For
A to Z 2015 I will be posting flash fiction, all random, all the crazy musings
of a crazy mind. Hope you like them.
B is for Beyond
“Are you aware of the
risk you’re taking?”
The woman nodded,
eyes cast down to the floor. She knew well the risks; better than anyone.
As the minutes
lengthened she turned and left. She knew she would never get his blessing; his
silence was the most she could hope for, and all that she got.
No
matter, she thought to herself. I didn’t need him.
But that was a lie
and she knew it; no one went to the outer rim and returned. Everyone knew that.
She could’ve used him.
The desert lay open
before her, ending at the end. She made her way towards it.
That night as the
suns sank into the abyss, it was closer; she was closer. She knew it wouldn’t be
long now. Soon she would find her son, or join him. Either way, she would know.
A figure moved in the
distance. The woman lifted her hand to shade her eyes. She’d heard mirages were
common. There were those who had almost and then returned. That was her hope
for her son, for her.
But like her hope,
the mirage faded. Deep inside she was not surprised. She knew her son; she knew
he would not be of those who would turn back. If he meant to go, he would be
gone.
The knowledge she had
been searching for filled her: Her son was gone, truly he was; if he wasn’t he
would have come to stop her. If he was there, he would’ve wanted her to go on,
to live.
With her frame
straight and her legs strong, the woman turned to go back to the village, full
of all the hope and despair due her.
-Mel
That is really sad...
ReplyDeleteHi there - I know this is not the ending ... right? Say it ain't so! As an optimist, I'm going to guess (and hope) she is reunited with her son. :)
ReplyDeleteThis one is sad. I could feel her despair. Well done!
ReplyDeleteI thought she was going to keep on going.
ReplyDeleteVery nice excerpt!
ReplyDeletePrecious Monsters
That is so sad. Well tugged on the ol' heart strings.
ReplyDeleteSophie
Sophie's Thoughts & Fumbles
FB3X
Wittegen Press
You captured the sadness and despair. Will there be a happy ending tomorrow?
ReplyDelete"But like her hope the mirage faded." that was my favorite line and as a momma myself I couldn't help but feel some of her heartbreak. Nice job Mel.
ReplyDeleteNicely done! :) Great goal for the A to Z Challenge!
ReplyDeleteOh, that's heartbreaking. I got a sense of how desolate the desert was.
ReplyDeleteAww man I had a feeling I knew what was going on as the story unfolded and part of me was hoping I was wrong. How scary that this flash piece...though fiction...rings true for many who have lost a child or loved one. On a brighter note, I like how you describe your theme as being crazy musings from a crazy mind. Darn...if only I could come up with something near like that, lol.
ReplyDelete~Nicole
A to Z Challenge Co-Host
The Madlab Post
This is so much of a different feel than the work I've read from you thus far. I'm liking the surprise! Your description is always so great. Looking forward to reading all of the great work that comes from your fingers this month! Elle @ Erratic Project Junkie
ReplyDelete