SANCTUARY

~ Iain Kelly

He cowered in the shadows.

Outside he could hear the screams and the howling.

The others had left him. They promised to return by nightfall.

Until then he was on his own.

Footsteps pounded past the opening. He held his breath until they faded away.

How long did he have left? How long before they found him?

He felt hungry and thirsty but he dared not leave his sanctuary.

Then he heard the piercing cry.

He had no choice now. He had to leave and confront them.

He approached the doorway, blinking as he emerged into the bright sunlight.

They spotted him instantly.

‘Dad,’ Maisie cried, running over. ‘Sammy just pulled my hair and stole my ice-cream.’

‘Did not,’ Sammy shouted, ‘it was mine to start with.’

Around him swirled a perpetual whirlwind of energy  as the group of eight-year-olds played, fought, chased, wrestled and laughed.

He jumped as a balloon popped behind him, followed by loud squeals of delight.

He never thought he would live in fear of a children’s birthday party.

sanctuary
Copyright Sue Vincent

This is a response to the Thursday Photo Prompt – Sanctuary curated over at Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo. Click on the link to read other stories inspired by the image.

Published by Iain Kelly

39 year old writer, avid film viewer and book reader, employed in the media industry as a television editor.

37 thoughts on “SANCTUARY”

    1. Thanks Janet – interesting you got that from it. It can be taken as a light-hearted piece or with much more darker tones. You are right, for some this could be a truly traumatic experience.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. I am a medical transcriptionist by profession and I do a lot of reports about people who suffer from PTSD so maybe that’s why I thought of it.

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Pingback: Sanctuary – Iain Kelly #writephoto | Sue Vincent's Daily Echo

      1. I figured you probably had some equally obnoxious kiddie environments. Last year for my grandson’s eighth birthday, my son arranged for the party at a movie theater with private rooms. The movie was shown in a regular theater, but they also served special meals and had a party room for the celebration before and after the film. No muss, no fuss.

        Liked by 1 person

  10. LOVE THIS! Thanks for the laughter and the surprise twist, Ian. I just knew he was hiding from soldiers…but a birthday party full of 8-year-olds can indeed be scary.

    Liked by 1 person

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  14. Hahaha, I attended a children’s birthday party today so this was a fun read! And lucky for the dad of the birthday boy, us other parents stayed at the roller skating rink and looked after our own kids ☺

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  15. Pingback: Photo prompt round up – Sanctuary #writephoto | Sue Vincent's Daily Echo

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