Her little hands scrawl circles. She places an assortment of toys inside them – Lego, a pencil. a toy truck. She babbles in words that make sense to only her.

She looks up seeking recognition for a job well done. I nod and smile and say that’s lovely. She accepts it and begins the process again.

‘Okay, time’s nearly up, if you want to say your goodbyes.’

I don’t move.

She smiles and gives a tiny wave as she is led out the door. I’ll see her in another month. Was it worth it? To give her a future? To save the planet?

‘Okay. let’s go. Back to your cell.’

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Written for Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

The UN Climate Convention – COP26 – is taking place 100 metres away from my workplace at this very moment. Quite bizarrely, President Biden, Prime Minister Boris, Greta Thunberg and Leonardo DiCaprio (along with 120 World Leaders and thousands of activists and demonstrators) are occupying the same little piece of land as I have grown up around, and hopefully making some vital changes to the way we live our lives and treat our planet. We’ll see.

To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.