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.COMÂ Â Â AMAZON.CO.UKÂ Â Â Â GERMANYÂ Â Â Â FRANCE
SPAINÂ Â INDIAÂ Â Â Â CANADAÂ Â Â Â ITALYÂ Â Â Â NETHERLANDS
AUSTRALIAÂ Â Â MEXICOÂ Â Â BRAZILÂ Â Â Â JAPAN
SMASHWORDSÂ Â Â Â Â Â BARNES & NOBLEÂ Â Â Â Â KOBOÂ Â Â Â BOOK DEPOSITORY
GOOGLE BOOKSÂ Â Â Â 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
Iain Kelly 
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