The people burn. Bright flames of white heat in the darkness.
They are everywhere, surrounding him, closing in.
He shrinks back, covering his face with his hands, cowering in the depths of his own black mind.
Make them stop. Make them stop.
Faces crowd him. Searing orbs. Skulls with eyes of deep black emptiness.
They screech at him. Urging him to do it.
They will only leave his nightmares if he does what they ask.
His resistance falters. He screams back.
He looks at the scared mother and child huddled in the corner.
‘I’m sorry.’
He drops the match into the pool of petrol.
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). I hope everyone is coping with the new WordPress editor. I’m finding it quite frustrating, but getting there!
To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.
Iain Kelly 
84 responses to “BURN OUT”
Being sorry is some mark of redemption
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Thanks Neil. Alas I fear, not enough.
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WOW . . . I did not see that coming. OMG! I want it to be only in his mind.
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Some of it is only in his mind, alas, not all of it. Thanks for reading 🙂
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Powerful imagery,
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Thanks Mike
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Yikes, a reminder of some of the impossible choices people are sometimes called to make. Quite chilling.
I hate the block editor and have actively avoided it until I was forced to cross the divide. I might just be keeping my posts very simple with one photo until I find the time to nut it out. Meanwhile I’ll be singing If I can Turn Back Time with a lot of other bloggers.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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The block editor is a big change. I can see a couple of advantages, but mainly drawbacks so far. Just pleased I managed to get my post out successfully this morning! Thanks Rowena, hope you are well.
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I agree with you about just getting the posts out. It was more of an issue with my Weekend Coffee Share post yesterday, which has a range of topics and usually has quite a few photos throughout. Just keeping it all very Simple Simon at the moment.
Hope you’re keeping well and safe atm. Melbourne is in lock down but we’re good but treading cautiously here. Trying to focus on enjoying the outdoors and went for a lovely beach walk today.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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Cheese on toast last night, Iain?
Jings, that was dark and fearsome!
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It’s not been a great few days so I’m taking it out on my writing.
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Dear Iain,
Such a deep dark story…well told. Despite the heat of the fire, it made me shiver.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle. Next week, a comedy! 😉
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Oh, no. How scary to be troubled by such demons. The end is very sad.
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Thanks Michele. Much like a lot of things in the world to day, burning it down seems to be the only conclusion people reach.
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disturbing! I like it 😉
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Thanks Tina 😉
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How do you pack so much using so few words! It’s a gift— Bravo!!
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Thanks you so much Beck. Hope you are well 🙂
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Such a dark one. Great take on the prompt, Iain
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Thank you Shweta
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Rather like the Buddhist monk. Scary stuff.
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Yes, for the modern generation.
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Very well told story, Iain. The imagery/the description is so palpable.
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Thank you so much
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You’re welcome 🙂
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OMG Iain. Another great take.
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Thank you Di, good reaction!
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🙂
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Wow, that was savage! I wasn’t expecting that.
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Yeah, it’s a dark place this week. Thanks Sandra
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I love the pace of this and how you portray his confused thoughts in so few words. Kudos.
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Thakns Alicia
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This so nicely constructed, a descent into the mind of evil and madness. The imagery resonates with desperation, fear (the cowering mother and child), and depravity. Also shows how lame “I’m sorry” can be.
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Thank you Dora, much appreciated. Yep, it’s easy to say ‘I’m sorry’ without meaning it at all.
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obviously burned out, he needed professional help. too late now.
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Beyond help I’m afraid.
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It’s why they call firebugs maniacs. VERY difficult to treat. He needs to be welded into a cell, alone, while he gets his treatment. Excellent telling, Iain.
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At the school where I used to work we had only a few fire starters. One little girl burnt the whole house down. It is a sad thing because it doesn’t go away.
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Thank you.
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You’re welcome.
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Dark and terrifying. I hope there comes a day when we can treat people for this kind of illness.
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We can, if they have enough money to get the help they need.
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Excellent point! It always comes down to money.
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Grim and vivid. What horrors had your protagonist witnessed to drive him to such behaviour?
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That back story may be even more horrific than his final act. Thanks Penny.
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Wow. Indeed those inner demons bring out the dark side of many. Well told, Iain.
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Thank you Bill, much appreciated.
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You’re welcome, Iain.
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Wow! Intense stuff, “searing orbs” I love, brilliant stuff Iain
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Very kind, thank you.
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Intensely written. The short sentences and fragments give the story a real energy.
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Thank you so much
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Wow, that was pretty intense. The poor guy is probably hallucinating and his wife and child will find him and never know why he did it.
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He’s definitely not in the real world, that’s for sure. Thanks 🙂
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That was dark and powerful Iain. Probably, it’s happening somewhere too. Sad times we live in.
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Yep, many people are going through a lot of trauma and many are getting no help.
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A chilling peek into a disturbed mind.
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Thank you
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A dark tale with a killer last line. Wow!
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Thanks Keith. Maybe a bit too dark this week!
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A real horror story.
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Thanks Liz
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Every word can be savored in this tale…what an outstanding piece of writing. Wow!
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Too kind, but thanks you!
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Goes out in a flame I guess. Glory, not so much!
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Ha, yeah, not so much! Thanks Danny.
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Powerful imagery and prose. A chilling tale incredibly well written, Iain!
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Thanks Brenda
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Oh, Iain! This is too terrible! What an awful scene, hard to understand–especially when your tortured character doesn’t seem to want to do it!
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Thanks Linda – I think it is hard to understand how anyone could take a life like this – and yet it does happen.
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I know. And it’s appalling. Man’s inhumanity toward man knows no boundaries.
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Wow, this story leaves a lingering icky feeling. Well done!
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Thank you
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Wow. That’s powerful. And disturbing. Nice job.
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Thanks Tina
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Lord, that was a dark one! To be gripped by madness like that must be terrifying.And with such tragic results too. Spine-chilling.
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Thank you!
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OMG how horrible. A man with terrible demons. Well written
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Thanks Laurie
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Really dark this time, a sacrifice to appease his demons. Nicely done.
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Thank you
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Whooosh! So dark. Way to go…..I retreated just a speck from going that dark but it was a temptation. 🙂
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Yeah, I just went with it this week!
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