The cabin door blew open sending a stack of papers flying along with a flurry of wet snowflakes. Jacob stood in snowshoes. “We need you now!”
“I’ll be right out.”
Phillip buttoned his gray wool overcoat, pulled on a red knit cap and calfskin mittens. He stooped and laced his leather ski boots. Then he snatched a jar, slipped it into his backpack and stepped out into the blizzard.
Strapping on his wooden skis, he gripped his poles, pushed off and slid past Jacob down the narrow mountain path. Nature had unleashed its fury and soon his cheeks felt raw from the icy cold. He sped through the forest and then descended onto the Sally Barber Mine trail, arriving at the quaint homestead.
He took off his skis, knocked and then entered.
“Dr. Collins, Thank you for coming. Lilly’s fever hasn’t broken.”
“Don’t worry Mrs. Driscoll, I brought the leeches.”
~~~
What do you think of using leeches for weight loss or therapy?
Would you ever use them?
~~
Photo from the US Forest Service – Click on it for link
For more flash fiction, check out Madison Wood’s blog
This is truly great. I confess I’ve never tried Flash Fiction, but this inspires me to give it a shot. The leeches WERE a nice touch.
Thanks Brock! Jump right in and have some fun. They are really fun to write!
LEECHES!!! I agree with what other people have said. Just wanted to let you know I was here and enjoyed it
(despite being ridiculously late).
Thanks for stopping by!
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I love it my friend
Thank you!
I’m one of those that finds leeches wonderfully disgusting and horrifying, but would I use them in a medical emergency? Yes, in a heartbeat. I gather they’ve regained a huge following in the medical field since doctors rediscovered that they have such great uses in therapeutic settings without all of the expense and side effects of dangerous and unpredictable medications and invasive surgeries. Still, having grown up in banana slug country, I find them repellent in a major way, so I’d have to be in serious need.
I know. The slime alone. Hahaha!
Thanks for reading!
Thanks Jan. I had to come up with a twist. Imagine my surprise when I found out that some doctors still use them.
Leeches! I didn’t expect that at all! The entire scene was making me think of Anne of Green Gables until the very last line. What a twist!
The links to my drabbles are: http://quillshiv.wordpress.com/2012/02/03/within-the-inglenook/
http://quillshiv.wordpress.com/2012/02/05/ellipsis/
Dang … I recall commenting here and I don’t see it … oh well, but be having technical issues. … and I do recall being surprised at the ending.
Leeches are actually used by old folks in some places in our country to cure some ailments. But, I wonder, what would happen to leeches if they sucked a person’s blood with HIV. Hmmmm…
Never thought of that. My guess is that they retire them afterward, but who knows….scary thought!
Thanks for stopping by and following Lensmaster!
Attitude is the attitude of human panic, everyone would have to panic when faced with an atmosphere that suddenly and unpleasant. It’s just as humans how we can treat the panic into a force to deal with the situation, so that we can survive in a world of storm waves.
Leeches make me think of the Middle Ages. I picture a barber bleeding someone with the hope it will make a distinct improvement in their health.
Great imagination. Thanks for sharing. Glad I found your blog!
I am so glad you found it too!
Thanks!
I didn’t realize how surely you were bringing me back in time until I reread. Lovely job with the details, Robin
I am glad you picked up the time frame. Then the leeches make sense!
Thanks Robin!
A great story Susie.
I loved the leeches twist at the end.
Thanks Mike. There is nothing like a slimy leech to get the skin crawling…… : )
Got me – the end – Leeches! Ace.
Thanks Ginger!
You never disappoint, Susie! Your descriptions are wonderful. I felt like I was there, strapping on my snowshoes preparing to go down that mountain. The jar really got me, and my mind raced in a million different directions imagining what it could be. Leeches were certainly the last thing I expected, but that’s what always makes your stories so effective. I never know what to expect!
GREAT work!
Thanks John!
I love writing these flash fictions. I am glad that you didn’t figure out the ending….
Writing fiction isn’t my thing, so well done … and thanks for the surprise ending.
