IAIN KELLY

BABYLONIA DENIED

The sat nav assured him he was still on the best route.

The straight road seemed to roll on endlessly. Looming trees hemmed him in on either side.

‘In fifty yards, take the left turn onto the B436, Babylon Street.’

Babylon Street? He had never heard of that one. Named after the ancient city, perhaps?

He peered through the gloom trying to see the turn, but there was no sign of it.

‘Re-routing. Carry on for the next eternity.’

He looked at the screen. What was that?

Ahead the dark red sky seemed to open up and a glowing light appeared. He hit the brakes. Nothing happened. The car swept him onwards, into the shining.

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.

‘The Barra Boy’ is available now. You can find all the information for getting a copy HERE.

85 responses to “BABYLONIA DENIED”

    1. Liz H Avatar

      Cool and mysterious!!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Iain Kelly Avatar

        Thanks Liz

        Liked by 1 person

  1. neilmacdon Avatar

    Lovely, Iain. I always knew those damn things were the devil’s work

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Neil, I have to admit to being overly relient on them now. I should get back to reading road maps!

      Like

  2. Sadje Avatar

    Oooh! Sci-fi at its most intriguing

    Liked by 1 person

    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,

    This seems the beginning of a nightmare or, possibly, an adventure. Nicely done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Rochelle

      Like

  4. elmowrites Avatar

    Tough to avoid the pull of the nav, but your character seems to be in for more than a bumpy sideroad!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      The nav gets very angry if you ignore it!

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Tannille Avatar

    Those devices can take you anywhere.
    When Apple Maps came out (they banned Google Maps), Apple Maps was taking people into the outback. The situation was becoming dangerous. The police weren’t happy.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      There are many stories like this, I think things have improved a little now, but you still here of the odd strange turn!

      Liked by 1 person

  6. trentpmcd Avatar

    Oops, this can’t be good…. Kind of funny, the other commenters seem to take this as a sci-fi adventure. I think the MC died and is on his last, eternal journey…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Yes, I think you could read it either way. Thanks Trent

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Last Exit to Babylon | Avatar

    […] an email notice that a very brilliant writer named Iain Kelly had published a 100-word story called Babylonia Denied. I didn’t read the story before writing this one but obviously the title inspired […]

    Like

  8. James Pyles Avatar

    Okay. You pulled me back in.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Great to see you back James, hope you have been/are well!

      Like

  9. Bear Avatar

    I just knew that with this picture someone was going to write a “rapture” story. I was tempted myself, but the path to intention, and all that. Great story,Lain! Have a great week!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you! Hope your week is great too!

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Anita Avatar

    Can’t imagine driving for an eternity!
    Babylon Street is intriguing.
    UFO has done its work 🙂

    Mine also has one.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Anita 🙂

      Like

  11. magickmermaid Avatar

    Great story! Off to update my sat nav!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Just be careful out there! 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Mason Bushell Avatar

    I always thought satnavs were cursed, now I know for sure. Great story, Ian.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Mason, hope you are well!

      Like

      1. Mason Bushell Avatar

        You’re welcome. I had a tough few trials with my writing last year. But I’m better now thanks. Hope you’re well too!

        Liked by 1 person

  13. CGraith Avatar

    The start of a wild adventure I’m sure!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Definitely something interesting ahead.

      Like

  14. Psychic-Medium-Author Ronda Del Boccio Avatar

    Ah yes, those doggone electronic nags! 😀
    Ronda

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      They appear to be universally disliked! Thanks Ronda

      Like

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  15. Liz Young Avatar

    Aha! We had similar thoughts about this image.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It does lend itself to such ideas.

      Like

  16. pennygadd51 Avatar

    Your words capture the mood of the prompt with force. Your last word is particularly telling.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Penny, much appreciated.

      Like

  17. granonine Avatar

    Oh, what a great beginning for a new book!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Linda, I shall bear that in mind!

      Liked by 1 person

  18. pensitivity101 Avatar

    Great take Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks so much Di

      Liked by 1 person

      1. pensitivity101 Avatar

        You’re welcome

        Liked by 1 person

  19. Michael Avatar
    Michael

    Seems like he is navigating the star now. But is he alive?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Follow the sat nav to find out!

      Like

  20. Danny James Avatar

    Should be an interesting future.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Not your everyday future for sure.

      Like

  21. msjadeli Avatar

    Sounds like a frightening nightmare — if he’s lucky! You captured the terror well, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. msjadeli Avatar

        You’re welcome.

        Liked by 1 person

  22. authorfleurl Avatar

    Woooo I like the sound of this! There has to be a part 2…
    Great take on the prompt, well done 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Keith's Ramblings Avatar

    It seems your sat nav is possessed, so will he be soon! Nice one, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Keith

      Liked by 1 person

  24. Bill Avatar

    Well done, Iain. Exactly why I prefer not to drive at night. When things go wrong, it is the worst of times.
    My mixed relationship with earthbound navigation systems includes being led astray and getting saved from being “lost” (as a former USAF navigator, I never admit that. It’s called “temporarily disoriented”). Recalculating. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Bill, I can see why your precious employment would lead to some embarrassment!!

      Liked by 1 person

  25. plaridel Avatar

    it looks like he’s having a bad dream. he has to wake up quick. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Let’s hope that’s all it is!

      Liked by 1 person

  26. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar

    The nav that leads you astray. I knew it would happen sooner or later. Mysterious, and possibly adventurous, story! I like to fuss about the technology, but I can’t read a road map to save my life.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It easier to follow without stopping the car to look at a map, one advantage at least!

      Like

  27. athling2001 Avatar

    Sounds like my GPS. Good luck to him.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  28. poetisatinta Avatar

    I love a bit of Sci-fi 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  29. Liam Avatar
  30. Na'ama Yehuda Avatar

    That photo basically begged for it, eh? 🙂 Fun one!

    Liked by 1 person

  31. susanrouchard Avatar

    Hoo Ian spooky. Love the foreboding last sentence. Wishing you a restful weekend.

    Liked by 1 person

  32. creatingahome Avatar

    The planet has been taken over by …
    Great story.

    Liked by 1 person

  33. Laurie Bell Avatar

    Oooooooo spooky ! I love it. The satnav… and a mysterious journey he can’t escape from. Could be the start of a larger tale. Fabulous idea.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Laurie

      Like

  34. Nobbinmaug Avatar

    I thought my GPS was bad. It’s tried to lead me onto an offramp but has never opened the sky. Nice take.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  35. britcanwrites Avatar

    Haha … he should have known when he hadn’t heard of the road and was directed on to eternity. Nice one!

    Liked by 1 person

  36. GHLearner Avatar

    Heheheh, I love this. The sat nav from hell. I know why I don’t rely on these things. 😂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  37. Sascha Darlington Avatar

    Good one. Very mysterious. Blame it on the navigation system!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Sascha

      Liked by 1 person

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.