THE MORNING AFTER THE NIGHT BEFORE

She could hear her mother’s voice from the grave, ‘Is it worth it?’

The world tilts out of kilter. Sun sears her eyeballs. Cool tarmac against her face. Shards of broken green glass. A dent in a red metal bin.

Memories of the night before. Anger and hatred. Standing firm. Too slow to run. Her cut lip and bloated cheek throb.

Would those boys be proud?

She picks herself up. She will not be silenced.

It is worth fighting for her country. For her rights. For her beliefs.

Tonight she will be at the front of the protest line.

Her mother would be proud.

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.

AMAZON UK AMAZON.COM SMASHWORDS KOBO BARNES & NOBLE

73 responses to “THE MORNING AFTER THE NIGHT BEFORE”

jenanita01

30/09/2020

Shades of Joan of arc here, I think!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  30/09/2020
  
  There are worse role models! 🙂
  
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  1. jenanita01
    
    01/10/2020
    
    Indeed!
    
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Inside the Mind of Isadora

30/09/2020

I like the way you composed the sentence about what she was thinking.
At the end, it took a present day feel of victory over adversity.
Good read,Iain.
Be safe … Isadora

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  30/09/2020
  
  Thanks so much Isadora. Hope you are well and safe too.
  
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Sandra

30/09/2020

Resilience – the better part of valour.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  30/09/2020
  
  An under-rated trait.
  
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trishsplace

30/09/2020

This photo is not prompting me at all. Good for those of you that found something.

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1. Rowena
  
  30/09/2020
  
  Trish, sorry the photo needs to be rotated left. It’s a charity clothing bin that’s dented and seen better days.
  
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  1. trishsplace
    
    30/09/2020
    
    Hi Rowena, it’s a much about where my mental energies are as the photo. It’s all good 🙄
    
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  2. Rowena
    
    01/10/2020
    
    I hope you perk up soon, Trish.
    
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2. Iain Kelly
  
  30/09/2020
  
  Thanks Trish – you’ve got a couple of days for inspiration to hit! 🙂
  
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rochellewisoff

30/09/2020

Dear Iain,

A woman of purpose and valor. Well done.

Shalom,

Rochelle

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  30/09/2020
  
  Thanks Rochelle
  
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Susan A Eames

30/09/2020

Great story, Iain. This could be Hong Kong, Belarus, or, or, or…

Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  30/09/2020
  
  There are a few candidates at the moment…
  
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neilmacdon

30/09/2020

Turning and turning in the widening gyre

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  30/09/2020
  
  It never ceases. Thanks Neil
  
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Eugenia Parrish Author

30/09/2020

A wonderful picture of a woman’s true grit. Down doesn’t mean done. That kind of story always grabs me — hey, I may borrow that line as the through line of my next book😉

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  30/09/2020
  
  Always nice to inspire 😉
  
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Tannille

30/09/2020

Somethings are worth it, others aren’t. Choice has a cost.Thought provoking.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  30/09/2020
  
  Thank you
  
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  Reply
J Hardy Carroll

30/09/2020

Interesting take!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  30/09/2020
  
  Thanks
  
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joyroses13

30/09/2020

Great, timely post!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  30/09/2020
  
  Thank you. It feels like we need to keep going rather than give in…
  
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  1. joyroses13
    
    30/09/2020
    
    I agree!
    
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Rowena

30/09/2020

Very poignant, Iain and I really felt myself in her shoes. Well done.
I am having great fun reading through the responses to my photo. Unfortunately,, the photo went through sideways and should be rotated, which you pick up on and wove into your story.
Best wishes,
Rowena

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  30/09/2020
  
  Thanks Rowena. I did turn it round initially, but then I thought I would incorporate it as someone lying on their side! It’s made for some good stories 🙂
  
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  1. Rowena
    
    01/10/2020
    
    I’ve been really stoked by the stories coming out of this prompt. I sent Rochelle two versions. The other version was more of a basic photo of the box, but when I saw that bright sunlight beaming through in what is usually a fail in a photograph, I thought it could be inspiring. I’ve wondered whether more cryptic prompts are more inspiring.
    
