Inside the Mind of Isadora

Friday Fictioneers – Ready or Not

37 Comments

 8 – 9 – 10

“Ready or not, here I come,” she shouted.

Rosie hated this game. She knew if she didn’t play along they’d ignore her.

Her eyes roamed the central plaza, but they were no where to be seen.

The pretzel vender grinned as she passed in her search. Rosie was sure he knew.

She was struck by the hands covering the eyes of the huge sculpture looming above her. ‘A bit like this game,’ she thought.

Swiftly, hands pulled at her scrawny arms. Before she could turn, her eyes were covered. She wailed.

Then, the sound of screeching tires.

2019©Isadora DeLaVega

 

Genre: Flash Fiction

Word Count: 100 Words

Photo Prompt-©Roger Bultot

To join Rochelle and her Friday Fictioneers challenge

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To read more photo prompt stories click here

~~~~~~~~~

*****Hide-and-seek, or hide-and-go-seek, is a popular children’s game in which any number of players (ideally at least three)[1] conceal themselves in a set environment, to be found by one or more seekers.

The game is played by one player chosen (designated as being “it”) closing their eyes and counting to a predetermined number while the other players hide. For example, count to 100 in units of 5 or count to 20, one two three and keep counting up till it reaches twenty. After reaching this number, the player who is “it” calls “Ready or not, here I come!” and then attempts to locate all concealed players.

Author: Inside the Mind of Isadora

Intriguing, sensitive, mysterious, loving, artistic and crackling with excitement for life is a pretty good description of who I am. I just retired from the world of art where I sold my Artfully Designed Handmade Jewelry for 28 years; although, art will always be a part of who I am no matter what venue I choose to express it in.

37 thoughts on “Friday Fictioneers – Ready or Not

  1. Oh good grief there’s no happy ending this time.

    Liked by 2 people

  2. Yipes! Nowhere is safe these days, especially for children 😦

    Liked by 2 people

  3. An ending I did not see coming. Gave me the shivers! Hopefully, the pretzel man saw something. Well-written!

    Like

  4. An effective beginning of another horror story that could have come from the recent news, Isadora. The worst thing was the vendor was there when it happened and we don’t know if he’ll report it or be a good witness. No one seems to want to “get involved”. They’re afraid. Well-written. —- Suzanne

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yes, Suzanne. People are always hesitant to get involved when they see something.
      I’m not sure how I would continue with the story but your thoughts on the vendor seem like a good addition. Thanks for the complimentary comment and for stopping by to read my story.
      Isadora 😎

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Poor Rosie! Giving in to peer pressure to fit in and ends up being kidnapped. At first, I thought the person grabbing her was part of the game, and wondered what kind of twisted game it was. That made me think of the film Game Night (2018), in which a murder mystery turns into a real life mystery.
    Bien escrito, Isadora.
    Mags

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yes, kids sometimes follow others just to fit in or because they want to have friends. I can see your thinking her being grabbed was part of the game. Sadly, it wasn’t. : (
      I’ll have to watch this film. I’m curious about it. Hubby and I love movie watching.
      Thanks for commenting, Mags. Glad you thought it was well-written.
      Isadora 😎

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Rosie was kidnapped! Again the pretzel vendor must have seen it happen.

    Like

  7. A harmless game becomes a horrid crime, and she didn’t want to play in the first place. A gentle lead up to a tension filled ending – keeps you awake.

    Liked by 2 people

  8. Well, I think she’s a master, or mistress…of Flash Fiction. Wanted to wish you a very happy birthday from one cancerian writer to another. I hope you have a wonderful day and flourish in your spanking new year. FOR SHES A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW THAT NOBODY CAN DENY. 🙂

    Like

  9. what a twist. an ending i didn’t expect. well-crafted. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Querida Isadora,

    Pobre chica, hay no lugar jugar. A simple game she didn’t even want to play turned to a horrific nightmare. Well written and cringe-worthy.

    Shalom y abrazos,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    • Querida Rochelle,
      It’s a sad testament to the times we live in.
      I can still recall leaving my infant daughter in her carriage while I went inside to do laundry before I had a washing machine. Now, I’d be called neglectful or maybe come out to an empty carriage. YIKES … frightening thought. Es muy triste …
      Carino y Adios,
      Isadora 😎

      Liked by 1 person

  11. That turned from gentle humour to horror in one quick, skillful phrase. Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

  12. It was a fun game up until the grabbing and the squeal of tires!

    Awful, just awful. Great writing, though 😉

    Liked by 2 people

  13. Now I hate this game too !!

    Liked by 2 people

  14. Oh my goodness! That was a deadly game. Poor Rosie. 😦

    Liked by 2 people

  15. A dramatic end to the game, and not a very happy one!

    Liked by 2 people

  16. A frightening fate for Rosie. Sad endng to the game

    Liked by 1 person

    • Although the story is fiction, there’ve been many stories recently about children and adult abdcutions. It’s sad when children can’t play outside because it’s unsafe. Thanks, Drew, for stopping by and commenting. Have a wonderful weekend … Isadora 😎

      Like

  17. That game turned sinister

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Oh! Such a scary thought. I hope the pretzel vendor had nothing to do with it and has an idea about who took this little girl. Great take on the prompt, Izzy

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thanks, Lish. I’ve been hearing so much about child and adult abductions that it popped in my hear when I saw the photo. It’s a fiction story but very timely for today. Children are limited to playing indoors because of creeps lurking out there. AND … yes, it happen in the suburbs too. Sad world we live in. Thanks for the kind words on my story. Have a fun weekend … Izzy 😎

      Like

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