It’s time again for the Friday Fictioneers, kindly hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. This is a writing challenge which asks that we produce a piece of fiction in 100 words from the photo prompt given.
Here is this week’s photo, copyright Melanie Greenwood . . .
. . . and here is my story:
I tumble into a deep, dark place, removed from the laughter and light. I traipse the labyrinth of my mind, engulfed in a maelstrom of questioning thoughts. Yet, like swirling tendrils of shadows along my path, answers reach out to taunt me, then melt away to obscurity.
Why am I lost, alone in the bleakness of night? Will the sun never rise in this covert place? Why has my youthful body deserted me, left me in these serpentine depths?
But wait! A light shines down on this maze: my escape to the world beyond … and reunion with my body.
Word Count: 100
This is a little different to the pieces I’ve been writing recently. I was particularly drawn to that single beam of light in the photo. I almost wrote somethig historical (my favourite genre!) but changed my mind at the last minute. Too late to change things now – I’m about to post!
To read other entries, click on the little blue fellow below:
Millie Thom 
Self-revelation? 🙂 I love it.
Hi Joycelin. I’m really pleased that my story appealed to you. I set out to interpret this prompt a little differently this week and it’s always interesting to see what people think. Thank you for your positive comment. 🙂
I love that the labyrinth is deep within the narrator’s own mind – what a clever spin on this prompt!
Your kind words are much appreciated John. I’m pleased you found my interpretation OK. 🙂
Same here.
I love your writing Millie…this piece especially for whatever reason I cannot say it just resonates. Hopeful finish. Well done.
Thanks, Julia. I took a gamble on the way I interpreted this prompt, but was quite pleased with the way it turned out. It’s really good to have the feedback – positive or otherwise. I’m glad it worked for you! 🙂
Much Mystery—Very Evocative—Wish it were Longer 🙂
Wow, Alexander, thank you! From someone with your writing skills, that’s praise indeed. 🙂
Very good. I almost did a “trapped in their own mind” story for this but changed my mind. I’m glad your narrator sees a way out, maybe from depression or a coma of some sort I’m thinking.
I had in mind a coma of some sort that left the body immobile but the mind still alert. An awful situation, in anybody’s book – so I just had to have that ray of hope at the end. I realise there are several other ways my story could be interpreted, though. Funny you almost did the ‘mind’ thing this weeek. too. Thank you for liking it, Ali.
you somehow always manage to make these short pieces… whole and complete… love it 🙂
Hi Heath. I’m happy you thought it was OK. 🙂 I did enjoy writing it – although I was disappointed I couldn’t bring my Viking friends into it! Haha! 🙂
Nice shift from bleakness to hope in the end. You can literally see the light coming in. I like your take on the prompt – I am much too literal-minded, I couldn’t see beyond the hedge :).
It was a really good hedge, though. I wouldn’t like to sit next to it! Thank you for the comment, Sonya.
Cool photo, Millie, and the passage does fit the photograph. I love the descriptiveness of your writing. Bit sad that a Viking couldn’t show his face, though….. lol
Well, Amanda, I would have loved to have my Bjorn or Hastein somewhere in this story. But somehow they just didn’t fit (not in 100 words, anyway!) Such a shame. I loved your nice comment, so ‘ta muchly’ for that. 🙂
It worked for me, too, Millie. Lovely piece of inner dialogue. 🙂
Thank you, Christine. 🙂
I love the spin of the labryrinth of the mind and aging. Wonderful!
I’m glad you liked it, PJ. It’s interesting for me to see the different ways in which people have interpreted it, too. I knew when I wrote it that would be the case. Thank you for your nice comment.
I think it takes a very good writer to write a story that can be interpreted many different ways. Excellent.
Now I am really blushing! Thank you so much for that wonderful comment. 🙂
I really like this prompt because it is bringing about so many different takes. I like how you focused on the beam of light and the mental aspect. I, too, am wondering where my youthful body went…Wonderful, Millie.
That is a really nice comment, Amy. I agree about the variety of responses to this prompt. It’s amazing what a picture of a simple maze can inspire! 🙂
Dear Millie,
I’ve spent some time lately being trapped in the labyrinth of my own mind. You’ve captured the feeling well. All things considered, I’d rather be swimming. 😉
Nicely written. .
Shalom,
Rochelle
I think I’d rather be swimming than doing most things, Rochelle. It does help to lift you from dark, brooding thoughts, too. Sorry to hear you’ve been in that position lately. I can’t help thinking it’s connected with the contents of your extremely moving post.
Thank you for your lovely comment on mine. 🙂
just awesome. one of the best interpretations of this week’s prompt.
Hello plaridel. Thank you for that wonderful (‘awesome’) comment! I don’t know what else to say except that I’m so glad it appealed to you. I’m always amazed by the many different responses to these challenges and, like other people, I suppose, I’m never sure that mine will compare favourably. But then, I know that’s the nature of the challenge – and all part of the fun of doing them. Thank yo so much! 🙂
“But wait! A light shines down on this maze: my escape to the world beyond.” I’m keeping this one for my adventures! Absolutely beautiful. You are such a brilliant writer, Millie. I’m so glad to be encouraged by you.
That is such a lovely comment, Ashley! I ought to have it enlarged and framed, just to remind me that there’s hope for my trilogy yet. Thank you so very much. Be well and happy – and successful yourself. 🙂
Very evocative and intriguing. It has many possible meanings, but I’m glad there’s a light at the end.
Yes, it does have several possible meanings. I’ve been really interested to see how people have interpreted it. Thank you for commenting, Margaret.
This poetic tale of finding yourself again works so well as a metaphor.. i think we had similar thoughts on that beam of light..
Yes, I can see the similarity. That beam of light was the first thing to pique my interest. Thank you for commenting. 🙂
Great use of the prompt, Millie. I feel this is a good description of a person overcoming depression, escaping the labyrinth of their own mind. Well done. 🙂 — Suzanne
Thank you, Suzanne. It certainly fits the escape from serious depression well. When I wrote it, I was aware that it could be interpreted a number of ways – and all fit equally well. Initially, I had in mind recovery from a deep coma. I read a novel some years ago about a state where the mind remains active and the body is totally unfeeling and disconnected. Yet, even before I’d finished writing, several other possibilities came to mind. Thank you so much for sharing yours. 🙂