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Elizabeth Young

30/09/2020

If it’s a cause worth fighting for, good for her.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  30/09/2020
  
  Thanks Liz
  
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Paula Sue Bryant, Writer

30/09/2020

Powerful and chilling. She persisted.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  30/09/2020
  
  As must we all. Thanks Paula
  
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granonine

30/09/2020

We all have to choose, at some point, the hill we’re willing to die on. Great story, Iain. I could see it showing up in one of your books 🙂

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  30/09/2020
  
  She is the sort of character I like to write! Thanks Linda 🙂
  
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Keith’s Ramblings

30/09/2020

Down but in no way out. I admire her spirit whatever the cause.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  30/09/2020
  
  Thanks Keith
  
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Dora

30/09/2020

Iain, Nice to see the resilience of her fighting spirit. What a cool character sketch!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  30/09/2020
  
  Thanks Dora!
  
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Mike

30/09/2020

The whole world needs that level of determination at the moment.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  01/10/2020
  
  They certainly do. Thanks Mike
  
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msjadeli

01/10/2020

Wonderful political statement, Iain. There comes a time when we must stand for what we believe in heedless of what comes next. I admire the courage of your MC.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  01/10/2020
  
  Thank you – there are still those out there who are willing to fight for what is right.
  
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  1. msjadeli
    
    01/10/2020
    
    You’re welcome.
    
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draliman

01/10/2020

More and more people like this seem to be needed across the world these days.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  01/10/2020
  
  There are a lot of causes that need fighting for.
  
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ceayr

01/10/2020

I like how you use the staccato to increase the tension and slowly explain what happened.
Power to the People!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  01/10/2020
  
  It’s about time the power was with the people… Thanks CE
  
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plaridel

01/10/2020

blessed is the woman who has found a purpose greater than herself, to paraphrase a poet, let her ask for no other blessedness.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  01/10/2020
  
  Thanks
  
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Laurie Bell

01/10/2020

Fabulous piece Iain. She gets back up. A call to arms. Despite the pain she knows will come she gets back up. A hero indeed.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  01/10/2020
  
  Thanks Laurie, much appreciated
  
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Sue

02/10/2020

Sounds like she will persist! I think her mother would be proud. Great story.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  02/10/2020
  
  Thank you Sue
  
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subroto

02/10/2020

Looks like someone is making a stand for her beliefs. Nicely done.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  02/10/2020
  
  Thank you
  
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Bill

02/10/2020

It is a tough swim going upstream. Nicely done, Iain.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  02/10/2020
  
  Thanks Bill
  
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Nobbinmaug

02/10/2020

Good one, Iain. Nobody ever affected change by giving up.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  02/10/2020
  
  Very true.
  
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theministryofshrawleywalks

02/10/2020

powerful stuff, she’s knocked down but she’ll stand up again, great stuff

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  03/10/2020
  
  Thanks
  
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Brenda’s Thoughts

03/10/2020

A powerful story, Iain. I’m sure her mother would be proud as her daughter fights for change. The world is definitely off kilter and desperately in need of change!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  03/10/2020
  
  Thanks Brenda
  
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pennygadd51

03/10/2020

Well written and powerful, with a great message. I liked the way you used the title to misdirect us!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  03/10/2020
  
  Thanks Penny
  
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Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

04/10/2020

Great that she stands up and fight in the end… (did I detect a reference to resisting the proud boys)

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  04/10/2020
  
  You did indeed Bjorn. No one else has mentioned it, but I wanted to make the point without labouring it. Thank you.
  
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ahtdoucette

04/10/2020

Love the use of language here. Very evocative.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  06/10/2020
  
  Thank you
  
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Na’ama Yehuda

07/10/2020

Good for her! And she has the real pride, unlike those who claim to be, but have no real substance to show for it. Great work on the prompt!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  07/10/2020
  
  Thank you
  
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  Reply