Welcome to the aFa Footprints Challenge. I issued the challenge in this past post, but in a nutshell, participants will develop a story of 150 words or less from the image below.
Not only is my story in this post, I’ve asked participants to link their story here – so I invite readers here to follow the Pingback links in the Comments to more stories. Other writers my provide a link within their comment. There is no question in my mind that readers will find a wide variety of styles and adventures. In a way, another challenge is to read as many of the other stories as possible.
As I stated in the challenge, fiction is outside of my comfort zone. Thanks to participating writers and to all the readers. Enjoy the offerings!
PS: No need to panic because Pingbacks will display upon approval at this end.
Footprints in the Sand
The air is brisk. Yesterday’s rain and wind wiped away footprints, chair marks, and tire tracks from the past. The beach’s sandy surface is smooth except for a fresh set of footprints.
Someone walking alone …
… barefoot …
… a female …
… with short steps …
… using a cane …
… moving toward the water.
Warmly dressed to combat the chilled winds, she reaches the water’s edge. She stood looking in different directions, thinking about her love for the water, the beach, and its sand.
She slowly walked a short distance along the water’s edge – close enough for the occasional lap across her feet. She turned and paused to think about memories. Times when she wasn’t alone – the family vacations – the hand-and-hand walks with the one she loves.
Hooded and alone, she retraces her steps off the beach toward her quarters – the place where someone watched her every step.
(148 words) – Comments about this story? Who was watching?
Pingback: Footprints in the Sand | Inside the Mind of Isadora
I had my story saved from Saturday. It looks like I am the first to see your fine story, aFrank.
It seems like she was only allowed to wander so far. Perhaps, a daughter or son is allowing her the independence she has always enjoyed yet ever vigilant to ensure her safety.
A lovely tale of beautiful memories she enjoyed in her youth.
Isadora 😎
ps – I added the pingback to my story but don’t see it here. Just in case, my story below:
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Isadora,
Glad you enjoyed the story. A family member watching is a possibility ;… but I will leave it at that for now as I wait to see what over say. The Pingback is now here (just above your comment) … they don’t show up until I approve them.
Thanks for participating … and I encourage readers here to read about the serenity you painted with words.
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Great job, Signore!
It could be positive, like it cook be negative whomever is watching her… I like that you leave it open for interpretation.
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And bravo me.. I didn’t add my link. I think I pingbacked but am not sure. So here’s my story
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Good Morning Dale. Your Pingback is further down as my settings hold pingbacks depending approval. 🙂
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Dale,
Definitely open to interpretation. When I drafted the story, I was thinking one way, but as time went on, my mind wandered with possibilities. Thanks for participating and helping with the promotion. 🙂
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Funny how that happens – happens weekly to me with Friday Fictioneers!!
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Oh the parallels that life continually brings.
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Si!
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Lovely story Frank. Its ambiguity allows us to imagine several alternative endings.
Like Isadora, I’ve linked from my story to this post, and my tale is available here.
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Archon,
Ambiguity was important to me in this as I was actually had Sherlock Holmes in my mind.
I invite readers to read your tale of a kid with a traditional Archonian twist and turn. 🙂 … Thanks for joining in!
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Hi, Frank! Glad to see you doing his challenge. I think it must be something sinister at the end. That’s where my mind goes anyway. I really enjoyed it.
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Amy!!!! … How ya been?
As you know, writing fiction isn’t my forte. I took this picture while on the Alabama coast last January, and a story came from it … and then I decided to turn it into a challenge. Meanwhile, I can say that although sinister wasn’t my original intent, my mind went in that direction over time. Hope you read the others!
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Where’s yours, Amy? 😉
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I wish I could. If time allows, I’ll post one!
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Ah come on…. 150 words… 😉
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Hi Frank, what a lovely peaceful story, and then the odd, abrupt ending! I loved it, there is an entire myriad of possibilities! I don’t know how to ping-back, but I have linked this post in my challenge response! I really enjoyed this challenge, it was a great writing prompt 🙂
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Lenora,
Glad I was able to switch tones because that was my intent! Yippee … it worked!
Thanks for participating, and I invite others to read your story as the Pingback is directly above your comment.
