The following photo is the PROMPT. Keep in mind that all photos are the property of the contributor, therefore copyrighted and require express permission to use for purposes other than Friday Fictioneers. Giving credit to whom credit is due is proper etiquette.
Best wishes go out to our friend CEAYR and hopes that he’ll be without pain very soon.
PHOTO PROMPT © Madison Woods
This month marks my fourth Friday Fictioneers Anniversary! To commemorate it I’m posting a rerun. At least the photo’s a rerun. If you already wrote a story to go with this prompt all those years ago, feel free to take a breather and re-post it.
As I reread the story I posted four years ago this week, I decided it needed some updating. It was, after all, the third flash fiction I ever wrote. If you’d like to read the original click HERE
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
IN MEMORY OF 24682
Between barbs and twisted wire the sun had the audacity to shine. Marushka’s stomach howled in outrage as she licked the dregs of a discarded sardine tin. She stretched her skeletal legs and longed for silk stockings to hug her once shapely calves.
She took a cracked mirror from her pocket and winced at her bald reflection. Murderer!
“I couldn’t let them hear you.” Memories of her baby gasping for breath under her palm haunted her. Employing the jagged glass, she slashed from her wrist to her tattoo. Relief flooded her as her life pooled in the grass. “Mama’s coming.”
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Heartbreaking but so well written, Rochelle. We can only try to imagine the agony a mother in that situation would be going through, how often that might have happened. —– Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
I’ve heard too many stories like these. I can’t imagine. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow, four years! Happy anniversary, and thanks for giving us these prompts to keep the creative juices flowing (or, in my case, dribbling).
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Four years have gone pretty fast, Simon John. Joining FF was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
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I’m almost speechless. This story so powerful and gutrenching, but written so beautifully.
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Dear Josslyn,
Thank you for such a lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re welcome. 🙂
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Oh how sad.. how infinitely sad… and how can humanity bear such stories without banishing these things forever…but we see it happening again which breaks my heart.
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Dear Björn,
What possesses people…? We ask the questions but the answers don’t come. I’ll never understand. thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is… I have no words. You have a way to throw us right in, there is no looking away.
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Dear Gabriele,
Those are words enough. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Powerful, heartbreaking. The ‘llife pooling in the grass’ was such a visual thing. Well done, as ever, Rochelle.
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Dear Sandra,
It’s always gratifying as a writer to know what resonates with a reader. Thank you, it means a lot.
Hope you’re above sea level soon.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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And yet we continue to say “never again” over and over. Very powerful
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Well said, Neil. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I often say that I rather discipline my own child in my own home than allow them to be taken to task outside my purview. Your story reminds me of it!
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Dear Sabina,
In this case, she was just trying to quiet the child to keep the SS from finding them. Alas, this was not uncommon. As a mother, it’s unthinkable, isn’t it?
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The photo in your InLinkz profile is horrifying. Well done, as always.
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Dear J Hardy,
I often wonder if my link photos are noticed. In this case it’s a photo of an 18 year old girl at the time of the liberation.
Our stories did go hand in hand, didn’t they?
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow. Intense story Rochelle. I like it.
I made sure to make the time write this week. I keep meaning to every week, but I lose time.
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Dear Al,
Glad you were able to join us this week. Myself, I can’t handle more than one prompt a week. In fact, the way things are going some weeks I have to paddle hard to keep up with this one. 😉
Thank you for reading, commenting and liking.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sometimes I don’t have time to create a story for my own one. Time seems to run away and by the time you see what the time is, it is tomorrow and that spare time has to be used up getting some sleep. Then it begins all over again.
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Tragic and beautifully done.
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Thank you, Karen. 🙂
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Terrible! Just terrible! Oye! Please excuse me from taking part this week.
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Dear Petru,
I’m taking ‘terrible’ as a compliment. It is terrible…oye is right. You’re excused but thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Of course it’s a compliment to your brave writing. Will clock in next time. 🙂
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What a powerful piece! I cringed with every word. It’s just horrifying to think about. Well done!
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Dear Melony,
I would normally apologize for making you cringe. However the subject matter is cringe-worthy. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I can only hope that no mother or father is facing this dilemma, today. Your story reminds us of the great evil that has and perhaps still inhabits the world.
