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.
Iain Kelly 
73 responses to “THE MORNING AFTER THE NIGHT BEFORE”
Shades of Joan of arc here, I think!
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There are worse role models! 🙂
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Indeed!
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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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Thanks so much Isadora. Hope you are well and safe too.
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Resilience – the better part of valour.
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An under-rated trait.
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This photo is not prompting me at all. Good for those of you that found something.
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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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Hi Rowena, it’s a much about where my mental energies are as the photo. It’s all good 🙄
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I hope you perk up soon, Trish.
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Thanks Trish – you’ve got a couple of days for inspiration to hit! 🙂
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Dear Iain,
A woman of purpose and valor. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle
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Great story, Iain. This could be Hong Kong, Belarus, or, or, or…
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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There are a few candidates at the moment…
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Turning and turning in the widening gyre
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It never ceases. Thanks Neil
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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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Always nice to inspire 😉
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Somethings are worth it, others aren’t. Choice has a cost.Thought provoking.
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Thank you
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Interesting take!
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Thanks
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Great, timely post!
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Thank you. It feels like we need to keep going rather than give in…
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I agree!
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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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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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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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If it’s a cause worth fighting for, good for her.
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Thanks Liz
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Powerful and chilling. She persisted.
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As must we all. Thanks Paula
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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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She is the sort of character I like to write! Thanks Linda 🙂
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Down but in no way out. I admire her spirit whatever the cause.
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Thanks Keith
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Iain, Nice to see the resilience of her fighting spirit. What a cool character sketch!
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Thanks Dora!
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The whole world needs that level of determination at the moment.
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They certainly do. Thanks Mike
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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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Thank you – there are still those out there who are willing to fight for what is right.
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You’re welcome.
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More and more people like this seem to be needed across the world these days.
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There are a lot of causes that need fighting for.
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I like how you use the staccato to increase the tension and slowly explain what happened.
Power to the People!
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It’s about time the power was with the people… Thanks CE
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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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Thanks
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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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Thanks Laurie, much appreciated
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Sounds like she will persist! I think her mother would be proud. Great story.
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Thank you Sue
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Looks like someone is making a stand for her beliefs. Nicely done.
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Thank you
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It is a tough swim going upstream. Nicely done, Iain.
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Thanks Bill
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Good one, Iain. Nobody ever affected change by giving up.
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Very true.
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powerful stuff, she’s knocked down but she’ll stand up again, great stuff
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Thanks
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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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Thanks Brenda
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Well written and powerful, with a great message. I liked the way you used the title to misdirect us!
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Thanks Penny
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Great that she stands up and fight in the end… (did I detect a reference to resisting the proud boys)
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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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Love the use of language here. Very evocative.
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Thank you
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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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Thank you
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