During the brief interlude between their visit to the burned-out farm and re-joining their commando, Pieter’s hair and beard became streaked with grey and new lines creased his skin burned brown by the sun. A shadow of desolation filmed his once bright eyes and his mouth curved down at the sides. They speculated that their families had been taken to the Mafeking concentration camp, but they could not be sure. They did not even know if they were still alive. Terrible stories about the poor conditions at the camps circulated among the various commandoes as they traversed the countryside.
The above 99-word piece of flash fiction is for Charli Mills’ Carrot Ranch challenge. You can join in here: https://carrotranch.com/2019/09/20/september-19-flash-fiction-challenge/
roberta-writes.com 
Another excerpt, a different point of view on that dark period…love the sentence ‘A shadow of desolation… ‘
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Thank you, Janet. I appreciate your feedback.
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Hints at a whole world beyond, and many stories to be told.
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Thank you, Andrea. This is part of a novella I am finishing off now.
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Reblogged this on Ed;s Site..
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Thanks for sharing.
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It’s a lot to carry around. (K)
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Yes, uncertainty about the circumstances and survival of family must be the most terrible thing.
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It doesn’t look too promising for the good guys…
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Thanks Annette, no, I write ghosts stories …
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Great except, Robbie. What a drag about their families!
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Thank you, Miriam.
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You’re welcome, Robbie.
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Perfectly grim, particularly the not knowing about their families.
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Thank you Miss D
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That would be horrible not knowing what happened to your family.
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Yes, a terrible situation
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It’s a vivid scene, Robbie. Good luck with the novella. Hugs on the wing!
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Thank you, Teagan. I have your new book.
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Oh my goodness! I’m thrilled. Thank you. Hugs.
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I cannot imagine something like this happening but I’m sure they didn’t either. Such a tragedy.
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They knew it was on the cards by this stage of the war. The concentration camps in South Africa during the Boer war were very tragic.
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So good, Robbie. You paint such a harsh and despairing reality. Beautifully told in Pieter’s face. How sad and frightening.
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Thank you, Diana, for your lovely comment. It was a terrible time during this particular war.
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your characters always come to life!
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I am thrilled you think so.
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they do indeed
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Such vivid details round out your characters, Robbie.
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Thank you, Charli. I have tried to remember everything you and Esther have taught me.
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Intriguing and great description and tension, Robbie.
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Thank you, Sherri
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Grim. I love it 🥰
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Thank you, Jessica.
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Dreadful times, Robbie. You’ve expressed it well.
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Thank you, Norah. It was a tragic time in South Africa history. We have had a lot of those.
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They happen the world over, sadly.
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I have a nephew in the service… and every time I do get to see him – I see changes.
One cannot un-see what they do see. I think like firefighters and police when dealing with the worst tragedies…
the affected psych can effect how one looks. Good capture in 99 words.
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