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Dear Mike,
As a mother I can’t even fathom the horror and tragedy. Evil abounds. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Even though I remember this story from the original, it still makes this Biker/Vet fight back the emotion of the visuals in my mind. Man’s inhumanity to man is a terrible thing. As always, a very well written slice of history.
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Heartbreaking.
I was unable to provide 100 words this week so I just explained how I feel about it. As it’s not a story I won’t provide the link. I prefer to reflect and read my fellow fictioneers stories, hoping that one day I will have acquired the experience necessary to provide a story whatever the prompt. This week I’m afraid I failed.
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Dear Graham,
I fear you might be too hard on yourself. At any rate, I’m pleased that you read, liked and commented on my story.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Brutally intense. Another very powerful story, Rochelle.
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Thank you for such a wonderful comment/compliment, Chris.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The Voice said it perfectly. In just a 100 words…wow. Definitely need to read the original..however you came up with this..the emotion, anguish, disgust felt all too real to be called mere fiction..Happy Anniversary.
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Dear Ifeoma,
This is a pet subject of mine. I don’t understand how people can be capable of such cruelty. Thank you on both counts. It’s been a fast four years.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Brutally powerful – it grips you from start to finish – and is most worthy of acclaim, because history repeats itself over and over …. and people need to recognize this and digest it.
Well written and congrats on the anniversary Rochelle
Shalom
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Dear Wildchild,
History does repeat itself no matter how many times we decry “Never again.”
Thank you for such a lovely compliment and the congrats. Four years has zipped by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Super writing but so dark and painful to read! You did well!
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Many thanks, Claudia.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So tragic! This one is heart-wrenching from the first line to the rending last words. Fabulous writing, Rochelle, and compelling throughout.
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Dear Eric,
This will be one of my soapboxes forever. Thank you for stopping by with such nice words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So few words to express so much pain. It is haunting and I fear Mothers are still suffering and vulnerable in wanting to protect their young.
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Dear Navasola,
As a mother I can’t imagine the pain of this. Thank you for taking the time to read and leave such a lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another masterpiece Rochelle, so powerful, disturbing, sad.
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Thank you, Mike. 😀
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Oh, that tore my heart out! You are the undisputed master of the poignant, and of historical fiction vignettes.
(And it reminds me of a scene in “The Pianist” where a mother snuffs out her baby for the same reason – no doubt, there were several such scenarios, but oh, so, so horribly sad!)
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Dear Vijaya,
I’ll admit that this story was inspired by that scene in The Pianist, one of my all time favorite movies. However, that was not the only time I’d heard of this happening. I also read the book The Pianist. Polanski was pretty faithful to the true story.
That movie is also the reason I’ve fallen head over heels in love with Chopin. Particularly Nocturne in C-Sharp Minor which I’ve woven throughout my novel trilogy. 😉
Thank you for your lovely comments. .
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’ve not read the book, although I heard that the movie adhered clearly to it.
Yes, this tragedy seems to have recurred in many stories from that time – the ultimate horror for any mother.
Beautifully rendered scene in your story!
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A repeat on congrats for 4 years! Yippee! This write tears at the heart like a barb of rusted wire… indeed it does. Thank you for all that you, Rochelle! ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ and many more years to come!
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Dear Jelli,
Thank you for such a nice comment on my story(ies) and the congrats. I don’t see myself laying FF down anytime soon. ❤
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So very sad. If they had been born in another place or at another time, who knows what their lives would have been like.
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Dear Clare,
It was a horrifically sad time. I can’t even imagine it. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. Much appreciated.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I am sorry I had to wait to read your story today. I knew from the picture that came up on the InLinkz page that it would tear at my heart. I was right, I thought I was ready for it, and yet, I still felt the tears well up. A heart rending story.
Shalom,
Lynda
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Dear Lynda,
To evoke such emotion is the highest compliment an author can receive.
Thank you and Shalom,
Rochelle
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Shuddering here.
While I am whinging about a little pain and inconvenience, you remind us so vividly what real suffering means.
Superb.
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Dear CE,
Unimaginable what people can suffer and survive, isn’t it? But so many didn’t survive. 😦
However I’ll not minimize what you’re going through, my friend. ❤
Thank you for your touching words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Feel better CE; you are missed!
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outstanding character portrayal. well done.
