THE DISAPPEARED

P for Protection. That’s what he thought anyway, huddled under the El track. Every ten minutes the shudder of the metal stanchion and the clackety roar reminded him he was still alive.

Frank from the Pizza place came out and nodded to him. Handed him a coffee and a leftover slice. Their evening routine. ‘Any luck today?’ Frank always asked.

He always shook his head. Not today, maybe tomorrow. Always maybe one day in the future. She might come back, she might step off the El and stop at Frank’s for a coffee. Like they used to do.

Maybe one day.

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.

62 responses to “THE DISAPPEARED”

Margaret

27/04/2022

Poor man…I can sense his loneliness and vulnerability. I wonder how long he’s been waiting there. Lucky he’s got such a good friend in Frank.

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1. Liz H
  
  27/04/2022
  
  Very sad, but thank god for people like Frank. Perhaps he’s known a similar love, once upon a time…
  
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  1. Iain Kelly
    
    27/04/2022
    
    Thanks Liz, an interesting thought – Frank may know what he is going through – I like that idea.
    
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2. Iain Kelly
  
  27/04/2022
  
  Thank you Margaret. I get the feeling it’s been a while.
  
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OIKOS™- Art, Books & more

27/04/2022

Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  27/04/2022
  
  Thanks for the reblog 🙂
  
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  1. OIKOS™- Art, Books & more
    
    27/04/2022
    
    🙏 You are welcome, Iain! I hope all is right. Best wishes, Michael
    
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Tannille

27/04/2022

Such yearning. Hope can be a cruel mistress.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  27/04/2022
  
  But it’s what keeps us going. Thank you!
  
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rochellewisoff

27/04/2022

Dear Iain,

So much longing in this piece. Perhaps it’s time for him to move on. Nicely done.

Shalom,

Rochelle

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  27/04/2022
  
  Thanks Rochelle. I wonder if it will be Frank that has the heart to tell him one day…
  
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Alana Mautone (@RamblinGarden)

27/04/2022

What a lonely waiting. I don’t think the person he is waiting for is ever going to return. I hope, though, that Frank doesn’t give up on him. Alana ramblinwitham

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  27/04/2022
  
  Thanks Alana. It does seem a little hopeless, but I don’t see him giving up.
  
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Yamini Ali MacLean

27/04/2022

Hari Om
…and a delicious slice you served us, Iain! YAM xx
W=Window

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  27/04/2022
  
  Thank you so much 🙂
  
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pensitivity101

27/04/2022

Lovely piece Iain.
Good luck with the new book.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  27/04/2022
  
  Thank you Di, we’ll see how it goes, hopefully finds a few readers.
  
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neilmacdon

27/04/2022

Beautifully done, Iain. I felt the rumble of the train

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  27/04/2022
  
  Thanks Neil, much appreciated
  
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Lynn Love

27/04/2022

Really lovely, Iain. Touching, heartfelt stuff. A little tragedy

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  27/04/2022
  
  Thanks so much Lynn, always lovely to hear from you 🙂
  
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Michael

27/04/2022

Life can be sad… but perhaps fate intends a different future for him.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  27/04/2022
  
  Thanks Michael – maybe so.
  
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magickmermaid

27/04/2022

A very poignant story. Hopefully something good will happen. Thank goodness for Frank.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  27/04/2022
  
  Thank you so much – there is always that glimmer of hope! 🙂
  
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  Reply
Sadje

27/04/2022

Such a poignant story Iain

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  27/04/2022
  
  Thank you Sadje
  
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  Reply
Mike

27/04/2022

Nicely done Iain. I could feel his loneliness through your words.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  27/04/2022
  
  Thanks Mike, much appreciated
  
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Sascha Darlington

27/04/2022

Sad, the feeling of loneliness is palpable. I wonder what happened to her . . .

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  28/04/2022
  
  Thanks Sascha. I have a few ideas…
  
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Frank Hubeny

27/04/2022

Nice use of the cafe in your story as a place of memories and maybe future meeting.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  28/04/2022
  
  Thanks Frank
  
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  Reply
msjadeli

27/04/2022

Thank heavens for such allies. Good story, Iain.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  28/04/2022
  
  Thank you 🙂
  
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  Reply
  1. msjadeli
    
    28/04/2022
    
    You’re very welcome.
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
CGraith

27/04/2022

Making me cry with this one! Have to believe one day someone new will get off the train and kindle a new love.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  28/04/2022
  
  That’s a nice thought. Thank you.
  
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Kimber Templin

27/04/2022

One can always stay hopeful! Well done!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  28/04/2022
  
  Thank you 🙂
  
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trishsplace

28/04/2022

Great. You’ve encapsulated the history and a comraderie very well.
I love it when the local business reaches out to those in need.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  28/04/2022
  
  They do rally round in a time of crisis. Thanks Trish.
  
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Keith’s Ramblings

28/04/2022

Maybe. Will she? Maybe not.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  28/04/2022
  
  He can but hope and wait. Thanks Keith
  
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plaridel

28/04/2022

i guess, hope springs eternal. 🙂

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  29/04/2022
  
  We need more of it at the moment!
  
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Danny James

28/04/2022

Bet the wait will be long.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  29/04/2022
  
  But will it be worth it? Thanks Danny
  
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notestowomen

28/04/2022

What a moving story, Iain. I can feel his longing and the hope he has that she would return one day. I hope for his sake that she does. Great friend, that Frank.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  29/04/2022
  
  Thanks so much 🙂
  
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Rowena

29/04/2022

Such a poignant story, Iain. We judge those who cheat and are disloyal and then you get folk like this character who never let go. I feel his pain and sorrow. I am so grateful for the Franks of this world. We need more of them. They usually fly under the radar and don’t seek glory but they are life savers doing what many of us would like to do.
Best wishes,
Rowena

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  29/04/2022
  
  Thanks Rowena. Here’s to more Franks 🙂
  
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GHLearner

29/04/2022

Maybe she’ll be back… depending on how and why she disappeared in the first place. Sad mood but with a bit of hope through the friendly gesture from the coffee shop owner.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  04/05/2022
  
  Thank you
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
pennygadd51

29/04/2022

It’s amazing how little can sometimes be enough to knock a whole life off-course. I fear she won’t be back, though.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  04/05/2022
  
  I fear not, thanks Penny
  
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Bill

30/04/2022

One can hope, but not forever. One must move on with life, eventually. One hopes. I enjoyed the scene setting, Iain. Creative.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  04/05/2022
  
  Thanks Bill
  
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Laurie Bell

01/05/2022

Wow, a lot of lost hope here yet it still feels somewhat hopeful at the end. Well written Iain!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  04/05/2022
  
  Thank you Laurie
  
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Nobbinmaug

02/05/2022

Sometimes, we have to cling to hope like a liferaft because that’s exactly what it is.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  04/05/2022
  
  Very true. Thank you
  
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  Reply