“Where the bloody hell are they?”
Like Smith, Parish wondered the same. Studying the empty settlement, he felt hairs on the back of his neck rise.
Carved into the tree one word: Croatoan.
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Word Count: 33
Author’s Note: Written in response to ThainInVain challenge to open a favorite book to page 33 and write a 33 word story about the first proper noun (person, place, thing) on the page. The book: America – The Last Best Hope, Volume 1, by William J. Bennett. Page 33 – first noun is settlement. Thanks to ThainInVain for hosting the weekly flash fiction challenge. Her blog can be found here.
Odyssey of a Novice Writer 
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For more info, delivered in a great way, one could always attend a performance of The Lost Colony right here in NC: Address: 1409 National Park Dr, Manteo, NC 27954
Phone:(252) 473-3414
This is an outdoor play so only offered in the summer.
Spooky! 🙂
Great stuff, Kate! ❤
A mystery for sure. Was Croatoan meant to be an Indian tribe? The name of a chieftain? No one knows. All we know is that the English colony disappeared.
Maybe they were eaten by a group of rabid zebras? 😆
Superb. Fascinating piece of pre-US history, too.
Thanks, Keith! 🙂
I’m intrigued by your story and the book you are reading! I have never heard of this story – being a Canadian and all. I love lore stories! Great work, Kate! TiV
Thank you! The story of the lost English colony has always interested me. 🙂
That is interesting stuff! I would like to learn more. Any suggestions for readings?
Good one, Kate!
Thanks, John! 🙂
Living in North Carolina, this story had always fascinated me. Where did the colonists go? Lots of theories, nothing sure.
I think the lone word carved into a tree is what makes the story especially mystifying.
I hadn’t heard about Roanoke and Croatoan, so Googled them–very interesting! Well done, Kate.
Thanks, Willow. 🙂 It was a challenge to tell a brief story in 33 words!
It must be–how do you do it!!
It’s all smoke and mirrors. 😉
Awesome job! And ahhhhh I loves me some Roanoke lore. I’m a native Virginian after all…
Thank you. The story of the Lost Colony has always resonated with me, especially that one, lone word carved into a tree.