Oh, you take the high road
And I’ll take the low road…
They both studied the map. Iain watched Josh trace a route that looked longer than long. It took him north first, then southeast along the railroad tracks — tracks that took him so far south so that he had to ride north again. Why he didn’t follow the trail that seemed direct?
But it was a race.
Iain zoomed down the trail until he got to the livestock chute with the curved fencing. He was so bent on beating Josh that he hadn’t really paid attention until his ATV got stuck in that metal curve.
“STOP. LOOK. LISTEN.” He read angrily. “NOW you tell me!”
Then, he heard it. The train. Josh was on those tracks. He was a goner.
Iain heard the train blow an urgent whistle.
Suddenly his stuck ATV meant nothing. “Please, God,” he whispered, “let Josh be safe.”
His heart pounded as he heard the speeding train approach. Its whistle grew louder and more insistent. He squeezed the cold metal rail of the livestock chute.
He didn’t want to look.
In fact, he averted his eyes as the train roared past. He rested his head on the fence, holding back the tears.
Then he heard the low buzz of an ATV engine. He looked up to see Iain riding by on the tracks, AFTER the train, laughing and waving.
My response to this week’s Unicorn Challenge: write a story based on the photograph, no more than 250 words.
Hot Dogs and Marmalade 
Excellent story telling Sally. Loved the suspense, emotions and the end
Thank you, Sadje. It’s tough to build suspense in 250 words so I appreciate your compliment
You’re most welcome 😍
Good story.
Thanks, Dawn!
Excellent story of friendship tried and true.
Very enjoyable read, Sally.
Thank you!
Thank goodness! A happy ending. 🙂
Yes, we need happy endings every now and again. 🙂
Hi again, Sally. While I was posting in Jenne’s Unicorn Challenge a couple of days ago, I left a link to a pps I made called AsTheUnicornTurns. It is in my cloud. ceayr and jenne opened it.
It didn’t matter if no one noticed or opened. I notify you because you were mentioned in it. Here is the link if you so desire.
https://pcloscloud.com/index.php/s/Xr9WNrWw23mxNY8
Thank you so much for bringing it to my attention! Very cute! My middle daughter has purple hair — but I don’t think I’m quite ready for it.
Thank you, Sally. I’m allowed a little silliness. How funny to learn your daughter has purple hair. I promise, she didn’t tell me. lol
Ooh, you had me there, Sally. I had my eyes closed too! And I loved the ending.
Thanks, Jenne. I really love these prompts!
Phew! The suspense! And all ended well. Well done.
Thank you so much
Exciting tale, Sally, and luckily no one took the low road this time!
Haha — true!
Exciting tale. Pleasantly upbeat ending (despite the apparent peril).
That was a close call. Great buildup of tension here, and I like the upbeat ending.
Things could have turned out bad, but the whole thing — with its surprise twist — was so good!
Whew! Talk about heart pounding and love the ending! 💞💞💞 Amazing how perspective on something can shift in a moment!
Well written.