Writer. Feminist. Historian. Person.
donning my own unique style
BUT
why so sad
you’d be pretty if you smiled
throw a punch
shake a hand
your smile is the spark
rough words
polite talk
your smile is the spark
amusing tale
grim reaping
your smile is the spark
Don’t blame the prompts for my 44-word dark take. I’m just feeling cynical today. Check out both MLMM and dVerse for the rules and some great writing.
You provoke! he cries.
An Aberration. he cries.
You make me! he cries
He cries. I apologize.
False tears. We begin again.
Important reminder: COVID-19 has worsened the ongoing horror of domestic violence. If you or a loved one (in the U.S) needs more information or help, they can contact The National Domestic Violence Hotline
As a regular supporter of my local Domestic Violence Support Network (CASA) I have been keeping up with the added domestic violence dangers COVID brings to at-risk families, and today the image provided by Sadje’s WDYS Challenge and the word prompts from the WOTD Challenge (provoke) and Fandango’s FOWC (aberration) came together to inspire this work.
Be kind to each other.
REACH OUT (SAFELY) IF YOU NEED SUPPORT!
Flashback post for Fandango’s Flashback Friday
I’d noticed the lights when I left the motel. They never got closer. But they also never dropped back. It was like we were attached by an invisible static line. I told myself I was being paranoid but a line from that movie he loves kept running through my mind.
“Who are those guys”?
Except I knew who it was. It had been two days since I escaped. I thought I was ok. Even stopped to sleep for a few hours before getting back on the road before dawn. But then those damn lights appeared. Nearly 24 hours later and they were still there.
I must be wrong. There’s no way he could have found me. But what if he did. He said he’d kill me if I ever left. I can’t go back. I won’t go back. Those lights felt like his eyes. Glowering. Raging. Unblinking.
I will not go back.
As the bridge loomed ahead, another line ran through my mind.
“The fall’ll probably kill ya.”
And then the lights went out.
(174 words)
Written and inspired by FFfAW ‘s photo prompt (provided by Jodi McKinney) with a little help from Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid.
And remember, domestic violence is NOT just a story or a piece of flash fiction. If you are in danger, please use a safe computer to access info at https://nnedv.org/ or call 911, a local hotline, or the U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224.
Tina Stewart Brakebill 