Use the above image as inspiration for a poem or short story.
Alternatively, if you are an artist or photographer, use this as an opportunity to showcase your own work.
You have 1 week to complete this challenge.
When you’re done, TAG the post ‘Photo Challenge’ and ‘Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie.’ Create a pingback and add your link to the comments for others to read.
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Mind Love Misery’s Menagerie’s Instructions
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Lost!
By Tessa Dean May 2024
I was lost. I followed my sister’s instructions, but I found myself on what appeared to be a back road. My attempts to call her just produced more anxiety, as the phone showed no service where I was. I looked at the instructions I had written down but couldn’t spot where I went wrong.
Undeterred, I made a decision. I would retrace my steps, determined to find my way. I turned the car around and headed back the way I had just come. The area was deserted, and I couldn’t even see a street sign telling me how far it was to Martinsburg. But I was not about to give up because I didn’t want to still be out here once darkness fell.
Thankfully, I had the foresight to bring a small cooler with me, stocked with bottles of water and a salad. This resourcefulness was a small comfort in the midst of the deserted land, where I hadn’t even seen another car in the last hour or so. It made me wonder just how far off the beaten track I had ventured.
I pulled over to the side of the road and pulled out a bottle of water. I would save the salad for later since I didn’t know when I could get more food at a store or restaurant.
Sipping from the bottle, I headed back the way I had come, looking for a street sign or even signs of civilization. I don’t know why I didn’t notice that the area showed no signs of a town before now.
I followed my notes in reverse and hoped I hadn’t gotten off on a wrong turn which would make it even harder to find someone to help me.
I had been driving for about an hour when I came to what appeared to be a fork in the road and lo and behold there was a street sign on the other side of the road. I pulled over to the sign and looked for Martinsburg.
I shook my head in exasperation as the sign simply pointed left to City 2.3. I had no idea if they meant feet or miles, and there was no name for the city. The sign actually just said City.
I pulled out my phone to see if I had service yet. Thankfully, it showed 4 bars, so I dialed my sister’s phone number. She answered and asked me where I was.
I told her I had no idea as I had been driving for hours with no sign of civilization, and the sign I just found didn’t tell me how far it was to Martinsburg.
“Martinsburg?” she asked. “I don’t live in Martinsburg, I live in River Falls. What made you think I lived in Martinsburg?”
“I am sure that is where you said you lived.”
“I told you not to head toward Martinsburg. You must have heard me wrong. That town is a ghost town nowadays.”
“So now you tell me. Where should I go from here?”
“I know the sign you mean. It was put up by pranksters, most likely. Take the right fork and go straight for about 30 miles, and you will come to River Falls Main Street. Put my address in your GPS, and you should be here in less than an hour. If you had been using the GPS all along you shouldn’t have gotten so far off track.”
“I hope you are right because this has been a terrible trip so far. I don’t know how I got so far off track and I didn’t think I needed the GPS since you gave me directions although I must have written something down wrong..”
“Relax, you are almost here. I can’t wait to see you.”
I decided I might as well eat my salad now before going any further. I was hungry and since I was sure I was now on the right track I should be able to get more food once I arrived at my sister’s house.
Tessa –
Advocate for mental health and invisible illnesses
New Author’s Website – http://www.tessadeanauthor.wordpress.com
Author – Old Writing – http://www.finallyawriter.wordpress.com
About my life – http://www.tessacandoit.wordpress.com
Tessa Dean - Author 
