copyright Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
It occurs to her that since he brought her here, there has never been a day without mist shrouding the boundary fence.
How strange; when he talks about the view – the rolling fields, the distant spires.
Every morning he leaves the house, disappears into the mist and takes the motorway south to the sun, re-emerging revitalised at dusk.
Today she ventures out of the garden. A yard from the fence, right around the house, the ground sheers away into an abyss.
She returns indoors, sits at her laptop.
Slowly, she begins to construct a fragile bridge to the outside world.
On our journey south once again, stopping off in France for a couple of days, whilst looking forward to blue skies and milder weather. Here on the boat, the marina is like a ghost town, masts shrouded in mist, dripping spiders’ webs festooned from bow to bow like an obstacle course. Ugh! Thanks to Rochelle for leading the Friday Fictioneers steadily onwards to the end of the year.
castelsarrasin 
Oooh, Sandra. So creepy. Imagine discovering that the land ended beyond the garden. So many great questions stirred up by this – why, how did she get there, and where does he go?
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The abyss outside the home was intended (perhaps too strong a word) to be more of a metaphor. I wasn’t sure where I was going with this so I left it open for interpretation. Thanks for reading.
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Ahh, I took it completely literally, which does make it into an odder, but still excellent story.
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I can really feel the angst of the housewife stranded. It’s a great image.. and the creepiness of discovering the realms is really well done. There is also a hope that she will find her way to change things, she is not the passive woman that is so often portrayed…
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I had several takes on this, agoraphobia, a controlling partner, a recluse, someone recovering from a mental illness. And I didn’t really decide so it’s up for whatever interpretation people prefer. Thanks for reading.
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I’m wondering if your view of the mist and spider webs gave you the atmosphere for your story. It’s indeed a creepy mystery. Well done as always. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thanks Suzanne. Yes, the mist and webs are compelling stuff to a writer. 🙂
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Dear Sandra,
Atmospheric and shrouded in mystery. I can’t help wondering how she’s going to build her fragile bridge. It seems this could be a longer piece. I certainly want to know more. Well written as always.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks for reading Rochelle. I was all over the place with this one, my mind brimming with ‘takes’ but none of them coming home to roost. I think it shows. Not to worry. 🙂
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Brrr, superbly atmospheric.
I love the analogy of the bridge she is building.
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Thanks CE, glad you liked it. 🙂
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Ooooh…this has to have a continuation. Well done dear…
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Thank you for reading. 🙂
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I guess this is how it feels for a foreigner in a strange new place, like you are cut off from all that is familiar, but also strange.
I love that she found a way to bring the world to her.
I can totally relate with this.
Loved it.
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Thanks for reading, glad you enjoyed it.
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Beautifully poignant.
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Thank you!
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Lets hope the bridge holds. I’m not sure whether to read this as reality or as a metaphor, but both ways work for me.
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I don’t think I made my mind up whether it was to be a metaphor or reality, so we’re in good company with each other Patrick. 🙂 Thanks for reading.
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Lonely as well as creepy. Brilliantly done Sandra.
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Thank you, it was something of a compromise this week. 🙂
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Such a vivid sad story, Sandra. I’m left wondering (in a good way) how much it is metaphorical, how much psychological, how much real. I’ve felt like your heroine sometimes too. This could be the beginning of an incredible (and incredibly resonant) novel.
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I had too many ideas floating around in my head ranging from agoraphobia, loneliness and depression, through to more mundane ‘controlling partner’ or ‘virtual prisoner’. I never really reached a conclusion so I thought I’d leave it open. Thanks for reading Jennifer.
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Think I’m with Elmo here, my feeling is that this is a psychological abyss. For some reason she has created her own prison and so needs to find her own way out. Perhaps writing will be her release.
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I think I’m more inclined to go with the psychological imprisonment rather than the more literal interpretation. But I had no clear intention, I admit.
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I was struggling to understand whether the story was completely literal or metaphorical, but either way it makes an interesting piece to read. I like how bizarre a literal interpretation would be.
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Wouldn’t it just? Thanks for reading.
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Hope she builds a strong bridge!
