IAIN KELLY

SURROGATES

Black and white images from the past. Not hers, someone else’s. The smiling portrait of a young woman, an elderly couple in front of their house, a grandfather, a brother and sister. A family, a historical document of a happy life.

$1 for the basket. The seller had no idea who the people in the photos were.

She bought them. They would become her family. She named them, imagined their stories. They would become the past she had dreamed of, the past others were lucky to have had. They would replace the nightmare she had lived through and the monsters she wished she could forget.


photos-ted-strutz
Copyright Ted Strutz

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.


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92 responses to “SURROGATES”

  1. Tannille Avatar

    Wow. What a mental illness. Sad how broken some individuals are, usually as a result of trauma. Great story.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you. I wasn’t particularly thinking of mental illness, but certainly broken. Thank you.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. pensitivity101 Avatar

    Terrific story Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Di

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Lynn Love Avatar

    Ooh, love that. Enjoy the idea of a woman inventing a whole new past just to escape the nightmare of the truth. As always, well structure and written with a cracking final punch. A friend of mine inherited some old photographs a few years ago. Hasn’t a clue who the people are, even if they’re related to her. Still, she can’t get rid of them. She says she feels responsible for them now, that throwing them away would be disrespectful to these strangers and sh might be the only person who has evidence of what they looked like, who they really were. Cracking tale, Ian

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Lynn, especially in these days of so many photos and the ease of taking them, somehow the old fragile black and white stills seem to be even more valuable.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Lynn Love Avatar

        My pleasure. Very true, Ian, those old prints are irreplaceable.

        Liked by 1 person

  4. neilmacdon Avatar

    Wonderful idea, Iain. I loved your character

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Neil

      Like

  5. robertawrites235681907 Avatar

    This has such an underlying feeling of nostalgia.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Roberta

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Michele Jones Avatar

    You really feel for the woman. To have such a past and to reinvent her future. She must be very strong. Nice job.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Michele

      Liked by 1 person

  7. kzmcb Avatar

    Great take on the prompt.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much

      Like

  8. James McEwan Avatar

    Fantastic turn in the story. i found an old photograph in a book I bought in a charity shop; what do you do with it?
    Memories and the inquisitive search into out past are always locked in photographs, if only someone and written the names and dates on the back.(An idea I used in my latest book).
    I wonder if the digital photos that are filling the e-cloud today will also fade in time.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks James, there are so many photos now, and so easy to take them, that actually it cheapens the meaning they have for people.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. J Hardy Carroll Avatar

    Great stuff. Reminded me a bit of Blade Runner and the implanted memories of Replicants.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, love that film.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Na'ama Yehuda Avatar

    Iain, this is poignant and sad and heartrending and – in its own way – resilient.
    I love what you did with this prompt.
    Wow.
    There’s a whole novel in this, you know.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you – you never know, maybe it is a starting point.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Anita Avatar

    Wonderful!
    That’s really creative! Creating a new world out of photos.
    We are the makers of our own destiny.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Anita, I feel that is what the MC is trying to do.

      Like

  12. neeltheauthor- author of WHEN LIFE THROWS THOSE CURVE BALLS Avatar

    Such a poignant and intriguing story. A STORY about people buying a whole new past. This is one of your very best Kelly.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much Neel, very kind.

      Like

  13. ceayr Avatar

    Jings, this gives me the creeps.
    Well done

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, there is definitely a creepy element going on!

      Like

  14. scr4pl80 Avatar

    Great idea, Iain. In the scrapbooking world, a box like that would be a treasure as well to use in our crafting. Wonder what her stories will be.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Janet, you could do some fine work with those photos!

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Keith's Ramblings Avatar

    Hopefully, bringing those images to life will provide some sadly needed comfort,

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Keith – a chance to start again and choose your own family, let’s hope it helps her.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. trentpmcd Avatar

    Yikes, must have been pretty harsh to have to invent a new past…

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Safe to say it wasn’t a happy time… Thanks Trent

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Dale Avatar

    So that’s why buys these baskets of photos…
    Bringing them to life to create an imaginary one of her own.
    Well done, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Dale, a good way to spark inspiration for a novel, now that I think about it.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dale Avatar

        Truth!

        Liked by 1 person

  18. msjadeli Avatar

    You know, Iain, that is not a bad idea. Excellent concept and execution ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. msjadeli Avatar

        YW 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  19. magickmermaid Avatar

    A powerful story! Some people experience such trauma that inventing a new past is the only way to survive the present and future. Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much

      Liked by 1 person

  20. joyroses13 Avatar

    Wow! Very good …. seems like this could very well continue on …Like the preface to a novel perhaps??

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Leanne Avatar

      I ditto joyroses13

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Iain Kelly Avatar

        Thanks Leanne

        Liked by 1 person

  21. Tracey at Whatsfordinnerdoc.com and TraceyDelaplainMD.com Avatar

    I love the thought of old photos getting a second life. Maybe even fictional families can help us heal.
    Tracey

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Tracey at Whatsfordinnerdoc.com and TraceyDelaplainMD.com Avatar

        I put your book in my Kindle to read list.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Iain Kelly Avatar

        Wonderful, thank you. Do let me know when you start it and what you think, it’s always good to hear that someone is reading! 🙂

        Like

  22. Mike Avatar
    Mike

    I enjoyed this,

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  23. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Iain,

    I loved this story. So telling and poignant. Perhaps the purchaser of the photos will become a writer. 😉 Well done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It’s a good way to start constructing a family saga. Thanks Rochelle.

