In Keith’s words, “Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; and either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithkreates@channing.fr before 6pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here – pingbacks don’t often work.
Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries, with links to your own blog or web site, next Monday.”
The Photo.
Prisoners by John W. Howell © 2017
“Hey, you screws let us outta here.”
“Yeah, we want to talk to our lawyer.”
“YOU TWO SHUT UP AND BACK AWAY FROM THAT GATE OR YOU”LL FIND YOUR BUTT ON A CHAIN.”
“Boy, he sure is a grump huh?”
“You have to wonder if he likes his job.”
“What’s to like. Walking around with that billy club is no life as I see it.”
“Think of having to watch the likes of us all day. Makes you almost feel sorry for him.”
“Sorry? Never. If I could get my paws on him, I’d show him a thing or two.”
“So what are we going to do?”
“Not sure right now. I would like to be able to talk to someone, but frankly, I don’t have anyone.”
“Wow. Me too. I used to have the nicest home.”
“Tell me.”
“We were happy, and then all of a sudden things changed.”
“What happened?”
“I heard them talking about moving and then the next thing I knew I was on the side of a country road. I thought we were going for a ride and they kicked me out.”
“Country road?”
“Yup. Then this wagon pulled up and caught me in a snare and put me with a bunch of homeless like me.”
“Did they charge you?”
“I don’t think so. If they did, I don’t remember. Those guys were pretty rough.”
“So how did you find yourself at Camp Fed.”
“Camp Fed?”
“Yeah, that’s what we call this place. It is minimum security.”
“I was in the general population when someone came in and said, “That one.”
“Ah, the same thing happened to me.”
“What did we do wrong?”
“I don’t think that’s the right question.”
“What is the right question?”
“What happens next is the next question.”
OKAY, YOU TWO. THERE’S A COUPLE FROM A FARM THAT WANT TO TAKE YOUR SORRY ASSES HOME. NOW BACK AWAY FROM THE GATE AND BEHAVE YOURSELF.
“OMG. I think this means we will be released.”
“Together. Did you hear the guy say ‘your sorry asses?”‘
“Oh man, this is great.”
“Just one thing.”
“Yeah what?”
“What makes us think these won’t put us out on a country road?”
“Cause I heard their name’s, Channing. That’s why. Come on let’s go.
Fiction Favorites 
Nice, John. Thanks.
Trevor, you know. Say hello to Gypsy, our daughter’s Am Staff.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope they liked the role of prisoners. Nice to meet you Gypsy. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahhh, I love this story. Growing up on a farm, folks would drive by and leave their dogs. I guess they figured that a home with a lot of kids meant a home with lots of hands to pet their abandoned dog. They were right…♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
I still can’t understand how someone could abandon a being that loves them. Maybe it’s just me. Thanks, Gwen.
LikeLike
Great story, John! “Country Roads,” one of my favorite songs. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I lived on a farm when the song was popular and used to travel a lot. The song always brought a tear when I was sitting somewhere in NYC. “Miss the taste of moonshine, teardrops in my eyes.” Thanks, Jill
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s an emotional song for me as well, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great story. Just noticed the cat peeking out near the top of the photo.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha ha. I missed it. Thanks, Charles.
LikeLike
Wonder how the cat got a billy club.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Was on sale at Home depot.
LikeLike
They have everything there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know right?
LikeLike
A lovely, creative take on this photo. John. So happy that the Channings gave those two a happy ending!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, I made that part up but I think it could be true. They love animals. This was a little tribute to them.
LikeLike
That’s sweet of you, good sir!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
This is a great photo to write from. Your story is terrific though, I know I’d never top it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, GP. I happen to think you could but that’s me. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Living to bark a few more days. Nice!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yup. Thanks, Audrey
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll never understand how someone can just abandon an animal like that, but they do. Nice happy ending.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mystery to me as well, Craig. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Hey, you screws let us outta here.”
What a great opening line.
I’m with you, I can’t understand abandoning a pet. I had to give one up before, but I made sure she had a good home.
LikeLike
That is the responsible thing to do. Pets will get over an owner as long as they have someone else to love. Being abandoned is the worst for them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
All of our cats had been abandoned. One in a river, one to a pet store and the two girls we currently share our house with were left at the side of the road near a farm.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It kills me to think of people abandoning their furry family members. I know sometimes money is tight, but there are better solutions. Great story, spotlighting this tragic situation. So glad these guys got a happily-ever-after.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, me too. I couldn’t stand a difference outcome.
LikeLike
I was depressed at first, but glad it turned into a HEA.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That be Happy Ending After all?
LikeLike
Happily Ever After – close enough.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Of course.
LikeLike
❤ it! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jan
LikeLike
I knew the minute I saw the picture you’d have some fun with this one, considering your own love and compassion for animals. Great post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jan. 🙂
LikeLike
Aw, so glad this one turns out okay in the end! I’m a sucker for animals, as I think you are, so I hoped these two would see release. What kind of “animal” leaves a pet beside a strange road and expects it to fend for itself???
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t know who can do that. I’m with you Debbie.
LikeLike
Love it! I’m such a sap when it comes to animals and homeless critters. I was worried about these guys at the beginning, but you delivered an ending to leave me with a beaming smile. Well done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Mae. I just couldn’t do otherwise.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love it, John. Great interpretation of a simple picture.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Julian
LikeLike
🙂 I love that your story had a happy ending.
That image is too cute!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Deborah. Had to be.
LikeLike