I’m back! After 3.5 weeks in Scandinavia, I’m home and finally catching up on blogging, writing, reading, and laundry. Not in that order. It was an incredible adventure and I will be writing about it, over the next few weeks. So, if you’re interested in Iceland, Denmark, Stockholm, Vikings, Game of Thrones, or good rye bread, tune in. The Iceland posts are up already, but there’s so much to share! In the meantime, I am leaving next Wednesday for BlogHer 2014 in San Jose, CA. If any of you are attending, please let me know; it would be so great to meet in person!
Speaking of meet and greets, I was very fortunate to meet fellow Fictioneer Björn Rudberg, while we were in Stockholm. He’s a busy guy, and I was thrilled when he and his wonderful partner, Charlotta, had some time to spare, on our last day in the city. We met for lunch, and while it was much too short, our time was a relaxed and lovely way to end my trip! My son and I both really enjoyed meeting them, and I hope we will have a chance to do it again one day.
Now, back to reality. Friday Fictioneers is hosted by the multi-talented, and all-around good egg, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Each week she presents a photo prompt, on her blog Addicted to Purple, and participants are encouraged to write a 100-word story; to visit the other stories and share feedback, and to do your best work. Visit her blog to read the other stories in this series, or join in the fun. This week’s photo comes from Adam Ickes’ hysterical photo. I always welcome feedback that is positive or constructive; please leave a comment and let me know you were here.
©Adam-Ickes
Missing (100 words, exactly)
“It doesn’t make any sense Sargent. It’s like they just evaporated!”
Detective Bill Jeffers held the thick file and scowled.
The case had consumed him for three years, but he was no closer to solving it than the day they’d found the Pryor’s deserted house– keys, wallets and cell phones sitting on the counter, but no sign of the young family.
“His business invoices suggest things were not going well, and a month earlier Jennie Pryor reported that someone rammed her car and fled.”
“But Tim Pryor vanished too, Jeffers. Face it, these folks didn’t sneak off for alone time.”
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Note: This story was inspired by two recent stories in the news, of families who disappeared without a trace, and with little information. The first case, a CA family in 2010, was solved last year, when (sadly) the bodies of the parents and two young children were found in shallow graves. The second story, of an Alaskan family, is still unfolding. In both cases, the adults and young children disappeared suddenly, and left few clues. My story sprung from reading those headlines… I’ve borrowed from the photo, but decided to be a bit more obtuse. Thanks for reading!
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TALES FROM THE MOTHERLAND 
Welcome back, Dawn!
Have a safe trip, Dawn!
I’m so confused!
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Such amazing travels you had. Welcome back! I’m sure it felt great to sleep in your own bed.
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Carrie! SO great to hear from you! Yes, sleeping in my own bed is great! That said, I really love adventure and the traveling with my boy was truly great! I’d have kept going… and going… Hope you’re getting a lot of work done, and enjoying the summer with your boys. 🙂
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Welcome back, Dawn! Although you kept up with your blogging really well. 🙂 That is so great you met Bjorn. I haven’t kept up with the headlines lately. Both stories sound equally troubling that make for an intriguing story.
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Yes, troubling stories indeed, Amy. I’m not sure what made me think of that when I saw this photo… which is so incredibly funny, butit popped into my head right away.
Yes, it really was great to meet Björn! He was as fun in person, as he seems on line. 🙂
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Seems they’re about as easy to find as that poor chap in the photo’s body–which is to say not very.
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No kidding! But the photo is at least amusing… nothing good about this deal. Thanks for your comment Adam.
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I am pleased for you that you had such an amazing trip and that you are safely home. I am catching up with your adventures bit by bit and that includes being dazzled one more time by your boundless imagination to pull a mysterious story out of the photo. I look forward to connecting with you again soon. – Mike
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Can’t wait to see you, in Augusts, Mike. Keep me posted on your plans, and we can share stories in person!
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Dawn, Welcome back from your Scandinavian trip. Great that you got to meet Bjorn. That was a good photo of the two of you. I hope your next trip is as pleasant. Good story and a bit of a different genre for you, but well written. 🙂 —Susan
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Thanks Susan… I’m trying to stretch a little, try new genres. It’s fun, but challenging. I’m glad you liked it. 🙂
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The news is filled with too many of these stories nowadays. Our society seems to be on a downward spiral…with no end in sight. Sad…
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BTW…lucky you…meeting Bjorn. One day…perhaps we’ll meet. hugs…
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I feel lucky, indeed. 😉
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It is sad indeed. There are so many good stories too, but the sad ones do seem to take center-stage. Have a good day, despite it, Mamma.
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Welcome back! Your trip looked amazing from the photos. And you are going to BlogHer? That is fantastic. Wish I was going. Have so much fun and let me know how it was when you get back!
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So wish you were coming, Kelly! I just messaged Emily. I forgot she was going (when I first asked her, she wasn’t… and I forgot her job is now sending her), and I’m hoping we can meet up!
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That will be fun!
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Hoping it happens!
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Real life and fiction coinciding to make a mystery. That there isn’t an ending is quite haunting. I keep thinking about it and worrying about what could have happened. Good one, Dawn. Your trip sounds amazing!
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Thanks Karen. These stories are haunting– the inexplicable loss of an entire family. My brain spins it round and round (why would the dog be missing too?), but they rarely come to a good end. Hence my ending… thanks so much for reading!
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