You are nine, have taken a long way home, and by now, your mother is frantic. The ache in your bruised bones tells you so.
Because it looks like rain, you have two choices, duck into the house beside the trail or arrive home sopping wet. Either option will prove dreadful. Seeking shelter equals increased tardiness; coming home in soggy clothes guarantees a hailstorm of anger. Both promise a beating.
So, you choose shelter. You are two feet away. The door glides open. A wood fire, the scent of rabbit stew, and a waxen-winged woman greet you. She smiles. “Welcome home.”
Yikes! Is it too late to switch to the “going home soaking wet” option, I wonder?
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I think only good things are ahead
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And the door opens into a wholly new life!
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A good one, I hope.
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I’m hoping this is a happy ending. I’m suspecting it’s not though.
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Happy!
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On the other hand, perhaps there are fewer bruised bones and beatings in the future for you…
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Yes, indeed!
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Which, I wonder, is the lesser of two evils? I guess we’ll never know.
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True!
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Seems like there might be a third option! Intriguing use of the second person here, I liked it.
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Thank you. Sandra Crook sometimes uses the second person and I enjoy it.
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Alicia,
Now that’s a homecoming this young heart was longing for!
pax,
dora
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Yes! Thank you.
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Dear Lish,
Magical story and I see by the comments a happy one. Perhaps the winged woman is an angel or fairy godmother?
Thank you for the lovely prompt. I’m always happy to lure you back to the FFFold.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle. I need to get off my rear (or on it) and start writing again. I’m rusty.
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Enchanting, sounds like a lucky escape from an abusive family.
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You are correct! Thanks, James
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A happy ending! Well done!
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Seems like those are in short supply these days.
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Hopefully, this reality will be a nicer one for the little girl. I think the ‘winged-woman’ will take good care of her. You left the ‘door open’ and so too my imagination. Great job! And, thanks for providing the intriguing photo.
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Thank you, Brenda.
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Reminds me of Pan’s Labyrinth, which I watched earlier this week. Only time will tell if she’s safe or not. At the very least she can get warm and dry by the fire.
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I truly enjoy Pan’s Labryinth. Thank you.
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You’re welcome. Your image has sparked a lot of really good stories this week!
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Lots of lovely potential! I imagine her imagining this kind soul…
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An interesting thought! Thanks
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i wonder it’s a just a bad dream and she wakes up soon. 🙂
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No bad dream.
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It’s so lovely to see you again here, and with a half-happy story, too. The beginning is so sad and I love the ending. The kid deserves love, fun and adventure in faiy-land. And thank you for the picture.
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Thanks so much. I do wish every kid had tons of love, fun, and adventures. And fairyland would be the topping on the cake.
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Something in that promise of a new life feels ominous. Something in the old life needs escaping. Hmm…
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The old Catch22.
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I love the way you wrote this in the second person. And what a lovely description – “waxen-winged”. At nine years old, I’d have gone in like a shot!
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Me too!!!!! Thanks.
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It is so rare to read in the 2nd person. I like that. And I like that it seems her life is about to take a turn for the much better. Lovely, Lish.
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Thanks, Dale!
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🙂
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Oooooo I sure hope this is not a matter of out of the frying pan into the fire!
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Definitely not! Thanks for stopping by!
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It sounds like things are brightening up for this 9 year old.
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I sure hope so!
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I have a feeling that he chose the wrong option! Great take 🙂
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I think all will be well! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
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Ah the anxiety. Terrible.
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