This is my submissions for Friday Fictioneers that is ably hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields.
You can read about Friday Fictioneers at the end of this post.
Join us.
Below is the picture prompt for this week and below that is my story.
You can see this a sequel to last week’s story.
Picture copyright David Stewart
Clingy
Picture copyright David Stewart
“This can’t be happening!” said Ted.
But it was.
His new life was possibly ending before it even began.
Ted followed the safety procedures that had been hastily repeated by the stewardess.
He was amazed that the plane remained in one piece, even if they had crashed onto water.
“I c..c..can’t swim!” said Sarah, terror in her eyes.
‘You’re on your own, lady.’ Ted thought.
He shoved his way to the plane’s exit.
He felt Sarah’s tight grip on his ankle.
‘This damn woman will get me drowned.’
“I did not get myself this far to die for you, woman!”
—-
100 words
You can read pieces by other participants here:
I read all your comments and I appreciate them, even if I take long to respond and even if I do not respond to each comment individually.
Comments
I have been very late in posting the past few weeks. This week I was determined to make the top ten 🙂
About Friday Fictioneers
Friday Fictioneers is a group that works as follows:
Every week you get a picture.
Prompted by that picture, you write a piece of fiction that is 100 words long (or as close as you can get).
You add a link to your story on the Fictioneers page, and read the (awesome) stories by the other Friday Fictioneers.
Feel free to join us! Everyone is welcome.
Baba Amor's Thoughts 
How awful that he would just let her die! Great story.
I like that you leave the background open to our imagination, like what his new life consists of. It seems harsh of him, but her panic would probably get them both killed. Hopefully they both got out okay (eternal optimist) 🙂
Last week’s story provides some background, though I hope this story can be read and understood independently.
Wow, you are quick and good at the same time!
I can totally picture the man trying to get away as the drowning woman tries to desperately stop him from leaving her behind.
I gather they were fellow passengers in a plane that crashed, and everyone’s one their own now.
Chivalry is a myth, and I have been reminded of that more number of times than I like. perhaps, this situation warranted such behavior. There is no honor in survival, I guess.
Well done!
This is a continuation of last week’s story, though I hope it can stand on its own.
Chivalry is a myth? Let me not comment. But if someone is not a dear friend or a relative, I think people think of themselves first.
And thanks for the kind words! 🙂
Ted is no hero, is he? Thanks for bringing us along for the ride.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LOL can’t blame the poor man… just being true to himself hahaha thanks for the laugh ^^
Hehe.. she sure was clingy and Ted was pretty darn tough too.. The last line can be open for so many interpretations.. Great take on the prompt.
I don’t think chivalry is dead, although many women seem to be pushing men to give it up as quickly as possible. I had an image of Ted trying to get away, stretched out like the statue, with Sarah’s weight elongating him!
janet
Wow, what a prince.
A shocker there! So well-crafted, I noticed how you moved from direct speech to narration so smoothly, and her stuttering really made it tense! Nice one.
I guess being found dressed like a goofball in that hotel a few months ago really got to Ted… had to leave his old life behind and all. 😉 I like your story. Ted’s an awful fellow (unlike OUR Ted), but you’ve written him well. The only thing I’d suggest is not giving us Sarah’s name. As a reader, her name – so personal – felt out of place in the middle of Ted’s selfish indifference. We’re in Ted’s head. He doesn’t care what that woman’s name is… Omitting it would accentuate his disdain for her.
Thanks.
Good point about the name. The name only came in because of last week’s story.
love the title and the story.
I’m glad someone likes the title! 🙂
Good take, but he’s an ass…
Scott
Mine: http://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2013/02/13/3734/
You never know the calibre of a person till you really need them hey? Nicely done. Great take on the prompt.
True! Thanks for dropping in.
Somebody’s true character is revealed in situations like these, right? a nice story
whoa…you are good. had me questioning if you are a cad in real. good job in writing..superb!
