Flash Fiction Friday

Flash Fiction Friday: A Late Knight

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Kate lay in the hammock green leaves a canopy overhead, the sounds of birds twittering in the hedge and someone’s lawn mower eating grass a few lawns away. She held a book in her hands but the story had failed to hold her attention. After re-reading the same paragraph three times without it penetrating her brain, she lay it open, face down on her chest. She closed her eyes breathed deeply the scent of lilacs and fresh cut grass floating on the breeze.

Kate awoke with a start peering into creamy caramel colored eyes in a weathered bronze face surrounded by black wavy hair graying at the temples. He leaned back moving farther from her lips. Had he kissed her? She raised her hand and touched her lips a faint warm moistness lingered. His smile caused her heartbeat to quicken.

A chuffing noise drew her attention over his shoulder. A horse in saddle and armor grazed on her lawn. Her eyes flew back to the man before her, moving beyond his face to his pauldron covered shoulders, his breastplate and chain mail hauberk. He held a helmet in his hand.

“Who are you?”

“Madam, I am Sir William the Brave. I have kissed your lips to awaken you and whisk you from your life of drudgery.”

Kate pinched her arm. “Ouch! Okay, this is supposed to be real.”

Sir William took her hand in his. “Of course I am real.” He helped her to sit. “Shall we go?”

“Where will you take me?”

He raised her hand to his lips placed a kiss soft and tender. “My lady, my palace awaits you. I am your knight in shining armor.”

Kate stifled a laugh. “This must be some kind of joke. If you are my knight in shining armor, you’re about thirty years too late. I’m a married woman.”

“You are an unhappily married woman in this world. In my world, I have been awaiting your call many years. My heart has yearned for you so imagine my joy upon hearing your call today. I came as quickly as I could. It is never to late for a knight to rescue his lady. Please, let’s be off.”

Kate, still considering the possibility she was dreaming or that one of her friends had set up this great trick, arose, gasped as the knight lifted her upon his horse then mounted behind her. Her heart seemed to long for this knight or was it just the excitement of her childish hope in a real “happily ever after”?

Flash Fiction Friday: A Song for an Unwarranted Request

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She lies in the hammock, her place of refuge. The attacks had come again today; the name calling, the pushing and tripping, knocking books from her hands.

She didn’t fit into any of the school clicks, and she didn’t want to. They all had their stupid codes; the way they dressed, the things they did, the sports they played, or the level of their I.Q.

She liked being a mishmosh of unusual and unique things, but their cruel words and actions still hurt.

Some days were worse than others, and this one fell under one of the worst, so she had run home, tossed her schoolbooks on the kitchen table and retreated to her hammock. She breathed in the scent of lilac from the blooming bush in the corner of the yard, closed her eyes and slowly exhaled. Then she began to sing, a low and mournful song of loneliness and rejection.

When her song ended, a voice, so quiet she thought it came from the breeze, said, “Don’t stop. It’s beautiful. Your voice is the most beautiful I’ve ever heard.”

Her eyes popped open, and sitting on the ground two yards away, sat the most handsome boy she had ever seen. His hair hung to his shoulders in dark, unruly curls, his faded jeans had holes in the knees, and his pectoral muscles and biceps bulged through the “Star Wars” t-shirt he wore. His chocolate eyes studied her.

It was the first time she had ever wished she looked more like everyone else. He probably thought the purple streak in her hair was from hair dye. Did he think her black tights, short purple ruffled skirt and hot pink tank top and fingerless lace gloves odd? Did he notice that her eyes were two different colors; one emerald green and one cerulean blue?

“Please sing something else. Something less depressing.”

She didn’t know where this gorgeous guy had come from and she wasn’t sure she could sing knowing he was so near. She felt warmth creep into her cheeks, she took a deep breath, closed her eyes once more and she broke into another song. This time a song of hope, as she hoped this boy was not like all the rest.

Flash Fiction Friday:Dawson and the Pierian Guards

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Dawson ducked back into the shadows. The sound of marching feet too close for safety. He had to hold himself back as he saw Princess Nala in the center of the Pierian guards. His information was correct, but how would he get past all of those guards?