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Yes it certainly did work! Oh, I am glad the wingback appeared 🙂
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Pingbacks work when linking to another post … even within your own blog. They tell the blogger owner who is linking to them and they give readers a related link. … so they have multiple roles. TIP: Link to the blog’s home page doesn’t create a pingback … so links must be to pages or a specific post.
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Well you do learn something new everyday 🙂 Thank you!
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Oops, I think i missed the part where the challenge was supposed to be 150 words or less! I have been reading other people’s ping backs and I noticed that they all mention it has to be 150 words or less!
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That’s OK. Many story challenges have word limits.
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Pingback: Footprints Challenge by aFrank Angle | Fiction Favorites
Excellent, Frank. Mine is published waiting your approval.
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John,
Glad you liked it …. and many thanks for participating. I invite others to read your story with the zinger ending. His Pingback is directly above your comment.
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Thank you, Frank. Fun time.
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Well done Frank – it looks like your first short story writing convention has been successful. I made time to visit everyone and enjoyed reading all the offerings.
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Pauline,
Thank you … and at this point you may have read more than I … but I’m in the process of working through all of them.
Actually this is my second story. A few years ago I did a Tango short story that followed with a challenge. I recall you giving me suggestions. 🙂 … Meanwhile, since you made this comment, there are more stories linked here … including one within the comments.
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Great writing here, Frank! You had me hooked and then there was the shift at the end with the “watcher” – ooooh I hope it’s someone with good intentions rather than bad 🙂 I wrote my story on the weekend and will publish it now. I’ll link back here to get the pingback, and I look forward to reading the other entries! Thanks for the creative prompt xx
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Christy,
Thanks for the feedback and for participating. I will be over soon to read yours. Initially (in my mind) the watchers intentions were good … but then I would change the wording to open up the possibilities. I even considered a sinister ending, but decided to keep the thought open.
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I did the same thing – an open ending… You’ll see when you read what I did. Thanks again for the challenge 🙂
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Read it … 🙂
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Pingback: aFa Footprints Short Story Challenge Accepted! | Poetic Parfait
Can I paste my story right here? I’m not good at the techno stuff:
As I walk the beach alone, I watch the sun rise in soft pinks intermixed with peach and lavender. My mood shifts from gloomy – I’d hoped to not be solo this year – to surprise.
With each step on the squishy sand, the earth softens underneath my feet. I leave behind an indentation that seems larger than my own size 8 woman’s foot. When I stop and look behind me, I notice smaller hollows also – the dent of a child’s foot – besides my own.
But no one else is near me. Or in front or behind. My sunrise stride is solidary. Yet, someone is beside me. I listen to the gull’s cry and watch the sandpipers chase the tide. Closing my eyes, I see the child I once was, walking this same beach, holding my father’s hand.
“Dad?” I whisper.
“I’m here,” the sea sighs in return. “I’m always here.”
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Pamela,
Welcome first-time commenter and thanks for stopping by via Christy. First of all, your story relates very well to my Beach Walking series … here’s the link to the series … https://afrankangle.wordpress.com/category/beach-walking-thoughts/ … and I have more to come.
You painted a wonderful picture of solitude on the beach. To beach walkers, the sea does speak – so well done … and incorporating thoughts from dad was very unexpected.
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Thank you for welcoming me so warmly! I love fun challenges like this – we’re always surprised at what words form the story, aren’t we? I hopped over to your beach walking thoughts, and became refreshed immediately.
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🙂 …. Most days we walked a lot … so I got into the habit of trying to create my thoughts.
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Oh Pamela!! I loved your interpretation here.. it’s bitter sweet… the remembrance of dad.. and looking back at childhood memories.. I’m so glad you took part xx And great that you found Frank’s blog here as it’s full of great reads. Hugs to you both!
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Cheers to her from coming over from your place.
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Exactly!! 🙂
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THANK you, Christy. So glad I found Frank’s blog via you. Yes, my story surprised me, and made me a bit melancholic, I must admit. I leave in a few weeks for the beach, and I think I’ll more carefully check out my footprints in the sand…. ;-0
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The beginning of my story parallels the photo (which I took). The wind and rain of the previous day made the sand smooth. When we went out for our walk, we saw only one set of footprints.
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That was absolutely beautiful, Pamela. Loved this.
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Many thanks!
