The metal chair was cold against his thighs, he heard only muffled voices from behind the door.
He looked at the shaft of sunlight that played across the wall and floor of the white corridor. Small particles of dust danced in the still air.
His mother’s face appeared before him, her kind smile and comforting eyes wrapped him in safety.
They were back at their favourite spot, sitting under the tree in the park. Her ghostly hands formed shapes in the air and created shadow monsters. He heard her voice as the shadow beasts spoke. He shrieked and laughed as the monsters crept towards him, then enveloped him. In his mother’s embrace, he remembered the scent of her skin and the smooth, warm feeling nuzzling into the crook of her neck.
The door opened, blocking the sunlight from the window. The wisps of shadow vanished. His mother disappeared.
‘Okay, Peter. This is Frank and Mary. They’re going to look after you from now on.’

Written as part of Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. The challenge is to write a flash fiction story in around 150 words, based on the weekly photo prompt. Thanks as always to the challenge host Priceless Joy. For more information visit HERE.
To read other stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.
42 responses to “ORPHAN”
Fantastic writing, Iain. Hope Frank and Mary are good to Peter.
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Thank you, I hope so too.
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This is so sad, Iain. Those soft, warm details about his mother as he escapes to a safer place, being back with her. Then to be wrenched away, back to the present. Tragic and you told it well
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Thanks Lynn
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Hi Iain! It´s a pleasure meeting you via the FFFAW challenge. I really loved your tale spin of this prompt. It´s vivid and evocative. The part which intermingles Mother Nature and his his biological mother is brilliantly expressed. I will be visiting for more such fantastic reads. Cheers!
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Thank you Tina, pleasure to meet you too, and thank you for your kind comment.
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🙂
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His mother will always be there for him, at least in spirit.
Click to read my FFfAW
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Thanks Keith.
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Nicely done. I hope he has a good life with the new family
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Thanks Joy, I hope so too.
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That totally sucks for Peter. I hope Frank and Mary are decent folks.
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I like to think they are.
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Hope so. The ending seemed a bit sinister.
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It could go either way.
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So sad that all he has of his mother is his memories and now he is to be taken care of by a new family. Very touching story! Great story Iain!
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Poor old Peter. Lovely writing.
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Thank you.
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A sad one. Here’s to a good life with Frank and Mary.
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Thanks Janet, there is that little chance of hope at the end.
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At least he has his memories of his mother to hang on to.
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I’m sure he will never forget them.
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What a wonderfully painted memory of his mother; I can envision it so well. Beautifully done, Iain!
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Thank you Joy.
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His mom’s spirit kept him engaged and entertained. Hope the caretakers are good to him. A beautiful story etched with Nature’s description and a mother’s eternal love.
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Very kind, thank you.
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The kind of writing where you read and re-read to absorb more beauty.
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Thank you Moon.
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Truly beautiful. The setting and imagery are so apt. Thank you for this. Certainly enjoyed reading this.
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Very kind, thank you and glad you enjoyed.
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Goosebumps is all I can say. A tale so well told Iain😊
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Thank you Natasha, very kind.
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You have drawn such poignant images. Sad but beautiful !!
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Thank you Meha.
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Ian, I am keeping my fingers crossed that the new foster parents turn out to be sunshine in the life of the child and not the monstrous shadows!
– Anagha From Team MocktailMommies
http://mocktailmommies.blogspot.in/2017/09/remigrating-colours.html
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Thank you Anagha, I hope so too.
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What imagery. Hope everything works out for him. Good writing as is expected by now of you, Kelly.
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Thanks Neel
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You nailed this!
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Thank you Vivian
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Well that was nice and haunting. Well done. I wish I was the kind of person who left the story thinking his mother drops in on him when he needs her. Alas, I’m not. Rats.
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Me neither I’m afraid. Thanks John
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