Cottage in the Woods – Friday Fictioneers

~ Amy Reese

As near as I can tell, this prompt was my very first Friday Fictioneers story, four years ago! It’s hard to believe. I couldn’t help but run my story this week…although I made a few changes…because guess what else? June 1st also marks my 4-year Anniversary with WordPress! This is a double celebration of sorts!

Thanks to all my blogging friends who have stuck with me all this time. Truly, I appreciate your support and for taking time to read and comment.

A big thank you to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for hosting the Fictioneers. She really is my Blog Fairy Godmother. Cheers! This week’s prompt was provided by Piya Singh.

Thanks to Piya Singh for this week’s photo prompt.
Thanks to Piya Singh for this week’s photo prompt.

Enrique and his wife, Sadie, had walked for hours in overgrown hills and meandered off course. While lumbering through granite rocks and muddy sludge, traces of honeysuckle lit the way to a new path, clear of vegetation and soft under their weary feet.

The cottage appeared before them in sun-kissed light with a delicate trickle of water coaxing them closer. They dropped their packs and splashed their faces with cool liquid and drank.

They could rest tonight. Inside a candle burned and a small, featherbed awaited them. Sadie sighed. The door slammed shut, locking them in. The candle extinguished.

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My original story as first published is here.

Click here for more stories from the Fictioneers.

88 thoughts on “Cottage in the Woods – Friday Fictioneers”

  1. Whoa! I wonder what horrors are in store for them?
    This description was very lovely, and lulled me into a sense of false security:
    “The cottage appeared before them in sun-kissed light with a delicate trickle of water coaxing them closer. They dropped their packs and splashed their faces with cool liquid and drank.”
    Beautifully written story, Amy!

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    1. Thank you, Sandra. I know! I can hardly believe four years have passed. Where does the time go? Thanks. I’m so happy I did. Glad to spend it with you.

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    1. Glad you liked it and thanks for the encouragement, Reinhold. I’d love to have some alone time to write in a little cabin somewhere. I might even chance it with candles. 🙂 But I should probably take your advice.

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  15. Your suspenseful touch is there and is very much alive and well four years later! I would say it’s even stronger, even though I haven’t read you since 2012. Time goes so quickly anymore, I give up! I love this piece. Hope everything is wonderful with you! xo

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    1. And, this was my first Friday Fictioneers…what a coincidence! The planets are aligned. This is the original story with a few edits. 🙂 Thank you, Kelly. That’s very kind of you. I’m moving this weekend, so….it’s as good as can be expected. 🙂 I’ll get through it! xoxo

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      1. You’re very welcome! Yes, those planets are aligned! As a matter of fact… tomorrow, Saturn and its moons are closest to Earth, hope you can see it! Just passing that along 🙂
        Best of luck to you with the move – do lots of your breathing and yoga… can be such a stressful thing, but it will be over before you know it! That’s exciting! xo

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      2. No wonder…about those planets. Thanks for telling me. I hope I can catch it. Thanks for all your encouragement, today and in the past. Yes, I’ll try to remember to breathe! xo

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      3. Always my pleasure – wish the very best to you with your writing! Glad tomorrow is Friday… it’s been a rough week with end of the year stuff with the kids… ready for summer! 🙂

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    2. It really has flown by, Audra! I don’t know how this happened. I felt all that time pass but then I didn’t….you know what I mean? Congrats to you and your anniversary! Same here. Glad to be in such fine, talented company! Thanks for all your support. xox

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  17. Has it been four years already. That first year is tough and then the rest just get easier. You have an enviable community Amy. And both of us have come a long way as writers. As for this prompt, I was one of the only people I know who loved the Blair Witch Project. And this scene is very much that movie’s ending.
    Love Ya’,
    Shalagh

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    1. Yes, indeed Shalagh. It has been a journey and one that changes from year to year. I’ve seen so many leave and not return. Thanks for the support. I’d like to think I’ve improved. 🙂 I’ve enjoyed it and reading you, too. I still have fun with it but seem to have less time for it lately. Plus, I am really trying to write that book. Never saw that movie! I hear it’s a good one though. Love ya, Amy

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  19. Wow, where did those four years go. I don’t think I’ve missed many of your posts during that time. Last week, I went back and read a bunch of my old posts, some were kind of funny, some were pretty lame.

