IAIN KELLY

TO THE BEACH

The arrow pointed down the narrow alley, under the words To The Beach. Encumbered by bag and flip-flops, she pushed past holiday-makers and locals.

The crowd thinned until she found she was on her own. She heard the silence.

Another sign said To The Beach. She shrugged and pressed on.

And on.

Eventually the alley came to an end and she stepped out onto hot sand. She had the beach to herself. Exhausted, she did not notice that there was no sea on the horizon.

A hand grabbed her shoulder. She screamed.

‘We have been waiting for you,’ they said.

Copyright Rowena Curtin

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 State Trilogy’ and ‘The Barra Boy’ available now.

61 responses to “TO THE BEACH”

  1. Sadje Avatar

    Intriguing story

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Sadje

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sadje Avatar

        You’re welcome

        Liked by 1 person

  2. quiall Avatar

    Actually made me jump! So not what I was expecting…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Excellent! 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Sandra Avatar

    Full of suspense.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Sandra

      Like

  4. James Avatar

    I think she’s had it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It’s not a good sign, but you never know, maybe she has reached some sort of nirvana.

      Like

  5. pensitivity101 Avatar

    Oh my Iain! Good take!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  6. neilmacdon Avatar

    A lane that leads only to the sea of sand to entrap the unwary. Nicely written, Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  7. joyroses13 Avatar

    Oooh the suspense! Well done!

    Wanted to let you know that unfortunately its going to take a little longer to leave a review of Barra-Barra Boy. I was enjoying the book and would have had it finished by now. We were traveling and so I brought it along and had it in my big bag of other books along with my wallet,etc. Someone broke into our car and grabbed my bag among other things. I hope they enjoy your book!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Crikey, sorry to hear that. Hope you are okay. At least I can assure you they weren’t breaking in just to get my book! Hope you get a chance to finish it one day!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. joyroses13 Avatar

        Thanks! We are okay and for that I am truly thankful! Just very aggravating and upsetting, but at least our vehicle wasn’t stolen. We had stopped at a Nature centet to sightsee and in less than 2 hours, someone busted out the passenger window and took whatever they could grab.
        I will finish your book, gotta knoe what happens! 😉 LOL about your book not being the reason they broke in. Maybe not yet, but once you become famous. 😊

        Liked by 1 person

  8. msjadeli Avatar

    That’s like some dreams I’ve had. The challenge is to sort out what the *hell* it means. Good storytelling, Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Yes, not sure I had an idea in mind as I wrote – I’ll let the reader decide!

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Good reaction!

      Like

  9. Liz H Avatar

    Uffda! The nightmare that lurks in the back of every independent woman’s mind.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      No alleyway is safe. Thanks Liz

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Liz H Avatar

        Thanks for understanding that and expressing so well!

        Liked by 1 person

  10. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Iain,

    A beach with no sea. Ominous!

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Ominous was the aim! Thanks Rochelle

      Like

  11. CGraith Avatar

    Okay, so creepy ending, feels like scenes in a nightmare, walking, walking, walking and then think all is well only to find a trap set. I can hear the blood curdling scream she puts out!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Seems to be a nightmare many share!

      Like

  12. Tannille Avatar

    Ooo. The mind boggles. No ocean is a bit rude. 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Ha, it’s the least you would expect from a beach!

      Liked by 1 person

  13. plaridel Avatar

    she shouldn’t have gone there alone. too late now

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      A shame beaches are no longer a safe place!

      Liked by 1 person

    2. GHLearner Avatar

      A nightmare many women share. So very well written, Iain.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. athling2001 Avatar

    Okay, who is they? I jumped. Great tale!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you – I’ll let you know if they get back in touch.

      Like

  15. Keith's Ramblings Avatar

    You gave me a fright! An intriguing tale, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Keith

      Like

  16. Tracey at Whatsfordinnerdoc.com and TraceyDelaplainMD.com Avatar

    Nope, no one interrupts my day at the beach. 😎
    The beach is calling today and I shall go.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Hope it works out okay for you! 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Dawn M. Miller Avatar

    And into the twilight zone we go.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Could be a start of an episode!

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Bill Avatar

    Right, Iain. “Hearing the silence” is not necessarily isolation. I bet she screamed. Rightfully so. But, then what? 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Then what indeed… Thanks Bill

      Liked by 1 person

  19. Laurie Bell Avatar

    Ooooooo I’m so intrigued! You hooked me here on very little. I love a mystery.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Laurie 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Nobbinmaug Avatar

    Oh! Well! That was certainly not the day at the beach she imagined.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Not what was planned at all. Thanks

      Liked by 1 person

  21. creatingahome Avatar

    I feel like they trapped her. Got her enticed with hopes of finding the beach.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Lured in for sure. Thanks

      Liked by 1 person

  22. poetisatinta Avatar

    That is scary Iain, definitely room to expand on 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  23. susanrouchard Avatar

    What a nightmare. I was crossing that boundary with her. Thank you Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Susan

      Liked by 1 person

  24. theministryofshrawleywalks Avatar

    Where’s the beach?? What is the beach? Who has been waiting? Top prose

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  25. britcanwrites Avatar

    Haha … I dread to know who ‘they’ were. She should’ve taken notice of the complete silence. It was coming … Nice one!

    Liked by 1 person

  26. authorfleurl Avatar

    Intriguing! A lane that leads the unsuspecting and snares them. Nicely done! perhaps there is a sequel?

    Liked by 1 person

  27. isaiah46ministries Avatar

    That was scary but wonderfully so.

    Liked by 1 person

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