Susie, I love your vivid imagery, and the smell of the winter cold. I was thinking of whiskey in the jar, not leeches though!
I am glad you couldn’t predict my twist. My flash fictions always have a surprise ending!
Thank you so much!
Felt the cold. And you had me wondering about that jar. Great job.
Here’s mine: http://wp.me/p1Tjpv-8P
Thanks Writingbothsides! I will check out your 100 word flash~
Ewwww. I love it! You totally grossed me out. Old school medicine right there. I didn’t see that coming.
I am so glad I gotcha! Hahaha!
What a great spin with the leeches. I didn’t see that coming, but the imagery made me dream up my upcoming trip to Utah. I don’t think I would ever use leeches, I feel as though history has proven blood letting is not the way to go.
I am so glad you enjoyed the spin!
Actually they are using leeches…can you imagine?????
Leeches are better than being cut and bled, like they did in the 1500′s.
Oh you are so right! How horrible medicine was back then….
Thanks M!
funny funny play on words with the title, had me cracking up. as for the leeches… ehh. i’m not totally grossed out at the concept of other people using them, but i’m not sure if i could go there? maybe?
i’m just thinking the whole scene “stand by me,” though. those leeches haunt me still!
I am glad you got the pun. I was going to title it, “Panic! At the ….” and then see if anyone would get the connection between Disco and Driscoll’s, but I thought too many would scratch their heads!
Definitely! oooooooh….
Thanks for reading!
I do like your little twists at the end. I’d love to know what inspires your ideas. Have a great weekend Susie!
The twists come from my twisted mind. Hahaha! I don’t even know where these flash fiction stories are going until I start writing them!
Have an awesome weekend too!
I immediately squirmed. Leeches? eeeww
Oh I know. I squirmed while I wrote this. Did you click on the links? They will really get a shiver going up your back!
I’m in two minds about this. On the one hand, Alien left quite an impression on me. On the other, if you’ve already got a huge open wound what harm can a leech, or even several leeches, do?
Oh, right – they can make it bigger.
Here’s my entry. Relax, no leeches here. Next time though…
http://jaykayel.wordpress.com/2012/02/03/circular-logic-100-word-flash-fiction/
I wonder what poor Traxin is up to this week?
Imagine being a doctor back in the day…or worse, a patient!
I will check out your 100 word story Jake!
Hi,
Great story, and I loved the throw in line about the leeches, well done.
Hey, they were in the jar, I had throw them in. They he threw them on….
Thanks!
Depends. Are the leeches going to buy me dinner afterword? Up votes for the Panic song!
It’s a good story, lots of urgency. Reminded me of the Iditarod.
Fun piece! The leeches were great at the end! Wasn’t expecting them.
Thanks Char!
When I write my Friday Flash Fictions, there is always a twist and I never know what it is until I write the last line. Hahaha!
Lots of great detail. Especially liked the following:
“Phillip buttoned his gray wool overcoat, pulled on a red knit cap and calfskin mittens. He stooped and laced his leather ski boots. Then he snatched a jar, slipped it into his backpack and stepped out into the blizzard.”
If ever a 150-word piece begs to become something longer, this sure screams it. Is that your intent? If not, can I persuade you to change your mind? I so much would love to revel more in this world/word picture you’re building!
My 100-word Friday Fictioneer story can be found here: http://furiousfictions.com
Eew leeches! I didn’t see that coming. I thought he might have grabbed shine or an herbal remedy but never thought of leeches, lol.
Oh I am glad that I fooled you!
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I like the wooden skis part. It reminded me of last summer: http://madtante.wordpress.com/2011/05/31/attack-of-the-leeches/
I read your post. Eeewww… They are slimy little suckers…. Pun intended!! Hahaha!
Leeches definitely have a creep factor in my mind, but if that’s the only option out there in the cabin? Well, never say never!
That’s what I think too. Doctors use them in all kinds of peculiar cases in this day and age. I had no idea!
I love love love this one!
