The Friday Fictioneer Challenge: Write a 100-word story based on the photo.
Photo copyright Dale Rogerson
An Enchanted Charm
Isabelle returned from vacation to a new org chart, a new assignment. In her absence they moved her desk to the basement. Until the project started, they told her, she could “get things ready.”
Her new work space was in a storage room behind a security lock; only a few people had entry access. She brought in flowers from her garden. In the comfort of the forced isolation, Isabelle completed the required research.
The project started: people everywhere, deadlines looming, phones ringing. Isabelle brought flowers every week, considering them an enchanted charm, protecting her from the imposed insanity around her.
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The photo is by Dale Rogerson, also a Friday Fictioneer writer. Check out Dale’s story, Too Little, Too Late.
To read other Friday Fictioneer stories based on this photo, select the smiley blue frog.
Very well imagined story; the unexpected assignment, the security lock, the flowers as a charm against ‘enforced insanity’. Inventive, and carefully constructed. Well done!
Oops, sorry for the typo. It should be ‘imposed insanity’, of course.
Thanks for the link to my story, Tesha!
Good for her on making her situation tolerable… Then again, some people like being isolated. I, for one, would lose my mind!
This was only half fiction. I was in a project room all by myself for quite some time before anyone else was assigned and given a security clearance for access. Sometimes we can write what we know! But I didn’t have any flowers . . .
I know what you mean… almost all my “fiction” is real…😉
I’ve been involved in such a project many times!
Sadly, it is all too common.
I love how the flowers became her lucky charm . 🙂 charming story , Tresha!
Nothing like flowers to bring joy and peace to the spirit 🙂
Love that she found comfort and sanity in the flowers. Nice take on the prompt.
What a relatable tale. So full of optimism when greyness could so easily have given way to darkness.
Lucky her. Getting a lot of peace and quiet.
What a way to be greeted after a vacation. But peace and quiet can be a luxury. Great take on the prompt, flowers brighten the darkest corner.