THE NIHILIST

‘Anything to eat with that?’

‘No, thanks.’

He stared into the wine glass. Just one sip to ease the pain, the dull ache, the feeling that life was drifting away.

Wine wasn’t the answer, but still, one sip couldn’t hurt. Just to feel that bit alive once more.

‘If you don’t drink that, I will.’

He looked up. She was unattractive and drunk: make-up smeared, hair tousled, words slurred. She was where he would end up.

He smiled at her, picked up the wine and drank the full glass.

‘Why don’t you join me?’ he asked her.

‘It’s you that’s joining me, darling.’ Her smile was not kind.

Copyright Fleur Lind

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 more stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

I’m delighted that ‘The Barra Boy’ is now available in the US , Canada and around the world through Amazon, as well as from many booksellers in the UK. If you’re interested, you can find all the information for getting a copy HERE.

If you do read ‘The Barra Boy’ and enjoy it, please do leave a short review and help spread the word!

59 responses to “THE NIHILIST”

  1. neilmacdon Avatar

    Beautifully paced, Iain, this death spiral

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Neil

      Like

  2. Forestwood Avatar

    Oh. You could read so much into this story! Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks so much 🙂

      Like

  3. Anita Dawes and Jaye Marie Avatar

    meaningful, yet bittersweetly funny…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, hope you are well 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Anita Dawes and Jaye Marie Avatar

        Not so bad, Iain… hope everything in your garden is lovely too!

        Liked by 1 person

  4. Michael Avatar
    Michael

    So realist The pain in this was potent

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Michael

      Like

  5. Sandra Avatar

    Lovely! Well not lovely but so poignant.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Sandra, much appreciated.

      Like

  6. Yamini Ali MacLean Avatar

    Hari OM
    ooh arrrr – and ZAP! Fab writing again Iain. YAM xx

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks so much 🙂

      Like

  7. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Iain,

    I’d say these two are not good for each other. The pain they’re both in is tangible. Nicely done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Rochelle, glad the pain came across.

      Like

  8. Anita Avatar

    She was already drunk.
    He got drunk later.
    Still, she was talking sense when she said he was joining her!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Anita

      Like

      1. Vartika Avatar

        I liked you writing. You sketched those characters nicely

        Liked by 1 person

  9. pensitivity101 Avatar

    Good post Iain depicting a downward spiral.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Di, much appreciated

      Liked by 1 person

      1. pensitivity101 Avatar

        you’re welcome

        Liked by 1 person

  10. Liz H Avatar

    So very dark. Gives another picture to the bar pick-up “So, what’s your poison?” 🖤
    Totally on point.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Liz 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  11. trentpmcd Avatar

    Oops. perhaps he should have given up the glass untasted… If addictions can warn us, would we listen?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I suspect some would, but most would still falter. Thanks Trent

      Liked by 1 person

  12. joyroses13 Avatar

    Oh its like you can hear the impending doom music in the background as you read this. Very good!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Joy 🙂

      Like

      1. joyroses13 Avatar

        You are welcome!

        Liked by 1 person

  13. plaridel Avatar

    it looks like they deserve each other’s company. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Perhaps they both deserve better.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Dale Avatar

    Oh boy! Like Neil said – this is fabulously paced. Two destructive people – whatever could happen?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It could get messy. Thanks Dale.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dale Avatar

        Oh, it definitely could

        Liked by 1 person

  15. GHLearner Avatar

    She knows exactly where she is and where he’s going. And he’s learned it now, looking into a mirror.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      And yet unable to stop himself going there anyway. Thank you! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Andrea Robinson-Decorating Pumpkins Differently Avatar
    Andrea Robinson-Decorating Pumpkins Differently

    WOW Impactful. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks so much 🙂

      Like

  17. authorfleurl Avatar

    There’s a lot going on in so few words. Well told!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks so much

      Like

  18. Keith's Ramblings Avatar

    It started with a sip. A piteous piece indeed.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Indeed, must be my current mood. Thanks Keith

      Liked by 1 person

  19. granonine Avatar

    Oh my. I can’t imagine this situation going anywhere good!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It doesn’t look likely. Thanks Linda

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Bill Avatar

    Given the title, my mind is painting metaphor everywhere. Great story, but so much left untold in backstory and what follows.
    A few re-reads and I see a poem wrapped within this story. Wonderful, Iain. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks so much Bill

      Liked by 1 person

  21. creatingahome Avatar

    Poor man. The future seems very bleak.
    A downward spiral.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Indeed. Thanks for reading.

      Liked by 1 person

  22. leedeamali Avatar

    Last line wrapped this up so well – great job 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks so much

      Like

  23. Laurie Bell Avatar

    Ooooooo
    The layers to the dialogue are delicious.
    The downward spiral. And though totally soused she sees it too.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      She seems to accept it mote than him. Thanks Laurie.

      Like

  24. msjadeli Avatar

    ‘ “Welcome to my parlor,” said the spider to the fly.’ Worst part is the fly chooses to go to the parlor. Excellent character study, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 😊

      Liked by 1 person

      1. msjadeli Avatar

        You’re welcome, Iain.

        Liked by 1 person

  25. poetisatinta Avatar

    I could really see this it would make a good opening scene to a movie 👏

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 😊

      Like

  26. draliman Avatar

    Oh crumbs. This isn’t going to end well. Not that it started well for him, either.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      No, can’t see a happy ending to this one. Thank you!

      Liked by 1 person

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