He tore a button from his shirtsleeve and tossed it onto the tiled floor behind the right read guard. The guard turned, stepped back a few paces.

Come on, just a few more strides.

Yes, the guard moved, and Dawson grabbed him from behind, applying a sleeper hold. The guard’s body went limp in his arms. He pulled the guard into the shadows and did a quick clothing exchange. Then, he slipped the guard’s helmet over his head, grabbed the immobilizer that hung at the guard’s waist and took the laser rifle from the guard’s shoulder.

Dawson marched down the corridor and soon took up the position of right rear guard. The left rear guard turned toward him, Dawson gave a thumbs up and faced forward.

Flash Fiction Friday: Unspoken Attraction

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She stared into the water, her reflection the only thing looking back at her. She dipped her fingers into the cool wetness and traced the outline of her face. With her other hand her fingers combed through her long brown tresses.

She sighed deeply, then arose and walked into the nearest house, but not before he had noticed the tears glistening in her eyes.

Why was she so sad? What terrible hand had life dealt her and could someone like him ease her pain?

 

Flash Fiction Friday: Beatings and Kisses

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He never saw the punch coming. The punch was followed by another and another. Then he was knocked to the ground and kicked in the side before the screaming crowd turned and walked away, disgusted, disappointed.

“Why didn’t he fight back?” He heard a voice ask.

“Because he’s a coward.” Another answered.

Converse black canvas high top Chucks appeared at his side. He tried to look up into the face that went with the shoes but the sun glared in his eyes.

He sat up. She squatted down next to him in a pale pink skirt with white lace and a hot pink tank top. He could see her clearly now. She had black curls surrounding a heart shaped face. He saw sadness in her sky blue eyes and her bright pink lips were pinched in a bow.

“Are you all right?” She asked.

“Yeah. This happens all the time.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m smaller than him. Because I get better grades them him.”

“You just let him hurt you. Why didn’t you try to run?”

“The crowd would’ve never let me out of the circle. They like a good fight, even if only one person is doing the fighting. They want to see the blood.” He wiped blood from his lip and then from his nose.

She handed him a tissue from a small packet she had in her small pink purse that hung from a silver chain from one shoulder, over her head and down to the other side of her waist. She brushed a stray strand of hair back from his forehead as he held the tissue to his nose.

“I’m an outcast too. My clothes are weird and I chew bubblegum.” She stood up and reached a hand down to him.

He took her hand and stood up. “You’re pretty.”

She smiled. “My name’s Mandy.”

“I’m Julius, another strike against me.”

“I like it.”

She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Flash Fiction Friday: Overcome Defeat

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Orwynne stood with her head hung low, tears dripping from the tip  of her nose creating a puddle on the ground around the broken pieces of her heart. A warm wind blows, and she feels his presence but he cannot be seen.

One by one he picks up the pieces of her heart. He meticulously reassembles them, then he breathes on them and hands her heart back to her, good as new. She clutches it to her chest and it enters the empty place where it belongs.

He whispers, “You are never alone.” Then he is gone, but the fire burns inside Orwynne. She lifts her head, brushes away the tears, straightens her shoulders, marches on to fight another day.

Flash Fiction Friday: Lila’s Quest

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NOTE: For you diehard Flash Fictionalists, I warn you that this story is long. In my way of thinking it is still Flash Fiction because it does come in under 1,500 words; it is 1,488 words. It is longer than any of my other Flash Fiction works, but I just couldn’t tell this story in fewer words. I hope you will still be able to enjoy it.  🙂

 

Lila trekked through the woods and climbed Prodigious Mountain. She killed a bear along the way. She stood at the top of the mountain gazing down upon her destination, the golden city of Rema.

Lila began a long, steady climb down the face of Prodigious, placing her fingers and toes in small crevices along the way. About a quarter of the way down, she stopped on a small ledge, drank from her canteen, and ate from her pouch of jerky.

By the time she reached the halfway point, light was waning so she found another ledge and lay to sleep.

At the end of the next day, she reached the bottom of Prodigious Mountain and raised her hands in praise when she found a stream of cool, clean water. She dipped her bloody toes and fingers into the water, sighed at the welcome numbness the cold water effected. She ate the last of her jerky, drank her water and slept.

