IAIN KELLY

BLINDSIDED

Dig the groove, the bass making the ground tremor.

It robs  me of my vital sense, obliterating the noises I need to guide me.

I don’t care, I’m along for the ride.

The crowd surrounds, a swaying mass that cocoons me.

I am lost in the music.

Then.

An offbeat rhythm disconcerts. A sudden surge pushes violently.

Panic sets in. Are the surrounding screams of terror?

I have no control, I am swept along.

I fall. Someone lands on top of me.

Then laughter.

Hands pull me up. Apologies all round.

A cheer as a new bass line kicks in.

I am lost in the music.

band
Copyright CE Ayr

Written for Friday Fictioneers 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 new novel, ‘State Of War’, the final part of The State Trilogy, officially launches THIS MONDAY, 25th MAY on eBook and Paperback.

You can find it to buy or pre-order by following the links below:

US/AMAZON.COM     AMAZON.CO.UK      SMASHWORDS        BARNES & NOBLE       KOBO        BOOK DEPOSITORY
Also available from APPLE BOOKS

A JUSTIFIED STATE and STATE OF DENIAL, books one and two of the trilogy are also available. Follow the links on this page: AVAILABLE NOW

If any bloggers would like to host a guest blog about the book, please get in touch, and all reviews and shout-outs are greatly appreciated.

STATE OF WAR PRE RELEASE BIG

77 responses to “BLINDSIDED”

  1. neilmacdon Avatar
    neilmacdon

    Great sense of atmosphere in this, Iain. Crowds can do that

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Neil

      Like

      Reply
  2. Tannille Avatar
    Tannille

    Sounds like a head banger. I can feel the music.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Don’t get too carried away!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  3. Anita Avatar
    Anita

    The music and passion!
    One can easily get lost! Cheers!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Anita

      Like

      Reply
  4. ceayr Avatar
    ceayr

    We’ve all been there, Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks CE

      Like

      Reply
  5. Reena Saxena Avatar
    Reena Saxena

    You literally have the reader swaying.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Reena

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  6. rochellewisoff Avatar
    rochellewisoff

    Dear Iain,

    Been there, done that. 😉 You set the tone and created the atmosphere. Felt like I was there again. Well done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Rochelle

      Like

      Reply
  7. Susan A Eames Avatar
    Susan A Eames

    Good stuff – I was right there with him! Well done.

    Susan A Eames at
    Travel, Fiction and Photos

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Susan

      Like

      Reply
  8. Sadje Avatar
    Sadje

    Good one!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Sadje Avatar
        Sadje

        You’re welcome

        Liked by 1 person

  9. justjoyfulness Avatar
    justjoyfulness

    Music does that to you, doesn’t it?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It certainly can.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  10. J Hardy Carroll Avatar
    J Hardy Carroll

    Stay away from the brown acid, man 😉

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Yes Dad 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  11. wmqcolby Avatar
    wmqcolby

    You nailed the feelings, Iain. I’m a musician myself and I know that feeling big time. You can’t just “write” a story about this, it has to be poetic because — it just makes more sense to do so.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you, nice compliment 🙂

      Like

      Reply
      1. wmqcolby Avatar
        wmqcolby

        You are MOST welcome.

        Liked by 1 person

  12. Rowena Avatar
    Rowena

    Iain, great story. It reminded me of the terrorist attacks in Paris and the explosions in the concert venue. I was at the Sydney Writer’s Festival and fortunately inbetween sessions when a robotic voice started bleating: “Evacuate! Evacuate!”
    I was naturally concerned, and tried to find out what was going on to inform my response. Should I be running for my life? Was there a fire? False alarm?
    Meanwhile, I can relate not only to losing myself in the sounds of music, but also the sounds of nature. Yesterday, I went for a bushwalk and I was listening to the rolling of the surf, birds, leaves and stones crunching under foot. It was transformative and very attractive atm.
    Best wishes,
    Rowena

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Rowena. I had in mind the shootings in Vegas from a couple of years ago, but wanted to avoid the tragic ending this week.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Rowena Avatar
        Rowena

        It’s amazing to hear that someone from FF has avoided a tragic ending. We do them so well. However, we have enough tragedy around us atm. Don’t need to make it up.

        Liked by 1 person

  13. Liz Young Avatar
    Liz Young

    Excellent – assuming you’re not blind, you have captured it perfectly.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Liz. I may have been too subtle as most seemed to have missed the blind part of the story,so thank you for noticing!

      Like

      Reply
  14. Penny Gadd Avatar
    Penny Gadd

    Clever writing, Iain. It took me a second reading to realise that your MC was literally blind, even though you told us “It robs me of my vital sense, obliterating the noises I need to guide me.” And the title’s a bit of a clue, too! Great courage shown by your MC going to a concert like that.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Penny, I fear I have been too subtle, but the story seems to work whether the reader catches the blindness or not, which in a way, is quite pleasing, as the disability is being overlooked!

