The jagged edge of a smashed decorative glass hangs in the doorway. A gust catches it, sending it swinging into the wall. Another piece of blue shatters.
Progress through the dark house, flashlight highlights: furniture upturned, crockery smashed, cupboards ripped open.
Had they found it? Move upstairs, lift the floorboard. Still there, safe and sound. Sparkles in the torch beam: The Dauphin’s Sapphire.
A creak. The wind? Or a tread on the floorboard?
You fool, you led them straight to it.
Glimpse of a masked face, before thudding pain and darkness descends.
A final glint of blue, snatched away.
Copyright Jean L Hayes
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). Come on everyone, just wear a mask.
To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.
Iain Kelly 
76 responses to “HIDDEN GEM”
Great work, Iain. Atmosphere, tension and a denouement
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Cheers Neil
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Wow… a complete story in so few words…
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Thank you 🙂
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Terrific pace, well maintained. Excellent.
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Much appreciated Sandra
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Great stuff Iain, what a fool!
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Thank you
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Galloping pace, Iain, and clever thieves.
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Thanks CE, Tony would be proud of them.
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Ooooh! The atmosphere! The intrigue! The tension! The plot thickens and resolves. Very well-done!
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Thank you so much!
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Dear Iain,
You kept me on the edge of my seat for a hundred word wild ride. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle
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Loved how you built the tension. Inventive take on the photo prompt, Iain.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thank you Susan
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Never, ever check the hiding place until the light of day when you are sure you are alone… Good one.
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Good advice, too late for this one though!
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Wow! Great writing
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Thanks Sadje
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You’re welcome 😉
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Snappy story.
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Thanks
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I’ve never read a hundred words as quickly! Absolutely brilliant Iain.
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Too kind Keith, thank you very much!
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Great take Iain. Fool indeed for leading them to it.
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Thank you Di
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Great suspense, great ending.
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Thanks Liz
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I enjoyed the suspense and the twist at the end. I wonder if the owner got the sapphire in a similar manner.
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True, they must have some reason for hiding it under the floorboards!
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A lot of suspense in so few words! Great story!
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Thank you 🙂
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Cue the spooky music, build to a crescendo, cut the lights!
Great opening for a creepy movie 🙂
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Thanks Linda
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Spooky and well crafted. I kept yelling at him in my mind … oy. Nicely done!
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If only he had heard you!
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yeah. he had his ear-buds on … 😉
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Great story! Fast-paced and atmospheric.
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Thank you
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Iain good work. You wrote a whole chapter in 100 words! Alive with imagery and action!
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Thank you
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You’re welcome.
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at least, he acted like a professional. he only went for the jewel and kept him alive.
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Amateur jewel thieves don’t last long in this business.
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Iain! Another fantastic piece. Always so very captivating.
Btw, I finished your series. What a great story. I loved it to the end. This is one where in ten years I will think of the characters and wonder how they are getting along. At least the ones who made it 😢. I will leave reviews for the last two books on Amazon.
Thanks for writing such a great series. I look forward to the day when I walk into Barnes and Noble and there, by the front door, is a book tree featuring Iain Kelly!!!
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Wow, you read them quick! I’m a long way from a front door display in a book store, but I like the dream 🙂 Thanks so much for reading and so pleased you enjoyed them, and look forward to your reviews, they really do make a difference.Hope you’re having a great day! 🙂
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I read them quick if they compel me to do so. Yours did!
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I like how you got the dolphin (dauphin) in there! Very evocative.
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Thank you Paula – I’m not sure how many people have made the connection, but I liked it! 🙂
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Oh my no…beautifully told…love this tale.
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Thank you
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Good story
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Thank you
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I want! Maybe they can lead me to it? I can see this as a movie!
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Thanks so much, unfortunately they slipped my tail, so I have no idea where it’s gone…
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A piece of action packed writing. As is always the case, anything of great value attracts the thugs of society.
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Thanks James, much appreciated.
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A tense one. Moves quickly. Enjoyable reading Iain. Good one.
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Thank you so much
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Always wait a couple of days before going back to check, that’s my motto.
I like the way you wrote this!
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Your motto? Are you a jewel thief in your spare time?!
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Oh, dear, that did not end well.
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No, indeed. Thanks Bill
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Incredible how you managed to get us captivated in 100 words.
BRAVO !!! Excellent story this week, Lain.
Be Safe … Isadora 😎
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Thank you so much 🙂
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Ooooo dramatic. Sounds like they found the prize they were searching for! Great tension in this.
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Thanks Laurie
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Fantastic! A complete thriller in 100 words, very well done.
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Thank you
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This reminds me of the old Humphry Bogart noir movies. I love it.
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Excellent, love a good bit of Bogart!
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A small gem of a story! Great work.
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Thank you Eugenia
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I enjoyed reading this Iain
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Thanks Mike
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