Awe-struck and trembling, we lined up in front of the Reverend’s beautiful wives and opened our mouths obediently for a quarter of holy mushroom.
“There is only one rule,” the Reverend said, tears of joy in his eyes. “Don’t leave the compound.”
What would you do with your last half a day? There weren’t any surprises: a few couples went to the woods; some prayed, most read from The Book. None of us anticipated the sweats, and the pain and the crying.
And me, what did I do with my final six hours? I wrote it all down, so that you can read it now.
This is a Friday Fictioneers 100-word (or so) story inspired by the picture supplied by the lovely Erin Leary. Friday Fictioneers is organised and run by the wonderful Rochelle. Click here to join in, and here to read other pieces. I’d love to know what you think of mine – please leave a comment!
***
Hurray! After nineteen months of waiting, my novel, Our Endless Numbered Days has been published in the UK (Fig Tree / Penguin) and Canada (House of Anansi). It will be published in the USA on 17th March by Tin House. Click on the Amazon links on the right to read the first chapter.
Great story,, Claire, and congratulations on the publication.
Thanks Liz
A nicely written story. Clever twist. Hundred word stories aren’t easy to write. I liked this one.
Thanks Michael. That last line took a long time to come.
My grandparents loved foraging for mushrooms, and I loved eating them. One of them made the mistake of telling me about Destroying Angels, though. After that, I wasn’t all that keen on mushrooms anymore. I suppose that’s why your story gave me the creeps. Such an awful way to die… Good story, though!
I go foraging too. I only pick the ones I can definitely identify. That’s a shame that the idea of destroying angels put you off. Thanks for reading. Claire
Great story, Claire. You tell it really well in only 100 words. I always find tales of religious suicide rather disturbing. Congratulations on the publication. 🙂
Yes, really disturbing. And thanks for the congratulations.
Claire
People stupid enough to do that just annoy me. The fact that I’m annoyed now shows your story hit the spot 🙂
Hah! Glad it got to you Paul.
Claire
A great take on the prompt. I felt the sense of helplessness. Enjoying your success.
Thanks Sandra.
Claire,
I don’t know what I would do with the last six hours, especially ones filled with pain, but writing it all down is probably the best idea. Great story. Congratulations again on the novel. 🙂
Thanks David. Glad you liked it, and thanks for the congratulations.
Oh my – I hope the author also spit it out. I’d hate to think we were reading their last words. I loved this – and the title, too. Very chilling.
Destroying angels is the name of the deadly mushroom, amanita virosa, but it’s such a beautiful two-word phrase that it popped into my head when I saw your inspirational picture. So thank you!
Oooo…love that ending!
Thanks Dawn
Fantastic and chilling, Claire.
Marie Gail
Thanks Marie Gail
This is one of the reason why you are a writer! Beautifully composed story telling!
Thank you. Glad you liked it.
I get a Jonestown feeling from this.. but poison mushroom would probably be my last choice… a big cheers on your publication and so happy it was delivered all the way to Sweden already.. Amazon is quick..
I hope you enjoy the book Bjorn! And yes, a poison mushroom would be way down my list as a way to go
No Kool-Aid to be had, I take it. What a perversion of religion this sort of thing is! But on the jolly side–congratulations on the publication dates (St. Patrick’s Day in the US.) That means the library might be getting their copy/copies soon. Hurrah!
janet
Thanks Janet. No, no Kool-Aid. Hope you enjoy the book when you get it.
Claire
This brings up many questions. What would I do with my last six hours? Would I fall into such a trap? Who DOES fall into a trap like this, being easily swayed? Thanks for making me think.
What to do with my last six hours? It’s a tricky question. I think I might accidentally spend the first five worrying about what I should be doing.
Claire
I like this. Co-incidentally we watched a movie last weekend that was similar and supposedly true. Shocking. Nicely written and I hope your book does fabulously.
I’d be interested to know what it was. Glad you liked the story and thanks for the good wishes.
Claire
It was called The Sacrament. It’s on Netflix.
Dear Claire,
Everything else aside (which is easier said than done, because the entire tale was stellar), your last line gave me chills. In one sentence, the ne plus ultra of flash fiction, you encapsulated what we do and why we do it. And you do it so well.
