IAIN KELLY

PATHFINDER

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.


25-mike-vore-february-25th-2018
Copyright Mike Vore

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 visit HERE.

To read more stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

65 responses to “PATHFINDER”

  1. JS Brand Avatar

    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 .

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I left it open, so it could go either way, depends if your an optimist or a pessimist! Thanks for the link, interesting story.

      Liked by 2 people

    2. Viola Bleu Avatar
      Viola Bleu

      Totally agree … it was really good! Sad even at the end ..

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Iain Kelly Avatar

        Thank you 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  2. joem18b Avatar

    maybe i’ll change my advance directive.

    cheers.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Always worth thinking about the ‘what ifs’ 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life. Avatar

    Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
    A very smart piece of flash fiction from Iain Kelly… #recommended

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much for the reblog 🙂

      Like

  4. willowdot21 Avatar

    Great ending, I wander did he make it back 💜💜

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, I will let you choose your own ending 😉

      Like

      1. willowdot21 Avatar

        Thanks 😵, maybe he woke up in the morgue! 🤔

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Iain Kelly Avatar

        Oh, good twist 😉

        Like

      3. willowdot21 Avatar

        He gave the coroner quite a shock! 😱😷

        Liked by 1 person

  5. robbiesinspiration Avatar

    Very good writing, Iain. Very cruel of you to leave us hanging like this [smile]

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I know, a little bit cheeky 🙂 Thank you

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Annie Avatar

    The Iain Kelly’s Signature Cliffhanger. 😁 Wonderful write!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Haha, it’s nice to be known for a signature move 🙂 Thank you Annie

      Like

  7. jenanita01 Avatar

    A wonderful cliffhanger but chilling thought… Took me to a place I would rather not visit…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you. Definitely a place none of us would wish to experience, from either side.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. pensitivity101 Avatar

    Another excellent piece Iain. I liked the way the ending is left open.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much, always appreciated.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. tidalscribe Avatar

    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!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It is open ended, deliberately and a bit cheekily! Glad you enjoyed reading 🙂

      Like

  10. […] Iain Kelly never fails to deliver when it comes to pieces of flash fiction. […]

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much for the reblog 🙂

      Like

  11. ceayr Avatar

    Very clever, Iain, I liked the forest imagery as a metaphor for being lost.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you CE

      Like

  12. Viola Bleu Avatar
    Viola Bleu

    Created a pingback this morning to your lovely piece ..

    http://violableu.com/2018/02/25/meet-greet/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much, really appreciated 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  13. wezlo Avatar
    wezlo

    Haunting. Having been with family in moments like that you have captured the essence of the grief, pain, and nagging doubts.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much, a very reassuring comment.

      Like

  14. cynthiamvoss Avatar

    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 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      An optimist! I hope he does too, if he could just lift that hand a little higher… 😉

      Like

  15. Susan Avatar

    A sad but hopeful tale. Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Susan

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  16. scr4pl80 Avatar

    Crossing my fingers for him. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Janet – if only he could cross his!! 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  17. paulandruss Avatar
    paulandruss

    Iain, brilliantly written.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  18. James Avatar

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Anna Rymer Avatar

      THAT is creepy!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. James Avatar

        I was a kid when I watched it which made it even worse.

        Liked by 2 people

    2. Iain Kelly Avatar

      The tear is a nice touch.

      Liked by 1 person

  19. Anna Rymer Avatar

    Arrgghh… don’t do it .. don’t sign it! Great story 👍

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Anna – I’m sure that’s what he’s trying to say too!

      Like

  20. willow88switches Avatar
    willow88switches

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, glad you liked it 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Jennie Avatar

    Oh, this is so good. I didn’t want it to end.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Jennie, I will let you imagine how it ends from here 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  22. Sarah Ann Avatar
    Sarah Ann

    How could you leave it there! This is so well done. I’m willing her/ anyone to look down and see that finger twitching.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I know, a bit of a cheeky cliffhanger 🙂

      Like

  23. sailajaP14 Avatar

    I love how you chose to end this piece.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Like

  24. Mike Avatar
    Mike

    Powerful and sad, life in the raw, a great piece of writing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Mike.

      Like

  25. anuragbakhshi Avatar

    And then it twitched again, and again, and again…till finally she saw it, and a single tear rolled down her eye 🙂

    That’s my ending, for I love happy endings 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Nice ending, on the other hand perhaps… 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  26. Dahlia Avatar

    Very nicely done Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  27. C M Smile Avatar

    Got chill bumps!

    Liked by 1 person

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