Iain Kelly

THE GRAVEDIGGER

This was the tree alright, the dead one with no leaves.

Streetlight nearby, no need for the torch I had brought.

A night of hard labour ahead, best get to it.

Sweat and dirt, clanging metal on rocky, hard ground.

Takes longer than you think to dig a deep grave.

At three in the morning I stand back and stretch my aching back, take a drag on a refreshing smoke.

A car arrives. They make their delivery without a word.

Dawn is breaking as I pat down the replaced soil.

Easiest hundred bucks I’ll ever make, no questions asked.

trees-ronda-del-boccio
Copyright Ronda Del Boccio

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.

Iain Kelly

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101 responses to “THE GRAVEDIGGER”

  1. neilmacdon Avatar
    neilmacdon

    Great description in sound and sweat of the digging

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Neil

      Like

      Reply
  2. rochellewisoff Avatar
    rochellewisoff

    Dear Iain,

    So much story in those few words. Well done–no questions asked.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Rochelle, sometimes it’s best not to know too much…

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  3. Tannille Avatar
    Tannille

    Ooo spooky. You really captured atmosphere with this one!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. ceayr Avatar
    ceayr

    A dark place, darkly described with your customary expertise..

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Much obliged.

      Like

      Reply
  5. Mike Avatar
    Mike

    A dark and interesting snippet Iain, which spurred me into writing my response to this week’s prompt

    Like

    Reply
  6. Violet Lentz Avatar
    Violet Lentz

    A clandestine burial. You wrote with such finesse, that was my first thought. Excellent write, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you so much Violet, much appreciated.

      Like

      Reply
  7. Dale Avatar
    Dale

    Sounded like it wasn’t so easy 😉
    Have to agree with all, very well written, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you so much Dale

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. Anita Avatar
    Anita

    And this is how some people make easy bucks. No questions asked. Even – whether the “body” is alive/dead…
    Great description.
    The New Bride – Anita

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Nope, sometimes perhaps best not to know.

      Like

      Reply
  9. granonine Avatar
    granonine

    Great descriptions, Iain. This was a common practice , especially before it was considered legal for doctors to study anatomy using cadavers.
    Rather grisly work, that 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Linda

      Like

      Reply
  10. Susan A Eames Avatar
    Susan A Eames

    Unnerving story! Great take on the prompt, Iain.

    Susan A Eames at
    Travel, Fiction and Photos

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Susan

      Like

      Reply
  11. gahlearner Avatar
    gahlearner

    I wonder if the money was worth it. He’s in it now, can he refuse next time? Great atmospheric writing.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you – yes, you have seen how this could lead to trouble in the future

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  12. James McEwan Avatar
    James McEwan

    All in a days work, I could sense his easy going attitude. Well written.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks James – he’s good at doing what he does.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  13. J Hardy Carroll Avatar
    J Hardy Carroll

    I like the structure of this piece.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Like

      Reply
  14. scr4pl80 Avatar
    scr4pl80

    Very interesting! No A to Z this year for you or did I miss something?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Janet. Afraid not this year, just not enough time to do it justice. On the plus side, using the time to start the next novel. Good luck to you achieving it again 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. scr4pl80 Avatar
        scr4pl80

        Thanks Iain. Good luck with you on the next book. Looking forward to reading it!

        Liked by 1 person

  15. Lady Coloresque Avatar
    Lady Coloresque

    Leaves me with too many questions. Perhaps that’s intended? Well, done, my curiosity is wide awake.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Definitely intended, and best not to ask 😉

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  16. Danny James Avatar
    Danny James

    Quite a nasty night job.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Dirty work for sure.

      Like

      Reply
  17. Joy Ogbugoh. Avatar
    Joy Ogbugoh.

    Well done, as always.

    Guys follow my blog 🙏🏽

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Joy

      Like

      Reply
  18. theministryofshrawleywalks Avatar
    theministryofshrawleywalks

    oooh sinister, hard work mind! Number 1 spot too!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I was up early this morning!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  19. plaridel Avatar
    plaridel

    hopefully, it wasn’t a hidden treasure that he’d just buried. otherwise, he could be in deep trouble. those who paid him a hundred bucks would kill him at the first opportunity. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I think he may be in more danger than he realises now.

      Like

      Reply
  20. msjadeli Avatar
    msjadeli

    Wonderful the way you created the atmosphere for your horrific deed 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Like

      Reply
  21. draliman Avatar
    draliman

    No questions asked, but what price your conscience my grave-digging friend…? 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Gradually eating away at his soul, or maybe he’s just cool with it!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  22. the dark netizen Avatar
    the dark netizen

    No questions asked!
    But that breeds so many questions from my side! 😉
    Nicely done! 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Are you brave enough to ask them though? 🙂

      Like

      Reply
      1. the dark netizen Avatar
        the dark netizen

        Hahaha.. probably not! 😉

        Liked by 1 person

  23. anuragbakhshi Avatar
    anuragbakhshi

    Great atmospheric writing. And all the best for the next novel (you mentioned it in a reply above) 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you! Early stages at the moment 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  24. Sandra Avatar
    Sandra

    Asking questions might not be a career-enhancing move, I guess.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Unlike most jobs, staying silent and keeping your head down will lead to promotion here!