When she woke, she bathed in the stream, caught a fish she cooked over a fire, ate, filled her canteen and began the hike to Rema. She ran some distance in the morning before the heat of the day, and again when the day began to cool. She had to get to Rema soon. She may already be too late.

Lila reached the outskirts of the golden city as the sun was setting. She heard many voices, loud noises, saw many people. Lila hung back. She would rather face ten bears than a multitude of humans. She decided to stay among the trees outside the city until morning.

As she arose, she found the sun fairly high in the sky. I cannot get what I need and make it back before dark. I shall be forced to spend one more night near Rema.

She hurried into the city. Many people did not notice her. Those who did, stared at the strange barefoot girl in fringed buckskin dress and kept their distance. She wandered the streets but didn’t know where to find what she was looking for. Finally, she saw a window filled with bottles and jars. She looked in the door, saw more bottles and jars on shelves behind a long counter.

She cautiously opened the door, stepped inside. As she padded to the counter, her eyes had to adjust to the dimness, deeper in the shop. At the counter, she looked up into the watery blue eyes of a tall, man with white hair and a white mustache.

The man cleared his throat, leaned toward her. “May I help you?”

Lila was too frightened to speak. She simply unfolded the paper she had taken from her pocket, laid it before him. He picked up a pair of spectacles, sniffed and read the word on the paper. His eyes grew round. His lower jaw dropped.

He regained his composure. “Young lady, are you a doctor?”

Lila shook her head.

“Then I’m afraid I cannot help you.”

The sting of tears threatened at the backs of Lila’s eyes. “Oh, please, but you must. It has taken me eight days to get here. The Father needs this medicine or he will die. I pray that I am not already too late.”

————————————————————————–

The curtain behind the man parted. A young man with pale, white skin peeked into the room. His eyes locked onto Lila’s long, silky black hair, her sun bronzed skin and her chocolate eyes. He saw fear and hurt in the chocolate pools.

“Edgar, is there a problem here?”

“Declan, you should not show yourself here.” The old man tried to usher the younger back behind the curtain.

“Edgar, I see a beautiful, young woman in distress.” The young man couldn’t seem to tear his eyes from Lila.

“Yes, well, she’s requesting a medication she is not authorized to purchase.”

“Oh, please, sir. I have money.” Lila held out two gold coins.

Declan moved forward. “Where did you get those?” He looked at Lila, eyebrow raised.

“From the Father. Please, I must return with this medicine soon. Time is running out.” The plea in her chocolate eyes gripped Declan’s heart. The ancient gold coins intrigued his mind.

“What is your name, my dear?” His voice, like velvet.

“Lila.”

“A beautiful name for a beautiful woman. Where are you from, Lila?” He leaned so close to her, she could feel his breath on her skin.

“I have traveled a long way by foot, sir. Eight days.”

“Don’t worry, my pet. We can help you. Edgar will get the medicine. You return just after dark and I will get you home with the medicine quickly and safely.” He took the coins from her hand, kissed her palm.

“Thank you, sir. I shall return after dark.”

————————————————————————–

Lila wondered at having to wait until dark. That would put her farther behind schedule, but she couldn’t bring herself to question the pale, young man. His kiss to her palm had made her stomach quiver, sent a shiver up her arm. There was something about him, something beckoned her.

The minute all light fled from the sky, Lila entered the shop, lit by a single candle. She tapped the little bell on the counter and Declan appeared.

“Lovely to see you again, Lila.” He held up a bottle, gave it a little shake.

She heard the pills move inside the bottle. She took the bottle from him and placed it carefully in the pocket of her buckskin dress. She turned to go, but Declan caught her wrist.

“This way.” He pulled her toward the curtained doorway.

When she tried to resist, he stopped, leaned close and spoke softly near her ear, “Remember I promised to get you home quickly and safely? Trust me.”

Lila trembled, but whether from fear or attraction, she did not know. She continued to follow him. They climbed a long, narrow, winding staircase, walked through a door onto a roof.

Lila froze at the sight of something she had never seen before. It was some kind of machine.

