Woozy. Sweat. Open eyes.

Peeling paint, damp patches, broken ceiling fan.

Movement next to me. Moist sheets. Another person.

She moans. Dark hair, dark skin.

Vague memories. A bar, drinking, her smiling face.

Sit up, look round. Dilapidated.

Head thumping. Air oppressive. Dry throat.

Stagger to the window. Old, wooden frame. Open it.

Humid air. Voices. Cries.

She turns, eyes looking at me. That smile.

The night is in the past.

To the dank bathroom. Cracked mirror reflects broken face.

Splash of water. Hands steady.

Ready for another day.

Ready for more victims.

Ready to do what little I can.

photoa

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.

This April I am taking part in the A to Z Challenge once again. My theme is a collection of stories from around the countries of the European Union, and you can find them here: A TO Z CHALLENGE 2018

104 thoughts on “FIELD HOSPITAL”

  5. Eek! That’s a scary little story… It’s almost as if you stepped into one of the minds of a Nazi doctor with this one…at least that’s what I thought of as I read it…. shivers down my spine. Great write!

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  10. There has been recent news coverage of a handful of charity workers taking advantage of the sexual availability of vulnerable people. I wonder whether that is your topic? It’s graphically written. You’ve constructed the story very cleverly so we only gradually realise what is important, and what he has to do, today and every day. The form is fragmentary, which imitates his state of mind; and then he grasps hold of the fact that his hands are steady, and the world comes into proper focus again; he knows who he is and what he has to do.
    This is fine writing Iain.

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    1. Thank you Penny, I wondered if anyone would make the connection to those recent stories. I think we would have to know more about the identity of the woman in the bed to make any judgement – is she a fellow volunteer or doctor? both consenting adults? or a local woman in desperate times? a prostitute? is this just something they both need to get away from the horror of the tragedy they are in the middle of? Such a nice comment, thank you.

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  15. I liked your style of writing in this piece so much. Fragmented , choked, just like the tragedy they are trapped in. Brilliant!
    I think he is a good doctor who wants to save the victims of the nameless tragedy.

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  19. Sounds like you were going down the Florence Nightingale path.. finding contentment even in the worst of circumstances.. the human at their finest:) I enjoy the punctual short sentences.

    Liked by 1 person

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