Te will regret this one day. All he has to do is give a hand to the poor woman. Sadly, too many people are focused solely on themself.
It’s a dog eat dog world and it looks like at least Terrible Ted will make it out. Great Job Abraham. I love to hate this Ted!
Hmmm… moral dilemma. Always interesting, since we all like to think we would be heroes if the need ever came up. Apparently, heroism cannot be predicted. What would we really do if the need arose? I hope you’ll tell us more in the next instalment 😉
That woman is very clingy and the man looks pretty horrified! 🙂 I really like the line about his new life ending before it even begins. Just that thought could add even more to the desperation of the whole thing.
It wasn’t hard to see how that photo fit into the story. I hadn’t thought about it, but I agree with “waitingforaname” (kind of ironic, yes?) that giving her a name was a distraction. I’ll have to keep that in mind when I’m writing. Great job.
LOLLLL!!! I hadn’t made that connection about ‘waitingforaname’. Very funny.
Can Ted swim? I hope not. He’s mean. But it was a great story.
LOLL!! No need for BOTH of them to drown… 🙂
Liked the idea of your setting and plot – to be honest I focused so much on the larger part of the sculpture, I didn’t see the following swimmer. I think your interpretations perfectly match.
None of us can know the pull of self-preservation until we live an experience like this. What would we do to survive? Interesting take.
Fantastic story, shows how cold and abrasive we can be when it’s our lives on the line.
The evil Ted is back this week! But perhaps his bad karma is thwarting his journey. Hmmm, will we find out next week?
Let’s wait and see!
Great take, Abraham – I, too, am thinking of Ted’s karma! Ah well, it’ll all work out, no doubt!
I read that your story is a continuation of last week’s. Nice use of the new photo in doing this. The characterisation is well done, through dialogue, especially inner. I take it the last was spoken out loud? By the way, thanks for your kind comment on my story (last Friday). It’s got lost somewhere, but when I find it, I will respond! Ann
Thanks for reading!
Yes, the last line was spoken out loud.
So he gave himself away for what he is – at least at this point in the story.
A nice follow-on to last week’s story. I suspect Ted (at least I hope) will improve his karma in the end. Good job.
Here’s mine: http://unexpectedpaths.com/friday-fictioneers/suzuki-method/
What a tough man! And what a persevering woman! Needs a continuation piece so we see what happens.
I did not read last week’s story but this can stand on its own. At least Ted could have made an effort in saving Sarah. Chivalry cannot be lost, you know. 🙂
An interesting story – and as you say, it works as a standalone piece as well as a continuation from last week’s. What a git that Ted is!
haha, I hope he has a change of heart and helps her!
Stories written 100 words at a time have their own level of challenging attributes. Nicely done. (now if I can only figure out that linky button for my own blog… shakes her head).
They are booth doomed I’m afraid. Good story.
You really used the statue well, especially the idea that the woman clutching the man’s ankle is underwater. Frightening story.
Glad to see Ted’s character is shining through again this week. I don’t think thinks are going to end well for Sarah. Looking forward to finding out next week. Or maybe not.
I would hate to be in this situation! I can’t swim! Ted would totally leave me behind. I like him though — “You’re on your own, lady” — lol I don’t know why I find that funny, but it’s so honest.
You know, I’m not exactly sure what dragons Ted had to slay to get where he was, but I’m sort of hoping that he kicks Sarah off. I hope he at least survives long enough to get into some other kind of trouble. You have a good story line on your hands. I’d love to see you expand on it every week.
oh, that’s just wrong! well done.
[…] Fictioneers/writers from all over the world. I learnt about the Fictioneers from a blog I follow HERE and as expected my Friday post is a day […]
I do not want to be on a plane with that guy. Nice story!
Great characterization, Abraham, in such a short amount of space. I don’t want to be on a plane with Ted. Nice work!
no empathy with Ted…geez. good read. 🙂
[…] Below is the picture prompt for this week and below that is my story. This story can be independent, or you can read Part One here and Part Two here. […]