Our gracious host, Rochelle, at Friday Fictioneers
asks us to use the photo below as inspiration
to write creatively in 100 words or less while
making every word count. This is my flash.
Pete and Julie gaily ran to Ye Olde Mille, carefree young lovers. Laughing, they climbed into the waiting rowboat and disappeared into the tunnel of love.
The kindly old ticket collector chuckled knowingly; he dozed in the cool shade.
It was the horrifying screams that woke him.
When Pete and Julie’s boat emerged, she was gone and he was huddled on the floor, petrified and whimpering.
Decades later, Julie is still missing. And poor Pete. His mind is totally gone. He sits mute in his chair staring blankly out the asylum window, the terror still obvious in his frozen eyes.
NAR©2025
100 Words
This is “Palisades Park” by Freddie Cannon (with commercial intro)
All text, graphics and videos are copyright for Nancy ~ The Sicilian Storyteller, Nancy (The Sicilian Storyteller), The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk, and The Rhythm Section, and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.
The Elephant's Trunk 
That sounds like every tunnel of love experience I’ve every had. Euphemistically speaking of course.
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Exactly why I stayed away!
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Dear Nancy,
The song is a blast from the past. Fun. Then there’s your story. You leave me wondering what happened. Good storytelling for campfire. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed the story.
Memories of summer camp just came rushing back.
Hope I can sleep tonight! 😂
Shalom,
🕊️
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oh..that was scary n sad….
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Yes, it was both. Thank you, Nandini.
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I hope they shut down that particular ride. I’m still shaking.
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Yes, in fact the entire amusement park was closed in 1971 …. but there still be ghosts. 😎
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This is what happens when the tunnel of love goes dark. Nice story.
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Thanks, Will. I don’t trust dark water rides ….. obviously with good reason.
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Creepy.
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Very much so! I’ll take a pass, thanks.
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Nancy you did a fabulous job on this chiller. Innocence ended in the prime of life 😦
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Thanks, Lisa! It’s fascinating where the mind can lead us.
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You’re welcome and yes it is.
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Well, THAT was chilling! Excellent take on the photo, Nancy!
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Thank you, Dale. It’s a very cool photo!
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You’re welcome and thank you! I love how it generated a wonderful variety of stories.
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It really did! It was a crowd pleaser! 😊
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Indeedy! Who’d a thunk?
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Oh, this is horrifying, but so well written, Nancy!
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It’s a scary thought, isn’t it?
Thanks so much, Brenda!
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I think the old man knows a thing or two about what happened! Creepy!
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Perhaps he’s not as kindly as one may believe. Thanks, Anon!
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Wow that 100 words worth of tragedy. She may have been the lucky one.
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Only if she’s dead. 😳
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oh my the prices we pay!! 💰
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Talk about a wild ride!
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Horrifying. I think the ticket-taker needs some serious help…
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You make a good point, Angela! Thanks for reading.
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The horror! The horror! The horror. Great outcome for the prompt. Bravo!
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Thanks very much! So glad to know you enjoyed my story!
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what a tragedy. my heart goes to the young lovers.
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Impossible to imagine the horror. Thank you, Plaridel.
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Oh good GOD, Nancy. 😂😂😂😂😂 😂😂😂☠👹😂😂😂 Classic horror and a song that will never fail, in the future, to evoke a creepy vibe. Way to go, woman!
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Bet you won’t ride the Tunnel of Love next time you’re at the amusement park, Liz! One never knows the evil that lurks in those waters. Mwahahaha!
Thanks girlfriend!
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Lesson learned. For online dating, as well! (Picks shreds of old lothario gristle from between her teeth 🦖🐉)
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😂
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You expect the unexpected on the ghost train, but the tunnel of love? Oo-err.
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That’s what they want you to think, dear Keith. Keep your eyes open at all times! 😳
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I had a lot of fun when my family went to Palisades Park.
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I’m glad you had a chance to go, Jim. The State Park is still open but the amusement area is closed. Too bad.
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I only went once, but all my cousins went the same day.
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So much for the tunnel of love!
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You got that right, D! I never liked that ride.
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I don’t think I ever went on one! Now, I’m glad I didn’t!
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We never did. Seemed hokey to us but not deadly!
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Scary Mary 😁😁😁
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You’re not kidding, Willow! 😳
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indeed you’re kidding 😂😂😂
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This left me speechless.
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Nothing like a good old fashioned scary story…..without even a drop of blood mentioned. 🩸
Thanks so much, Dawg!
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That was chilling! Well done Nance!
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So glad it gave you the chills, CA! You won’t get me in one of those rides!
Thanks!
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This is a very chilling story
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Thank you, Sadje ….. and no blood was shed!
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You’re welcome ☺️
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I wonder how the kindly old ticket collector fared
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No one’s saying, Neil.
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Terrifying! Great story.
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Thanks, Sweets! That’s a great compliment coming from you!
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A very inventive and, yes, macabre take on the photo. Well done.
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Thanks, Fan. Glad you enjoyed a little taste of the bizarre!
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