Fifties by the Fire — a fifty-word, prompt-based writing challenge. Feel free to share your response below, or read and comment to join in on the fun.
Prompt: Write a fifty-word story (fiction, CNF, or poetry) about arrivals and departures. Write your piece about an arrival, a departure, or both.
Here are the other guidelines:
Make sure your piece is exactly fifty words. Feel free to use Word Counter or the word processor you use.
Write a title with the genre in the first line. (Example: Nights in Uganda, Fiction)
The title does not factor into the word count.
Good luck and have fun. Happy writing!
Special thanks to John Lightle for providing “Zurich Gate C7” for our writing prompt.
John Lightle is a Texas writer, poet, and photographer who spends many hours sitting on his woodpile contemplating. When away from his frame shop, he schleps his artwork among area art shows. The job takes him across the countryside, occasionally overseas, photographing the quiet resolve found within the golden hours.
It was so quiet. All you could hear were the military personnel moving in precision. Greg would have enjoyed seeing all the people who came out. It’s not every day that you see something so special as this. The dignified transfer was complete. A hero to us and finally home.
Goodbye for Now, Fiction [Departures]
Summer was over. A sadness drew over the whole family. Emily was going off to college to experience adulthood. How could we let her go? The release we felt was overwhelming. We were proud parents. Would she remember us? Of course, she’d be home for Christmas. See you soon honey!
3:45 arrival time, gate A13. I'm excited! Gate Kiosk: Delayed. Delayed. Delayed. Canceled. She sends a text - No more flights. I'll try tomorrow. Will keep you posted. I miss you. I depart from the airport and head home. I really miss her. Just more air travel bullshit. Tomorrow's another day.
Uncle Scott! I just saw your name pop up and it made me smile. I love this. What a great story, one that so many people can relate to in some capacity. Traveling by air can be infuriating. (By the way, I have to drive to LaGuardia on Sunday to pick up Courtney’s sister...not looking forward to that trip at all!)
The train was late, which meant I still had time to change my mind. But I knew in the marrow of my bones that I had opened a gate which could not be closed. I thought of the shop, and of her hair. I calmed. I waited.
'in the marrow of my bones' ... visceral - excellent emotional connection to the tale. Just love the mystery for the reader and the certainty of the character.
She boarded the train that had just arrived and skillfully pickpocketed the wallet. It was time to depart at the next station when she faced the imposing train conductor. He too was impersonating under disguise hoping to find a suitable victim. Destiny provided him with a suitable life partner instead.
**I invite everyone to complete this story for me by adding one last word. What's your take?**
SHADOW-MAN, fiction
For years there was nobody. Then one morning a shadow~man began following me everywhere, teasing me, stepping on my heels. It was annoying. Slowly, he weaseled his way into my life. And my bed. He made himself right at home.
He’s gone now, and frankly, I feel a little ____________.
He stood at the end of the runway, watching the planes come and go, his fingers hooked through the chain link fence under the "No Trespassing - Airport Property" sign.
Trainspotting offers very little reward. Each day I scribble numbers into a dog-eared purple notebook with my stubby, chewed pencil. Today, an old man steps down, wreathed in steam. He places the tan leather valise onto the platform. He nods once, climbing stiffly into his carriage. I hesitate. Should I?
Imagine a world where new arrivals are 1,000% wiser than departed ones. Imagine how quickly society would change. What if baby prodigies arrived only to make the world a better place?
A place for learning, loving & sharing.
A place where there'd be no more violence. And no more wars.
I went further (which is usually the case for many) and continued the fiction with a strong story about how to accomplish such endeavour. I'll publish it later when it's done. Thank you for your uplifting comment!
Everyday, Mike conducted his train through the same stations, saying hello to everyone. Today was special. A little girl accompanied by her mother, came to him with a bundle of flowers and simply said: “Thank you for bringing my daddy home safe every day.”
After de sex night, the man leaves. Ana realizes that she didn't even know his name. When she arrives home, she thinks “an absent is someone who is no longer here, who no longer exists, someone who is not present, in the present. We all miss someone who is absent”.
The day we left, workers started cutting down old trees across the street. My mother wept for the trees and for us, going back north after four months under the same roof. The pandemic froze us in time-- the workers, the family. A gift we accepted with gratitude and guilt.
At 10:03, the train steamed into the station. At 10:07, the train steamed away. No passengers embarked or debarked. No footsteps raced to catch the train. No families stood to welcome a long lost child. No conductor cried, "All Aboard!"
The bomb destroyed life, but the machines remained.
Oooh, what an interesting premise, Stephanie! A world where the machines live on without humans...it would be a fun one to explore further! I really enjoyed this. Thanks a bunch for sharing!
“Passenger alert for today’s three o’clock Romanshorn / Zurich Express. After passing Winterhur, the train‘s traditional speed escalated from 55 km/hr to over a billion km/hr due to its molecular structure accidentally converting into pure massless photons, thus achieving faster than light speed. Swiss Rail apologises for its early arrival.”
An Early Arrival, fiction
“Next. When did you arrive?” asked the man at the gate. He clutched a book.
