The minister finished the eulogy. Quiet, soft piano music faded up and filled the hush. A low electronic hum started, the wheels of the conveyor gradually turning.
He was supposed to have protected him. That was his job, to be the rock, the guardian against all that the world could throw at them. He had failed.
He stood up and managed to control his shaking legs. He could hear the whispers and pitiful mutterings behind him as he stepped forward.
He placed a hand on the small coffin. He tried to comprehend that he would never feel that soft skin again, never experience that childish glee, never see that shining smile.
The tears came, a miserable sob. One last embrace, one last kiss, one last walk with his son’s tiny hand held in his rough palm.
The wooden box began to move along the belt, doors opened as it approached. He turned away, unable to face the other mourners, unable to face his family.
Taking the most precious part of him with them, the doors closed with an abrupt clunk.
He sat up. The sunlight dazzled him. The same nightmare again. When would it stop? It was over, he had done his job.
Across the grassy field on the clifftop he heard his son laughing, calling on him to come and play with him. He had dosed off in the warm sun. A group of walkers passed by with a friendly nod and a smile.
Below the waves lapped against the rocks, the world was returning to normal.
This is a response to the #writephoto Prompt: Guardian curated over at Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo. Click on the link to read other stories inspired by the image.
My new novel, ‘State Of War’, is now available in both paperback and ebook. Follow the links below to check it out!
STATE OF WAR – Available now in Paperback and eBook:
AMAZON.COM AMAZON.CO.UK GERMANY FRANCE
SPAIN INDIA CANADA ITALY NETHERLANDS
SMASHWORDS BARNES & NOBLE KOBO BOOK DEPOSITORY
GOOGLE BOOKS ALSO AVAILABLE ON APPLE BOOKS
Links to the first two parts of the trilogy – A Justified State and State Of Denial – can be found here: AVAILABLE NOW
A wake up call maybe ? Great feel to the story Iain 💜
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Thank you 🙂
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A pleasure 💜
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Very touching.
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Thank you Sadje
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You’re welcome 😇
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So moving and I was so glad it was just a dream!!
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A happy ending this week 🙂
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Yes! Thank you! 🙂
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An interesting dream, Iain. Glad the son was okay.
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Thanks Roberta
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Such nightmares haunt many parents… this was very moving, Iain.
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Thank you Sue, glad you liked it.
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A very powerful story! Very happy it was only a dream.
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The sun is shining, lockdown is easing – it’s a happy ending this week!
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A warning maybe Iain? Open to a lot of different interpretations.
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Thanks Di
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🙂
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I’m happy that this was just a dream, Iain. There’s nothing worse or more painful than losing a child.
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A happy ending this week 🙂
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🙂
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What a moving dream, great that it was just a dream.
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Thank you
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A very moving story. I’m glad that it was just a dream
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Thank you – me too!
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
GOOD SNIPPET!
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Thanks for stopping by and the reblog 🙂
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YOU ARE WELCOME!
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Hi Iain. You have captured a parent’s worst nightmare very well. If I was having such a recurring nightmare, I would try to stay awake all the time. Very tense.
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Thank you Kim
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