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 visitย HERE.

To read more stories based on this weekโ€™s prompt, visitย HERE.

65 responses to “PATHFINDER”

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

      Liked by 2 people

  2. maybe i’ll change my advance directive.

    cheers.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Always worth thinking about the ‘what ifs’ ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  3. 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. Thank you so much for the reblog ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  4. Great ending, I wander did he make it back ๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿ’œ

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you, I will let you choose your own ending ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Like

      1. Thanks ๐Ÿ˜ต, maybe he woke up in the morgue! ๐Ÿค”

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Oh, good twist ๐Ÿ˜‰

        Like

      3. He gave the coroner quite a shock! ๐Ÿ˜ฑ๐Ÿ˜ท

        Liked by 1 person

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

    Liked by 3 people

    1. I know, a little bit cheeky ๐Ÿ™‚ Thank you

      Liked by 1 person

  6. The Iain Kellyโ€™s Signature Cliffhanger. ๐Ÿ˜ Wonderful write!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Haha, it’s nice to be known for a signature move ๐Ÿ™‚ Thank you Annie

      Like

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

    Liked by 1 person

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

      Liked by 1 person

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

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you so much, always appreciated.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. 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. It is open ended, deliberately and a bit cheekily! Glad you enjoyed reading ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

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

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much for the reblog ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

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

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Created a pingback this morning to your lovely piece ..

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

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much, really appreciated ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  13. 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. Thank you so much, a very reassuring comment.

      Like

  14. 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 ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. An optimist! I hope he does too, if he could just lift that hand a little higher… ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Like

  15. A sad but hopeful tale. Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Crossing my fingers for him. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Janet – if only he could cross his!! ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Iain, brilliantly written.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

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

        Liked by 2 people

    1. The tear is a nice touch.

      Liked by 1 person

  19. Arrgghh… donโ€™t do it .. donโ€™t sign it! Great story ๐Ÿ‘

    Liked by 1 person

    1. 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. Thank you, glad you liked it ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Oh, this is so good. I didnโ€™t want it to end.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Jennie, I will let you imagine how it ends from here ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  22. 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. I know, a bit of a cheeky cliffhanger ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  23. I love how you chose to end this piece.

    Liked by 1 person

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

    Liked by 1 person

  25. And then it twitched again, and again, and again…till finally she saw it, and a single tear rolled down her eye ๐Ÿ™‚

    That’s my ending, for I love happy endings ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Nice ending, on the other hand perhaps… ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  26. Very nicely done Iain

    Liked by 1 person

Leave a reply to cynthiamvoss Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.