IAIN KELLY

ORPHAN

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.’


photo-20170904154630548
Copyright Artycaptures

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”

  1. Varad Avatar

    Fantastic writing, Iain. Hope Frank and Mary are good to Peter.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, I hope so too.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Lynn Love Avatar

    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

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  3. Tina Sequeira Avatar

    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!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Tina, pleasure to meet you too, and thank you for your kind comment.

      Like

  4. Keith's Ramblings Avatar

    His mother will always be there for him, at least in spirit.

    Click to read my FFfAW

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Keith.

      Like

  5. Joyfrida Avatar

    Nicely done. I hope he has a good life with the new family

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Joy, I hope so too.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. James Avatar

    That totally sucks for Peter. I hope Frank and Mary are decent folks.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I like to think they are.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. James Avatar

        Hope so. The ending seemed a bit sinister.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Iain Kelly Avatar

        It could go either way.

        Liked by 1 person

  7. Priceless Joy Avatar

    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!

    Like

  8. Barbed Words Avatar

    Poor old Peter. Lovely writing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  9. scr4pl80 Avatar

    A sad one. Here’s to a good life with Frank and Mary.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Janet, there is that little chance of hope at the end.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Fandango Avatar

    At least he has his memories of his mother to hang on to.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I’m sure he will never forget them.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Joy Pixley Avatar

    What a wonderfully painted memory of his mother; I can envision it so well. Beautifully done, Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Joy.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Kalpana Solsi Avatar

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Very kind, thank you.

      Like

  13. Moon Avatar
    Moon

    The kind of writing where you read and re-read to absorb more beauty.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Moon.

      Like

  14. Fluid Phrase Avatar

    Truly beautiful. The setting and imagery are so apt. Thank you for this. Certainly enjoyed reading this.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Very kind, thank you and glad you enjoyed.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Natasha Avatar
    Natasha

    Goosebumps is all I can say. A tale so well told Iain😊

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Natasha, very kind.

      Like

  16. Meha Sharma Avatar

    You have drawn such poignant images. Sad but beautiful !!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Meha.

      Like

  17. Team MocktailMommies Avatar

    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

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Anagha, I hope so too.

      Like

  18. neeltheauthor Avatar

    What imagery. Hope everything works out for him. Good writing as is expected by now of you, Kelly.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  19. Vivian Zems Avatar

    You nailed this!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Vivian

      Liked by 1 person

  20. John Davis Frain Avatar

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Me neither I’m afraid. Thanks John

      Like

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