Dismayed, they looked up. They’d need both hands to climb. Carefully he put the box in his pocket. He’d need that later. She removed her shoes. She’d need what toehold she could get. Almost on their stomachs they crawled upward, their white clothing blackening as the vestiges of time adhered to them. At the top they saw the next flight; Twenty four steeper vertical steps. The number of love and Karmic rewards. They climbed, belly against step. Total subjugation. Puffed, blackened and humbled they arrived at the top of the temple. The music started. “Dearly beloved” began the priest.
© irene waters 2015
© irene waters 2015
in response to Charli’s 99 word flash fiction challenge: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about steps, stairs or a staircase. Where do they lead? Who is walking or avoiding them? Are they clearly defined or ancient? Why are theses steps important? Lead us on a 99 word discovery!
Respond by January 6, 2015 to be included in the weekly compilation.
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.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
I think I’ve been up those steps. Angkor Wat?
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it certainly is so yes you probably have.
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I hope they stay together. I don’t think I’d be making that climb a second time. It would have to be worth it the first time! Great flash. 🙂
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Thanks Norah. This is one I think would do well with a bit of extra length to try and get more symbolism. You are quite right – you want to get it right first time. Marriage itself is an effort. I had considered getting the girl to say at the end “Blow this. You make me do this before we’re married. You can have you’re ring.” but then I discovered the numerology meaning of 24 being love and they had to make it to the top. 🙂
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I would have been saying that before the climb! Blow that for a joke! 🙂 You can always expand it into a short story for use elsewhere.
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I’ll keep it in reserve. 🙂
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Whew! What a place to get married (I am assuming). Hope she wasn’t wearing a white wedding dress…
You are so lucky to have seen Angkor Wat!
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You are right. 99 words was a bit short for me this week. I would have liked to say “strains of Wagner were heard as they neared the top of the stairs.” I saw her in white with really high heeled shoes which of course she had to discard.
I am really lucky to have been. It really is a place for contemplation and reflection. So ancient but you could visualise the people.
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That is AWESOME! Love it!
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Stunning photos, too. Had to look that up and learn more about the temple.
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Stunning place. I’ve got more photos on this post of my favourite temple. https://irenewaters19.com/2014/03/01/travel-theme-ancient-and-abandoned-weekly-photo-challenge/
The stairs were apparently steep so that you had to go up them virtually on your stomach in a crawl like posture. The idea was that it would make you feel as though you were going to heaven, and in that pose were coming into gods presence with head bowed. It also meant that weapons couldn’t be carried so those up the top had the advantage over marauders.
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Thanks Sarah.
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pretty damn impressive – and the temple isn’t bad either.
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Awwww shucks
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You capture the essence Irene with such evocative words! ❤
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Thanks Barbara.
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Made me laugh, Irene ! 😀
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That explains the noise I heard up here. Had me worried. 🙂
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Maybe we should all have to crawl humbly to our marriage vows to better understand the commitment! That’s a stunning flash and creates an incredible visual–the tarnished bride and groom clambering up to say their vows. Interesting place and photos, too!
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This was one I think that I should have left the photos out as I would have been interested whether the visual was obtained from the writing or whether it was from the photo. I put the photos after the writing for that reason.
It was an interesting place – you could really let your imagination go…..
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Neat flash, Irene. Reminds me of some friends who got married at the top of a Scottish mountain.
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Did they have many guests? We went to a wedding on the edge of the volcano on Tanna. It was a bit sad I thought as everytime the volcano erupted (frequent) the guests would rust to the edge to look into the crater leaving the bride, groom, minister and us at the ceremony. We probably would have joined the guests had we not lived there and could visit the volcano anytime.
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I Think it is a historical place and all of the stairs are badly destroyed. If you want to visit this place please climb these stairs carefully. Can you tell me where is it locate
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It is in Cambodia near Angkorr Wat. You do have to climb the stairs very carefully – it is a virtual crawl.
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