Declan wrapped an arm around her, drew her near. “Trust me, remember?”

She looked into his shining green eyes, nodded and allowed him to lead her to the machine.

They climbed inside a glass bubble. He showed her a strap to hold her into the seat, attached his own and flipped a few switches. A long arm began to spin noisily over their heads, he pulled a lever and the machine lifted. They were flying.

Lila hung on to the edges of her seat, her knuckles white, her body tense, but after a while, she looked at Declan, calm and in control of the machine, and allowed herself to relax a little. She looked down, squealed, pointed.

Declan saw the clearing she pointed to and set the chopper down. They got out and ran out from under the propeller, holding hands.

As Lila moved to step beyond the clearing, she felt the pull on her arm. Declan had stopped. She looked at him.

“You go on. Save your father.”

“Will you wait for me?” She didn’t want to say goodbye to him.

Declan shook his head.

Lila ran into his arms, kissed his lips.

————————————————————————–

His lips returned her kiss hungrily. He longed for her. When their lips parted, he trailed kisses down her throat to that vulnerable spot at the base of one side of her neck and his mouth lingered there for a long moment. He inhaled the earthy smell of her, then he pushed her to arms length and released his grip.

“Go!”

She looked at him long enough for him to see the tears form in her chocolate eyes in the moonlight, then she turned and ran.

Declan climbed back into the helicopter, bereft and wishing, with every part of his being, that he could be merely human.

————————————————————————–

Lila ran all the way to the community of cabins in the woods with tears streaming down her cheeks. Her heart skipped a beat when she heard the whir of the long arm of the machine. A sob escaped her lips.

She brushed her tears away and rushed into the Father’s cabin. Raelin was by his side. She looked up when the door burst open.

“Is he . . .?” Lila couldn’t bring herself to finish the sentence.

Raelin looked down at the form of the man in the bed. “Lila has returned.”

The Father reached a hand toward Lila. She ran to him, dropped to her knees, and lay her head on his chest. Then she handed the bottle of pills to Raelin, who retrieved a glass of water from a nearby table. She placed a tablet between the old man’s lips and held his head up to drink. He swallowed.

Lila smiled and left the cabin. She ran all the way back to the clearing, hope urging her forward, but when she got there, the chopper was gone, and with it, her love, her heart.

 

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the last line of Declan’s POV (before the last break). I’d also love to hear your thoughts on Lila’s community. Leave your comments below.

Flash Fiction Friday: Different Perspectives

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“Where do you go to meet decent men in today’s world?” Tara leaned on the little cafe table.

Cheryl smiled. “The mall. Wear your skirt shorter or jeans tighter and necklines lower and purchase a bunch of stuff so you have your hands full of bags.”

“First of all, I’m not interested in selling myself, and what’s with hands full of bags?” Tara raised an eyebrow.

“If you’re not interested in selling, you’ll never find a buyer. It’s never failed to catch the interest of a good looking guy willing to help carry some of those bags.”

“Cheryl, I’m not interested in a one-night stand. I’m interested in finding someone who’s interested in so much more than that.”

“Tara, my girl, I don’t know what to tell you. I’ve met decent guys at the mall, but, obviously, we’re looking for different things. I’m not looking to get tied down forever.” Cheryl rolled her eyes.

“I’m sorry, Cheryl, but I thought you knew I don’t believe in that kind of intimacy outside of marriage, and honestly, I’m surprised even you get a guy’s face out of his portable electronic device long enough to notice you.”

“If you dress right, you can get their attention away from anything else.” Cheryl grinned.

Tara sighed and after eating a forkful of salad changed the conversation. They spoke of how things were going at their jobs through the rest of the meal. Then they paid their bills planned to meet again in another month and said their good-byes.

As Tara walked out of the cafe, a man with salt-and-pepper hair walked in, head down, looking at his smartphone. Before Tara could swerve out of the way, the man walked right into her.

“You really shouldn’t be walking while looking at your phone. You could hurt someone.” Tara’s face was red with anger.