DJ
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🙂
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Gave me the shivers, Sandra. I wonder just how many women fell as trapped as she does. Hope she decides to blog about it on WP. 🙂
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She might be writing, blogging, contacting people for help… 🙂
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Perfect! 🙂
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I went with the metaphorical interpretation and I like the idea of expanding your world through writing. Isn’t this what we all do? Happy Birthday
Tracey
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Thank you Tracey, for reading and commenting. And for the birthday wish. 🙂
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I love the atmosphere you created, well loved how well you described it, felt for the woman living it. You may have been all over the place in your mind, but we all seem to agree it was great! Leaving the wide opening to our imaginations is a good thing!
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Thank you Dale, glad you liked it.
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Poor woman stuck out in the middle of nowhere. Thank Heavens for the internet. I like your use of the word “fragile” in that sentence.
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Well I’ve had more than my fair share of ‘fragile’ internet connections. 🙂
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I love the feeling of isolation, the frustration, and a search for a way out. Finally, she uses the internet to connect with the world. As someone with a chronic illness and limited mobility, I also use the internet to maintain my relationships and to maintain a feeling of productivity. I’m glad you left this story open to interpretation. It really hit home with me.
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Hi Jan, I can identify with the frustration you must feel, and am as grateful as you that the internet can help to maintain not only contact but a sense of moving onwards and upwards. I hope the story didn’t make you sad. Thanks for reading.
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I love that this works on different levels. It reminds me a little of how I felt living in America with no job of my own, my husband leaving for work every day – only this was in blazing sunshine not atmospheric mist. Ultimately an optimistic piece.
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Yes, I’ve found myself stranded in foreign countries whilst my husband went off to find fulfilment in his daily work. There’s only so much sunbathing you can do before you start to feel frustrated though… 🙂 Thanks for reading.
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well, i suppose she has internet connection. 🙂
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All is not lost, then.
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Connie probably wishes I’d come home revitalized. She could always join the fictioneers.
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I think she already did. 🙂
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This has a fantastical feel to it of new worlds not yet discovered, although I know that wasn’t your intention. I bet the husband is up to no good. I think he needs to spend some time with the wife
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You’re a cynic, Amy Reese. 🙂 Thanks for reading.
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😉
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Really beautiful.
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Thank you!
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I got the metaphorical view of the story and the ending is powerful – these online bridges are fragile indeed but for someone stuck without a “revitalizing” day outside, that’s all they can have.
Good one.
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There’s always another world to visit with the online bridge… 🙂
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Pooh…creepy and ominous, but beautifully written. Loved it.
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Thank you Erin. 🙂
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He’s revitalised by his daily trips to the sun – that’s intriguing. I hope she writes welll and builds a good strong bridge – to somewhere. I love the open-endedness of your story.
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Thanks for reading Margaret, and for not minding the non-conclusion. 🙂
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I get the sense that she is afraid of life and clings to the little reality she knows. It is a self-imposed exile, and I understand it all too well. Hope she learns to free herself.
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Thanks for reading Perry. Hope all is well with you.
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I felt like I got to know her in 100 words and yet by your comments you weren’t sure who she was. To me, she was a recluse; and an author.
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Thanks for reading Dawn, I’m glad the story struck home with you.
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Sandra, I say this too often perhaps, but is one of your finest. The metaphors, the imagery, the incredible narrative is incredible. I can imagine this scene so clearly… just sublime!
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Thank you Dawn! I’m glad you liked it. 🙂
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I like the paranormal touch you added here.
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Thank you Joseph! 🙂
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I like the contrast between the unnerving isolation and the hopeful ending – you got the balance just right. The land falling away put me in mind of The Truman Show – what lies beyond the edge that she cannot pass?
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She comes over as a wife of a controlling husband who wants her to stay at home and keep house, while he is the sole breadwinner. Maybe she had a good job that she was competent at before she married him, but her present life without challenge or daily company has left a giant void. So the bridge is her way back to the person she once was.
Whatever you meant by this story, it works excellently because it is left so open to interpretation by your very clever use of words.
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I think that’s how I started off with it, and then there seemed to be all these other possibilities, so I left it open. Thanks for reading Sarah.
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The ‘net’ as the only escape. A very lonely world.
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