Vale of Tears

Today we arrive at the letter V in the A-to-Z Blogging Challenge. For those stopping by for the first time, I’ve been writing 100-word flash fiction every day (bar Sunday) this month, using commenters’ prompt ideas from the previous day to write each story. You guys have been awesome with your suggestions. For today’s tale, I decided to use one of lissa‘s. I hope you enjoy it…

VALE OF TEARS

No-one’s really alone. Everyone’s connected. Like knots in a net. Sam the blacksmith, son of Julius the innkeeper, close friends with Peter the shoemaker and his wife Clara who’s the aunt of Sally Fairweather who’s betrothed to the mayor of Tallington.

I could go on. But I can’t. Too hard.

I sprinkle straw over the bodies in the ditch and take one last look at Sam, Julius, Peter, Clara, Sally.

The hole in our net’s getting bigger.

I light the straw. The plague won’t allow a proper burial.

At least they’re in a better place, where all nets are mended.

Tomorrow’s letter is W. Please offer some W-letter prompts in the comments, and I’ll pick the one that stirs my imagination the most. Thanks!!

cds

Colin D. Smith, writer of blogs and fiction of various sizes.

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7 Responses

  1. Jane Burgess says:

    Ah that’s a heart tugger! Very emotive and a beautiful use of words especially at the end. One of your best I think.

    Suggestions for w
    Why?
    Widget
    Wallace the wicketkeeper
    War of the roses
    Whitewash

  2. Dena Pawling says:

    A sad one today. But nice.

    W for Water under the bridge. Welfare Wally. Would you be my Wife? Welcome home. War. Wizard of Winter. And WOW you’re almost done with all these flash stories!

    Dena
    https://denapawling.blogspot.com/

  3. debscarey says:

    Oh. My. A real change of pace there. Very moving and so simply expressed.

    Suggestions: wastrel, walkabout, wonderment

    A-Zing this year at:
    FictionCanBeFun
    Normally found at:
    DebsDespatches

    • cds says:

      Thanks, Debs. I think that’s one of my favorites of this year’s A-to-Z… so far, anyway. We’re not quite done. Good prompt suggestions.

  4. lissa says:

    this is maddeningly sad.

    have a lovely day.

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