“Just now,” the man in line replied.
“Name?”
“Gregory Donahue.”
“How’d you die?”
“Plane, small engine.”
“Hmm…you’re early.” The man’s death date read: January 26, 2064.
“Forty years. Purgatory.” The skies opened. Gregory fell.
“Next.”
Oh no! Poor Gregory! At least it is not Hell, I guess. I love two-word sentences - Gregory fell. Fine writing, Justin!
Thanks so much, Sharron! This was a tricky one for me to write. I kept overshooting!
That was a fun, unexpected twist Justin! It gave me Good Omens vibes. Loved it!
Oh wow, thanks so much, Sara! I’m happy you enjoyed it. 😀
A twist, a twist, a most delectable twist! I smiled as he fell. Is that the correct response?
Haha! 🤣 Whichever way you read it is perfectly acceptable. (Though, I tried writing this one as a darkly humorous piece.)
Splendid in its simplicity.
Thanks so much, Barrie!
Justin, it’s amazing how you got so much information and imagery into fifty words! What a wonderfully unique story. I want more of it!
Thank you! I might have to expand on this one and see where it takes me!
Unplanned Absence, fiction
“Mommy, when will Daddy be back?”
Bret held his father’s baseball cap in one hand and a baseball in the other.
“He won’t, sweetheart,” his mother replied, her voice heavy as she hugged him.
Bret’s face fell.
“Why?”
“He’s on a new journey, a new adventure,” she whispered, tears streaming.
Heartbreaking! But I do love the reframing of death as a new adventure. It feels like a small sliver of silver lining to a sad story.
Tugging those heartstrings. Excellent writing
Very touching, very sensitive.
Perfect. That last line tells us everything we need to know. Excellent, Caro.
Oh, this is a heartbreaking story, Caro. The poor family. Thank you for sharing!
Home, Fiction [Arrivals]
It was so quiet. All you could hear were the military personnel moving in precision. Greg would have enjoyed seeing all the people who came out. It’s not every day that you see something so special as this. The dignified transfer was complete. A hero to us and finally home.
Goodbye for Now, Fiction [Departures]
Summer was over. A sadness drew over the whole family. Emily was going off to college to experience adulthood. How could we let her go? The release we felt was overwhelming. We were proud parents. Would she remember us? Of course, she’d be home for Christmas. See you soon honey!
Two finely told tales, Matthew! Thanks for sharing!
The first tale is so timely. Something we all have on our minds right now. Thank you.
Canceled Flight. What’s New?
3:45 arrival time, gate A13. I'm excited! Gate Kiosk: Delayed. Delayed. Delayed. Canceled. She sends a text - No more flights. I'll try tomorrow. Will keep you posted. I miss you. I depart from the airport and head home. I really miss her. Just more air travel bullshit. Tomorrow's another day.
Uncle Scott! I just saw your name pop up and it made me smile. I love this. What a great story, one that so many people can relate to in some capacity. Traveling by air can be infuriating. (By the way, I have to drive to LaGuardia on Sunday to pick up Courtney’s sister...not looking forward to that trip at all!)
Thanks for sharing! 😄
Thanks for putting it out there for all to participate! It was fun! Safe travels to Laguardia and back.
I’m loving your creativity. BTW, congrats on the newspaper article! That is awesome!!!
These are fun little writing exercises. I’m so happy you participated!
Thank you so much! The article was neat to see. I wasn’t expecting it to be so lengthy, ha! 😄 Take care, hope all is well.
Late Train, fiction
The train was late, which meant I still had time to change my mind. But I knew in the marrow of my bones that I had opened a gate which could not be closed. I thought of the shop, and of her hair. I calmed. I waited.
There’s so much to unpack beneath the story’s surface! Great story, Stephanie!
Thanks! Loving these prompts, had to do it even a day late :)
That makes me so happy to hear. Thank you. And no worries at all...the fire’s still going strong! 🔥
'in the marrow of my bones' ... visceral - excellent emotional connection to the tale. Just love the mystery for the reader and the certainty of the character.
Thank you! Love these prompts for the mystery.
Well, you picked up the baton and ran with it, brilliantly
Partners in crime, fiction
She boarded the train that had just arrived and skillfully pickpocketed the wallet. It was time to depart at the next station when she faced the imposing train conductor. He too was impersonating under disguise hoping to find a suitable victim. Destiny provided him with a suitable life partner instead.
That final line spins the whole story on its head. Very unexpected! Loved it, Sunil.
**I invite everyone to complete this story for me by adding one last word. What's your take?**
SHADOW-MAN, fiction
For years there was nobody. Then one morning a shadow~man began following me everywhere, teasing me, stepping on my heels. It was annoying. Slowly, he weaseled his way into my life. And my bed. He made himself right at home.
He’s gone now, and frankly, I feel a little ____________.
Such a great story, Sharron! It’s funny, I read this a few times and I’ve interpreted it differently every single time. But I’ll go with “alone”.
I think 'alone' works best.
Yes, I think it can go any direction due to her ambivalence. Alone feels right.
I'll go with "betrayed".