The man looked up. “I’m so sorry. I’m sure you won’t believe this, but I’ve never done this before. It’s just that I needed to verify the time of my next appointment. I don’t want to be late getting back to the office. I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

Tara’s heart skipped a beat as she looked into the large, darkest chocolate brown eyes she had ever seen, and her annoyance seeped away.

The man’s brow wrinkled. “Are you all right?”

Tara cleared her throat. “I’m fine.” She lowered her eyes slowly, taking in the man’s navy blue suit and pale pink shirt, open at the neck, all the way down to his shiny, black dress shoes.

“Would you mind stepping over here, out of the doorway for a moment?” He gestured to his right.

Tara moved with him.

“Please forgive me. I’m not really so attached to my phone, but it is important for keeping my schedule. Since you’re exiting the cafe, I assume you’ve already had lunch, so would you be willing to meet me here tomorrow or Friday so I can buy you lunch and make it up to you?”

“Are you single?” Tara blurted out. “I mean, if you’re married, I wouldn’t want anyone to get the wrong impression if they saw us together.” She felt her cheeks grow warm.

A smile passed over his lips. “No, I’m not married. My name is Paul Winston, and you are?”

“Tara Hollingsworth, and I’d be delighted to meet you here for lunch on Friday.” Then they parted ways, and Tara, with a little more hope in her heart, walked back to the place of her employment.

 

Flash Fiction Friday: Do You Believe in Romance?

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Allison sat on the almost empty beach. She loved the beach in the fall, cool breeze blowing through her hair, the color of copper, and the waves crashing onto the sand. The seagulls drifted on the wind currents.

Allison didn’t come to the beach in the summer. She didn’t enjoy baking in the sun or seeing all of the scantily clad bodies greased and lying on blankets like meat on a grill.

She heard a child’s laughter, looked down the beach and saw a man and, what she assumed to be his son flying a kite. There was a golden retriever following the boy.

She returned to her book. Minutes later a shadow fell over her book. She looked up to see a man with golden blonde hair and blue eyes gazing down on her.

“What are you reading?”

“Wuthering Heights.”

“Ah, a classic. A rather sad and depressing tale.”

“Yes, but I love the story, the romance.”

He smiled. “Do you believe romance is still alive here in this world?”

“I like to think that there are still people out there who believe and keep it alive.”

“Dad, look, dolphins.” A child’s voice called and the man turned.

So this man has a son. Allison sighed deeply and also looked and saw the dolphins swimming, bodies arched.

The man directed his attention back to Allison. “My name’s Mason Williams. That’s my son, Eli, he’s six years old, and our dog, Bruce.”

“Bruce?” Allison’s mouth turned up at the corners though she managed not to laugh.

“Yes, well, Eli loves Batman, but I told him that wasn’t really a good name for a dog, so since Batman is also Bruce Wayne, the dog became Bruce.” A large grin spread across his face and Allison decided he had a warm smile and engaging eyes.

“I’m Allison Baker.”

“You live around here or are you just visiting?”

“I live two hours from here in Hilldale.”

“Are you headed back to Hilldale today yet?” His eyes were bright as he gazed into hers.

Allison raised an eyebrow. “I’m sorry, but where are you going with this line of questioning?”

“I was hoping maybe you’d like to join me for dinner.”

She tilted her head to the right and pursed her lips, then,  “Uh, I, um, don’t know what to say.” Her eyes moved past him to the little boy again.

Mason chuckled. “Oh my, I guess I’m really out of practice. I’m sorry. I certainly don’t want you getting the wrong impression. Eli’s mom and I are divorced. I have custody of Eli but he’ll be going to his mom’s tonight and she’ll have him for the day tomorrow. She also gets him every other weekend. I didn’t mean to confuse you. It’s just I haven’t really dated much since the split.”

Allison relaxed her shoulders. “So, what made you decide to ask me out?”

His eyes sparkled and bore into hers. “The wind blowing strands of your hair as the sun was shining upon it gave it a fiery appearance. That’s what caught my eye, then when I asked about your book, I liked your answers. That made me want to get to know more about you.”

Allison was speechless. Could this man be the man she had been waiting for, dreaming of? No one had ever spoken to her as he did. His reference to her hair had a romantic air and he was honest about his divorce and his involvement with his son. Was he a true romantic? Why did his marriage fail?

