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
Laughing.
Nice one, Iain!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It helps to see the humour in situations like this 😉
LikeLike
Long pig. Yum
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s all meat at the end of the day…
LikeLike
Dear Iain,
That last line took me by surprise. Black comedy well written.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Rochelle, glad I’m still able to spring the odd surprise 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
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).
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you’re interpretation is the same as mine. No pigs were harmed in this story… 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s always fun when stories can be read multiple ways.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh wow Iain. Grim! (and good!!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Di, grim indeed, but you got to do what you got to do sometimes 😉
LikeLike
No need to waste resources…………
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like his sense of humor. Making light of a serious problem makes some terrible tasks easier.
DJ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Danny. He may not be laughing by the end of their trek! 😉
LikeLike
We are but creatures of survival. Dark twist there, Iain. Loved it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Varad
LikeLike
Everybody sees things differently, I guess. It depends how hungry you are. I liked the picture of his head rolling from side to side.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Sandra
LikeLike
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!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, I’m afraid he did 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh man … What are they gonna do if Felix manages to pull through?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not sure Felix will get that option! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
coffee flew out my nose… thanks😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope I didn’t spoil the coffee, glad you got a laugh 🙂
LikeLike
lol, yes, seven days is a long time, might need to stop for a snack….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just a little bit, now and then, make it last 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good one! Though a bit macabre.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Colline 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope his knife is sharp. Also, if he keeps the guy alive there’s no need for refrigeration. These are called “expert tips.”
LikeLike
Duly taken on board should I ever find myself in a similar situation 😉
LikeLike
Nothing like the demonstration of two different perspectives! 🙂 . Wonderful writing, Iain. Blessings, Debbie
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Debbie 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oy. They’re going to get him back to base, one way or the other! Really good comparison/contrast, Iain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed, and which way will cause them the least labour? 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post! My initial thought was combat as well, but I certainly did not see that ending coming!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Jewel, glad it surprised you 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The last line took me by surprise as well. Great short story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙂
LikeLike
Yikes!! I wasn’t expecting that ending. Poor Felix.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hopefully he at least won’t be aware of what fate waits for him!
LikeLike
As barbecues go it should be a good’un!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nothing like a good campfire chargrill 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
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).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Brenda. No, I wouldn’t want to be any of these unfortunate souls this week 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I still wonder what will be the compromise when they start to discuss the matter…. a leg and an arm?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Will they let Felix have a say in the matter?!
LikeLike
You have a choice… either we leave you for the vultures or you offer us a piece…. it’s rational.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It certainly brings out the worst baseness in humans.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, war is not a humane thing. Not meant for humans.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, now that’s a dangerous thought…
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s definitely not a good state of mind to be in.
LikeLike
Eeew, Number 1 with a canabilism tale, good stuff!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Everyone likes a bit of cannibalism, right?
LikeLike
Wonderfully written! Hey, one must do what one must do to survive, eh?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very much a ‘needs must’ situation. Thanks Dale 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very well written! Talk about making the best of any situation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Neel
LikeLike
Is it wrong that I started laughing at the last sentence? 🙂
Two very different characters.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was laughing when I wrote it so I guess it’s okay! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
A warning to all of us – don’t be protein. And don’t trust your buddies. Great vignette.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Patrick
LikeLike
Good story and writing, Iain. It gets down to the brutal facts of survival. Dark humor indeed. —- Suzanne
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’re all animals in the end. Thanks Suzanne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gotta love a guy who’s first thought is cannibalism… Great write iain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So long as you’re not on his menu, I guess 😉
LikeLike
There’s nothing like planning ahead! Great zing in the end.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gads, I just reread the title. Now the story is even better!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha, thank you. Essential supplies only 🙂
LikeLike
Not a pleasant thought!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Depends on your taste 😉
LikeLike
I sure like Peters… he’d better watch out for Henderson. This was great Iain
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Laurie 🙂
LikeLike
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for reading
LikeLike
Well, that last bit was unexpected but well done. Peters better watch out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Depends how hungry they get! Thanks Sascha
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my. Their own mini Donner party.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just need some music and a few beers 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙂
LikeLike
What a difference in perspectives! What’s he going to do for seasoning? In the end everything tastes like chicken anyway 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
So I’ve heard! 😉
LikeLike
Love the dark humour – nicely done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙂
LikeLike
Another reason to lose weight! Nicely done, Iain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautifully written, and a great twist.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Penny
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mmm, tastes like pork. Good one, Iain!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bit chewy in places though 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Talk about perspective! lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Dawn 🙂
LikeLike
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fond memories to be made! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much 🙂
LikeLike