IAIN KELLY

DECISION TIME

Pick a door. Go through it. The choice is hers to make.

She hesitates, shuffling on the illusory sidewalk one way then the other.

Images surface through glass panes.

Behind one door she sees her mother, smiling, beckoning, encouraging.

Through the the next she sees Bethany, her cute pudgy smile, her big blue eyes, her innocent smile searching for the comfort of her mother.

In the last door she sees him, his leering smile, his sense of danger, the loaded needle poised and promised.

She smiles and steps forward with certainty.

The choice inevitable, the pull too great, her future already written.

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

I’m delighted to announce I will be once again partnering with The Book Guild to publish my next novel. ‘All We Cannot Leave Behind’ is due out in February 2024. Stay tuned for plenty more details and news over the coming months!

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

50 responses to “DECISION TIME”

  1. neilmacdon Avatar

    I like the allegorical use of the doors

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  2. MrBinks Avatar
    MrBinks

    That was pretty perfect. Well played.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Much appreciated!

      Like

  3. Sadje Avatar

    A dark tale

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Sadje

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sadje Avatar

        You’re welcome

        Liked by 1 person

  4. Bear Avatar

    Haunting! Terrifying! Really spells out the pull of addiction so well. Great story.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. James Avatar

    Hopefully she chose her child.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      In a logical world, it would be no choice, but… Thanks James

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Dale Avatar

    I fear she has not chosen the beneficial door… Well done, sir!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Afraid not. Thanks Dale!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dale Avatar

        I think that it was pretty clear. Wishful thinking on our part.

        Liked by 1 person

  7. Alicia Jamtaas Avatar

    Oh, my! I had to let out a deep breath at the end. What a sad scenario, well played out. Great job this week. Lish

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, very much appreciated.

      Like

  8. Liz H Avatar

    So chilling!
    Seems the needle will win.😰

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      This time, another victim claimed. Thanks Liz

      Like

      1. Liz H Avatar
  9. scr4pl80 Avatar

    Love those houses. Nice job with the story. I’m not making any bets as to which one she took.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Perhaps it’s better not to know. Thanks Janet.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. msjadeli Avatar

    This almost feels like she is a ghost revisiting life. The allure of the needle must be a powerful one.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      To those who suffer, it is. Thanks 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. msjadeli Avatar

        You’re welcome, Iain.

        Liked by 1 person

  11. granonine Avatar

    In my years as a therapist, I was often told that heroin is the absolute hardest drug to kick. I hope she hasn’t chosen the needle, but I’m afraid. . . .

    Like

  12. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Iain,

    This doesn’t sound the least bit promising. Well written and chilling.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Rochelle

      Like

  13. joyroses13 Avatar

    Oh Iain, very well done! My heart aches for her and wanting her so badly to choose the happy child, but …..

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I’m afraid so. Thanks for reading.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Jennie Avatar
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Unfortunately so. Thanks for reading.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Jennie Avatar

        True. You’re welcome.

        Like

  15. Tannille Avatar

    The choices we make. I like the use of doors.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  16. Keith's Ramblings Avatar

    For some, there’s no choice, sad as it must be.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Yes, for some there is no way out. Thanks Keith.

      Like

  17. Liz Young Avatar

    I wouldn’t have chosen the leering smile but I guess she did?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      The smile and the needle combined – too much for her to resist that pull.

      Like

  18. Laurie Bell Avatar

    Oh… oh this is told beautifully and it is so so terrible.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Laurie

      Liked by 1 person

  19. plaridel Avatar

    hope she made the right choice. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      We can only hope, but I fear not.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. britcanwrites Avatar

    Oh, Iain … now I want to know which door she chose … Me working it out: It’s definitely not her mother. It should be the child. BUT it’s him! … am I right?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I’m afraid so!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. britcanwrites Avatar

        It was definitely her choice to make. So sad she didn’t choose wisely.

        Liked by 1 person

  21. poetisatinta Avatar

    So chilling Iain, and a sad ending I fear 🫢

    Liked by 1 person

  22. authorfleurl Avatar

    That’s a chilling one, well told!

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Nobbinmaug Avatar

    Is the future told? Or do we have free choice? Some choices feel more like a fait accompli than a choice. Well played.

    Liked by 1 person

  24. trishsplace Avatar

    Right. Well. Now I want to know what’s going on!
    Seems the twist is she chose the leering, needle laden one – but …. ?

    Liked by 1 person

  25. jlennidorner Avatar

    Such interesting choices.
    Good story.
    Congratulations on your publishing news.
    July 4 is Alice in Wonderland Day, a commemoration of when the story was first told to the Liddell sisters by Lewis Carroll in 1862.

    J Lenni Dorner (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) ~ Speculative Fiction &Reference Author, OperationAwesome6 Debut Author Interviewer, and Co-host of the #AtoZchallenge

    Liked by 1 person

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