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Many thanks, Plaridel.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Four years! Congrats!
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Thank you, Connie. It’s gone by fast!
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Such a tragic story, and so real during that terrible time in history.
Congratulations on your 4 years at the helm!
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Dear Ali,
April marks the month I came aboard as one of the gang. Six months later I found myself at the helm, because I couldn’t bear the thought of losing Friday Fictioneers when Madison stepped down.
These stories, fictionalized or factual, cannot be told enough.
Thank you on both counts…ie story and anniversary.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautifully written, tragic and powerful. Extraordinary, Rochelle.
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Many thanks, Lynn.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My pleasure. All the best 🙂
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Very powerful and evocative story that gets right to the heart of everything that was terrible at that time. Lest we forget ….
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Dear Siobhán,
I fear that as the survivors are leaving us, it’s easier to forget. Although, there’s plenty of books and media. May we always heed and remember.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very powerful. Heart breaking.
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Thank you, Trent.
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So powerful Rochelle. Difficult to read, but read it we should.
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Thank you very much, Claire.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So many of these people lost hope, I remember some just walked right into the electric fences. The survivors, though, said they got through because they knew a better day was coming. That took courage.
Chilling, horrific, sad, extremely effective. Nailed.
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Dear Kent,
Indeed, it was a positive attitude of hope that kept many survivors going. We hear the stories, we see the photos and we cannot begin to fathom the horror.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Cuzzin Shelly
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I’m just holding onto the thought of Maruksha’s relief and that she and her baby will finally be together. Don’t want to think about anything else…it’s overwhleming at times to think of such human depravity 😦
Well written as always Rochelle.
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Dear Ansumani,
I can’t imagine living with myself in her shoes. Death was definitely a relief. I don’t understand such depravity. I could go on but I think I’ll just go swimming now. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Scary sad! Great story.
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Thank you, Connie. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I have no words. You take my breath away, Rochelle.
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Dear Dale,
Two words: Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very powerful story indeed.
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A sad powerful piece. A terrible thing.
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Thank you, Laurie. These kinds of stories are hard to write but a compulsion of mine, nonetheless.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You do an amazing job with them Rochelle
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Powerful and heartbreaking, Rochelle.
Personally, I liked the original better than the rewrite–especially the original line about the silk stockings, which is clearer and more technically correct in the original.
Your title is amazing in all it tells.
Peace,
Marie Gail
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Dear Marie Gail,
On that note I went back and looked at the silk stocking sentence and did a minor tweak in the update. I’m pleased that you liked either of them and took the time to read and comment. You know me and this subject matter.This could turn up as a much longer piece one day. ❤
Shalom,
Rochelle
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There’s a special place in my heart for mothers and babies. Your tale cut a little too deep today. I never want to feel that kind of despair that you write so well.
Tracey
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Dear Tracey,
I understand that special place. And I thank you for a very special comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I have heard stories like this as well, about the mothers suffocating their babies to keep them from giving them away with their cries. People have experienced unimaginable suffering.
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Dear Deborah,
I write these stories, but I really can’t imagine what it must’ve been like. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Mrs. Spade,
Four years on the job and still solving cases in 100 words or less. You have been a blessing to all of us who have tackled this addicting challenge over that time. I’ve become acquainted with so many wonderful people, shared their heartbreak and joy, all because of this little vehicle called Friday Flash Fiction. Somehow, Wednesday Flash Fiction just doesn’t roll off the tongue. Perhaps I should make you a Woman at Work sign to post by your computer. 🙂
Thanks for being such a great bus driver,
Mayor Pete
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Dear Mayor Pete,
A Woman at Work sign might not be a bad idea. Although Jan pretty much gets it. 😉
I shudder to think what I’d have done without Friday Fictioneers. I was devastated when Madison announced she was stepping down. You have Kent, Jan and Doug to thank for noodging me into begging for the job. I don’t know how many cases I’ve solved but I’ve learned what it means to herd cats. Just remember I still have your joy buzzer.
Shalom,
Sammie
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I have been visiting your site for Friday prompts for a few months and have finally started a blog so thought I would link my story. Please accept my apologies if I have done it incorrectly!
Loved your story.
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Dear Jo,
I’m glad you finally decided to join the fun. I found this group highly addicting from the beginning. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sometimes the cost of living just becomes too high.
