The Friday Fictioneer Challenge: Write a 100-word story based on the photo.

Photo copyright Sarah Ann Hall

The Way Back

The Persian goblet was from the tomb of King Cyrus II. Cassandra discovered it was a time portal, a way back to the king’s temple. The portal opened with the full moon’s rise and closed when it set.

In 531 BC, Cassandra approached the temple to return to her own time and place. Through the time-travel haze, she saw a man in her apartment. He looked straight at her, raised the goblet, laughing as he smashed it against the fireplace.

In ancient Persia, the temple’s archway collapsed, clouds of dust choking her.

There was no way back, not any more.

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To read other Friday Fictioneer stories based on this photo, select the smiley blue frog.