In response to Flash Fiction For Aspiring Writers run by Priceless Joy with the photo prompt from afairymind
Annalise stands shivering in the early mornings chill as her cotton shift can barely keep her warm. She impatiently watches the noisy steam locomotive as it pulls up to the station, willing it to stop quickly so that she can hop on.
She casts furtive glances over her shoulders, every step of a passer-by stops her heartbeat in its tracks.
It was still incredulous to her simple mind on how easy it had been to sneak off and she knows that the luxury of time is not at her disposal.
They will soon discover that the lump under the scratchy blanket is a plumped dud. All hell will be let loose.
A fresh start is inevitable, away from it all, but all that she has pinched is just enough to get her to Oregon.
Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha
Lovely ominous last line. Fingers crossed she’ll make it…
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I hope so too for her sake 🙂
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I really felt her desperation. Picture her as someone young, but I guess any age would work. Left me with really wanting to know what she was running away from. Great work! 🙂
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So true! I could feel her fear and desperation to leave behind whatever horror she was running from, too. Awesome story!
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Absolutely! 🙂
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Thanks Nena 🙂 still have no idea what she is running from..
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The mystery is exciting;)
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Keeps ones mind roving right 🙂
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The best stories provoke thought;)
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Thanks Kelly. Not sure what she is running from too. I have several possible themes in my head.
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Would love to find out – if you decide to carry on the story. It’s a great set-up!
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Thinking about it 🙂
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Very good! Except I don’t know what a plumped dud is?? It is great she is getting a new start. Thank you for participating in the FFfAW challenge!
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plumped dud, implies stuffed clothing. I just coined the plump 🙂 Thank you too.
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Oh, okay! Makes sense.
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It is funny how you say you do not know what she is running from, yet, as the reader I can envision a horrible past and hope she can escape it ☺ Nicely done☺
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I have envisioned so many tortured endings which is why I am indecisive on what her torment is 🙂
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Maybe she just woke up on the wrong side of the tracks that day lol…hopefully she’s not in any real danger. Maybe it’s all in her mind!
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🙂 time will tell
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A wonderful story! You convey her fear and desperation to escape really well. 🙂 I hope she makes it safely to Oregon – that is, of course, as long as she isn’t actually an escapee from an asylum and an insane murderess, or some such thing. 😀
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Being a reader and fan of westerns having lots of trains in them, I hope she caught the train! Must come back for more………..
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She did catch the train, but how far she got is where the problem lies….
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Awaiting………………oh my must be back later for more ha ha
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Will let you know, once it’s done 🙂
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