Finally he came upon a path.
He had no idea how long he had been wandering lost in the forest. At first he had stumbled blindly, with no sense of direction.
Then slowly, gradually, he had begun to figure out a way to get through the tangled web of roots and foliage and trees.
Now there was a light through the canopy above and a definite path to follow. He just had to make contact, to let them know he was still there and was on his way back to them.
***
She wiped her eyes with her sleeve, placing the new Alpine-scented air freshener above his head. He had loved the outdoors.
The doctor placed a consoling hand on her arm. ‘It’s been four months since the accident. There’s been no improvement in his brain activity. It’s our recommendation that we turn off life support, but the final decision lies with you.’
She looked at the form in front of her. She just had to sign it and it would be over. The constant beeping and the mechanical breathing would cease. She picked up the pen, hovering over the space for her signature.
Unseen by anyone, the little finger on his left hand twitched slightly.

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 visitย HERE.
To read more stories based on this weekโs prompt, visitย HERE.
65 responses to “PATHFINDER”
A really good story, Iain. The switch from forest to hospital took me by surprise, and I enjoyed the “aah” moment that it gave me. The last sentence is really sinister. I was left thinking “twitch again, go on!”.
I was reminded of a real incident in our area that shows signs of life can be missed by the medics. Link here if you’re interested : news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/944658.stm .
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I left it open, so it could go either way, depends if your an optimist or a pessimist! Thanks for the link, interesting story.
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Totally agree … it was really good! Sad even at the end ..
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Thank you ๐
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maybe i’ll change my advance directive.
cheers.
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Always worth thinking about the ‘what ifs’ ๐
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
A very smart piece of flash fiction from Iain Kelly… #recommended
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Thank you so much for the reblog ๐
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Great ending, I wander did he make it back ๐๐
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Thank you, I will let you choose your own ending ๐
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Thanks ๐ต, maybe he woke up in the morgue! ๐ค
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Oh, good twist ๐
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He gave the coroner quite a shock! ๐ฑ๐ท
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Very good writing, Iain. Very cruel of you to leave us hanging like this [smile]
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I know, a little bit cheeky ๐ Thank you
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The Iain Kellyโs Signature Cliffhanger. ๐ Wonderful write!
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Haha, it’s nice to be known for a signature move ๐ Thank you Annie
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A wonderful cliffhanger but chilling thought… Took me to a place I would rather not visit…
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Thank you. Definitely a place none of us would wish to experience, from either side.
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Another excellent piece Iain. I liked the way the ending is left open.
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Thank you so much, always appreciated.
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๐
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So chilling, don’t we all dread being locked in that situation. Is it open ended? Unseen his finger moved, but her pen was hovering…. Glad I didn’t read this at bedtime!
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It is open ended, deliberately and a bit cheekily! Glad you enjoyed reading ๐
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[…] Iain Kelly never fails to deliver when it comes to pieces of flash fiction. […]
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Thank you so much for the reblog ๐
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Very clever, Iain, I liked the forest imagery as a metaphor for being lost.
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Thank you CE
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Created a pingback this morning to your lovely piece ..
http://violableu.com/2018/02/25/meet-greet/
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Thank you so much, really appreciated ๐
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Haunting. Having been with family in moments like that you have captured the essence of the grief, pain, and nagging doubts.
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Thank you so much, a very reassuring comment.
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I like to think that he makes it back. Maybe she notices him move or something changes on the machines. He’s got to make it now ๐
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An optimist! I hope he does too, if he could just lift that hand a little higher… ๐
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A sad but hopeful tale. Well done!
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Thank you Susan
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haunting
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Thanks Neel
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Crossing my fingers for him. ๐
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Thanks Janet – if only he could cross his!! ๐
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Iain, brilliantly written.
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Thank you so much ๐
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There was an episode of the television show “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” very much like this. A man was in a coma as the result of an auto accident but his vital signs were so faint, he was thought to be dead. He regained consciousness but was paralyzed. As he was laid on a medical table and the coroner prepared to perform an autopsy, the man shed a single tear letting the doctor know he was still alive.
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THAT is creepy!
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I was a kid when I watched it which made it even worse.
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The tear is a nice touch.
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Arrgghh… donโt do it .. donโt sign it! Great story ๐
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Thanks Anna – I’m sure that’s what he’s trying to say too!
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Always a tough call and decision – and the subtlest of signs may be missed. Well written and done, with a bit of a cliff-hanger ending – just how I like it.
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Thank you, glad you liked it ๐
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Oh, this is so good. I didnโt want it to end.
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Thank you Jennie, I will let you imagine how it ends from here ๐
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๐
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How could you leave it there! This is so well done. I’m willing her/ anyone to look down and see that finger twitching.
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I know, a bit of a cheeky cliffhanger ๐
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I love how you chose to end this piece.
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Thank you ๐
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Powerful and sad, life in the raw, a great piece of writing.
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Thank you Mike.
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And then it twitched again, and again, and again…till finally she saw it, and a single tear rolled down her eye ๐
That’s my ending, for I love happy endings ๐
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Nice ending, on the other hand perhaps… ๐
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Very nicely done Iain
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Thank you.
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Got chill bumps!
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๐
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