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Amen.
Thank you for reading and commenting, Joe.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I fear there will have been many with the courage to do the same.
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Dear Liz,
Alas, it’s not an uncommon story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Looks like they won despite the sacrifice.
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A sad way to look at it.
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So vivid and real. I’ve read so many stories, fictional and real about the Halocaust, I’m still if not more confused about our human nature – the things we can endure and do.
Lily
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Dear Lily,
I don’t understand such bestiality either. There are too many true stories in the past and present.
Thank you.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, that was alive with all the horror it could hold! WOW!
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Dear Mary,
“Wow” is always a nice comment. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The first line — the first line. The entire story is chilling and sadly too real is history.
Interesting, I found myself in front ot the television earlier this week…my spouse away for a few days. I always have trouble going to bed when he’s gone. And Schindler’s List was on. Such a powerful film. And here I am, reading this today. The audacity of the sun to shine in those times. Beautifully penned as always.
And congratulations on this peniversary! 🙂 Or blogaversary! 🙂
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Dear Lilian,
Schindler’s list was brilliant and disturbing. I’ve only seen it once.
Thank you for reading, commenting and the congrats. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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An unflinching look at bitter history. It took my breath away, Rochelle.
Chag Sameach & Shabbat shalom! xox
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Dear Dawn,
I couldn’t ask for a higher compliment. Thank you.
Chag Sameach, Shalom and Good Health to you.
Rochelle
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So heartbreaking, Rochelle, to read this knowing she is taking her final breathes and thinking her last thoughts. It’s very vivid. I read your previous entry (wow, your 3rd story!) and love your changes. Much tighter and really getting down to that low point. Thanks for sharing it! FF is such a great way to grow as a writer. Thanks again for all you do.
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Dear Amy,
I appreciate the fact that you took the time to read both versions of my story. A few other readers preferred the first version. Interesting. I’m in agreement with you or I wouldn’t have taken the time to update. 😉
I’ve learned a lot, I think, from these flashes.
Thank you and Shalom,
Rochelle
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I know I have learned a lot! Besides, it’s hard not to edit a piece, isn’t it? Although sometimes, that first try can be kind of more organic and fresh. It’s a hard call to edit sometimes. I liked your changes. 🙂
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Tragic story, beautifully written. You certainly bring out the anger and energy needed to confront the historic and current inhumanity the world experiences.
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Dear Patrick,
Thank you for such a great comment. Glad you’re back at the desk.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I read your first story first. This is a great re-write. There’s more understanding, more depth and more feeling to it.
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Thank you, Dawn. I’m pleased you thought so.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very well written! Makes one think she protected the baby by murdering it, but then she couldn’t live with herself or lackluster life in a world she couldn’t let her baby live in.
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Dear Angela,
Under the circumstances, the baby would’ve been murdered by another hand. Horrible piece of history.
Thank you for coming by with such a nice comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Heartbreaking story and for all we know could even have been true for it was an extraordinary time. I think the original has its merits too,
I nearly missed this week due to troublesome technical issues but am glad to have put one in.
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Dear Subroto,
Thank you for taking the time to read both versions. I’ve no doubt this story represents more than one true story. Glad you’ve gotten your technical issues resolved.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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An already powerful story turned into something even more haunting—I think you’ve honed it into something both spare and incredibly vivid. The image of the baby under her palm is devastating.The line “her life pooled in the grass” is stunning. I am glad she feels relief in the end, but how sad that it comes at such a cost. Very powerful, Rochelle.
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Dear Helena,
I appreciate your comments so much. It’s what I was going for so I was surprised that anyone preferred the first version. Thank you again. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a heart wrenching story! Trying to protect your child of harm from someone , but ending the child’s life in the process , is enough to cause one to take their own life! The horror that mother experienced is unimaginable. This is such a powerful.story written in just few words.
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Dear Jessie,
I can’t even imagine the agony. Thank you very much for your affirming words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a haunting tale. Beautifully written.
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This story was a hard one to read (emotionally).
Congrats on 4 years!! Are you amazing!
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Dear Symanntha,
It’s a tough subject that we do well to remember. I can’t imagine what it must’ve been like.
Thank you for your sweet comments and compliments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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