    You did a great job on this one. The Fictioneer community has really grown and I’ve become acquainted with some many wonderful people–like you. Good luck with your book. I’m looking forward to it. I’m almost finished with my second one. Sometimes it’s hard to make the progress I’d like while maintaining a blog, but I find myself addicted and would definitely miss the weekly interaction with my blog buddies.

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    1. I don’t know where they went, Russell. The years really flew. And I appreciate that you’ve read all my posts. I have noticed and it means a lot to me. I think it’s fun to revisit the old stories. It’s hard to leave them untouched though. I’m always tempted to make changes, but doesn’t it feel good when you think, hey, not so bad! Or, hey, pretty good!
      Wonderful, you have your second book almost done. I need to catch up with my first! I’m way off track. I’m moving this weekend. 😦 so my life is all over the place. I wonder sometimes if I should abandon my blog for a more serious writing schedule, but sometimes I also think I need the outlet with other writing friends, too. So happy you’re one of them, Russell.

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  20. Dear Amy,

    I can’t imagine life without Friday Fictioneers or you being a part of it. It seems we started pretty close to the same time. I started in April of 2012. Who knew where that would lead me? But it’s one of the best decisions I ever made.
    Happy Anniversary, my friend. Good story…nice to revisit.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    1. Awww, you’re the sweetest, my Fairy Blog Mother. It’s been a wonderful journey to take with you. You have gone far and accomplished so much. This fan is very proud of you! I just can’t believe this time has passed. I think blogging warps my sense of time. No matter. It was time well spent with you leading Friday Fictioneers! Thank you, Rochelle.

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  21. Beautifully written with a great twist. I guess TANSTAAFL is particularly true for inviting cabins in the woods. And four years! Congrats. I still feel like a newbie around here. Just how long has FF been around?

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    1. Thanks, Gah. Ha! I had to look up your acronym. Very true. And they are paying a pretty price. I’m sure! Yes, four years. The last one really flew by. I’m really just happy to be still here. I still feel Friday Fictioneers really helps my writing, so I keep at it. I don’t really know how long it’s been going. Someone must know. When I started, Madison was the host and Rochelle picked it up soon after I started. So, I don’t know how long it was going before then….Cheers!

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      1. Thank you for the info, Amy. And sorry for the acronym, I’ve seen it around so often, I thought it was common. I’ve read it first in a Heinlein novel: the moon is a harsh mistress. I don’t know if that’s where it’s originated.

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      2. Oh, really? I thought it was a social media thing! No to need to apologize. I just assumed j was out of the loop, because I usually am. 😀

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  22. Yikes! Dare I read on?
    I’m learning that keeping a blog interesting takes time and dedication. Congratulations on four great years.

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    1. If you dare, Matt…hey, thanks for reading my blog and for your support. Agreed. A blog takes time, doesn’t it? And dedication, you know it. Your blog is going strong with lots of great content! Thanks so much. I can hardly believe four years have passed.

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  24. Happy Blogoversary, Amy! 4 down and many multiples of 4 to go!

    I actually chuckled at the end of the story. Simply because I sensed it was too easy going. 🙂 … thanks for verifying my sense.

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  26. Sounds sinister, but, on the other hand, probably a LOT more sinister in what’s just going to naturally happen with those two anyway, yes? 😉

    Has it been four years? Golly, that’s a long time. But your writing has definitely been a joy to read and definitely knowing you has been a treat as well. All of us need all the moral support and encouragement in our writing as we can. Thanks for being part of that for me, too, Amy. 🙂

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    1. Sorry for the delay in responding, Kent. I’ve been moving all weekend and then I didn’t have Internet! I wanted to respond to your comment with some substance which is hard with just the phone. But all I can really say is thank you! Thanks for the kind words. Likewise, it has been a treat to read your work and I have appreciated all your support. Thanks for the high ratings, too! You’re welcome. 🙂

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  30. Terrific story, Amy. It could be an allegory for life really – all those years slogging away at work, then you finally reach the golden retirement years and bam – it’s over. Nah! I don’t really think that. Congrats on four years – I’m coming up for two in August and still loving it.

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    1. Ha! Right, the light goes out and it’s all she wrote. Nah! I’m still here. Thanks so much, Margaret. Good for you and your two years. Loving it makes all the difference. If I started to feel this was an obligation, I probably couldn’t do it because time is so limited these days.

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Take it away.