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Pam, I just LOVE this, emitting a tiny ‘ohh’ at the tender ending! Beautiful composition, thoughtful and loving…and touching on the other-worldly. Glad I came across it here. 😀😀❤️
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Wow – thanks Annika. I love 150 word challenges like this. We writers don’t have time to think, so the story is always a surprise. xo
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Beautiful story, Pam. It made me a bit teary.
(It goes with some of the beach memories I’ve written about, too.)
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Yes. I’m set to go to the NJ shore in a few weeks, and I always bring my mom and dad with me (in spirit…). xo
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We used to go every summer with my sister. She leaves on the 23rd of this month and I’m particularly sad about it..
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I totally understand. ❤
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❤
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Interesting, Frank. The way I see it is, as the watcher is someone at her ‘quarters’ and she is now ‘alone’, it’s a pet, pining for her to return. (Although why she didn’t take the pet with her opens more questions!) 😀
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Tom,
I must say that a pet watching hadn’t crossed my mind … but that is an interesting thought because that’s what some pets do! …. good idea!
Meanwhile, I will be over soon to read your story. For others, here’s Tom’s story https://wellheregoes.me/2017/07/10/footprints-in-the-sand/ …. and I invite others to stop by because Tom write’s a lot!
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I had thought a pet, too, at first. But then it didn’t seem to fit.
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Pingback: FOOTPRINTS CHALLENGE BY A FRANK ANGLE | THE COASTAL CRONE
You handle fiction quite well! Perhaps no one is watching or waiting for her lovingly as in the past and she misses that. I am a bit late in the game but my answer to the challenge is in this link https://coastalcrone.com/2017/07/10/footprints-challenge-by-a-frank-angle/ I will check out the other responses to your challenge.
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Jo,
Thanks. Although fiction isn’t my focus, this was fun for me … as well as a personal challenge.
Only memories watching is another interesting twist that I had not considered … thanks for that!
Thank you for participating and I will be over soon to read it. NOPE – you are not late to the game … not at all!
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Pingback: A Challenge Accepted! – To Breathe is to Write
I enjoyed your story, Frank. I think she is at the end of her life and just remembering past good times.
Hope everyone enjoys mine. 🙂
I’m late of course to the party but I wouldn’t have missed it for anything.
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Jackie,
Many thanks … and I just approved the Pingback. I will throw a twist in your interpretation with the Ghost of Natural Death is the one who watches. I’ll be over soon!
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Ohhhh, I like that! 🙂
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I’ll have to collect the interpretations.
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Really, you will! It’s interesting to see so many takes on your ending.
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I will … well … if I remember. 🙂
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LOL….yeah, I know about that all too well.
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Pingback: Footprints In The Sand | Queen's end
Hi Frank! Love your story! This was fun, and a bit nerve wracking. It’s the first challenge I’ve accepted. Hope the way I did my Pingback worked. 😀
Okay, now I’d like to read some of these stories. Cheers!!!
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Did you write it from another blog, Resa? I went to yours and found no story… 😉
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Yeah, I wrote from my writing blog! https://queensend.wordpress.com/ I’ve just read 2 of the submissions, and now, yours is next!
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Dale … Resa has more blogs than Subway has sandwiches. … it’s the “Queen’s end” pingback.
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Too slow, Joe! She already notified me, I’ve read it AND commented on it… 😉
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I see that now … but I was just following the order. 🙂
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Just teasing, you know… xo
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Of course! 🙂
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Resa,
Hooray … you made it! The Pingback came through, so I’ll be over in a bit to read yours. Glad you enjoyed mine … and wow … I didn’t know you had the other blog … #3 of 10? :0
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LOL! 3 blogs and a static website!
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Pingback: On Footprints in the Sand – All About Writing and more
An excellent story which came off to me as a poem. I had the combined feelings of hoping not to share the woman’s experience, but knowing I would remember what you wrote if I did.
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Tim,
Glad you enjoyed the story. Make sure you tell Mrs. Tim of the many stories that are here.
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Will do!
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What a lovely, haunting image. Yes, like a poem which does give a hidden story. Age and loneliness: Too often they walk hand in had. I wonder how many writing prompts for fiction writers could come from poems. Cool!
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Greta!
