Wednesday, 23 October 2019

NEMESIS - 100 word story

Hello, I'm still away, but now have a little more time to write again. This week's Friday Fictioneers led me down a path of what might happen when someone remains caught up in the thrall of another.



PHOTO PROMPT © Jean L. Hays





NEMESIS

It was a curl up on the sofa sort of day.
Janet scrolled through facebook posts, frowning.
Rhonda. Her nemesis. Photos of Rhonda's gorgeous new boyfriend, their fantabulous holiday, swaying palms, sunset cocktails.
A black cloud of depression descended.
For thirty years Janet had tagged behind Rhonda like a helpless puppy in the hope that some of Rhonda's stardust might land on her. And she remained helpless in the grip of that awful, charismatic woman.
Helpless?
Janet's depression and lack of self worth sparked a murderous anger.
She pulled out her sewing basket and began to construct an effigy.

I hope you enjoyed this story and I look forward to your comments. 


If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE


If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 


- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.


On a final note - I always attempt to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been redirected to your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign into wordpress first. 
Please check and amend your settings. Thanks.








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40 comments:

  1. Neil MacDonald23 October 2019 at 10:48

    If she believes it works, she might succeed. So long as Rhonda does too

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames23 October 2019 at 12:17

      A reaction from a desperate woman, Neil. (I don't hold out much hope for her experiment.)

      Delete
  2. Rochelle Wisoff-Fields23 October 2019 at 12:38

    Dear Susan,

    I feel for Janet although I believe stabbing the effigy is only going to bring Janet some satisfaction. I doubt it will effect Rhonda. Good story.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames23 October 2019 at 13:02

      I agree, Rochelle, but the therapy might do Janet some good. :)

      Delete
  3. Tannille23 October 2019 at 13:51

    The dark side to social media. It isn't spoken about enough. Bet Rhonda's life isn't all that dandy.

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames23 October 2019 at 15:35

      No, it probably isn't, Tannille - but it depends whether she realises it!

      Delete
  4. Penny Gadd23 October 2019 at 14:38

    Ha! Your ending made me chuckle. Doesn't matter whether or not Rhonda is affected - Janet's on the mend! Nicely constructed story.

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames23 October 2019 at 15:36

      Oh, I'm glad to hear that, Penny. My intention was to finish on a lighter note, but I wasn't sure if I'd achieved it. :)

      Delete
  5. Na'ama Yehuda23 October 2019 at 16:00

    Poor Janet. I'd recommend she find someone to speak with about all this, and perhaps help build (re-build?) her self-esteem, instead of constructing effigies ... But I realize this might be my fix-everything-and-everyone-need ... ;)

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames23 October 2019 at 16:30

      Maybe she's already tried the therapy route? Thanks for commenting. :)

      Delete
    2. Susan A Eames23 October 2019 at 17:12

      p.s. I loved your story too - but I'm not on wordpress and your settings won't allow me to comment on your blog. :(

      Delete
  6. Linda23 October 2019 at 17:10

    Oh dear. Rhonda's in trouble. My guess, though, is that even if she succeeds in ruining Rhonda's life, she still isn't going to find happiness in her own. Not unless she can cut herself free and learn to stand alone. This is a really well-written piece, portraying Janet's emotions clearly.

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames23 October 2019 at 17:13

      Thank you, Linda - appreciate your feedback. :)

      Delete
  7. Iain Kelly23 October 2019 at 19:57

    I do get annoyed by 'those' people on Facebook! I can sympathise.

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames24 October 2019 at 13:02

      Yes, I always hit the 'unfollow' button if I can't tactfully 'unfriend' them. :)

      Delete
  8. Birgit23 October 2019 at 20:24

    Janet needs to block her out of Facebook and get some much needed therapy.

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  9. brudberg23 October 2019 at 21:17

    I can see her later desperately pressing pins into the doll to cause harm...

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames24 October 2019 at 09:59

      Whether it works or not, it's a form of therapy. :)

      Delete
  10. liz young23 October 2019 at 21:18

    Poor Rhonda has got it bad!

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  11. Susan A Eames23 October 2019 at 22:02

    Yes, but you see it's normal for her, she's lived her whole life like that. Maybe she'll get her come-uppance. :)

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  12. Dale24 October 2019 at 04:05

    Methinks Janet is about to let go of this waste of time energy! Move on, chickie!

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames24 October 2019 at 10:01

      Hard to escape from a thirty year old toxic relationship though. Maybe the effigy will help her achieve it.

      Delete
    2. Dale30 October 2019 at 16:53

      I hope so!

      Delete
  13. Jade Li24 October 2019 at 04:13

    Ha Ha! I've got to say I chuckled when I read this. Let the pain commence for her nemesis!

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames24 October 2019 at 10:02

      Good to know the humorous side came through, Jade.

      Delete
  14. draliman24 October 2019 at 08:31

    It's voodoo time! Though I can't help thinking Janet needs to come to terms with her own life rather than being consumed with jealousy over someone else's. And I bet Rhonda's life isn't all roses...

    ReplyDelete
  15. Keith's Ramblings24 October 2019 at 11:23

    At least it's only the effigy that's going to physically suffer - as yet!

    ReplyDelete
  16. theministryofshrawleywalks24 October 2019 at 19:50

    Ooooh Voodoo, I love this! Brilliantly simple, but what if it worked?!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames24 October 2019 at 21:08

      Let's hope it only works purely for therapy purposes! Thanks for commenting.

      Delete
  17. Solothefirst24 October 2019 at 20:46

    Ouch! Poor thing. I hope she soon realizes that she is amazing in her own right and not to compare lives. Great, bitter anger here

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    1. Susan A Eames24 October 2019 at 21:09

      Yes, perhaps a lesson we all need to understand. It's easy to 'see' other peoples' lives on social media as being richer than our own.

      Delete
  18. Nobbinmaug26 October 2019 at 17:08

    That bitch! I hate Rhonda!

    I read an article recently about how comparing our lives to what is basically someone else's online persona can to lead depression. It didn't mention the healing powers of voodoo, but it's worth a try. Nice take.

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    1. Susan A Eames27 October 2019 at 14:24

      Yes, I think social media has a lot to answer for... as for those girls pouting at the camera for their selfies... what's that all about? They look just plain daft. :)

      Delete
  19. magarisa27 October 2019 at 19:35

    I think it's a good thing that she's directing her murderous rage towards a creative pursuit, even if what she's creating is an effigy. An excellent take on the prompt!

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames27 October 2019 at 22:09

      Thanks for the feedback, Magarisa - much appreciated.

      Delete
  20. Dawn29 October 2019 at 15:05

    Sad that people think like this. Sad but true.

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames28 November 2019 at 20:06

      It's important for everyone to recognise their own self worth.

      Delete

Many thanks for commenting. I appreciate your feedback.

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