They set off at first light. No sign of the enemy.
Peters took the front of the stretcher, Henderson the rear. Felix lay unconscious, each step across the uneven, barren landscape making his head roll from side to side.
Henderson reckoned it was a hundred miles back to the demilitarised zone – at their laboured pace and taking into account stops for rest, it would take them seven days.
Felix would never make it, so why carry him?
Never leave a man behind, thought Peters, looking at his fallen comrade.
Sustenance, thought Henderson, as he eyed up Felix’s ample bulk.
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.
My first novel, ‘A Justified State,’ is available now
Iain Kelly 
99 responses to “TAKE ONLY WHAT YOU NEED”
Laughing.
Nice one, Iain!
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It helps to see the humour in situations like this 😉
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Long pig. Yum
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It’s all meat at the end of the day…
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Dear Iain,
That last line took me by surprise. Black comedy well written.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle, glad I’m still able to spring the odd surprise 🙂
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Oh dear, I didn’t read any “pig”. The story took on a rather dark turn when I read it lol.
Great tension (although I think my interpretation is warped).
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I think you’re interpretation is the same as mine. No pigs were harmed in this story… 😉
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It’s always fun when stories can be read multiple ways.
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Oh wow Iain. Grim! (and good!!)
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Thank you Di, grim indeed, but you got to do what you got to do sometimes 😉
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No need to waste resources…………
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I like his sense of humor. Making light of a serious problem makes some terrible tasks easier.
DJ
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Thank you Danny. He may not be laughing by the end of their trek! 😉
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We are but creatures of survival. Dark twist there, Iain. Loved it.
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Thank you Varad
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Everybody sees things differently, I guess. It depends how hungry you are. I liked the picture of his head rolling from side to side.
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Thank you Sandra
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Oh gosh! I had to re-read the ending. I thought he didn’t say what I think he just said, did he?? Yup, I had read it correctly! LOL! The twist worked again!
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Yep, I’m afraid he did 😉
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Oh man … What are they gonna do if Felix manages to pull through?
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I’m not sure Felix will get that option! 🙂
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coffee flew out my nose… thanks😁
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Hope I didn’t spoil the coffee, glad you got a laugh 🙂
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lol, yes, seven days is a long time, might need to stop for a snack….
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Just a little bit, now and then, make it last 🙂
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Good one! Though a bit macabre.
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Thank you Colline 🙂
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Hope his knife is sharp. Also, if he keeps the guy alive there’s no need for refrigeration. These are called “expert tips.”
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Duly taken on board should I ever find myself in a similar situation 😉
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Nothing like the demonstration of two different perspectives! 🙂 . Wonderful writing, Iain. Blessings, Debbie
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Thank you so much Debbie 🙂
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Oy. They’re going to get him back to base, one way or the other! Really good comparison/contrast, Iain.
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Indeed, and which way will cause them the least labour? 😉
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Great post! My initial thought was combat as well, but I certainly did not see that ending coming!
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Thank you Jewel, glad it surprised you 🙂
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The last line took me by surprise as well. Great short story.
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Thank you 🙂
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Yikes!! I wasn’t expecting that ending. Poor Felix.
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Hopefully he at least won’t be aware of what fate waits for him!
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As barbecues go it should be a good’un!
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Nothing like a good campfire chargrill 🙂
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Two distinctly different viewpoints, one more practical than the other. Great (dark) twist! Your stories are always so descriptive, I feel like I’m there. Though don’t think I want to be this week (haha).
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Thank you so much Brenda. No, I wouldn’t want to be any of these unfortunate souls this week 🙂
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I still wonder what will be the compromise when they start to discuss the matter…. a leg and an arm?
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Will they let Felix have a say in the matter?!
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You have a choice… either we leave you for the vultures or you offer us a piece…. it’s rational.
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Oy vey!
And … I’m sure these kind of thoughts have crossed the minds of many an exhausted soldier lugging a comrade through mud and gore and helpless situations.
I hate war.
N.
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It certainly brings out the worst baseness in humans.
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Yes, war is not a humane thing. Not meant for humans.
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Had to go back and check to see if there was anyone named Donner in this party. It is a grim picture, i can see why you went there.
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Thank you
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Oh, now that’s a dangerous thought…
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It’s definitely not a good state of mind to be in.
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Eeew, Number 1 with a canabilism tale, good stuff!
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Everyone likes a bit of cannibalism, right?
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Wonderfully written! Hey, one must do what one must do to survive, eh?
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Very much a ‘needs must’ situation. Thanks Dale 🙂
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Very well written! Talk about making the best of any situation.
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Thanks Neel
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Is it wrong that I started laughing at the last sentence? 🙂
Two very different characters.
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I was laughing when I wrote it so I guess it’s okay! 🙂
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A warning to all of us – don’t be protein. And don’t trust your buddies. Great vignette.
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Thank you Patrick
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Good story and writing, Iain. It gets down to the brutal facts of survival. Dark humor indeed. —- Suzanne
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We’re all animals in the end. Thanks Suzanne
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Gotta love a guy who’s first thought is cannibalism… Great write iain.
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So long as you’re not on his menu, I guess 😉
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There’s nothing like planning ahead! Great zing in the end.
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Gads, I just reread the title. Now the story is even better!
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Ha, thank you. Essential supplies only 🙂
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Not a pleasant thought!
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Depends on your taste 😉
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I sure like Peters… he’d better watch out for Henderson. This was great Iain
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Thanks Laurie 🙂
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Battle between heart and brain, fellow feeling vs. hard reason continues. Hope heart is strong enough to win and pray Felix makes it. It is such a long way to the dimilitarised zone.
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Thanks for reading
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Well, that last bit was unexpected but well done. Peters better watch out.
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Depends how hungry they get! Thanks Sascha
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Oh my. Their own mini Donner party.
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Just need some music and a few beers 😉
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The head on the stretcher moving side by side. The descriptions are so crystal clear. Two different yet poles apart perspectives taken into account. The last line surprised me.
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Thank you 🙂
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What a difference in perspectives! What’s he going to do for seasoning? In the end everything tastes like chicken anyway 😉
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So I’ve heard! 😉
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Love the dark humour – nicely done.
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Thank you 🙂
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Another reason to lose weight! Nicely done, Iain.
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Yes, I fear I may be close to looking like a tasty meal for a desperate man at the moment myself, best dig out the running shoes!
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Beautifully written, and a great twist.
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Thank you Penny
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Mmm, tastes like pork. Good one, Iain!
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Bit chewy in places though 😉
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Talk about perspective! lol
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Thanks Dawn 🙂
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looks like Felix has had it, !00 miles in enemy territory by foot is a hard slog. The hardest part is the decision process – what to do about Felix. They could always remember the good times, you that last meal they had with Felix.
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Fond memories to be made! 🙂
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Eek! Good and evil, ideal and practical, what we say and what we think. As I read through the other comments, it wasn’t much different. I love how you captured the human nature in a crisis situation and I’d definitely read the sequel.
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Thank you so much 🙂
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