You might think, ‘What, again already?’ but the weekly Friday Fictioneer photo prompt can’t arrive fast enough for me. It’s a great opportunity to test my ability for shaving down the words used in a story, to the bare essentials. So here is this week’s effort:
Photo copyright Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
I stand beside my counsellor on the flat roof and wait for the helicopter. My legs tremble. Will I have the nerve to board it, to fly at last? Or will I dissolve in panic like the last time I tried?
The throb of engines buffets away my counsellor’s last minute advice as the machine descends onto the helipad. We duck beneath the rotor blades and suddenly I’m aboard.
My shaking hands fumble with the seat belt. The counsellor clicks the clip.
High above a jet stream streaks across the sky.
Is this my first step to freedom?
A Budding Writer 
Nice story Di with lovely descriptions like; “The throb of engines buffets …” Flying – such a problem for so many. I enjoyed reading your post.
Your comment arrived in pronto fashion, Maree, and is very much appreciated. It was fun to write.
Interesting take on the photo Di and great story. It hints at your background methinks. As Maree says ithe descriptions are lovely and draw us in to the story. Glad you are really enjoying the FF projects.
Love your loyalty to our FF efforts, Marg. So nice to receive comments and yours are always positive and encouraging. Thankfully, although I’ve experienced what it’s like to have a phobia (cured now!), it wasn’t about flying … although can’t say I enjoy flying, either.
Nicely done. I’d no sooner get in a helicopter than fly though… 😦
Come to think of it, I’ve never been in a helicopter. Thanks for your comment, Sandra.
Dear Diana,
Pretty drastic therapy. I’m not sure I’d get into an open helicopter. Nicely done.
shalom,
Rochelle
Dear Diana,
Anything above twenty feet is fatal. You just have to trust your luck. Nice story.
Aloha,
Doug
I don’t like heights at all, Doug. But it doesn’t stop me flying. I guess I do trust to luck. Thanks for your comment.
Thank you for your comment, Rochelle. I’m almost certain I wouldn’t fly anywhere in an open helicopter. Diana
Interesting take on the prompt. I really liked the line about the advice being drowned out by the helicopter. Well done!
I appreciate your feedback. It’s good to learn what appeals to others. Thank you.
I got a free ride on a helicopter once – thus avoiding yet another 4 mile hike from the archaeology site where I worked to “civilization.” Had the time of my life!!! Still, I can imagine that if you hate flying, it doesn’t matter what you’re in.
I’ve never had a dream to fly in a helicopter, but as a child I wanted to be an archaeologist. Never fulfilled this ambition, but if I ever got to work on an archaeology site, it would be a dream come true. Thanks for dropping by and sharing.
Diana, I can imagine that riding in a helicopter would be very different than in a plane. If it saved me a long hot ride on the ground though, I might consider it. Good, descriptive, and well-written story. 🙂 —Susan
Thank you for your feedback, Susan. It’s much appreciated. Yes, I’d probably accept a helicopter flight in favour of a long hot ride, too.