Another photo prompt this week for the wonderful group of writers, who make up the Friday Fictioneers Family. Mother Hen Rochelle Wisoff-Fields takes charge every week, posting the photo – this week courtesy of Adam Ickes – and urging us all to ‘write what we see’. This is what I saw…
Copyright – Adam Ickes
Genre: Horror
Word Count: 100
The Entertainment
Silence as the numbers are called. Nervous boys go to their allotted place, although challenged, no-one refuses. My number is called last. For one brief moment, as I join the other ninety-nine, I consider the challenge. My mother is ill and Mary’s pregnant, but The Glory will change everything, forever.
Outside, we line up shoulder to shoulder. The General reads the rules of ‘The Entertainment’.
You will walk until only one remains; to him will be awarded The Glory – anything he wants for the rest of his life.
Those who stop walking will be ‘removed’.
We walk.
The crowd roars.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Inspired by ‘The Long Walk’ a novel by Stephen King – his first, published under a pseudonym Richard Bachman. Set in a future United State of America, the story tells of the annual event called The Long Walk. On 1 May each year 100 teenage boys are drafted into taking part; the idea is that they all walk until there is only one left standing.The walking never stops. If anyone does stop they get a warning, three warnings and they are ‘ticketed’ which eventually you realise means they are shot. Read more about his novel here – http://stephenking.wikia.com/wiki/The_Long_Walk
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40again's Blog 
Loved that book. It’s been awhile since I’ve read it, but I was reading your story thinking it sounded very similar.
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Thank you Adam, loved your photo by the way, where were you?
Dee
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That’s at the Disney resort in Hilton Head Island, SC.
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Looks stunning, hope you had a great time.
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I love the Long Walk! It is one of my favourites by Bachman/King.
Enjoyed this,
I am hoping to take part in Friday Fictitioners
Ally
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Thank you for reading and I’m glad you enjoyed it. Do join in Friday Fictioneers, it’s addictive but fun and you meet some great people.
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What a lot of horror was since in this lovely photo!! I haven’t read that book but it sounds very Stephen King-ish. 🙂 I remember reading “Salem’s Lot” and not even wanting to walk outside in the dark.
janet
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Yes, you’re right. I don’t usually do horror but somehow this lovely photo reminded me of Stephen King’s book.
Good to see you
Dee
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that was frightening… and what’s frightening about it was how willing those young boys seemed and the circumstances that pushed them to join. great story.
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Thanks kz. Always interests me how far people are prepared to go for wealth and power. Good to hear from you x
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The Long Walk sounds interesting. I’ve been meaning to read more Stephen King.
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Thank you miss K . The Long Walk Is a very frightening and powerful book, the characters stayed with me for a long time.
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This story gave me chills… what a horrible concept! I haven’t read the book but I love this FF version of it 🙂
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Thank you Jessie, pleased you liked this version. The book is a brilliant concept, but quite a frightening read.
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Reminded me of “Hunger Games.” Well done…
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Thank you. It’s older than Hunger Games, but a similar concept. Good to see you 🙂
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Oh what a horrible tale.. I never read it.. (sounds like the Hunger Games was not a unique take)..
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Thanks Bjorn. This story is older than Hunger Games I think, but similar concept.
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I don’t think I’ve read SK’s story, but I liked yours. I’m not sure what “although challenged, no one refuses” means exactly – who is challenged? Otherwise you really had me feeling it though. I just hope the first person narrative means he goes on to win!
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Once they are chosen, the young men are challenged, to give up their place, to refuse to take part and stay safe, but no-one ever refuses as they are all driven by greed to take the prize.Sorry that wasn’t clear. Thank you for reading, it’s good to hear from you.
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Great story Dee, I liked the use of Mr King’s idea. Very well done.
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Thank you! Pleased you like it and it’s good to hear from you.
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Thank you Dee, take care.
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Great tale. Just wondering, is the pregnant Mary in a story inspired by a picture of a (dry) river a nod to The Boss?
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Ooh never thought of that… it would have been a great idea.
Glad you liked the story as it is though and thanks for reading
Dee
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Wow- that’s a story I’ve missed. What an undertaking – you captured the feeling of doom and hope well.
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Thank you Erin. I wasn’t sure I would get the message across in 100 words, so pleased it worked.
