Mum stopped on the wooden causeway. The wind swept the water over the sides, lapping at our feet.
Through the grey mist, a man stood. He wore a grey fedora and trench coat. Mum put her arms round my shoulders as he approached.
‘You shouldn’t have taken the kid. He might have let you go, but he would never let the kid go with you,’ he said.
‘You think I would let him grow up in that life?’ Mum said.
The man pointed the gun at Mum. ‘Give me the kid and I’ll let you go. I’ll tell him I took care of you.’
‘You’re not afraid one day he’ll look at him and see the similarities to you?’
The man moved forward and grasped Mum’s throat. My face was pushed against the wet, grey coat. ‘You always did have a big mouth,’ he sneered.
I heard a click next to my ear. Mum pushed the man away. The gun fell to the floor. The grey coat smeared black-red where the flick-knife was embedded.
‘He’ll hunt you down,’ the man said. ‘Whoever he sends next will kill you.’
‘Maybe,’ Mum said. ‘But not today.’
Mum turned and pulled me away. I looked back and saw the man keel over the edge of the causeway and disappear under the murky, grey waves.
Written as part of Sunday Photo Fiction. Write a story of around 200 words based on the photo prompt given (above). Hosted by Al Forbes. For more details visit HERE.
To read more stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.
Iain Kelly 
loved the mystery surrounding the 2 adults characters, such familiarity yet simmering hatred felt, and the mother fierce in her protection of the young boy. Good writing to get the mind thinking of the events that led to their meeting in such a way. Nice Iain!
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Thank you, glad it got you thinking about them 🙂
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Mum’s a badass. She better get herself a new knife.
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I have a feeling she has steady supply of them.
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Nicely done. I wonder if the assailant with the gun was actually the kid’s father after the “similarities” comment. Good story Iain.
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That was the hint, although I suspect there is no certainty. Thank you.
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It is mother’s day! Nicely done Iain 🙂
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I tried to write a nice story, bit this was as close as I got. I think it marks the occasion well 🙂
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Very nicely done.
….but not today
love it!
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Thanks Sascha!
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Superb. Just perfect. ❤
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Thank you Kecia, much appreciated.
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Whoa! Go Mom! Nothing like a Mama Bear. Love the last line, “Not today!”
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Thanks Joy 🙂
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That sent chills down my spine – a proper mama bear indeed! With a mother like her, I pity the poor fool who keeps going after them.
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Thanks Chris
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Mum don’t play.
I had to look up “Mother’s Day UK” to find out it was yesterday. Here in the U.S., it’s not until May.
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Didn’t realise it was a different date. I can recycle the same post in May!
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Nice blog👍💎👍
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Thank you, much appreciated
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It was certainly that Mother’s day! A sweet and tender tale to mark the occasion – not!
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I struggle with sweet and tender 🙂
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Simply loved the last line. Very well written, Lain.
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Thanks Neel, appreciated as always
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Great take. Mum can certainly take care of herself. And anybody else.
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