The room was dark and drab, the flowers looking more funeral than cheerful.
The sunset over the river, though, was different. Seen through the window the bright reds and oranges did speak of endings, but the colors were also filled with life and hope for the future.
“Red at night,” Dave muttered.
It only took a second. Dave knew it would be over by the time he turned from the window. Nobody would know, nor blame him if they did.
For the moment, though, he watched the last dying ember of daylight, ignoring the dimming light on the hospital bed.
***
word count = 100
Friday Fictioneers is hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. This week’s prompt is here and uses a photo by @ Roger Bultot. If you want to join or see other stories, go to the inlinkz linkup.
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Good description for that room. I can see why your thoughts went dark with the story.
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Thanks, Lisa. Something about those flowers silhouetted like that…
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You’re welcome, and exactly! Also, by that level of darkness, turn on the danged lights already ;)
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lol, yep
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Beautiful and poignant, Trent.
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Thanks, Dale.
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A story very well told <3
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Thanks :)
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A beautiful sentiment in describing the sunset as an ending yet with hope. It sets the stage for the entire story. A difficult tale, very well told, Trent.
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Thanks, Brenda. An experiment in trying to tell an in your face idea in a subtle way.
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This is so beautiful, I thought, looking at the glorious photo and the title which accompanied it. ‘Last embers’ – what a gorgeous way to describe a sunset. Then I clicked, and read, and then re-read, and then blinked and read it again. Brilliantly done, but this one felt painful! You’re pretty much a master of the twist, aren’t you. You had us till the last line!
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I have a hard time make 100 word stories count without some type of twist. And with this one, trying to get the idea across without saying it… Thanks!
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You did a wonderful job, was a pleasure to read. I wanted to tell you that I thought of this story a few times this week. It’s funny how some things impact us more than others. This one made an impact.
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Thanks! It is funny how we think more about stories/movies/etc. tan others – glad this was one that stuck with you
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:D
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That’s very sad and touching Trent beautifully written 💜
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Thanks, Willow.
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A touching tale indeed, Trent.
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Thanks, Keith
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A bittersweet story, Trent. Well told with room for reader’s interpretation. :-)
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Thanks, Bill.
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It’s very dark and very good. The implication is subtle but clear.
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Thanks.
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It may seem dark for some, but somehow I see a flicker of hope amidst the despair. :)
Hello my friend, how be you? Long time!
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Hi Natasha! It has been a long time. There are different ways to look at it, and like the sunset, some see hope in the ending :)
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Most don’t see the darkest moments of our character.
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No, we usually don’t go there, or at least I usually don’t… Not sure why this prompt lead me in that direction.
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🤷♀️ I find it accurate, though. Death isn’t quite the romantic scene we show in films.
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I have seen a couple of good depictions on film, but it is very rare, and not in blockbuster movies at all.
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Knife. To. The. Gut. 😭
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Yeah, I went a bit darker than usual on this one….
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Sad stuff but expertly poignant. Nicely done
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Thanks. Not sure why I went dark today
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An unexpected use of the prompt, full of pathos
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Not sure why I went dark today, but that’s where the prompt went for me today… Thanks.
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This is very good, Trent
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Thanks, Robbie.
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Expertly done Trent, a touching snippet.
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Thanks, Iain.
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You could write a much bigger story around this idea. Was it his wife? Child? Parent? Why does he consider if blame will be laid? Questions that need answers :)
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I know, a lot of unanswered questions. One thing I tried to imply, but maybe missed in the few words, is that the person in the hospital bed was either in super great pain or brain dead or something similar and the MC, Dave, euthanized this person, perhaps putting something in the IV, and was waiting for the end, unable to watch as the consequence of his actions took place.
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That’s exactly what I suspected.
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Excellent story! I loved this one, Trent.
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Thanks, Colleen
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You’re so welcome. :D
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Dear Trent,
This is a sad one. Well done. But so sad.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Not sure why I went so dark today, but that is were that pesky muse took me. Yes, very sad.
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