IAIN KELLY

HIDDEN GEM

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.


dolphin_01

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.

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76 responses to “HIDDEN GEM”

  1. neilmacdon Avatar

    Great work, Iain. Atmosphere, tension and a denouement

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  2. jenanita01 Avatar

    Wow… a complete story in so few words…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Sandra Avatar

    Terrific pace, well maintained. Excellent.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Much appreciated Sandra

      Like

  4. theministryofshrawleywalks Avatar

    Great stuff Iain, what a fool!

    Liked by 1 person

  5. ceayr Avatar

    Galloping pace, Iain, and clever thieves.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks CE, Tony would be proud of them.

      Like

  6. justjoyfulness Avatar

    Ooooh! The atmosphere! The intrigue! The tension! The plot thickens and resolves. Very well-done!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much!

      Like

  7. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Iain,

    You kept me on the edge of my seat for a hundred word wild ride. Well done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Rochelle

      Like

  8. Susan A Eames Avatar

    Loved how you built the tension. Inventive take on the photo prompt, Iain.

    Susan A Eames at
    Travel, Fiction and Photos

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Susan

      Like

  9. trentpmcd Avatar

    Never, ever check the hiding place until the light of day when you are sure you are alone… Good one.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Good advice, too late for this one though!

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Sadje Avatar

    Wow! Great writing

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Sadje

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sadje Avatar

        You’re welcome 😉

        Liked by 1 person

  11. tidalscribe Avatar

    Snappy story.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Keith's Ramblings Avatar

    I’ve never read a hundred words as quickly! Absolutely brilliant Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Too kind Keith, thank you very much!

      Liked by 1 person

  13. pensitivity101 Avatar

    Great take Iain. Fool indeed for leading them to it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Di

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Liz Young Avatar

    Great suspense, great ending.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  15. Gabriella Avatar

    I enjoyed the suspense and the twist at the end. I wonder if the owner got the sapphire in a similar manner.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      True, they must have some reason for hiding it under the floorboards!

      Like

  16. magickmermaid Avatar

    A lot of suspense in so few words! Great story!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  17. granonine Avatar

    Cue the spooky music, build to a crescendo, cut the lights!

    Great opening for a creepy movie 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Linda

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Na'ama Yehuda Avatar

    Spooky and well crafted. I kept yelling at him in my mind … oy. Nicely done!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      If only he had heard you!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Na'ama Yehuda Avatar

        yeah. he had his ear-buds on … 😉

        Liked by 1 person

  19. J.A. Prentice Avatar

    Great story! Fast-paced and atmospheric.

    Liked by 1 person

  20. msjadeli Avatar

    Iain good work. You wrote a whole chapter in 100 words! Alive with imagery and action!

    Liked by 1 person

      1. msjadeli Avatar

        You’re welcome.

        Liked by 1 person

  21. plaridel Avatar

    at least, he acted like a professional. he only went for the jewel and kept him alive.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Amateur jewel thieves don’t last long in this business.

      Liked by 1 person

  22. Beck Avatar

    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!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      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! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Beck Avatar

        I read them quick if they compel me to do so. Yours did!

        Liked by 1 person

  23. Paula Sue Bryant, Writer Avatar
    Paula Sue Bryant, Writer

    I like how you got the dolphin (dauphin) in there! Very evocative.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Paula – I’m not sure how many people have made the connection, but I liked it! 🙂

      Like

  24. doodletllc Avatar

    Oh my no…beautifully told…love this tale.

    Liked by 1 person

  25. Tannille Avatar

    I want! Maybe they can lead me to it? I can see this as a movie!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks so much, unfortunately they slipped my tail, so I have no idea where it’s gone…

      Liked by 1 person

  26. James McEwan Avatar

    A piece of action packed writing. As is always the case, anything of great value attracts the thugs of society.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks James, much appreciated.

      Liked by 1 person

  27. Girl in Niagara Avatar

    A tense one. Moves quickly. Enjoyable reading Iain. Good one.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much

      Liked by 1 person

  28. draliman Avatar

    Always wait a couple of days before going back to check, that’s my motto.
    I like the way you wrote this!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Your motto? Are you a jewel thief in your spare time?!

      Liked by 1 person

  29. Bill Avatar

    Oh, dear, that did not end well.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      No, indeed. Thanks Bill

      Liked by 1 person

  30. Inside the Mind of Isadora Avatar

    Incredible how you managed to get us captivated in 100 words.
    BRAVO !!! Excellent story this week, Lain.
    Be Safe … Isadora 😎

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  31. Laurie Bell Avatar

    Ooooo dramatic. Sounds like they found the prize they were searching for! Great tension in this.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Laurie

      Like

  32. subroto Avatar

    Fantastic! A complete thriller in 100 words, very well done.

    Liked by 1 person

  33. Nobbinmaug Avatar

    This reminds me of the old Humphry Bogart noir movies. I love it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Excellent, love a good bit of Bogart!

      Liked by 1 person

  34. Eugenia Parrish Author Avatar

    A small gem of a story! Great work.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Eugenia

      Like

  35. Mike Avatar
    Mike

    I enjoyed reading this Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

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