Wednesday's Words on a Friday

The original Words for Wednesday was begun by Delores and eventually taken over by a moveable feast of participants when Delores had computer troubles. Sadly, Delores has now closed her blog forever due to other problems.

The aim of the words is to encourage us to write. A story, a poem, whatever comes to mind.

If you are posting an entry on your own blog, please let us know so we can come along to read it and add a few encouraging words.

This month the words/prompts are supplied by Hilary Melton-Butcher and can be found right here on this blog.

This week's words/prompts are:

1.baker  2.canoe  3.gable  4.training  5.rot

and/or:

1.lily-livered  2.provisions  3.barley  4.arrow  5.border

Here is my story:

Erin Baker sat by the gable window on the South side of the attic and watched through binoculars as Russell guided the two-seater canoe along the twisted creek towards the border.

 This was the sort of trip needed for survival, not to be undertaken by any lily-livered weakling, which Russell certainly was not, but he wasn’t exactly the hunter-fisher outdoor camping type either.

He had first driven then run that distance a few times now, mapping the twists and turns, noting the differences in look at sunrise and sunset, where a place to come ashore might be safest.

Just past the barley field the big oak tree seemed best and here he had stored provisions and a sleeping bag, all tightly packed and hoisted high into the tree to be safe from scavenging animals and damp rot should the creek rise at all.

 Boy scout training from his childhood helped him here. He hoped his meagre bow and arrow skills would help with finding food until the Sanctuary was reached.

The actual border was just before the tree, so his provisions were already in a safer place. Today’s trip was to leave a tent and extra provisions, Erin would be a passenger on the next trip. They needed to leave this poisonous country to give their unborn child a better life.


Comments

  1. What a gripping story indeed! You built up the tension so well. It’s a beautiful yet heartbreaking thought, running towards safety to give an unborn child a better life. Thank you for sharing your wonderful writing with us!

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    Replies
    1. Mary and Chris; thank you. Sometimes drastic measures need to be undertaken.

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  2. Sometimes you have to take a risk for a better life. Good use of the prompts.

    Have a lovely day.

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    Replies
    1. lissa; that's true, risks must be taken when lives are at stake. Thank you.

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  3. Gostei muito de tua história com uma mensagem bem boa! beijos,chuica

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  4. You have me hoping they make it and the sanctuary accepts them.

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    Replies
    1. messymimi; the sanctuary is already waiting for them after Russell made his first visit, they were the ones who advised on what provisions to carry along.

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  5. Good story, R. I enjoyed it but I always do enjoy your stories.

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    Replies
    1. Margaret D; thank you. I always enjoy your travel photos.

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  6. I love that you used, lily-livered. I haven't heard that phrase in forever and a day,

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    Replies
    1. The Happy Whisk; it's an English term, I believe Americans would say "yellow-bellied"

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    2. I've heard both, River, where I live. Though neither in a very, very long time.

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  7. Una història que té de tot.
    Arriscar-se val la pena per fugir d'un país i donar una millor vida per a ells i el seu nadó.
    Ben fet!

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    Replies
    1. Paula; sometimes great risk is necessary. Thank you.

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  8. This sounds like the beginning of a dystopian novel. I hope they succeed in their mission to escape.

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    Replies
    1. jabblog; they do succeed, but I don't know where to go from there. Yet.

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  9. I like this kind of story, along with post-apocalyptic tales. Reading old classics like "Earth Abides," and "On the Beach" is a trip, because of the outdated technology, and knowing what we have now.

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