      Like

      Reply
  25. Liz Young Avatar
    Liz Young

    All that risk for only a hundred bucks?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      A hundred bucks is a hundred bucks 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  26. Abhijit Ray Avatar
    Abhijit Ray

    Back breaking indeed! So much work and only hundred bucks?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Better than nothing!

      Like

      Reply
  27. pennygadd51 Avatar
    pennygadd51

    I like the way you use staccato sentences to convey the truncated nature of your narrator’s thoughts. He is a man of the senses, and the voice you have chosen makes this very clear.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Penny, let’s hope his senses haven’t led him into trouble!

      Like

      Reply
  28. 4963andypop Avatar
    4963andypop

    Love your “reveal”: “Takes longer than you think to dig a deep grave.”

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  29. Bernadette Braganza Avatar
    Bernadette Braganza

    Could almost picture it… So am not gonna ask any questions.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      For the best 😉

      Like

      Reply
  30. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar
    Brenda’s Thoughts

    Things are never as easy or simple as they appear. I sense a dark twist coming. Love the way you describe the scene and create the character. Excellent as always!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      He may be in a lot more trouble than he seems to realise! Thank you Brenda

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  31. patrickprinsloo Avatar
    patrickprinsloo

    A terse piece of writing well reflecting the context.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Patrick

      Like

      Reply
  32. Fabricating Fiction/Louise Jensen Avatar
    Fabricating Fiction/Louise Jensen

    So creepy. Love it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Louise 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  33. Darnell Cureton Avatar
    Darnell Cureton

    Short and creepy. The scary thing is that can happen.
    Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Darnell

      Like

      Reply
  34. Eugenia Parrish Avatar
    Eugenia Parrish

    Love the way I feel like I’m inside his head as he’s doing this dodgy job. Well-written.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Eugenia, much appreciated

      Like

      Reply
  35. Laurie Bell Avatar
    Laurie Bell

    And left with so many questions. Well written. Great take on the prompt.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Laurie

      Like

      Reply
  36. David Stewart Avatar
    David Stewart

    Interesting story. I can see freelance grave digger as a very interesting job for a character in a novel. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you – certainly would have some stories to tell!

      Like

      Reply
  37. Russell Avatar
    Russell

    That’s a lot of work for a hundred bucks! Perhaps he was underpaid.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I think his employers may not take too kindly to a pay dispute… 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Russell Avatar
        Russell

        True. Pick your battles, I guess.

        Liked by 1 person

  38. spicedmullings Avatar
    spicedmullings

    Neatly simple!👌

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  39. Fatima Fakier Avatar
    Fatima Fakier

    All that work for a hundred bucks! Seems he should ask for a tad bit more.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I don’t thin k he gets a choice in the matter 😉

      Like

      Reply
  40. Woman walking Max Avatar
    Woman walking Max

    I really like the creepy mood you create – the digger all alone in the dead of night – not your average graveyard. Wonderfully sinister in a subtle way.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you, much appreciated

      Like

      Reply
  41. Sabio Lantz Avatar
    Sabio Lantz

    Superb — really liked the complete story. “Just my job, madam.”

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you so much 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  42. subroto Avatar
    subroto

    Very atmospheric piece. I could see him toiling away and then puffing away in the end. Luckily he has no grave concerns otherwise this could be tricky work.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      😉 Thank you

      Like

      Reply
  43. magarisa Avatar
    magarisa

    The protagonist doesn’t seem bothered in the least by who’s getting killed, as long as he gets paid. I really like the matter-of-fact tone of the story.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you so much

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  44. deborahsdeliberations Avatar
    deborahsdeliberations

    This was an extremely well-written story, Iain. As someone else mentioned, it has a matter of fact tone to it. It shows that the MC is emotionally detached which is why he was a logical choice for the job.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      He is good at his job! Thank you Deborah 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  45. Margaret Avatar
    Margaret

    He’s happy to turn a blind eye for the payoff. I guess there are lots of people like that. The tone of your story captures his lack of conscience effectively. Well told.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I suspect he is not even aware of what a conscience is. Thanks Margaret

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  46. Dawn M. Miller Avatar
    Dawn M. Miller

    I liked this, thought it was written well, i just have one small criticism. I hope you don’t mind. $100.00 is not much money for this. Even if it was legal, it seems like it took him hours of work, hard, back breaking work. $100.00 would barely cover that kind of work let alone his silence. Maybe a $1000..too much…five hundred, though.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Depends how desperate you are for a few bucks I guess, perhaps he has no choice in the matter… Thanks for reading Dawn

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  47. Nobbinmaug Avatar
    Nobbinmaug

    I think I’d want more than $100 and ask a lot of questions. I might not be cut out to be an illicit gravedigger.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I’m afraid you wouldn’t last long in their employee.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Nobbinmaug Avatar
        Nobbinmaug

        I think I’d be all right with that.

        Liked by 1 person

  48. Dawn Quyle Landau Avatar
    Dawn Quyle Landau

    This was eerily familiar, Lain, and wonderfully done. Could definitely be a longer story, as we’re left wanting more!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Dawn

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  49. Lisa Lancaster Avatar
    Lisa Lancaster

    Ha! Loved it! No questions asked? I wonder who this guy is…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Just a guy looking to make a buck or two 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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