Had she done the right thing?
She had no idea. Others would judge her.
She only knew she had done what she thought best.
The water was icy cold on her feet. It reached the bottom of her dress, weighing the light linen down. The light gold sand swirled around her ankles.
The red on her dress dissolved into the water.
She stared at her hands then cleansed them, dipping them into the sea.
Behind her the sound of sirens faintly broke the morning still.
The cold water rose above her waist causing her to inhale sharply at the shock.
She only knew her children were no longer within his reach.
As the sun began to rise on the horizon she held up her thumb and covered the orange circle. Just like that she hid the brightest star in the Earth’s sky.
Would that what she had done could be so easily erased.
Buffeted by the lapping waves, tasting the salt on her lips, the water embraced her fully.
Written as part of Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. The challenge is to write a flash fiction story in around 150 – 175 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.
Iain Kelly 
Nice touch, blotting out the sun.
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Thank you
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Justifiable, cant’s say, but good writing for sure, kelly.
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Who can say if murder is ever justifiable. thanks Neel
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She sounds like she is her strongest critic, great writing Iain
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Perhaps with good reason. Thanks Michael.
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Great story Iian! I loved it!
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Thank you PJ
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Can a suicide be painted so beautifully? Brilliant work, Iain!
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Thank you Reena, very kind.
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This is beautifully delinated Iain !
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Thank you Meha 🙂
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Beautifully written, Iain.
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Thanks Moon
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Very beautifully done👍 I loved how it ended.
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Thank you so much.
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I would have preferred that she murder her children’s abuser rather than kill the children. I’ll never understand parents who do that, kill children to “save” them.
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I find it impossible to understand too, I suppose it depends on the level of abuse they are suffering and I would think an underlying mental illness too.
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I’d still rather put a bullet in anyone who hurt my children or grandchildren than even contemplate hurting them myself.
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Each one to his or her own i suppose to what is justifiable and not.
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You’ve taken inside her tortured mind. Beautifully written Iain.
Click to read my FFfAW!
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Thank you Keith.
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She killed her children , the molester deserved to die.
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Interesting that you think molester as I didn’t specify what he had done – but it certainly would be one interpretation. Thanks for reading.
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Its always left to the interpretation of the reader isn’t it?
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Absolutely, the best writing is 🙂
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You’ve written this story really well, Iain. The description is beautiful, the details haunting, telling the story piece by agonising piece. We realise her death is inevitable – but you make us wait. What a piece of flash fiction!
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Thank you Penny, I’m glad you saw so much in it.
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