      Like

      Reply
  15. msjadeli Avatar
    msjadeli

    A lot of chaos going on there for a moment, but happily it passed. Good setting of tension!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. msjadeli Avatar
        msjadeli

        You’re welcome.

        Liked by 1 person

  16. EagleAye Avatar
    EagleAye

    Oh yeah. I have been there. I’m listening to Gov’t Mule playing “Cinnamon Girl” right now, and yeah, if there’s typos in this note, It’s Gov’t Mule’s fault. Music truly can take you away.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      We all have those great memories of concerts 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  17. Nobbinmaug Avatar
    Nobbinmaug

    Music is a world in which one can get lost, delightfully so.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      A good place to escape to in current times too.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  18. ahtdoucette Avatar
    ahtdoucette

    Love this, especially as someone who is honestly terrified in large crowds. I feel like this is – among other things – a useful metaphor for how I’m going to feel going back to work when work (finally) re-opens. And there are people everywhere again. Deep breaths. =D

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Anne. I have to be honest, I’m really enjoying my near empty work building at the moment, and will be quite annoyed when others start coming back to work here!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  19. larry trasciatti Avatar
    larry trasciatti

    Music can be quite overwhelming, a language and world of its own

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Larry

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  20. Dale Avatar
    Dale

    This was fabulous, Iain. The terror to be blind and be swept away but at the same time the joy in being swept away and with the music. Really good!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Dale 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  21. Sandra Avatar
    Sandra

    Excellent. A disconcerting enough experience for those not so afflicted, but it must be a nightmare for the blind. The story rose quickly to a crescendo and then faded just as quickly. Nicely paced.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks so much Sandra, much appreciated 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  22. Keith's Ramblings Avatar
    Keith’s Ramblings

    Really atmospheric – I think we were both at the same venue this week Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Socially distanced though, of course!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Keith's Ramblings Avatar
        Keith’s Ramblings

        …but of course!

        Liked by 1 person

  23. James McEwan Avatar
    James McEwan

    I like how you described the body immersed and absorbed into the sound.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks James

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  24. granonine Avatar
    granonine

    I was thinking, “Space alien attack! RUN!” I like your version better 🙂

    Can’t wait for you new book, Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Linda, only the weekend to wait, hope you like it! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. granonine Avatar
        granonine

        I’m sure I will 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  25. draliman Avatar
    draliman

    A terrifying moment when you can’t see what’s happening.
    I always console myself that if I ever lose my sight, I’ll still have music.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      And vice versa – I could cope with one or the other, losing both would be awful.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  26. plaridel Avatar
    plaridel

    it looks like he’s high on something, too. just fine with me. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      A musical high for sure.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  27. Laurie Bell Avatar
    Laurie Bell

    Great choppy lines that convey the disconnected nature of the dance and the music and possibly drugs??
    Well written Iain.
    Throw ya hands up in the air, dance around like ya don’t care! Woooooo!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Haha, I imagine you would be great fun at a gig! 😉

      Like

      Reply
      1. Laurie Bell Avatar
        Laurie Bell

        Hahaha

        Liked by 1 person

  28. Alicia Jamtaas Avatar
    Alicia Jamtaas

    I like the repetition of lost in the music. That is so easily done. And we’ve all been there, I hope.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Alicia 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  29. Fatima Fakier Avatar
    Fatima Fakier

    Yep, that’s what live concerts are like! Congratulations on your novel, Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you, do check it out if you get a chance! 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  30. Na'ama Yehuda Avatar
    Na’ama Yehuda

    Ah, music is certainly a landscape to be lost in! Sometimes more dramatically than other times … let alone in a crowd!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you – it certainly is 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  31. Dawn M. Miller Avatar
    Dawn M. Miller

    Well, that was a little scary.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Dawn

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  32. Sascha Darlington Avatar
    Sascha Darlington

    Am I wrong to think that the key is in the title? Blindsided. Is the character blind, enjoying the music and this throws his world off-balance because of all of the surrounding sensations and the volume of the music? Regardless, you’ve just done a fantastic job with the sensations building around your character. Well done is an understatement.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      You are correct! I think a few might have missed it, but it works either way 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  33. michaelwynnauthor Avatar
    michaelwynnauthor

    A crowd surge can be a truly frightening thing compounded, I presume, to a horrible degree, when you’re blind. Well told Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Michael

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  34. Natasha Avatar
    Natasha

    Music can just blow you away. And I love how you built the atmosphere and set the tone for a jolly good concert, Iain.

    Wonderfully told indeed.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Natasha 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  35. Woman walking Max Avatar
    Woman walking Max

    I really felt the abandonment and losing yourself in the beat,the music, merging yourself in the sounds and the rhythms. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Like

      Reply

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