ROAD TO NOWHERE

They couldn’t be it. After following the track through the forest for three days, this couldn’t be the end.

The broken track hung in mid-air. The others looked at him. They were tired, hungry and desperate. And angry.

It was Barnaby that challenged him. ‘What now?’

He had no answer. They had trusted him, and he had led them nowhere.

‘What now?’ Barnaby sneered. ‘You don’t know what to do, do you?’

Did anyone know what to do anymore? The planet was imploding around them.

Maybe no track led anywhere anymore, but it was still worth following them. There had to be some hope to cling to.

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.

Also linking to Fandango’s One-Word Challenge for today: Planet.

AMAZON UK AMAZON.COM SMASHWORDS KOBO BARNES & NOBLE

64 responses to “ROAD TO NOWHERE”

neilmacdon

10/02/2021

Nice one, Iain. We follow tracks, even when they lead nowhere. It’s our nature

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  10/02/2021
  
  Thanks Neil
  
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ceayr

10/02/2021

I do enjoy a cheery wee post-apocalypse tale, Iain.
Fingers crossed, hmm?

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  10/02/2021
  
  I think the dark nights and constant snow, on top of lockdown, are getting to me!
  
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Reena Saxena

10/02/2021

Maybe, just maybe … this is the last leg of the journey.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  10/02/2021
  
  Who knows? There may be something there after all.
  
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rochellewisoff

10/02/2021

Dear Iain,

A rather bleak tale. You left us hanging.

Shalom,

Rochelle

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  10/02/2021
  
  A bleak tale for bleak times. I’m ready for spring and a vaccine jab now!
  
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  1. rochellewisoff
    
    10/02/2021
    
    Still waiting for the opportunity to schedule mine. Bleak, cold and snowy here.
    
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Tannille

10/02/2021

Reminds me, when the Titanic was sinking, the musicians kept playing. A bleak but moving story.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  10/02/2021
  
  Thank you so much
  
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Sandra

10/02/2021

What else is there to do but follow the track. One of them must surely lead somewhere.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  10/02/2021
  
  It’s better than standing around waiting.
  
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magickmermaid

10/02/2021

I agree; go forth and see what might be there!

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granonine

10/02/2021

To lose all hope is to lose all.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  10/02/2021
  
  Very true.
  
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Keith’s Ramblings

10/02/2021

There’s always hope, it’s just a matter of clinging onto it.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  10/02/2021
  
  However small. Thanks Keith
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
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Mason Bushell

10/02/2021

A beautifully written, powerful story. I’d bet that’s an old coal mine track in the image. Well done, Iain.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  10/02/2021
  
  Thanks Mason, much appreciated.
  
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  Reply
msjadeli

10/02/2021

You did this picture justice. It does feel like being lost when we look to the leaders and they are just as lost as we are.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  10/02/2021
  
  That’s when we realise they are just the same as us. We shouldn’t expect them to know all the answers.
  
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Alicia Jamtaas

10/02/2021

I found this tale rather uplifting! Thank you!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  10/02/2021
  
  I’m glad you saw the hope in it.
  
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Dora

10/02/2021

A parable-like tale. Wonderfully done, Iain.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  10/02/2021
  
  Thank you Dora
  
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  Reply
Danny James

11/02/2021

Sounds like our current environment.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  11/02/2021
  
  It was definitely influenced by the current state of mind.
  
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Dale

11/02/2021

They need to follow it. What else is there?
Good one!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  11/02/2021
  
  Yep, standing still won’t get them anywhere!
  
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  1. Dale
    
    11/02/2021
    
    Definitely not!
    
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joyroses13

11/02/2021

Yes, there is always hope, even when things look so bleak! Good story!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  11/02/2021
  
  Thank you
  
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draliman

11/02/2021

When all hope seems lost follow any track, indeed.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  11/02/2021
  
  Any track is better than none.
  
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Bear

11/02/2021

Ohhh, another good one! I read this and was reminded of Jack McDevitt’s “Eternity Road”… I’ve read it many times. Everytime, it seems I see a different plot running through. Gotta love when a book is like that. Love your story and it’s reminder. Might just have to read it again. LOL!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  11/02/2021
  
  Thanks so much. I’ll have to add that to me reading list 🙂
  
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  1. Bear
    
    11/02/2021
    
    Oh, do, Lain. I think you’ll really enjoy it. I need to get another copy, mine is getting a bit on the well used side… in fact, I think there’s now duct tape involved in the cover art. LOL!
    
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liz young

11/02/2021

He’ll have to think quickly if he wants to retain leadership.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  11/02/2021
  
  Indeed.
  
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pennygadd51

11/02/2021

I like the way you catch the dynamics of the group, with the leader, his challenger and the two followers waiting to see who has the best plan – or the biggest fists.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  11/02/2021
  
  It may all come down to fists in the end, it often seems to! Thanks Penny
  
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plaridel

11/02/2021

he hopes the longest, to paraphrase jane austen, when all hope is gone.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  11/02/2021
  
  Thank you 🙂
  
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Nobbinmaug

11/02/2021

He just has to keep following those trails. Eventually, he’ll find one that leads somewhere. Unless they lynch him first, of course.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  11/02/2021
  
  It’s a race against time.
  
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Brenda’s Thoughts

11/02/2021

I loved this. It is still worth trying even when hope seems to be gone. Hope is what gets us through the day and then the next. Great story, Iain! =)

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  11/02/2021
  
  A moral for our time, I think. Thanks Brenda
  
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Laurie Bell

12/02/2021

At this point Iain, hope is indeed all they have. Will they keep going until one by one they drop off, unable to keep going? Or will they find that pot of gold?

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  12/02/2021
  
  Have to wait for the sequel to find out! 🙂
  
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mjlstories

12/02/2021

That produced a shiver!
I do fear for this character. Could turn nasty. Reminded me of Lord of the Flies.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  12/02/2021
  
  Yes, the picture made me think of that too.
  
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Eugenia Parrish Author

12/02/2021

I was so glad to read that last line. We all need to remember to cling to hope.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  13/02/2021
  
  Things are starting to look up a little 🙂
  
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Michael

12/02/2021

Just like the weather, we all need a little warm sunshine, make that a lot of sunshine.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  13/02/2021
  
  I can’t wait for spring!
  
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Psychic-Medium-Author Ronda Del Boccio

13/02/2021

Yes…people are like that, following a path to nowhere at times.
Ronda

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  13/02/2021
  
  Thanks Ronda
  
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Woman walking Max

14/02/2021

I found your story moving. Reminded me of how important and fragile hope is. Good story.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  14/02/2021
  
  We need something to cling onto. Thank you.
  
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ahtdoucette

15/02/2021

Oh man, I know this story so well and not just because of global pandemic. Such gratitude for all the people who make hard choices in a responsible way so the rest of us don’t have to – and for all the times I’ve realized it’s my turn to be the choice maker and accept the blame if it goes wrong or have people congratulate themselves if it goes right. No matter how much time and energy you put into the decision you make. Because isn’t that always the way? Great story. So much thoughts.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  15/02/2021
  
  Thanks so much Anna, nice to know my story spoke to you 🙂
  
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subroto

16/02/2021

I see a mutiny coming up ahead. Nicely done – a bit reflective of our ‘road to nowhere’ times.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  17/02/2021
  
  Thank you
  
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