“I’m sorry Jack. You’re too poor. My father will not allow me to marry you.” Guinelda’s words stung like a thousand hornets. With a heavy heart he dragged himself back to his downtrodden farm.
Later, as he slept on his straw bed, a cool breeze blew through the open window and whispered in his ear, Go to the Lost City. It is there you’ll find your fortune.
He bolted out of bed and looked out the window. The withered crops swished in the moonlight.
Jack packed and left his dilapidated cottage. He asked the wizened old woman in the village about the Lost City. “How’ll I ever find it?”
“Listen to the wind. It will guide you,” she hissed.
Jack thanked her and started on his trek.
It wasn’t long before another whisper blew in the breeze. Follow the sun, so Jack journeyed west.
Jack came upon a dark woods surrounded by a high stone wall. After hours of searching, he found a gate. His hand shook as he lifted the latch and it lurched open. Once inside, it slammed shut and the forest transformed into a city made of gold. His heart exploded with joy. He filled his pack with as much gold as he could carry, but as he left through the gate, it all disappeared.
He ran back into the forest and once again it transformed. He stuffed his pack to bursting, but when he walked through the gate, his treasure evaporated.
Jack dragged himself back inside and leaned against an ancient oak. He sat down and cried. He closed his eyes and thought about the last time he’d seen Guinelda.
Then he heard the wind whisper in his ear. Jack! I’m here!
He opened his eyes, but couldn’t believe it. Guinelda stood right in front of him! He was overcome with joy as she fell into his arms. He showed her the Lost City and its treasures.
Later as the lovers sipped from golden chalices, they shared their dreams of a life together. But when they walked out of the gate, Guinelda disappeared.
~~~~~
This flash is a bit longer at 350 words, but after seeing the fabulous photo prompt by Stacy Plowright, I thought, “The Lost City!” This is a continuation of my Twisted Tale series and is my 150th post! Yeah!
Have you ever dreamt you found a treasure and then were disappointed when you woke up?
Feel free to leave the link to your flash fiction in my comment section. For more from the Fictioneers click here.
The party is still rolling on my Use Me and Abuse Me Day post. Stop by and make some new friends!
Loved this one. Nicely constructed. Liked the “wind”/ the “whispering” words; leading to the sun / gold /treasures/ dreams then gone.
Gold star..(uh, it’s paper so it won’t disappear…but having trouble forcing it through the screen…pilling and shredding…but bound to reconstruct itself on your side)
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Awww! Thanks so much! I had trouble coming up with the surprise ending and then it hit me that Guinelda was just like the treasure! Hahaha! Thanks again and have a fabulous weekend!
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Goes to show our brains will do fine if we get out of their way?
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So true. I had just about given up when it popped into my pointy head!
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You give us a whole fairytale in a short piece, once again, Susie! I certainly felt for Jack and enjoyed the imagery of the dilapidated farm versus the golden city.
If anything, the story felt a little too short (although I’m thinking it’s already more than 100 words!) – some of the stuff I’d have liked you to linger on was rushed. Maybe you should write a full version sometime!
I’m over here – http://elmowrites.wordpress.com/2012/08/31/friday-fiction-white-pegasi/
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No kidding! It could be a full on fairytale book. I had to rush in order to be fair to all of you wonderful 100 word Friday Fictioneers! Hahaha!
Thanks so much Elmo! I will be over to read.
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Really? Jack & Guinelda? Not a lot of music there. LOL!
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I don’t get it….
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I don’t hear music in the name Guinelda.
They were doomed from the start. 😉
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I LOVE the name. It was sort of a take-off of Guinevere from Camelot and Glenda the good witch from The Wizard of OZ, so I guess it’s all relative!
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A lovely story. http://readinpleasure.wordpress.com/2012/08/31/friday-fictioneers-harmattan-rain/
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Thanks for reading and dropping off your link!
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I missed your party, I’m sorry as I wanted to come by. My mind betrayed me time wise . Anywho nice little story. I must be wise as I don’t believe in fairy tales or golden wishes…hard work n a pinch of luck r my motto.
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That’s a great motto! Thanks!
It’s not too late to join the fun. They are still clicking on links over there so come over with a link and your dancing shoes!
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That’s the way it goes. You get the girl or get the dough. She was no good for him. She would’ve stayed on instead of listening to her father. Now that Jack has the bucks he can marry a gold digger like Guinelda’s dad did.
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There you go! Hahaha!
Actually it was a magical place where everything Jack wanted existed, but he could not leave with the treasure or her…. Sort of like Hotel California! Or not! 🙂
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Well written. Vivid. Intriguing. Magical. I could almost smell the chamber pots. Now I need to wash my hands.
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Hahaha! Better use soap…
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NOW, I discover your prompt for comments is “Any wild thoughts?”
If only I’d known. Much snark could have been randomly posted in your comments section.
