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.

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.