      Like

  24. draliman Avatar

    I sometimes wonder at the lives of people in old photographs, but never for such a grim and tragic reason and to such an extent. Great story!

    BTW I’m thoroughly enjoying your book. And a learnt a new Scottish word from it – “outwith” (which I was sure you’d made up until I Googled it!) – despite my mum being Scottish. I’ll have to ask her if she’s ever heard of it!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Ha, new words are always good to discover. Great to hear you are reading and enjoying, always nice to know someone is and I’m not just writing in a void! Do leave a review and let me know what you think once you’ve reached the end.

      Liked by 1 person

  25. Shirley McCann Avatar

    I loved this. Great idea to create a person’s story from a picture.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much Shirley

      Like

  26. Liz Young Avatar

    That must have been some horror she lived through.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Unfortunately it happens to some. Thanks Liz

      Like

  27. Alicia Jamtaas Avatar

    Mmmm. This poor woman. To “buy” a new made-up family for $1. Your story has made appreciate the love of my family ~ through blood and through bond ~ even more than I did before I read your words. Thank you.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      A lovely compliment, thank you Alicia.

      Like

  28. bearmkwa Avatar
    bearmkwa

    Oh, if replacing a past life were truly so easy, I’d give you all $4 I have to my name at the moment. Great story!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks, it would certainly make an easy solution, unfortunately life is never that easy!

      Liked by 1 person

  29. Laurie Bell Avatar

    Oh a twisted tale indeed, sounds like she is better off without her past but I’m not sure the memories will fade even with new imagined ones taking their place

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It may be a help, but I agree, it’s not a solution.

      Like

  30. theministryofshrawleywalks Avatar

    How terrifically sad, one forgets the forgotten abused after the events stop, the empty vessels looking for answers, comfort and hope in the pretend lives of others.

    Liked by 1 person

  31. Nobbinmaug Avatar

    That is really depressing. I can’t imagine if’s a very healthy way to go about dealing with one’s tormented past. Drugs and alcohol are the only healthy ways to deal with things. Oh, and indiscriminate sexual encounters. That said. Good story. It’s dark and intriguing.

    I’ve always wondered about those collections of old photos in second-hand stores. Why are they there? Who sells them? Who buys them? This week’s prompt has me thinking it might not be a bad place to start finding characters and/or stories.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      That was my thought too, it would be a great way to trigger a story idea – maybe that’s who buys those old photos, aspiring and struggling writers. As for your advice, I’m off to buy some alcohol and drugs, the sexual encounter might prove trickier….

      Like

      1. Nobbinmaug Avatar

        Once you have the drugs and alcohol, spread the word. “Party at Iain’s house.” Opportunities will come knocking. I should know. I don’t drink or do drugs, and I always never have sex. That tormented past is always right behind me, though, clinging on like a tail, or sometimes a tale.

        Like

  32. pennygadd51 Avatar

    That’s an excellent take on the prompt. I can empathise with the idea of wanting a surrogate family. I have a strong, loving family and friends, but I still take great satisfaction in the company of the non-existent characters I write about.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I do sometimes wish my own characters could exist in real life! Thanks Penny.

      Like

  33. granonine Avatar

    This is both incredibly sad and incredibly hopeful. What a unique idea for this post.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Linda

      Liked by 1 person

  34. Fatima Fakier Avatar

    She will create her own little world with its own people. Sounds like a writer in the making. Seriously though, I like the idea of healing and escaping her past through imagination.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Fatima 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  35. Inside the Mind of Isadora Avatar

    Ironically, I took an art class with a gal who brought in photos she’d picked up at a yard sale.
    She said she planned to make a family collage for herself. Astonishing the things some will go through to be able to say the word ‘family’. Powerful, Iain. I loved it.
    Isadora 😎

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  36. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar

    With her broken past, maybe she needed a way to make life a little better. I’m really intrigued by your character. Wonderful story as usual! =)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Brenda

      Like

  37. gillyflower Avatar
    gillyflower

    Excellent interpretation of the prompt, Iain. I wondered perhaps if she’d turn out to be a spy or a protected witness. Not an easy life any way you look at it.

    Liked by 1 person

  38. Woman walking Max Avatar

    I love where you go with the basket of old photos, what an interesting take. I recognise the power of these images of past people, even if they are not related to you. Good writing.
    Congratulations on the publication of your latest book.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you – hope you get the chance to check the book out 🙂

      Like

  39. patriciaruthsusan Avatar

    A good story with deep feeling, Iain. Poor women. She’s cutting loose her memories to adopt some makebelieve ones. That had to be a great need. —- Suzanne

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Suzanne

      Like

  40. trishsplace Avatar

    Great interpretation. Like it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Trish 🙂

      Like

  41. Dawn M. Miller Avatar

    OMG…how incredibly sad!
    Or was it….

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Perhaps a new start. Thanks Dawn

      Liked by 1 person

  42. magarisa Avatar

    A poignant tale. Thank goodness for her imagination!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      A place of refuge. Thanks 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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