Hello everyone, I hope you're having a wonderful week! This week I have something a bit darker than my normal flash fiction stories. However, I think it has a good ending!
The prompt for this story was:
Character 1: A man in his 80s who isn't dangerous
Character 2: A young boy who isn't charming.
Setting: This story takes place in a photograph dark room.
Situation: Someone discovers a dead body.
Theme: The story is about heroism.
Action: Your character has newfound magical abilities.
Onto the story!
“Papa, please get up!”
My grandson shakes me awake, grabbing hold of my shoulders, though his grip is much lighter than normal I look around the dark room, seeing the camera has fallen over. I stand with more ease than normal and go to pick it up.
“Don’t worry Leo, I’m awake.”
When I try to pick up the camera my hand phases right through it. I try again, watching my hand go through the metal.
“Why aren’t you saying anything?”
I look back at Leo and see him shaking my limp body. Am I dead? Oh no, there has to be a way to be revived. Leo doesn’t have anyone else to care for him.
I start by laying back in my body, trying to reconnect with it. Nothing happens. I try to grab something, to touch Leo’s hands. Nothing happens. I float over to the camera and try to touch it, somehow managing to hold it. It’s working well enough for me to take a picture.
“Papa? Why is the camera moving on it’s own?”
“I’m trying to call for help,” I say before I remember he can’t hear me.
I notice my phone laying on the floor and take a picture of it. I place the camera in front of Leo to show him.
“The phone? Ok floating camera, I can get that!”
The young boy walks to the phone and taps the screen. I quickly snap a picture of the emergency call button. When I show him the button, he pushes it.
“I hope you’re not playing games floating camera!”
I run outside with the camera to take a picture of the address, hearing Leo talking to the responder.
“Where are you located?’
“Um... uh... I don’t...” he looks at the camera when I set in front of him, “153 Hailbird Lane.”
“We’ll send someone right away.”
Leo keeps the phone call up until the ambulance arrives. The first responders rush to pick up my body.
“Are your parents around?” They ask.
“No... my Papa is all I have left.” He start to sob.
“We’ll do the best we can to bring him back. You can ride with us, ok?”
“Ok!” Leo perks up at the idea of an ambulance ride.
I hitch a ride on my body as the vehicle speeds away, hoping I can come back to take care of Leo.
That's all for this week, I hope you stay hydrated and enjoy the rest of the week.
-Rosetta 💖
Image by GRAHAM MANSFIELD