We were still heading away from the private beach, the staff on the sand were dots in the distance.
‘Shouldn’t we turn back now, Dad?’
He only smiled and carried on rowing, ‘Just a little further.’
Should I be panicking? This wasn’t some mad attempt at reaching another country, was it?
‘I’ve had enough, Dad. People will be worrying about us.’ I tried to see where the hospital staff were. Why was no one coming after us?
‘Trust me,’ he said, ‘I should have timed it right.’
‘Timed what right?’ I asked. No wonder they locked him up.
He stopped rowing. ‘Just wait a moment.’
We sat bobbing on the calm sea. ‘Dad, you’re scaring me.’
He smiled and then pointed, ‘Here they come.’
The sea began to chop and churn, the boat rocked a little more. I looked round and saw something break the surface, a tail of some kind. Then another, then a face appeared. I looked round, our small boat was surrounded.
‘You see, they do exist,’ Dad beamed.

Written as part of Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. The challenge is to write a flash fiction story or poem in around 175 words, based on the weekly photo prompt. Thanks as always to the challenge hosts Priceless Joy and Joe. For more information visit HERE.
To read other stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.
My new novel, ‘A Justified State,’ is now available in Paperback and on Amazon Kindle.
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28 responses to “THE VISIT”
Brilliant
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Thank you
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I like that you kept the identity of the sea creature a secret. It could be the Loch Ness Monster or it could be something completely different!
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Or it could all be in her imagination!…
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Of course they exist!
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You’re a believer 🙂
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I.M.
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Dad knows best it seems…You reminded me of those individuals who in the past who argued that the earth was round. They seem to be vindicated.
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I wonder if the Dad is really even there at all…
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Of course they do. It’s the non-believers who need to be locked up! You go Dad!
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I decided to keep it happy – it could all just be happening in the little girl’s head though…
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Had no idea where this was going. Perfect.
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Thanks Darnell 🙂
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It’s only a Great White… 🙂
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I had thought dolphins at first, decided to go more ambiguous…
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Great choice.
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I was not expecting that! Heartbreaking edge, to be locked up for something then making all that effort to ensure his son knows the truth. Lovely and tragic Iain
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Thank you Lynn 🙂
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My pleasure as always Iain
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Nice one Iain.
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Thank you
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Dad is communicating with creatures in the sea. I hope they understand each other. Meanwhile, daughter is scared.
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She may come to accept them too.
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I thought dolphins then decided I would like mermaids better. Nice story.
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I’m happy to let you decide 🙂
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OMGosh this is a great story!! So many questions!!! Nice, Iain!!!
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Thank you Susi 🙂
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🙂
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