster of something bigger yet to come! More please Iain!

    Click to read my FriFic

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Definitely a character I would like to try in a longer story. Thanks Keith.

      Like

  26. Dahlia Avatar

    I somehow have full faith in him! He will escape for sure – now if only you would pen how he does so 🙂

    Like

  27. Miles Rost Avatar

    I smell Vince Flynn-style all over this. Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Miles

      Like

  28. Natasha Avatar
    Natasha

    Super one Iain. Vivid and very cinematic. Could see it unfold in front of my eyes.
    More power to you!

    Liked by 1 person

  29. Caerlynn Nash Avatar
    Caerlynn Nash

    Great story. Keep up the good words!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Caerlynn.

      Like

  30. plaridel Avatar

    it looks like it’s not up to a good start, indeed. hopefully, he could be offered as an exchange for one of theirs.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      There may be a way out of it for him yet!

      Liked by 1 person

  31. Christine Goodnough Avatar

    Now how are you going to get him out of this one? We need to hear what happens next. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Like Phillips, I’m trying to think quickly…

      Liked by 1 person

  32. seekeroftruthweb Avatar

    “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!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Yes, thankfully most people’s work leaves them frustrated, but not necessarily in such danger!

      Liked by 1 person

  33. Laurie Bell Avatar

    Ah no… not a negotiation methinks

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Afraid not…

      Like

  34. Mrs. Completely Avatar

    Brave man. Too bad it went sideways. Well done. :o)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He’s not giving up yet. Thanks.

      Liked by 1 person

  35. granonine Avatar

    OOOoooooo this is scary, and gritty, and I want to watch the movie!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      If someone buys the rights I’ll let you know 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  36. Woman walking Max Avatar

    Such a tense, terse gripping story- with an ace twist in the tail – well done.

    Liked by 1 person

  37. Dale Avatar
    Dale

    What fabulous descriptions, Iain. Like Neil said, it feels filmic. I could picture the whole scene… Brilliant

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Dale

      Liked by 1 person

  38. Kalpana Solsi Avatar

    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

    Liked by 1 person

  39. Meha Sharma Avatar

    Wonderful narration! Loved it…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  40. subroto Avatar

    Excellent narration, feels just like a good old spy story. Left us hanging in suspense.

    Liked by 1 person

  41. athling2001 Avatar

    Great story and a great character. I’ll be looking forward to reading more.

    Liked by 1 person

  42. lingeringvisions by Dawn Avatar

    Edge of your seat drama!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  43. Rowena Avatar

    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

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you. Have a good one!

      Like

  44. Shweta dave (@shwetadave) Avatar

    I could imagine the whole story in a 100 words! superb narration 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you very much

      Like

  45. Sarah Ann Avatar
    Sarah Ann

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Sarah Ann, definitely could be one to write more on.

      Like

  46. Vivian Zems Avatar

    The plot thickens…..will he survive this with his neck intact?

    Liked by 1 person

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