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It reminded me of The Hunger Games as well. The idea of the fittest surviving… I’ve never read the original story, but there is such an eery feel to this story, I don’t know if I could handle it. 😉
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Thanks Dawn. I started reading this when my boys were young and had to put it aside – the story of 100 young men taking The Long Walk is written with great skill and in a matter of fact way, but it’s the images created and the realisation of just why the boys are walking that I found very disturbing. Great to hear from you, love the hat!! X
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Thanks Dee… hat? That’s my hair. 😉 (NOT). I think it’s a fun photo, but my son says it’s terrible!
Not sure I could read a book like that; I’m not a big terror fan. That said, King is such a great writer, it’s tempting. Your working of the tale is very solid, on its own merits. I enjoyed it without having read the other. 🙂
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I’m not a terror fan either, but I agree with you Stephen King is a great writer, I haven’t read his book on writing yet though a few people have recommended I do.
I’m pleased you liked my story.
Dee
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Great take on the prompt Dee. The book sounds vaguely familiar to me, but I think I might give it another whirl if I can find it. Well done.
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Thanks Sandra. Your ‘dark’ side would love this book, hope you find a copy. I think it’s still available on Amazon.
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This is chilling, Dee. What a horrible society that sees this as entertainment! Your story captured it well.
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Thank you Karen.
It is quite a horrible concept and I usually don’t think along those lines. Something about the photo reminded me of Stephen King’s story, not a genre I am comfortable reading as a rule.
Dee
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Dear Dee,
I loved what you saw in this picture. I haven’t read the SK novel (not my cup of tea) but the message came through your story. Sounds like a grisly challenge.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
It is surprising how many horror stories have been provoked by Adam’s lovely photograph – just shows how our minds work! I am not a fan of the genre, but managed to read The Long Walk eventually, though it took a few attempts.
Thank you for reading
Take care
Dee
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Good, well-written story. I hope that the U.S. never comes to that. I don’t read Stephen King’s books because they scare the dickens out of me. I do want to read his book on writing however because he’s one of the best.
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They scare me too. His book on the writing process is said to be excellent, though I’ve not read it yet either.
Thank you for reading.
Dee
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I shudder just imagining this scene you’ve painted. Well done 🙂
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Thank you. Not a nice place to be, but pleased you liked the story.
Good to hear from you.
Dee
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Seems like both of us were inspired by others this week, darling. I loved The Long Walk — and the ending has stuck with me all these years… the phantom walker behind him — was it real? Excellent take.
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Thank you dear Helena, pleased that you liked it. It took me a few attempts to finish the book I have to admit, horror is not a genre I am comfortable with as a rule.
Take care
Dee
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A nice tip of the hat to The Long Walk, one of my favourite Stephen King stories. I enjoyed your story on its own merit.
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Thank you very much, pleased you liked my nod to Stephen King.
Dee
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I think you should wirte one called “The Long Sit.” I might be pretty good at that game.:)
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Oh I think we would all be good at that game!!
Take care
Dee
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From the minds of….;)
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Thanks for reading Dawn
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Another SK fan?Till I started this blog a year or so back,and reading other writers I never knew that I was not the only one crazy about him-I love his writing and I bought almost all his books 😀 Loved your story here Dee -it really gave me the creeps 🙂
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Thank you, so good to hear from you, glad you liked my effort.
Take care
Dee
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🙂
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And I thought our entertainment was in sad shape now.
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You’re right it is, but at least we have an on- off button now 🙂
Good to hear from you Patti
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True! Thanks. 🙂
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i enjoyed reading your story…the idea of walking to win a prize. sounds easy enough (compared to the hard tasks from the Hunger Games) but i’m guessing the boys had no or very little sustenance given to them. that would up the challenge. i’ll have to check on the SK book..sounds like a good one. 🙂
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Thank you, check out Stephen Kings book, the walk it’s much worse than it seems.
Thanks for reading
Dee
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will do, Dee. thanks!
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What a harsh world! Great story 🙂
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Thank you, glad you liked the story 🙂
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Good horror story – so sad and it works! Nan
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Thank you Nan, good to hear from you.
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Reblogged this on 40again's Blog and commented:
I’m grateful for the re-run this week and my thanks to Rochelle and Sandra. Things have been quite difficult the last few weeks, hopefully returning to something resembling normality. Thanks again to Adam Ickes for the photo.
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