The Window

Story Prompt: copyright Rowena Curtain

The Window

The cabin was small, but the window faced the beach. He spent hours standing there, just looking out.

The wind probably felt cool and smelled briny. Maybe I’ll take a walk. For the 5725th day in a row, he decided not to. Maybe tomorrow.

The light flickered. The projection screen died. In poured utter darkness and the mind-shattering knowledge that he was serving a life sentence under a mile of rock.

His mind rebelled. No, it’s just night. He relaxed. A dark night by the ocean. If he listened hard, he could almost hear the waves lapping at the sand.

12 Comments Add yours

  1. This whole thing, including Rowena’s photo, your graphic and the man standing looking out like an Edward Hopper painting. He’s a huge favorite of mine, so thanks for that. The Metropolitan Museum has several so I may tool on over to visit. One never knows where inspiration will come from. 🙂

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  2. PS Love the first line…The cabin was small, but the window faced the beach.

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  3. Neil MacDonald's avatar neilmacdon says:

    I liked the initial subtle hint of the “probably”

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  4. Margaret's avatar Margaret says:

    Very good, and very mysterious. I like how you’ve blurred the situation – ‘probably smelt’, ‘almost hear’. I’m intrigued and want to know more..

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  5. elmowrites's avatar elmowrites says:

    Ah, the ability of the mind to escape even the worst of prisons. Makes me wonder why he’s under there – and if anyone’s left up top, feeling that breeze.
    Excellently done, I really enjoyed this one.

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  6. granonine's avatar granonine says:

    What an atmosphere you have created! One has to read it twice to put all the little hints together. Extremely well written.

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  7. Dale's avatar Dale says:

    The mind is a powerful thing and can help anyone endure many things! Loved this, David!

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  8. Dear David,

    Once more your quirky mind took us on an unexpected journey. What a horrid torture for him. Well done. Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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  9. Wow! What an incredibly clever take on this pic!

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  10. There is always a bright side.

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  11. Dahlia's avatar Dahlia says:

    So many layers to this! Lovely

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  12. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

    Excellent storytelling, David. You made a believer out of me, and I started to feel what that guy was feeling. I think it would be the same on space trip over time.

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