The odds of finding his daughter again were fading faster than the setting sun. Finally, she’d been spotted riding her a bike towards the marina. With his heart bursting through his chest, and his legs on the brink of collapse, Jim ran wishing he’d quit smoking 20 years ago. However, he was too late. All he found was her bike. Jess could be anywhere. Overwrought, he crashed to the pavement, banging his head. Jess popped out of nowhere, cradling her unconscious father in her arms. The risk of losing him far outweighed the argument she barely recalled.
…
97 words. PHOTO PROMPT © C.E.Ayr
Our family has had a few desperate search and rescue missions over the years, not only of humans, but also of dogs. The stress, acute fear and dreadful powers of the imagination take you in their grip and shake the bejesus out of you. You feel like your heart is out there somewhere hiding in the dark until its found. Then, the jubilation is incredible.
This has been another contribution to Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Every week, she posts a photo prompt and we write a response in 100 words or less and share and comment on each others’ efforts. It’s a great opportunity!
Best wishes,
Rowena
Beyond the Flow 
A happy accident
Wow, that got tense fast!
Fast paced, thrilling ride! Nicely done!
Interesting take. The urgency…
Thought of you today, the bottle brush is out! Never lasts for long.
Great take on the photo prompt, Rowena. I haven’t had this experience with a person, but have mislaid the odd pet now and again. Horrible until they’re found, isn’t it?
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
You capture so well the fear of an parent, especially in today’s uneasy times. Well done.
I hope he recovers and they both appreciate each other more from now on.
Love a happy ending.
A worrying start and a happy yet painful conclusion! Nice one.
Here’s mine!
The heartache when you lose a dog is terrifyingly real. So is the relief you experience when you return crestfallen but find the dog patiently waiting at the door. Lovely story, Rowena. Well done.
Phew. Now I’m hoping he’ll recover!
I think he’ll be right once he sees his daughter.
Thanks, Monika.
Thanks, Keith.
Me, too especially in real life where you can’t often craft how things pan out.
Yes, indeed.
Thanks very much, Linda. s a parent of two teenagers, I know this well. They’re pretty good but all families have their moments and I also remember situations with myself and my friends when I was a teen.
Before we had our kids, we had a wonderful border collie called, Zorro. He was our world and we took him everywhere with us. One night during a storm when we were out, he jumped the side gate and was gone for the weekend. I was distraught and going round the shops with his photo and we put signs on telegraph poles the works. On Monday, the people who’d found him took him to the vet to get his microchip read. His collar had fallen off. It turned out they’d put posters up with ended where ours began round the local beach. They had a cafe and this dog who needed to watch his weight was eating pasta and cheese all weekend…leftovers from work. I wasn’t surprised he’d ended up following his nose.
Bottlebrush is stunning. Is it red? Tannille, I thought you might be interested in checking this out. My aunt spoke on radio national about a German botanist who explored WA’a flora and fauna: https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/latenightlive/german-botanist-in-wa/12761494
Sorry, that comment seemed to send itself. Here’s another link: https://theconversation.com/friday-essay-the-forgotten-german-botanist-who-took-200-000-australian-plants-to-europe-143099?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=bylinefacebookbutton&fbclid=IwAR21arPaaMVj58fnsjGVIutLtA038lB0gC1N2GAZN1UqD6r-eph6hYUOLOE
I like drama, Paula. Well, perhaps not in real life. Quite happy with boring and dull in some ways.
Thanks, CE. With only 100 word, I haven’t got the space to be nice about it. That said, not all of them are that intense. However, while my kids are going well, there’s a lot going on with their friends, my friends and their kids and I also volunteer for an online parents’ forum.
One of our sons decided to run away when he was about 11. He was mad about something, I’m still not sure what. So I just prayed really hard that God would send BIG rain. We hadn’t had rain for some time. And He did! Silly kid came in the back door soaked and miserable. Thank You, Lord.
Oh my goodness! That was a tense read. It’s too bad it took his collapse to get her attention. but thank god it did.
We have a pink one out the back and and a red out the front. I prefer the red! They make a mess, especially when the birds get into them.
Listening to the podcast as I type.
Thanks R!
So pleased you listened to the podcast. I’m very proud of my aunt.
The red bottle brushes are my favourite too and they’re very popular around here with humans and rainbow lorikeets in particular. The birds not only make a lot of mess but also a lot of noise and love early morning parties.
You captured the tension very well. Our dog once climbed into the tradie’s van and was driven away at the end of the day. The kids went around putting up posters. Fortunately nothing happened as he was discovered next morning still in the van.
The birds! So beautiful but they make a mess… and the noise. Quiet around here this year. I think it’s great there are people who take an interest in the narrow aspects of history.
OMG! How stressful and a little comical in hindsight. I wrote a short story about a dog who ended up in the back of a removalist van and ended up in Queensland 1000kms away from home. It was just like your story.
ooooo – well done Rowena. Didn’t see this coming and what an image. . .!
Thanks.