I think I'll go with one phase of the grieving process and say ‘angry.’
perturbed
Right you are! Thank, Stephen.
unmoored
Oh, Stephanie. That is a perfect word for this. Could you kindly add it here:
https://sharronbassano.substack.com/p/alternate-ending / Thank you!
Done!
For completeness, Sharron, I'm adding my answer here as well as Notes.
'overshadowed'
Okay! Great!
robbed
Beautiful! He got to her.
'relieved'!
Arriving Home-poetry
How do I know when I’m home?
Arriving home is more than crossing a threshold.
Home is not walls.
*
Is home confining or liberating?
Both?
*
I don’t know why, but
one must leave home to arrive home.
*
I don’t know what it is,
but when I arrive,
I will know.
Lovely, RI. Such a beautiful sentiment!
The Planes Come and Go, CNF
He stood at the end of the runway, watching the planes come and go, his fingers hooked through the chain link fence under the "No Trespassing - Airport Property" sign.
She said she'd call, she said she'd write.
A year's gone by, and he's heard not a word.
She's a memory.
What a vivid story, and such a sad one! Loved it, James.
Oooh. So desperate,James. Why is he standing at that fence? What is he going to do. Great story. Let's hear more.
Waiting (flash fiction)
Trainspotting offers very little reward. Each day I scribble numbers into a dog-eared purple notebook with my stubby, chewed pencil. Today, an old man steps down, wreathed in steam. He places the tan leather valise onto the platform. He nods once, climbing stiffly into his carriage. I hesitate. Should I?
Really atmospheric, Barrie. The details helped ground me in the scene! Lovely stuff.
Thank you for the kind encouragement, Justin. Trying to weave in some of the learning from Matt Kendrick's excellent 'Colourful Characters' course.
I love a good mystery. Very nice!
That's kind, thank you.
"Imagine Utopia" --Fiction
Imagine a world where new arrivals are 1,000% wiser than departed ones. Imagine how quickly society would change. What if baby prodigies arrived only to make the world a better place?
A place for learning, loving & sharing.
A place where there'd be no more violence. And no more wars.
It’s such an intriguing concept - one I wish so desperately could happen in reality! A thoughtful and hopeful story, Rene! Thank you!
I went further (which is usually the case for many) and continued the fiction with a strong story about how to accomplish such endeavour. I'll publish it later when it's done. Thank you for your uplifting comment!
You’re so welcome. Oh, I’d love to read it. Please let me know when you publish it! 😊
Most certainly will! ✌️
The Train Anecdotes--Fiction
Everyday, Mike conducted his train through the same stations, saying hello to everyone. Today was special. A little girl accompanied by her mother, came to him with a bundle of flowers and simply said: “Thank you for bringing my daddy home safe every day.”
Tears rolled down his rugged face…
Very sweet - a moment he will cherish forever!
Powerful piece!
Thank you!
Gen-Z Arrival, Fiction
~~~
Macy glances up—Seatac baggage is just empty: forsaken, like Grandma's "guest room". Or home.
S'okay. They/Their world is online. Validation.
The red light spins. Thud! Even with earbuds, she hears the luggage arriving. Across the room she sees her parents approaching. Not smiling.
Back to her phone, they departs.
So much ground covered in such limited space! Excellent work, Mark. Thank you for sharing. 🙏
Of course! Thank you for the opportunity.
The absent man, Fiction:
After de sex night, the man leaves. Ana realizes that she didn't even know his name. When she arrives home, she thinks “an absent is someone who is no longer here, who no longer exists, someone who is not present, in the present. We all miss someone who is absent”.
“We all miss someone who is absent” is a very powerful line. Excellent story, Rolando!!
Thanks Justin. 🤝
Usually we only miss what is absent, or something we wish we could have. Memories hurt.
Reset, Fiction
The day we left, workers started cutting down old trees across the street. My mother wept for the trees and for us, going back north after four months under the same roof. The pandemic froze us in time-- the workers, the family. A gift we accepted with gratitude and guilt.
Love the contrasts in your story, EJ! What a powerful “fifty” - thanks so much for sharing!
Arrivals and Departure's, fiction
At 10:03, the train steamed into the station. At 10:07, the train steamed away. No passengers embarked or debarked. No footsteps raced to catch the train. No families stood to welcome a long lost child. No conductor cried, "All Aboard!"
The bomb destroyed life, but the machines remained.
Oooh, what an interesting premise, Stephanie! A world where the machines live on without humans...it would be a fun one to explore further! I really enjoyed this. Thanks a bunch for sharing!
Thanks!!
Creepy! They must be OCD trains to keep on schedule after their purpose in life changed.
Ha! 🤣
lol
Zurich Station Announcement, Fiction
“Passenger alert for today’s three o’clock Romanshorn / Zurich Express. After passing Winterhur, the train‘s traditional speed escalated from 55 km/hr to over a billion km/hr due to its molecular structure accidentally converting into pure massless photons, thus achieving faster than light speed. Swiss Rail apologises for its early arrival.”
Hahaha! Love this. I wonder if they regret not traveling by car... 🤣
These are all great!!
Yeah, you did. I hope your story doesn’t reflect your current situation!