Photo Prompt: J Hardy Carroll

From the waiting room, I calmly make my way through the double doors into the hallway. The distinctive smell of antiseptics is hard to digest. Why are hospitals so cold? The surroundings austere. This is nauseating.

I pick the phone off the cradle and insert a quarter. It goes straight through, and rattles into the slot at the bottom. I try again. I was numb with pain, as I punched the number.

‘They have started him on morphine. You should probably come now’, I said gently.

I turn to face the window and the darkening gloom outside. I see flurries.

 

This short story (99 words) was written as part of the Friday Fictioneers Challenge hosted by Rochelle.
The ‘flurries’ (though not pictured), are there, to evoke a sense of beauty on a more than grim day. This is part-inspired by true events. Thanks for reading.

Click on the blue frog to read different takes on this photo prompt.

15 responses to “It was time”

  1. Sad and lovely. The telling details tell so much!

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  2. So sad and so very well written.

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  3. A very true-to-life story of the human adventure.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Well written. Loved the way the atmosphere is set in this one.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks! I’m glad the atmosphere came through.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. wow, one of the best i’d read this week.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks so much! Greatly appreciated.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Such great work on atmosphere!

    Great story. Come see mine here.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. A well-drawn picture. The snow flurries were a good touch

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    1. Thanks. I’m glad that worked.

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  8. Dear Nadia,

    You’ve painted a bleak picture. Well done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

  9. When morphine enters the equation, it’s serious. Well done in capturing the picture and adding a mood to it. Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

I look forward to your comments!

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