FFfAW – 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.

autumn bridge color conifer — 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.

I haven’t felt much like writing the last few days. Too much … too much sadness and badness and hopelessness. No doubt that’s why when I WAS inspired to write today, it’s a bit dark. Doubly dark. So it’s a two for one today: flash fiction AND a haiku.

PART ONE: FLASH FICTION

It had always bugged me. That door. It wasn’t in the center! And that blue pane. It wasn’t in the center of the door! Day after day I passed by. Trying not to let it eat at my brain. Until I couldn’t take it anymore. Mother had told me (over and over and over again) that I was being obsessive. Then she’d nag me about my pills. I didn’t think she needed to know. I was on strike. No more pills for me. They made me docile. But without them, I could march up to that door. And demand to know! But now I stare at that blue pane from the other side. Hunger gnawing at my brain. And I wonder. Was it ever really off center? Or was it me?

PART TWO: HAIKU

words strike the blue pane

hunger gnawing at my brain

opening the void

131 words FLASH FICTION written for FFfAW

Photo Credit to Jade M. Wong

Further inspiration from FOWC

And with RonovanWrites

Tag: FFfAW

The Lights

Behind the Blue Pane (in Two Parts)