This is my contribution to the weekly 100-word story group Friday Fictioneers. This week’s photo prompt comes courtesy of the group’s host Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. To find out how to get involved or to link to other contributions, click here
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© Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
Shattered
Kristina loved the abandoned railway station’s peeling paint and ornate metalwork. She traced her finger along a star-shape in the balcony mesh … and froze. A man was standing in the foyer below.
Four balaclava-clad men crashed in, spread a tarpaulin on the floor and threw the man down.
Within minutes they were gone but their gunshots had shattered Kristina’s only sanctuary. She eventually found the courage to leave by a back window.
The evening news showed an American diplomat missing from Germany. It was a face Kristina would never forget, but she was puzzled. What was he doing in this provincial Ukranian city?
Aw,.. This is scary… Thank heavens that they didnt see her or hurt her too..
Sad that she has to live with this…
Nice!
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Thanks for reading 🙂
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Good one Siobhan, I would think many Ukraine cities might be dangerous places right now.
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Thank you, it looks like it’s going to get worse before it gets better over there
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Sadly that’s what I think too. Have a good day/evening.
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Dear Siobhán,
No doubt this scene will stick with her. Chilling in its possibility.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle.
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chilling! this reminds me so much of the mystery and suspense novels that i used to read. i feel like soon, the men are gonna be chasing her too!
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Her life will never be the same again, that’s for sure.
Thanks for reading 🙂
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Well done story with political overtones which make it current and realistic. Very good thing she remained quiet and hidden.
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Thanks patiriciaruthsusan
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Siobhan, this is a well-rendered bit of political intrigue. I have a feeling it will be some time before Kristina feels safe there again.
janet
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Thank you Janet 🙂
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Mystery, intrigue and suspense- as well as marginal relief that she didn’t get hurt… wonder what she’ll do next though!
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I fear her story is not yet over …
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Siobhan,
you have the makings of a spy thriller here and with Ukraine, you could tie it to recent events. I like that you put the main character outside the main action and put it in the context of her private sanctuary. Nice job.
-David
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Thank you David. I think this story will grow 🙂
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Oh my!That must have been terribly scary and must have scarred her for life-poor girl!Nothing and no pne is safe in today’s violent world-so sad!Great take on the prompt Siobhan 🙂
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Thank you – not something she will get over in a hurry 🙂
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So true!
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Ah the intrigue! Nicely done.
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Thank you 🙂
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Great take on the prompt, Siobhan. I can imagine a whole story based on what you’ve given here.
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Thank you, I think there will be more to come on this 🙂
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Yes. Please tell us a story. 🙂
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Loved it! The old elevator-looking photo prompt lends itself well to a mystery of some sort. Definitely give us more!
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Thank you 🙂
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Definitely scary thing to witness. Good story.
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Thank you 🙂
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Now, this is a mystery, indeed!
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Thank you Lisa
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This reads like the beginning of a longer story – an industrial espionage one maybe?
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Thanks Liz
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Intrigue ! Plot twist, international implications. Nice.
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Thank you
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Interesting vignette here, Siobhan. It’s a universal theme that could have taken place in some many different locations. Nicely woven.
Cheers!
Marie Gail
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Thank you 🙂
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Wow! You really had me standing there watching the whole thing. You really did well with only 100 words! 🙂
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Thank you, editing was a challenge this week but I got it down to 100 words 🙂
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that’s indeed scary. Brilliantly penned.
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Thank you 🙂
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Nicely topical – and I felt like I was there. Well done.
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Thank you Sandra
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Good story and now she could have a target on her. She is a witness to the murder. Great writing! Nan
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Her story is certainly not over, Nan. I’ll have to give this character some further consideration. Thanks for reading 🙂
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I could feel how traumatised Kristina was by what she witnessed. Good one, Siobhan.
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Thank you Karen
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Ooh, so interesting. You leave me wanting to know more. This sounds like the beginning of a great suspense novel.
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Thank you EagleAye, I think I’ll be developing this a bit more
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Such creative use of the prompt, Siobhan! International intrigue, and the shattering of this girl’s refuge… The imagery really grabs me! Very well written.
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Thank you 🙂
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that feels like so much more than 100 words and yet there’s so much left to this story! A fascinating start…
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Thank you 🙂
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Has the feel of the movie “The Third Man.” Is that what you were going for?
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Yes, I was thinking espionage with the diplomatic role as cover. I enjoy a good spy thriller now and then…
Thanks for reading 🙂
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Shattered peace. Oy!
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Thanks for stopping by 🙂
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Great Story with just few words – you really should go on with this. ´Very thrilling!
Liebe Grüße
Carmen
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Thank you 🙂
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I think in today’s word no-one is safe.. this could be the start of a thriller.
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Thank you, wrong place wrong time can be life-chaning
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Very realistic! You should continue with this story 🙂
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Thank you, I feel very encouraged from everyone’s comments to take this story further 🙂
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Hmm, very mysterious. Well done.
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Thank you 🙂
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There are moments one can’t forget. And you have penned this one superbly.
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Thank you 🙂
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nice. i see the seeds of a complete novel.
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Thank you, I think there will be more to come on this 🙂
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Ah, clever. I have my own thoughts on what he was doing there…
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Thank you freya 🙂
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What was he doing in the Ukraine? Good story. Lucy
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Thanks Lucy 🙂
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A bit of political intrigue and spying! I wonder if she’ll just go back to her life, or if she’s going to get dragged in?
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Her life will never be the same again!
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Maybe she herself is a spy in the making 🙂 Great work Siobhan.
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That’s worth thinking about. Thank you 🙂
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Great job — it’s like a behind the scenes of a John Le Carre spy thriller!
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Thank you. I do enjoy a bit of John Le Carre from time to time 🙂
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Great topical stuff. A bit close to the bone? Hope it’s fiction.
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I hope so too Patrick!
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A lot of action in so few words. Leaves me wondering who she was and what she was doing there, too!
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Thanks Erin 🙂
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I like the way you have incorporated current events into this chilling tale.
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Thanks Dawn 🙂
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Oh, I’m glad she didn’t get caught in the crossfire. That would be a horrible thing to witness and especially since it happened in her sanctuary. Really effective and current piece. Well done thriller!
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Thanks Amy 🙂
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what a tough situation she faced and thankfully she went undetected. definitely a thriller story in the making. i enjoyed your story.
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Thank you Sun 🙂
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your title is extremely appropriate. That would be a shattering experience…especially for a child.
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Thank you Bryan 🙂
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sounds like the opening scene from a spy thriller.
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It might just turn out to be …
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