He put the flask of scotch and two tumblers on the makeshift table and sat in a plastic chair.
Puddles of water swirled round his feet, bits of flotsam were strewn everywhere, broken trees lined the beachfront.
It was a matter of waiting. Waiting to see who turned up. Waiting to see if it was life or death.
‘I knew you would survive.’ Her voice behind him should have startled him, but it didn’t. He knew it would be her they would send.
‘One last drink?’ he asked.
He couldn’t tell if the ‘click’ was the sound of the trigger being cocked or un-cocked.
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.
For the month of April I have been taking part in the A-Z blogging challenge, and posting about my State Trilogy novels each day, including plots, themes, characters and the writing and publishing process. So if you’ve read the books, or haven’t but might be interested in them, I hope it will be of interest to some of you. All the posts can be found HERE.
Cliffhanger ended.
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Ending*
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Thanks Sadje 🙂
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You’re welcome 😇
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Dear Iain,
Cocked or uncocked? I’d say he’s about to find out. Good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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One way or the other he will have his answer. Thanks Rochelle
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Oh, that’s good! That click is just ringing in my ears now.
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A good ominous sound! 🙂
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A good Scotch has a way of providing equanimity in the face of tribulation
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Thanks Neil, it’s a good way to deal with many situations!
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Great job on creating tension!
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Thanks Dave, much appreciated.
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Your writing is fantastic! Love the intrigue in so few words, Iain🙏
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Very kind, thank you Suzette, a lovely comment to receive 🙂
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My pleasure Iain😊
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A very tense feeling look at the aftermath of disaster. Loving the cliffhanger too. Nice one, Iain!
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Thank you Mason.
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This leaves us guessing – clever!
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Thank you Liz
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Nice, tense flash.
Still burning!
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Thank you Liz 🙂
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Lovely writing, Iain. So well balanced. It would make a hell of a start for a novel.
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Thank you so much Penny – yes, I could see them sitting down over a scotch and retelling the story of how they ended up there…
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As always, you create just the atmosphere and tension to bring the scene to life. Wonderful writing.
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Thank you so much Dora
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Great tension in this one, Iain. And leaving us on the edge of the cliff too. Great story.
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Thank you Jenne
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Wow, so descriptive and a great ending!
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Thanks for stopping by Becky, hope you are well.
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Yes; thank YOU for the great story!
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Hari OM
Crikey – he better drink quickly, either way!!! YAM xx
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Shouldn’t rush a good scotch, but in this case…!
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I think this is a case where it has to be savored for as long as possible. It just be the last one, you know….
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Well. He was quite philosophical, either way. Don’t know if I could have been so calm.
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He seems resigned to whichever fate is coming his way. Thanks Linda
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And, it started so calm. Great tension by the end! Excellent beginning to a much longer story.
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Thank you Brenda 🙂
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Oh yes Iain, what a cliff edge you’ve left us with! One of your best.
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Too kind, thank you so much.
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Oooooo… your pseudonym should be Cliff Hanger. lol
Darn good one!
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Thanks Susan ! 🙂
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The suspense is intense
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Thanks Larry, much appreciated
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after all that had happened, he needed a break. i wanted to believe it was a click from a camera taking a shot. 🙂
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That’s a nice thought, maybe you’re right!
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Great atmosphere and I love the cliff hanger.
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Thanks Trent
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Well then … I guess he’ll find out soon enough …
Well spun!
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Thank you!
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Excellent scene-setting, Iain!
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Thank you!
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Shame it ended there. So many questions.
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100 word limit…
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I guess that question will be answered shortly! I like how he has accepted his fate, whatever it will be.
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Thanks, resigned to whatever is coming his way!
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Well narrated with suspense- what happens next?
Hope he gets to have several drinks and all’s well that ends well 🙂
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That’s the positive optimist outlook 🙂
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Wow, great tension and such a cliff-hanger. There’s so much story in what you didn’t write, just hinted at, amazing.
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Thank you, very kind 🙂
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I wasn’t expecting an assassin …. great tension in the story.
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Thank you 🙂
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A perfectly unfolded scene with a power packed ending. Now, I want to know if she went through with it. Intriguing …
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If I ever find out, I will let you know 😉 Thanks Isadora
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MMMMmmmm … very intriguing
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Great story, Iain. I suppose it might not matter either way, but I hope they get to enjoy the scotch first.
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Oh yeah, never waste the scotch! 🙂
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Lots of suspense and lovely descriptions that put us in the scene. Reminded me of the song – Bang bang, my baby shot me down
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Good song 🙂
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Not even a major storm can stop an assassin, hmm? Good twist ending.
I must commend you on your A to Z commenting. I run into your likes and comments on nearly every blog I visit. That’s very impressive.
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Thanks so much. I like to try and get round as many A-Z blogs as possible, but there is never enough time.
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Oh yes! Well crafted, Iain. I agree with Penny – great beginning to a movie!
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Thank you Dale
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He will know so enough.
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Yep, no point in rushing it. Thanks Danny
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Great tension building. He’ll only know which click that was if he’s lucky.
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He’ll get the answer either way… Thank you
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It won’t leave my head — did she or didn’t she?
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Should she or shouldn’t she?
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I like the way you subtlely build up the tension, its very atmospheric. We are left wondering…
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Thank you!
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Ooooo great cliffhanger here! End of the line? Or a beginning. Great piece.
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Thanks Laurie
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He’s remarkably cool about his possible fate. Will we learn the answer to the final question?
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Who knows!? Thanks Michael
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I like to consider that the gun failed to work
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Wishful thinking!
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