Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – “Direct”

~ John W. Howell

Today I randomly opened Eternal Road – The Final Stop to page 143 and, with my eyes closed, pointed to the page. “Direct ” is the word closest to my finger. That is our prompt today.

Direct by John W. Howell © 2026

“Okay, you men, listen up.”

“Yes, sir.”

“This next mission is going to be a tough one. I’ll need every one of you to do your best. Any questions?”

“Sir?”

“Yes, Jones.”

“You indicated that the plan is an all-out direct assault.”

“That’s right.”

“That’s going to be costly in terms of casualties.”

“We all signed up for that, Jones.”

“I know, sir, but I have an idea.”

“Oh, do tell.”

“Instead of a direct assault, we break up into groups and hit the target from several angles.”

“Hmm. Tell me more.”

“Well, in that way we neutralize the threat and at least save some of the troops for a later engagement should it be needed.”

“Are you sure separate attacks will neutralize the threat?”

“I have seen these kinds of attacks before. The enemy comes in with bravado and even killer gas. After a couple of hits, they pull back immediately. Deep down, they are very soft.”

“I must say you have seen more action than I have. Okay, let’s go with your plan. Okay, everyone, you heard it. We are going to attack the enemy in groups. Simpson, you and your troops are group one. Jones, you are group two. Kawolski, group three. Here are the targets. Any other questions?”

“Sir.”

“Yes, Kawolski.”

“What if this dope doesn’t retreat?”

“Just have your troops keep biting. Remember, you are fire ants, and those tall ones can’t stand for long. Besides, your target is the ankle, and that is the tender zone.”

 

 

48 thoughts on “Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – “Direct””

  2. This was such a fantastic twist, John! You had me entirely convinced this was a gritty tactical briefing right up until the mention of biting ankles! The line about ‘those tall ones’ and targeting the tender zone had me laughing out loud. I completely agreed with mihrankalaydjianblog—that transition from military bravado to fire ant strategy was brilliantly written and perfectly delivered. Another awesome Finger Point Prompt!

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  8. It isn’t an army of fire ants, but there’s at least one group of something that hangs out in our front flower bed which has an appetite for my legs. Been an on-and-off thing for a few years now. I don’t care for wearing long pants in the summer, but me thinks the time has come. From this post, I now envision them laughing each time I wander in there with shorts on.

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  19. I was thinking mosquitos up until the end! Fire ants! The first time I was ever bit by a fire ant, it was in Florida (naturally) and my hand swelled up. But other ants bite as well … as I know too well. Last time was just a couple of months ago when I stepped my sandaled foot onto an ant pile (hidden, of course, by foliage). You can imagine my horror when I started feeling the bits and pulled out my foot to see ants swarming all over it 🙀 Eventually, I counted 15 bites on the one foot. Rubbing alcohol “cooled” everything down but it took a couple of weeks for the pustules to finally dry up. Life in Florida 😂

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