“So, will you have dinner with me, Allison?”

His question jerked her back to reality. “I think I’d like that.”

Flash Fiction Friday: Bounty Hunter

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Leta smelled the smoke of a campfire. Then voices drifted to her on the air. She reined her horse in and dismounted. She pulled her rifle from its place in her saddle and checked the revolver that hung on her hip, both were loaded and ready. She stepped lightly through the grass, leaves and twigs to get closer.

“So, how many have ya killed?” This voice sounded young.
“Oh, I dunno. I reckon I lost count.” Leta recognized the gravelly voice of Slade McKenna.
“He’s killed at least three sherrifs.” Yep, that was Kid McKenna, Slade’s brother. Leta continued to wait, her heart pounding in her chest. If it was just these three, her job would be easy.

The noise of scraping an iron pan and tin plates assaulted Leta’s ears.

“How long you been wandering around this territory on your own, Buck?”
“About three months. I been looking to join up with a gang. How’s come there aren’t more fellas with the two of you?”

Leta stepped into the firelight, rifle pointed at the middle of Slade’s back. Kid dropped his fork and tin plate, but before he could reach for his gun, Leta spoke. “Keep your hands where I can see ’em, or your brother gets a bullet to the back. Toss your rifle and revolver over yonder.” She cocked her head toward a stand of trees a couple of yards to her right.

Slade moved lightening fast, pulled his revolver, turned and shot at the same time.
Leta fired her rifle. It took a chunk out of the log Slade had been sitting on and wood splinters flew up into his face.
“Next shot won’t miss. Now you and the Kid can come peacefully or I can kill ya and make this other one help tie you to a horse for me to haul in. Makes no difference to me. Reward says, ‘Dead or Alive’.”

Slade’s eyes ran over this woman from the top of her tan bullhide cowgirl hat to the tips of her brown boots. His mouth broke into a leering grin. “Well now, you’re the purtiest bounty hunter I ever did see. You really think you can take us in all by yourself?”
“Don’t try anything funny. I know I can take you both in. I’d prefer alive, but I can do dead if need be. So, what’s it gonna be?”
“What’s your hurry? It’d be easier to travel once the sun comes up in the morning. Why don’t you bed down here by the fire and we’ll go with you in the mornin’?”
“I don’t lie with rattlesnakes. Enough of this jawin’. You toss your guns over with your brother’s and then keep your hands where I can see ’em.”

The new guy hadn’t moved since Leta made her appearance. He sat staring at her with his mouth hanging open. Leta pointed her rifle at him for just a second to get his attention. “You, take this and tie up the Kid.” She tossed him one of the ropes she had hanging over her shoulder.
“Yes, ma’am.” His hands trembled in the firelight. He moved toward the Kid, who was glaring at him.
Kid glanced at Slade, who nodded. Kid turned and put his hands behind his back for Buck to tie. Then Slade said, “Now!”
Kid turned around and hit Buck with an uppercut to the jaw as Slade moved toward Leta.

Bang! Leta’s rifle screamed in the night and Slade grabbed his right thigh. “You shot me in the leg.”
“Yeah, and if you try anything else, the next shot will be to your chest or your head.”
Kid stood waiting for Slade’s directions, while Buck sat on the ground rubbing his chin.
“I reckon we’re beat, Kid. Guess we better go with the lady.”
“Are you crazy? Surrender to a woman? We can take her.”
“She shot me in the leg!”

Leta pointed the rifle at the rope on the ground near Buck and motioned toward him. “Tie him up.”
This time Kid didn’t fight as Buck tied his hands tightly behind his back.
Leta moved closer and took the other rope from her shoulder and clamped onto Slade’s right arm, jerking it behind him, followed by his left. She tied him firmly, then she looked to Buck again. “Let’s get them on their horses.”
When Kid and Slade were on their horses and the horses were tied together, Leta whistled. Her horse came into the firelight and she tied the rope from the other horses to her horse’s saddlehorn.

She took one last look at Buck. “You count your blessings I came along before your threw your hat in the ring with these two, and go on home to your mama.” Then she mounted her horse and headed back toward Carson City.