She checked behind her. The dilapidated shack stood there.
She looked back at the mirror. The shack was reflected in it.
The mirror seemed to work as a mirror should.
She bent down and peered into, her breath clouded the smooth surface, but still the mirror did not show her reflection.
She pinched herself, poked her sides, pulled her hair. She was real, she existed.
From the shack a man appeared, surrounded by a glow.
He spoke: ‘Can you discover a beauty that lies within? Can you live without the ardour that your appearance provokes in others?’
With that, he vanished.
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.
The original Nemesis myth: Wikipedia, and particularly the encounter with Narcissus, upon which this story is based around.
Iain Kelly 
118 responses to “NEMESIS AND THE BEAUTY QUEEN”
A thought provoking story that’s particularly relevant nowadays, with the prevalence of selfies. Well done.
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I love your comment about selfies, Magarisa. It’s amazing how many we see, particularly on Facebook. Rarely do we see the essence of the inner person.
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That’s the reason why I avoid Facebook like the plague.
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Thank you – let’s not get me started on the cursed selfies!
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Fascinating story, Iain. For a moment there, I thought she might be a vampire. 🙂
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I was heading that way at first, then decided to try and do something a bit different. Glad it fascinated.
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Ooh I like it!
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Thank you
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What a wise little tale. She has been given something to reflect on.
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Thank you
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Really enjoyed this. Like Russell I thought she might be a vampire, but this was so much more interesting and thought provoking.
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Thank you Sarah Ann, glad it got you thinking 🙂
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Not a burka salesman, is he?
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Ha, maybe!
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