Welcome to my little corner of the world .. the place where someone we know frequently visits. Thanks so much for the kind words about my short story. Fiction isn’t my forte – well, actually not even close – but it was fun to try. Speaking of poems, a poem challenge concerning on the my beach walks is a possibility! 🙂
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Pingback: Answering a Footprints Challenged | amycaudill.net
Oh this was fun. I loved the feel of the original story, so I just had to try one for myself.
Here’s the link back to mine: https://amycaudilldotnet.wordpress.com/2017/07/11/answering-a-footprints-challenged/
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Amy,
Wow …. that was fast! 😀 … Glad to know my story influenced yours a little. I’ll be over soon to read yours. Meanwhile, thanks again for joining the fun … and I invite you to read the others. BTW – … just because I like to know … where are you located?
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Pingback: 326: Footprints In The Sand – Bluefish Way
I thought I would have a go Frank. Great picture to work with..
https://bluefishway.com/2017/07/12/326-footprints-in-the-sand/
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I love your story, Ralph! I hope Frank will be impressed, as well! Love you, and hoping for a wonderful happening for you and Natascha this week!
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We must of commented around the same time. 🙂 … Yep, I liked it.
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Thank you so much for liking my story dear Resa. Yours was brilliant too. Concerning Natascha and I, you are so sweet my friend. Thank you.
Ralph xoxoxo ❤
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❤
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Ralph,
Alright now … Spain’s first challenge entry! I’ll be over soon. I took the picture when on the Gulf coast last January. Thanks for joining in … and I encourage you to read the others!
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Pingback: Imprints – Reena Saxena
Here’s my take https://reinventionsreena.wordpress.com/2017/07/12/imprints/
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Reena,
Welcome first-time commenter. Many thanks for joining the challenge. I write very little fiction and only occasionally issue a challenge. How did you find out about this challenge?
Good story, and I encourage others to read it as it touches the heart.
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Thanks! I enjoyed expanding on a beginning, rather than taking off from a pic or word.
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Good technique … How did you find our about this challenge?
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From the blogroll. One of the bloggers I follow has contributed a piece.
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Outstanding …. and thanks for letting me know.
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I interpreted this as a woman who is being stalked by her own mortality. Maybe this is the end for her and she is thinking back on one of the places she loved most of all- the ocean. And each step is moving her into the next reality.
Hey Frank, I have not forgotten about this challenge. I wrote something up for it and it’s in drafts at Drinks. I have just been on a writing tangent lately. I was going to post my entry to your challenge tomorrow.I hope that’s not too late. As it is, i loved this idea of yours and the replies to it as well!
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Cayman,
A reflection on life at the end of life is an interesting perspective … and one that fits the narrative.
One thing about blogging, late is seldom applicable. Great to have one more!!!!
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Well, mine is even later. I’ve been writing haibun recently, so I was tempted to add a haiku at the end. 🙂 I hope the pingback works, Frank.
I liked your story. I’m not certain who is watching her, but I don’t think he/she/or it is benevolent because she has to return to her “quarters.” And since whoever or whatever is watching her every move. . .
Now off to read others.
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Merrill,
Hooray … it’s #15 ,,, and I’ll be over soon. The pingback worked – (it doesn’t appear until I approve it). Glad you enjoyed my story. Many option for the watcher … and I like the idea of a pet. The readers here have a wide-range of thoughts. Maybe I’ll put a list together for the next OITS. Thanks for participating!
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Pingback: Footprints – An AFA Challenge | Afterwards
Not even sure if this is still open. But here goes:
https://afterwards.blog/2017/07/15/footprints-an-afa-challenge/
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Michael,
Welcome first-time commenter … and oh yes … still open and thanks for participating. Hope you read at least some of the others. I’ll be over soon to read your story. How did you find out about the challenge?
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I read most yeah. Just been searching challenges. Liked yours
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Thank you for the info and for joining. As I mentioned on the challenge, I normally don’t do fiction … but I liked the picture (which I took in January). I’ll be over to yours soon!
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nice job. seems to me someone “special” is watching, and she knows it. i like how – intentionally or not – it seemed she might be so full of sorrow and longing that she was going to walk into the sea and never return, but then she turned back. could be that was her plan but she changed her mind when she may have sensed someone watching. and this could all be in previous comments, but they are too numerous and give me a great excuse not to read them all.
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