© C.Hase
“I knew we’d find the fourth chain when we cut through the other three.” Sean said.
“Yep. You were right. We’re not firmly anchored anymore. You can feel the island starting to move.” Grant said as he kicked idly at the links.
“Are you sure cutting this is safe?” Lucy frowned.
“No. Who knows what is going to happen. Hopefully float.”
“Sean, please don’t cut this one. I want to be sure we’re safe.”
“We’re cutting it.”
“There must have been some reason why they anchored it.”
“Perhaps” said Grant ” they just wanted to gather some moss.”
In response to Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers where you can find out more about the 100 word flash fiction in response to the photo prompt provided by C.Hase.
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) 
Is the photo your theme ? – super !
🙂
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Yes the photo is the theme or prompt for whatever comes to mind. I struggled with this one ’cause all I could think of was Jo Cocker’s “unchain my heart….” How is your WIP going?
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Badly. Right now I’m doing my best not to scream at my sweet IT guy who’s just been totally beaten by Microsoft’s lack of cohesion between SMTP email on the desktop and iMap on the laptop – I mean, that the former is Office 365 and the latter Office 2007. They don’t like each other.
As well, my about-to-be-ex webhost and my about-to-be webhost can’t get their act together re the EPP code’s being utilised.
😦
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That is no good. Hopefully it is not irretrievably bad and you can get it sorted. Looking forward to having you back somewhere……
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Ingenious, Irene!
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Thanks Noelle
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Something tells me they’re not going to be safe, Irene.
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I fear you may be right Amy although if their relationship is anything like mine I always worry and he is always right – nothing bad happens. So perhaps it is still up in the air.
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A light-hearted cautionary tale of yet another one, too interested in “can we” to wonder, “should we?” Nice take. 🙂
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Thanks. I think it is a case of the men do and the women worry.
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Dear Irene,
This doesn’t bode well. Step away from the chain…nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle. I have a feeling it is not a good thing to do but I have a feeling the girl is going to find out whether her fears are founded.
Cheers Irene
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Oh what a great idea for a story – setting an island free. I want to know what happens!
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So do I! I hadn’t thought of expanding it but maybe…….
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What a wonderfully unique flash for the photo prompt this is Irene. Just think, an island unchained. Goodness, that really has me thinking. What a dilemma. Keep the moss growing or cut that last link, be done with it, and see what adventures await for an island set free at long last? Fantastic flash my friend, love your stories 🙂 ❤
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So glad you liked it Sherri. It’s interesting where the mind goes. 🙂 ❤
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Sure is 🙂
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I love the photo and your response to it Irene. A floating island – set it free. How wonderful to travel the world and stay at home at the same time! Of course you could only visit coastal areas and do that, but what an exploration. I love the explanation for dropping anchor in the first place – to gather moss. Very amusing. I love it!
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Glad you found the ending amusing. You never know how far sayings that you take for granted reach around the world and whether many readers would get the connection. It would certainly be a different kind of journey but it would certainly have the benefit of all the comforts of home.
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What a wonderful setting for a novel!
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I hadn’t thought past a flash but I guess it could make for a good adventure yarn.
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Smiling at your last line. Very clever! 🙂
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Thanks Lorna. Glad to give you a smile. 🙂
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Interesting dystopian feel to this story Irene.
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Yes it certainly has the potential to be.
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This is how Texas feels sometimes..oh sorry..American humor,
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LOL
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Ohhh! My twisted mind goes another way: they cut the chains, and the dragon rises, shaking off the soil and moss that has gathered on his back in his centuries-long imprisonment. 🙂
Great story!
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Thanks. I think I like your conclusion to it better. Glad it got your creativity flowing. 🙂
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Inspired by Hugh Lofting?
Good piece.
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No it wasn’t. I’m ashamed I had to look up Hugh Lofting and of course I have heard of Doctor Doolittle, seen shorts for the movie and have some very vague memory of some black and white illustrations in a book and that is the extent of what I know. I’m glad that my brain could come up with something that a famous author concocted. Could of course be subliminal.
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I read the books fifty years ago, though I only remember the floating island thing from the Rex Harrison/Anthony Newly film.
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Yes I didn’t see the film and I must have read a book probably around the same number of years ago so I am glad I am not the only one with a failing memory of Dr Doolittle books.
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Really a wnderful concept, and mysterious. I was very intrigued, but didn’t quite get the meaning at the end. The first line was also not completely nderstood – in saying that, the hought behind it was really very good, very original and interesting, and your writing style superb for a reader.
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Thank you so much Forest Tinker. The first line was to let the reader know that the island had been held in place by four such chains. They had cut through the other three and this was the last one holding the island in place. The dialogue let you know the three characters had different thoughts about whether they should cut the remaining chain.
The last line I worried about as we have a saying here ” a rolling stone gathers no moss” which may not be known world wide. It was alluding to this saying that one man felt that was possibly why they had chained the island initially. Hope that helps in your understanding but glad you enjoyed it anyway.
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Apologies for typos in comment. I saw ‘haiku’ on sidebar. Would be wonderful if you joined us at our daily haiku meme run by Dutch nurse Kristjaan. He’s got a competition currently running, ‘summertime’ max 3 entries for June 15th, with nice first place award. http://chevrefeuillescarpediem.blogspot.fi/
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Thanks Forest Tinker – I will certainly pay Kritjaan a visit. I am not very good at Haiku but I find at times that it is a really good way to express your thoughts.
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To gather moss! That made me smile!
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Glad it made you smile.
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oh, to be young again….
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Yes the young are invincible
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Irene, I really like the creative direction you took here. From these 100 words, a much longer story emerged, and I really enjoyed it!
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I’m really glad you enjoyed it Dawn. The 100 word flashes are great for honing writing skills and coming up with ideas in a flash (so to speak).
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The boys are a little more adventurous, willing to take a risk. Sometimes we do just out of the frying pan into the fire, but sometimes change brings something new and wonderful. As long as we remain bound, we’ll never know what those possibilities might be.
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You are definitely right there. Taking risks moves us forward although the occasional backward step sometimes results. 🙂
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