Iain Kelly

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.

Copyright Rowena Curtin

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.

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Iain Kelly

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73 responses to “THE MORNING AFTER THE NIGHT BEFORE”

  1. jenanita01 Avatar
    jenanita01

    Shades of Joan of arc here, I think!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      There are worse role models! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. jenanita01 Avatar
        jenanita01

        Indeed!

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Inside the Mind of Isadora Avatar
    Inside the Mind of Isadora

    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

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks so much Isadora. Hope you are well and safe too.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  3. Sandra Avatar
    Sandra

    Resilience – the better part of valour.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      An under-rated trait.

      Like

      Reply
  4. trishsplace Avatar
    trishsplace

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

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Rowena Avatar
      Rowena

      Trish, sorry the photo needs to be rotated left. It’s a charity clothing bin that’s dented and seen better days.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
      1. trishsplace Avatar
        trishsplace

        Hi Rowena, it’s a much about where my mental energies are as the photo. It’s all good 🙄

        Liked by 2 people

      2. Rowena Avatar
        Rowena

        I hope you perk up soon, Trish.

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Trish – you’ve got a couple of days for inspiration to hit! 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  5. rochellewisoff Avatar
    rochellewisoff

    Dear Iain,

    A woman of purpose and valor. Well done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Rochelle

      Like

      Reply
  6. Susan A Eames Avatar
    Susan A Eames

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

    Susan A Eames at
    Travel, Fiction and Photos

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      There are a few candidates at the moment…

      Like

      Reply
  7. neilmacdon Avatar
    neilmacdon

    Turning and turning in the widening gyre

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It never ceases. Thanks Neil

      Like

      Reply
  8. Eugenia Parrish Author Avatar
    Eugenia Parrish Author

    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😉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Always nice to inspire 😉

      Like

      Reply
  9. Tannille Avatar
    Tannille

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

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  10. J Hardy Carroll Avatar
    J Hardy Carroll

    Interesting take!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks

      Like

      Reply
  11. joyroses13 Avatar
    joyroses13

    Great, timely post!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you. It feels like we need to keep going rather than give in…

      Like

      Reply
      1. joyroses13 Avatar
        joyroses13

        I agree!

        Liked by 1 person

  12. Rowena Avatar
    Rowena

    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

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      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 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Rowena Avatar
        Rowena

        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.

        Liked by 1 person

  13. Elizabeth Young Avatar
    Elizabeth Young

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

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Liz

      Like

      Reply
  14. Paula Sue Bryant, Writer Avatar
    Paula Sue Bryant, Writer

    Powerful and chilling. She persisted.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      As must we all. Thanks Paula

      Like

      Reply
  15. granonine Avatar
    granonine

    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 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      She is the sort of character I like to write! Thanks Linda 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  16. Keith's Ramblings Avatar
    Keith’s Ramblings

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

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Keith

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  17. Dora Avatar
    Dora

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

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Dora!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  18. Mike Avatar
    Mike

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

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      They certainly do. Thanks Mike

      Like

      Reply
  19. msjadeli Avatar
    msjadeli

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you – there are still those out there who are willing to fight for what is right.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. msjadeli Avatar
        msjadeli

        You’re welcome.

        Liked by 1 person

  20. draliman Avatar
    draliman

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

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      There are a lot of causes that need fighting for.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  21. ceayr Avatar
    ceayr

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

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It’s about time the power was with the people… Thanks CE

      Like

      Reply
  22. plaridel Avatar
    plaridel

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

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  23. Laurie Bell Avatar
    Laurie Bell

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Laurie, much appreciated

      Like

      Reply
  24. Sue Avatar
    Sue

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

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Sue

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  25. subroto Avatar
    subroto

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

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Like

      Reply
  26. Bill Avatar
    Bill

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

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Bill

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  27. Nobbinmaug Avatar
    Nobbinmaug

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

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Very true.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  28. theministryofshrawleywalks Avatar
    theministryofshrawleywalks

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

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks

      Like

      Reply
  29. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar
    Brenda’s Thoughts

    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!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Brenda

      Like

      Reply
  30. pennygadd51 Avatar
    pennygadd51

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

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Penny

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  31. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar
    Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

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

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      You did indeed Bjorn. No one else has mentioned it, but I wanted to make the point without labouring it. Thank you.

      Like

      Reply
  32. ahtdoucette Avatar
    ahtdoucette

    Love the use of language here. Very evocative.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Like

      Reply
  33. Na'ama Yehuda Avatar
    Na’ama Yehuda

    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!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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