Tag: escape

Haiku & Other Poetry, tutto e niente

defying destiny (a tanka)

Tina Stewart Brakebill

seeking to avoid

an unchosen destiny

she slips through the gap

like a whisper in the night

a bounded servant no more

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Author’s Photo 

I love cemeteries. A recent visit to the historic Oaklawn Cemetery in Tampa inspired thoughts about escaping an unwanted destiny; whether that fate is death or something else is up to the reader to decide.

But, here’s hoping that 2021 offers some respite from 2020.

Thanks also to Linda’s JusJoJan Challenge word (servant) and to Fandango’s FOWC word (avoid) for giving me added fuel for my vague thoughts.

Flash Fiction, Random Rants, tutto e niente

The Lights

Tina Stewart Brakebill

Flashback post for Fandango’s Flashback Friday

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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.

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Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

(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.

Flash Fiction, tutto e niente

Following the Sun

Tina Stewart Brakebill

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She planned to go at first light. But as the rays filtered through the slats, she felt a moment of doubt.

No! It had to be now. If she didn’t go now, she’d never go.

Her ‘no’ spun into a maybe until it was a yes. Then she’d be stuck.

Forever.  

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No!

Now beckoned. She followed.

sunrise under cloudy sky illustration

This 280 character tale was written for Kat’s Twittering Tales. Inspired by the wonderful photo of the sun shining thorough the window slats made by Nadiya Ploschenko at Unsplash.com

Flash Fiction, tutto e niente

She Used To Worry

Tina Stewart Brakebill

She used to worry. Why was she so unhappy? He gave her everything.

Every day his people came. They made sure that every part of her body was taut and sleek and limber. Masseuses and yogis. Stylists and waxers. Doctors and manicurists. Poking and prodding. Smoothing and stretching. Watching.

Then they’d go. And she’d be alone for a few precious minutes. Before he came back.

Every day, he’d stroke her hair and tell her she was beautiful.

But still she was unhappy.

She never told him. He’d been taking care of her since she was fourteen. He would never understand. He’d call her ungrateful. Or do worse.

But still she was unhappy.

She’d become accustomed to the feeling. Wore it like an invisible shield while she smiled at him. But, now.

Now she worried about something else. It had been two years. Something had shifted. She’d heard whispers.  His attention was wandering. She could feel it.

What would happen to her? He’d never take her back. But what if he was gone? Then could she go back? She could barely remember their faces. They probably were fine without her. Why would they want her now? Did she even deserve to go home? After everything.  

She shut her eyes and gripped the scissors she had stealthily pocketed from the stylist’s tray. He’d be back any moment. She had to stop worrying. She had to decide. So she did.

And for the first time in a long time, she felt happy.

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I’ve begun to think I’ve only got a dark side! I blame the current state of the world. I’m actually quite funny IRL! Anyway, thanks to Fandango’s FFFC for today’s dark inspiration.