Aloha,
Doug
Thanks Doug. Glad you liked it.
Claire
Great depiction of a terrible event. Happens too often. I need a drink.
Hah! I hope you got one.
Claire
Dear Claire,
For a moment my heart stopped and I’m still gasping for breath. I stand in awe of this story and your writing. I’d love to hate you, but I can’t, I love your writing too much.
Shalom,
Rochelle
And I yours Rochelle! Thanks for your lovely comments.
Claire
My dog died of these. Makes me feel sad. Great story, though.
Oh no, that’s so awful. I’m really sorry.
Claire
sad story. i wished she tried to escape while she could.
Me too! Thanks for reading.
Chilling and it has happened too!
I have just devoured Our Endless Numbered Days! A triumph of believable story and really delicious writing. Darker, perhaps, that I would normally choose, but I could not put it down. I will get to reviews, but it may take a while as there is rather a lot going on here.
Thanks Hilary, and for your lovely comment about Our Endless Numbered Days. I’m so pleased you liked it!
Thanks,
Claire
Cult-ure club, eh.
Not much fun here.
Dead end ultimately.
(well done)
Randy
All a bit grim. Sorry.
Claire
Hi Clair,
A very clever piece indeed, especially to twist it back at the end like that. “Tears of joy” I feel is very interesting. On the surface, you paint a picture of poor deluded people . Without those words, the story takes on a sinister edge. Twist those words even deeper and the Reverend becomes truly Evil. So many angles!!!
Thanks. So pleased that you felt all those things. It’s hard to get layers into 100 words.
Claire
quite a punch in hundred words, congrats for the book
Thank you, and for the book congratulations!
Claire
Hey Claire, I just the article about you on Good Reads. So excited for you.
Tracey
Thanks Tracey. It had been ridiculously exciting!
Claire
Great story! Reminded me of Jones Town. Congratulations on your book! It is coming out here in the USA on my birthday so I suspect it will be very successful! I am going to go read the first chapter right now.
I just read your first chapter or at least part of it and it was excellent! It kept my interest entirely.
Thank you so much for taking the time to go and read it, and I’m really glad you enjoyed it. Perhaps it might be a birthday present 😉
Oh, that is sweet even just suggesting it. Thank you!
Horribly sinister. As usual, effective use of just a hundred words.
Thank you! Glad you liked it.
Claire
Gave me the shivers! Congrats on your book.
Lily
That’s what I like to hear. And thank for the congratulations!
Intensely horrid… Nicely done.
Thank you!
Gripping. You’ve shown the gullibility of cult members so well in the start of your story, and then the ending raises questions about whether this member had some doubts. Well told. Congratulations on your book.
Thanks Margaret. Glad you liked it, and thanks for the book congratulations!
Claire
The reverend seems to be such a fungi. Also congratulations on the publication.
I see what you did there 😉 Thanks for reading and for the congratulations
It’s strange how people can be so gullible. Writing it down was a good use of the last six hours. Congrats on getting your book out. That’s always a great feeling.
Perhaps that’s what all us Friday Fictioneers would do?
Wonderful twist, Claire! I was pulled right into the diabolical story line (these mass religiously motivated suicides always fascinate me), and relieved that the narrator didn’t drink the Kool-aid, nor eat the mushroom!
Can’t wait for your book! I have it on my calendar. But, how did Alicia get it before March 17th?
Thank you! I think we’re all fascinated (and creeped) by them.
The book is officially published on 17th March, but Amazon.com is selling it early. No idea why…
I’m on it! 🙂
Lovely layering. In your last line you nailed the motivation behind creative endeavour while telling a tale of, well, ‘the final solution’ of a religious community? As ever, you leave the door open to interpretation. Still reading your book. 🙂
Nice story Claire, its a shame you won’t be around to write any more fiction! 🙂 Huge congratulations on your incredible achievement of getting published, Is it available on kindle?
I might pop up in a different guise, you never know 😉 Yes, it is available on Kindle, here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Endless-Numbered-Days-Claire-Fuller-ebook/dp/B00NTIC4EK/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=