The alley was so dark. No lights showing anywhere and along both sides were dark shadows; unknown lumps perhaps of boxes, perhaps of people waiting to hurt her. But she had to go down that street to gain access to her building. There was no other way; no other choice.
Behind her she could hear the loud mouthed youths taunting her. Telling her in crude words what they would do to her when they caught her.
So she ran. This encouraged the youths. They too ran, laughing and jeering. She was out of breath and crying and one of her shoes came off as she ran. But she knew she had to go down that alley to reach her building and the safety of her family.
Suddenly coming towards her she saw the light of a torch. Her Father, being worried at the lateness of the hour, had come looking for her. Never had she been so pleased to see him. She ran to him crying and laughing at the same time. He gently held her and they turned towards home. At that moment she vowed that never again would she remonstrate with him about waiting up for her and scolding her for being late home.
And the youths? As with all bullies they disappeared as soon as they saw an adult coming to rescue his daughter.
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Note – I have so enjoyed Janna T’s entries in the Trifecta challenge that I thought I would try my hand at it. This is my first attempt.
This week’s challenge is to write an entry between 33 and 333 words using the word alley defined as – ALLEY (noun): a narrow street; especially : a thoroughfare through the middle of a block giving access to the rear of lots or buildings.
The complete guidelines for the challenge can be found by clicking here .
Related articles
- Trifextra: Lost, Again (mairzeebp.wordpress.com)
I’m glad you decided to give the Trifecta challenge a try! I like the tension in your story and the relief when she found her dad. (You’re nicer to your character than I am to mine :))
I guess a parent’s worry really can be good for you. My parents still ask me to call when I’m traveling to let them know I got there okay. I’m used to it, though.
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Thanks Janna. But i can’t wait for the next episode of your story. And who knows I may expand on mine in the coming weeks.
A question please – how do I get the button on my post. You have it on yours but I have been unsuccessful in my attempts.
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I just noticed that I omitted to give the link to your story. I have now done so. Apologies. 🙂
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No worries about the link…
I can send you an email with instructions on how to add the button, so I don’t clutter up your comments section 🙂
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Thank you Janna.
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Well done and a lovely father’s day tribute.
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OKG and I didn’t realise it was Father’s Day in the US.
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Fingers on wrong keys once again. OKG? Should have been OMG.
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This is a great short story and timely for father’s day!
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Thanks Darlene. As I said to Katherine I hadn’t realised it was Father’s Day in the US. We celebrate it in September here in NZ.
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Nice story and I like your new look!
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Thanks Thomas.
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That was pretty scary at the beginning! Well done.
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Thanks Jackie. 🙂
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Nice first Trifecta! I grew up in the suburbs but I still remember moments when I felt like that walking home with bullies. There’s nothing like the relief of a parent showing up at a time like that.
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Thanks for dropping bu Annabelle. I remember such a time when I was so very pleased to see my Father. 🙂
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well done! I bet you had fun writing it too, it shows.
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Thanks Joss. Yes, I did enjoy writing it and having to stick to no more than 333 words was a challenge. 🙂
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scary tale but well told …
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Bravo, Judith. I hope you will do this again!
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Thank you friend for the comment and the encouragement.
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Welcome to Trifecta! I enjoyed your story of father-to-the-rescue!
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Thanks for the encouragement Sandra. I am going over to yur blog to see what you are up to.
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This is a great little episode full of tension and anxiety. I’m so glad it was fiction and that her dad turned up. Made me nervous so that says something about the quality
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Thanks for the comment Peter. I really appreciate it.
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Isn’t the first time nerve wracking??? 🙂 That was my experience anyway.
I thought this was great. I could really feel the anxiety mounting inside of her.
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Thanks Jen for dropping by. Yes it was a trifle scary to put myself out there with all you great writers, but I told myself everyone had to start somewhere. 🙂
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Nicely done! I was just poking around a bunch of dark alleys with my daughter yesterday so she could get some photographs. You do a great job conveying the fear…fear of the alley, fear of the bullies. And that light! So nicely done.
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Thanks Kelly. Nice to meet you. I am just going over to your blog to see what you are about. 🙂
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Thanks for linking up with Trifecta, and welcome to the challenge. I enjoyed traveling from fear to sweet safety through your words. Great job with the prompt. I hope you’ll come back on Friday for the weekend challenge.
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Thanks for the comment. I shall certainly be back for the next challenge. 🙂
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Yay for Daddy!!!! I hate those stupid boys – what’s wrong with them!?! You wrote this well 🙂
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Thank you Libby for your comment. There are stupid boys in every generation up until now and no doubt will continue into the next generations.
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I LOVED it!! I was so worried for her, and I was so glad to see her father. At first, I feared it would be another dangerous force with the flashlight (though evil rarely carries a light.) All I wanted was for her to be OK, and I was very afraid of what those youths would do to her.
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Thank you fokr that comment. I have been heartened by the encouragement and shall try again this week. Now going over to read your story. 🙂
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Nicely done, Judith!
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Thanks Patti – I enjoyed writing it.
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