99 word flash fiction Challenge: The Unicorn

Posted on June 5, 2014 by Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist

Jack hurt. Crammed in the barrow like a foetus in the womb he screamed but his taped mouth ensured silence and made breathing difficult. His ears hurt from the high-pitched squeak of the wheel barrow. A new sound, barely audible at first, came softly, a tinkling of tiny bells blown in the breeze. His breathing slowed as the chimes calmed him. He felt he was no longer alone with the barrow man but dismissed the occasional glimpses of the white, one-horned horse as pure fantasy. He had lost track of time. He no longer knew in what realm he travelled.

June 4: Flash Fiction Challenge

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About Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist

I began my working career as a reluctant potato peeler whilst waiting to commence my training as a student nurse. On completion I worked mainly in intensive care/coronary care; finishing my hospital career as clinical nurse educator in intensive care. A life changing period as a resort owner/manager on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu was followed by recovery time as a farmer at Bucca Wauka. Having discovered I was no farmer and vowing never again to own an animal bigger than myself I took on the Barrington General Store. Here we also ran a five star restaurant. Working the shop of a day 7am - 6pm followed by the restaurant until late was surprisingly more stressful than Tanna. On the sale we decided to retire and renovate our house with the help of a builder friend. Now believing we knew everything about building we set to constructing our own house. Just finished a coal mine decided to set up in our backyard. Definitely time to retire we moved to Queensland. I had been writing a manuscript for some time. In the desire to complete this I enrolled in a post grad certificate in creative Industries which I completed 2013. I followed this by doing a Master of Arts by research graduating in 2017. Now I live to write and write to live.
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13 Responses to 99 word flash fiction Challenge: The Unicorn

  2. LucciaGray's avatar lucciagray says:
    June 5, 2014 at 5:29 pm

    Interesting mixture of ‘real’ pain and ‘ephemeral’ fantasy…I wonder where it could be leading…to fantasy or harsh reality…?

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  3. Charli Mills's avatar Charli Mills says:
    June 5, 2014 at 10:10 pm

    Brilliant! I squealed as I read the second line–horrified, delighted and impressed all at once–that you could continue the wheelbarrow horror so deftly! I agree with lucciagray about the blend of ‘real’ pain and ‘ephemeral’ fantasy. This story is carrying us all off with its blend of concrete details and magical possibilities. Love the gorgeous photo, too–you have such an eye for the visual, as well.

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    • Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist's avatar Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist says:
      June 6, 2014 at 11:20 am

      Thanks Charli. I was interested at how easy I could get a unicorn into my little horror story so easily. What will be more interesting will be how can I get it out. Your next prompt will tell. I thought it was a great photo (though it can’t be a photo). Magical

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  4. Nida K.'s avatar Nida S. says:
    June 5, 2014 at 10:28 pm

    Oh did the unicorn help the poor boy?!

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  5. Noelle Granger's avatar Noelle Granger says:
    June 6, 2014 at 5:22 am

    The picture is magical – loved imagining the boy discovering the unicorn was real .. and getting out of his predicament.

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  6. Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist's avatar Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist says:
    June 6, 2014 at 11:22 am

    I don’t know what is going to happen Noelle. The picture is great – lends itself to the element of magical happenings.

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  7. Norah's avatar Norah says:
    June 6, 2014 at 3:29 pm

    Ooh! I’m so pleased you have continued with the wheelbarrow story. And now the unicorn – real or imaginary. I wonder where it will lead. Hurry up with the next prompt, Charlie!

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