Oh thanks Nelle. I always love to use the creepy factor when I can!
Apart from IRS … I don’t think consciously I’d let that happen to me, unless I am stuck in wilderness & leech is the only option. There are better alternatives. (Not rich enough for Cayman Island so IRS is the only exception I make)
And here’s mine for this week
http://yatinpatel.wordpress.com/2012/02/03/brightest-before-the-end-100-word-flash-fiction/
You never know!
NO LEECHES FOR THE HOOK!
Is that clear?
Great work, Susie!
I will put them away…..for now……
Thanks Hook!
Deaer Susie,
I just got in from the snow and cold and dark of night. happy to be warm and reading your fine and (eeewwwww!) squirm inducing story. All our leeches nowadays live in Washington D.C. Big Winter coming.
Aloha,
Doug
You are so right! Hahaha!
Thanks Doug.
Oh, nice story…The beginning seemed cozy, from seeing the cabin…You took us through several states of awareness in such a short yarn.The coziness was short lived, as Phillip stepped out into the blizzard and a wintery wind chill ran through my bones…Then, back to comfort and warmth as he took off his skis to enter a ( quaint homestead )…and then…Brrrrr..Blood letting, Cold Creachstures…Brrr ~~~…lol Great story…
Bless You
paul
Thanks Paul!
I love your analysis especially the “Blood letting, Cold Creachstures…”
Hahaha!
Great flowing descriptive passage and the jar kept us hanging until the end, when the shocking answer leeched out. Could say you drew blood with this one. You wild, wicked imagination at work again!
Here’s mine: http://bridgesareforburning.wordpress.com/
Thanks Bridges! I love the pun, “leeching.” Hahaha!
I will read your 100 word flash as well!
Ugh, leeches! I do think leeches have a use in reducing swelling in contusions–for example for a black eye. But I will never forget Laura Ingalls Wilder describing pulling leeches off of her sister’s legs in one of the Little House books. Made a lasting impression on me!
Thanks Kecia for stopping by!
I pulled them off my own legs after swimming in Wisconsin lakes. They are gross!
Ew, leeches! The word alone triggers panic for me.
Fun story, Susie!
Can you imagine voluntarily placing them on your stomach to get rid of belly fat????
Thanks!
I love the photo prompt you used! This felt like an excerpt from a bigger story. What a nice young man to take his pets out for a little winter walk! hahaha Actually, that’s gross, but you made us love it anyway!
Hahaha! Ah yes, a little winter walk is just what they needed!
I am so glad I could make you smile even thought the thought of leeches is sort of grotesque….
susie.. leeches?? I never thought about that as I was reading. Clever girl..
HUGGGGGGGGGGG
I could feel the icy cold of it. Really nice descriptive piece, with a surprise at the end – and yet not a surprise, because even in describing the clothes, one had a sense of time.
Very seasonal. Loved the build up in this and, like many others, didn’t like the leeches. The real things, not the imagery!
It makes me glad that I’m not somewhere with snow! The only Blizzard I want is from Dairy Queen. I would like to say I’d be ok with leeches if it was medically necesarry, but when it came down to it, I’d probably freak out. They look too much like worms to be anywhere near my body! Fun story, though.
Dairy Queen! Hahaha!
I would probably freak out too. Some people like Demi Moore have bought them for weight loss…sheesh!
Loved the story..But Leeches oh man i can feel them crawling on my skin…
There are people in India who cure BP problems using leeches..but not me never..
I didnt know leeches are used for weight loss too!
Thank you!
When I think of leeches, I think early 1900′s and earlier…but who knew???
Nice story. Felt the urgency.
Uh, leeches actually do have a place in medicine today…odd but true.
Oh I didn’t realize doctors were still using leeches until I wrote this and looked up the links! Amazing~
At least they are organic. Hahaha!
Ohhhhh no way! That would give me the heebie jeebies.
Hahaha! I know…..
Thanks for reading!
Beautiful imagery and I felt the sense of urgency. Then . . . ew! Love the last line with the leeches!