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.
When the train stopped unexpectedly, I sighed in despair. I was tired and anxious to get home.
I stared out the window; with the exception of a red barn, everything looked dull, lifeless.
There were odd footprints in a swath of snow. I couldn’t tell if they were heading to the pond or from it and I found that curiously unsettling.
When the train chugged to life, I sighed in relief but my solace was short-lived. Glancing back, I was horrified to see a body snagged in the bushes just below the water’s surface.
That night the terrifying dreams started.
NAR©2025
100 Words
This is “Screaming In The Night” by Krokus
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 
Dear Nancy,
That experience would be enough to give anyone nightmares. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It certainly would for me! It’s amazing how such a seemingly innocuous image can evoke so many different (and dark) reactions. That’s what makes Friday Fictioneers so much fun!
Thanks very much, Rochelle.
Shalom,
🕊️
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The beginning of an engaging mystery.
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Thank you, Anonymous!
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Something seen that can never be unseen. Haunting in one word.
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Understandable why terrifying dreams would follow! Great atmosphere and suspense in only 100 words! 😨
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Michele, I’m so glad you thought so! Thank you! 😊
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You’re welcome, writer Nancy and a lovely weekend to you and yours! 💐
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Grazie, cara mia. Anche a te! ☀️
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🥰🙏🏻
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Another good one Nancy
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Thanks so much, Di. Glad to know you liked it.
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i wonder if she called the police and reported it. looks like she didn’t
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No, she didn’t. Perhaps if I had an additional 25 words to play around with she might have.
😂
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Scary 😱 sounds like it could be the start of a freaky horror novel! Well done, Nancy! ✨✍️
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Move over, Stephen King! 😂 Thanks so much, Laura. I haven’t written anything noir in a minute; it was time. I’m glad you enjoyed my story. 😎
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Dreams can come true, but hopefully not in her case. I like a bit of dark!
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Ooh, me too, dear Keith…..but I can do without the nightmares!
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That would indeed be nightmare fodder! I liked the leading detail about the footprints.
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Thank you, Angela. I noticed the footprints right away; they really were somewhat puzzling to me so that was my starting off point.
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I have to say this one has the edge for me as it’s dark! What does that say about me?!
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Nothing wrong with being a fan of the noir, Esther. It really gets the blood pumping and the heart racing, doesn’t it?
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Now I have to decide which one I like best.
Maybe this one.
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No need. Just enjoy them both!
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A trigger moment that will haunt her nightmares for ever. Nice build up to the compounding horror.
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Thank you, James. I’d have nightmares, too.
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Double dip on Valentines? Excellent job on both of these prompts. I like the dark side too. Enjoy a melted manic story like this, thanks. And yes Krokus is a great choice.
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IMO, that song was the only choice for this little black ink.
Thanks, Dawg. It’s been a minute since I went dark. It was time. Glad you liked it.
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You had two bites at the cherry today, one light, one dark. I can’t decide which I like more
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No decisions necessary. Just savor the nibbles.
Thank you, Neil.
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Sounds like a beginning to a ghostly tale sis…full of forebodings. 💜💜
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Very foreboding, sis! Hope you’re enjoying the darkness.
Thanks! 🖤🖤
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yes indeed 💜💜
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Things you see from the train – love those stories. The true meaning of a flash prompt.
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Thanks much, Sandra. I appreciate your gracious comments.
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Sounds like this story is just beginning.
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Good grief, I hope not!
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But don’t ‘cha wanna know who done it?
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Nah, not really. 😎
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A somber chiller here, Nancy. The despair is palpable in this one!
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Thanks, Kevin. Glad you lied it. I really enjoy writing dark. 🖤🖊️
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There is definitely a place for the darker works, I agree. I find they often flow easiest of all. Not sure what that says about me, but…
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They do, and I’ve written some pretty dark. It’s been a while.
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I hear that. I go through phases with it. I’m also in one now lol
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It’s the February Funk. 😎
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Might be part of it, yeah. It’s also my long work week and that always kicks me where it hurts as well lol
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Yeah, that can suck the lifeblood outta you. Not much you can do about that, sadly.
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No, but there may be a light at the end of that tunnel sooner rather than later based on some recent developments. 🤞
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Ah, nice! 👍🏼
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I’m staying quiet about it otherwise until I know more. Don’t wanna jinx it 😄
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