IAIN KELLY

AFTER THE STORM

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.


Copyright Dale Rogerson

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.

86 responses to “AFTER THE STORM”

  1. Sadje Avatar

    Cliffhanger ended.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Sadje Avatar
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Sadje 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sadje Avatar

        You’re welcome 😇

        Liked by 1 person

  3. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Iain,

    Cocked or uncocked? I’d say he’s about to find out. Good one.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      One way or the other he will have his answer. Thanks Rochelle

      Like

  4. earthskyair Avatar

    Oh, that’s good! That click is just ringing in my ears now.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      A good ominous sound! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  5. neilmacdon Avatar

    A good Scotch has a way of providing equanimity in the face of tribulation

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Neil, it’s a good way to deal with many situations!

      Like

  6. Dave Williams Avatar

    Great job on creating tension!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Dave, much appreciated.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Suzette Benjamin Avatar

    Your writing is fantastic! Love the intrigue in so few words, Iain🙏

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Very kind, thank you Suzette, a lovely comment to receive 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Suzette Benjamin Avatar

        My pleasure Iain😊

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Mason Bushell Avatar

    A very tense feeling look at the aftermath of disaster. Loving the cliffhanger too. Nice one, Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Mason.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Elizabeth Young Avatar

    This leaves us guessing – clever!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Liz

      Like

  10. Liz H Avatar

    Nice, tense flash.
    Still burning!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Liz 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  11. pennygadd51 Avatar

    Lovely writing, Iain. So well balanced. It would make a hell of a start for a novel.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      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…

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Dora Avatar

    As always, you create just the atmosphere and tension to bring the scene to life. Wonderful writing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much Dora

      Liked by 1 person

  13. jenne49 Avatar

    Great tension in this one, Iain. And leaving us on the edge of the cliff too. Great story.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Jenne

      Like

  14. Becky Ross Michael Avatar

    Wow, so descriptive and a great ending!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks for stopping by Becky, hope you are well.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Becky Ross Michael Avatar

        Yes; thank YOU for the great story!

        Liked by 1 person

  15. Yamini Ali MacLean Avatar

    Hari OM
    Crikey – he better drink quickly, either way!!! YAM xx

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Shouldn’t rush a good scotch, but in this case…!

      Like

      1. trentpmcd Avatar

        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….

        Liked by 1 person

  16. granonine Avatar

    Well. He was quite philosophical, either way. Don’t know if I could have been so calm.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He seems resigned to whichever fate is coming his way. Thanks Linda

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar

    And, it started so calm. Great tension by the end! Excellent beginning to a much longer story.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Brenda 🙂

      Like

  18. theministryofshrawleywalks Avatar

    Oh yes Iain, what a cliff edge you’ve left us with! One of your best.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Too kind, thank you so much.

      Like

  19. Susan St.Pierre Avatar

    Oooooo… your pseudonym should be Cliff Hanger. lol
    Darn good one!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Susan ! 🙂

      Like

  20. larry trasciatti Avatar

    The suspense is intense

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Larry, much appreciated

      Liked by 1 person

  21. plaridel Avatar

    after all that had happened, he needed a break. i wanted to believe it was a click from a camera taking a shot. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      That’s a nice thought, maybe you’re right!

      Liked by 1 person

  22. trentpmcd Avatar

    Great atmosphere and I love the cliff hanger.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Trent

      Liked by 1 person

  23. Na'ama Yehuda Avatar

    Well then … I guess he’ll find out soon enough …
    Well spun!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  24. msjadeli Avatar

    Excellent scene-setting, Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  25. Tannille Avatar

    Shame it ended there. So many questions.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      100 word limit…

      Liked by 1 person

  26. draliman Avatar

    I guess that question will be answered shortly! I like how he has accepted his fate, whatever it will be.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks, resigned to whatever is coming his way!

      Liked by 1 person

  27. Anita Avatar

    Well narrated with suspense- what happens next?
    Hope he gets to have several drinks and all’s well that ends well 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      That’s the positive optimist outlook 🙂

      Like

  28. GHLearner Avatar
    GHLearner

    Wow, great tension and such a cliff-hanger. There’s so much story in what you didn’t write, just hinted at, amazing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, very kind 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  29. justjoyfulness Avatar

    I wasn’t expecting an assassin …. great tension in the story.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Like

  30. Inside the Mind of Isadora Avatar

    A perfectly unfolded scene with a power packed ending. Now, I want to know if she went through with it. Intriguing …

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      If I ever find out, I will let you know 😉 Thanks Isadora

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Inside the Mind of Isadora Avatar

        MMMMmmmm … very intriguing

        Liked by 1 person

  31. ahtdoucette Avatar

    Great story, Iain. I suppose it might not matter either way, but I hope they get to enjoy the scotch first.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Oh yeah, never waste the scotch! 🙂

      Like

  32. subroto Avatar

    Lots of suspense and lovely descriptions that put us in the scene. Reminded me of the song – Bang bang, my baby shot me down

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Good song 🙂

      Like

  33. jlennidorner Avatar

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks so much. I like to try and get round as many A-Z blogs as possible, but there is never enough time.

      Like

  34. Dale Avatar

    Oh yes! Well crafted, Iain. I agree with Penny – great beginning to a movie!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Dale

      Liked by 1 person

  35. Danny James Avatar

    He will know so enough.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Yep, no point in rushing it. Thanks Danny

      Like

  36. Nobbinmaug Avatar

    Great tension building. He’ll only know which click that was if he’s lucky.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He’ll get the answer either way… Thank you

      Liked by 1 person

  37. Eugenia Parrish Author Avatar

    It won’t leave my head — did she or didn’t she?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Should she or shouldn’t she?

      Like

  38. Woman walking Max Avatar

    I like the way you subtlely build up the tension, its very atmospheric. We are left wondering…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  39. Laurie Bell Avatar

    Ooooo great cliffhanger here! End of the line? Or a beginning. Great piece.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Laurie

      Like

  40. michaelwynnauthor Avatar

    He’s remarkably cool about his possible fate. Will we learn the answer to the final question?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Who knows!? Thanks Michael

      Liked by 1 person

  41. Michael Avatar
    Michael

    I like to consider that the gun failed to work

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Wishful thinking!

      Like

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