LOVED your flash fiction piece. I wondered how you were going to twist that ending, but I knew you had to. Boy/girl/love. What more could they need? What would they buy and from whom? Clever girl.
I’m tempted to sign up for Flash Fiction Friday, but [subliminal note-to-self] ihaveawiptofinishihaveawiptofinishihaveawiptofinishihaveawiptofinish.
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I love it! Snark away!
I had to really think about the twist in this one and then it finally came to me that if the girl appeared she would have to stay! Some are harder than others. This fairytale genre is something else. I am ready to go back to killing strangers in mysterious boat rides. Hahahaha!
Good luck with your WIP! If a flash comes to mind, jump in to the mix!
Thanks so much Gloria!
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Wow, well written! Had me wanting more. Poor guy though, seems cruel.
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Wow! Thanks John!
Jack will have to stay in the Lost City. He will figure it out, I just know it! 🙂
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Well-written. I enjoyed the ride.
Scott
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Thanks so much Scott!
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Easily the most imaginative use of the prompt I’ve seen so far. In this case I suppose the prompt doesn’t matter as much as the story it inspired. And what a story it is! So many images and emotions, great twists, and the fact that it’s 350 words absolutely rocks! You always seem to go against the grain with these stories. And it alway works! 🙂
Here is mine – http://jhardyb.wordpress.com/2012/08/31/friday-fictioneers-wrath/
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Thank you so much John! This popped into my head yesterday after I saw the prompt. The ending took a while… I love that everyone’s is so different!
I will be over to read!
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Congrats on 150 posts! I love this! it reminds me of the King of Midas. He should have known not to go through that gate again, did they stumble through it drunk? 😉
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Hahaha! Probably! They were a bit on the dense side….
Thanks so much Catherine!
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Oh Susie, I’m going to write a poem called A bit on the dense side. It could be fun!
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Amazing as usual…so when s the book coming out?
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Wow! Thank you!
I hope to finish the first rewrite (which is major) by the end of September. Then I will have a couple people read it and I’ll go through it again. After a third go round, it will go to a professional editor then the great debate begins. Get an agent and publish traditionally or self publish. I sure hope I have something in the works by next spring! Fingers and toes crossed…..The second will be so much easier and faster! It’s been a learning process!
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Nice imagination. Very will written.
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Thanks so much! I appreciate that!
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Poor Jack! He didn’t get the true meaning of the Lost City. Love this little story, though. I hope Jack keeps searching…
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Thanks Tameri! I think if he just stays there, he’ll be just fine…
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I was gonna say, you did go longer than usual. But you went where it carried you, and that’s how writers go. I so often say, writing is a lot like reading, I keep going in order to find out where things are gonna end up.
If Peyton can go long with such effectiveness, I’m thinking the Broncos can start punching Super Bowl tickets now.
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Hey! That’s what I’m talking about. Go Broncos!
Thanks Cayman!
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Stay, Jack! Stay! Love this Susie… well done.
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Thanks for reading this long tale Darlene!
You are right! Jack could be so happy if he would stay put.
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Although there are a couple of places it felt like you repeated yourself…ie when he came to the gate and his treasure disappeared, it was a good story. Sounds like he learned quite a lesson.
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Thanks for reading!
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Cool story. Jack had a lesson to learn, methinks. Distracted by so much, when all he needed was with him, if he only changed his priorities.:-)
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Poor Jack. He is a slow learner. Thanks Nelle for taking the time to read it. I know it was a lot longer than my other flashes….
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I guess Jack didn’t know Jack, did he? I enjoyed your use of wonderfully descriptive adjectives such as “gnarled”, “dilapidated” and “wizened.” I do love words!!
I’m a bit confused here, though. I think you might need another word. “He ran back into the forest and once it transformed.” Maybe “once again”?
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You are right! I swear I had again, so it must have disappeared like the gold and Guinelda! Hahaha! Thanks so much!
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Hot flashes lasting longer all of a sudden or what. I think you captured Jack in a good frame of trouble and solution. How often we would like to just stay in The Lost City but life reawakens us from that rest periodically. Great post.
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Thanks! I know what you mean. It is just like waking from a wonderful dream. I just want to roll over and go back to dreamland!
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Awww…! This is really a prominent tale, wise lady. The twist you had made by the end of this tale is truly an apparent one.\m/ 🙂
Rahul
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Thanks Rahul! And thank you for following!
I usually write 100-150 word flashes, but this one had to go on a bit longer.
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My pleasure, Susie! 🙂
Rahul
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you always zing us in the end… man are you are good woman
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Thanks so much! I had to think about this one….
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love this… you always give a good twist at the end
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Darn.. I thought he’d at least get the girl:) Excellent short story today!! xx
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Oh! Thanks Barbara! Jack can keep the girl if he stays put! Hahaha! I’m not sure if he will figure that one out… 🙂
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Do they ever “stay put”, lol!?
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🙂
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