This week’s photo prompt from Madison Wood’s Friday Fictioneers came courtesy of Jan Morrell. This picture reminded me of a holiday on the Greek island of Rhodes, when we visited the old town of Lindos.
A two week idyll had stretched into a six week nightmare. They should return home and wait, the police had said, for the sake of the other children.
Hills had been scoured, coves and coastlines inspected daily, and mountain roads patrolled.
Nothing.
She leaned into the shade of a doorway, the heat from the cobbles searing through her thin sandals, sweat darkening her linen dress, and gazed miserably up at the skyline dotted with satellite dishes and washing lines.
And there it was, pegged amongst fluttering shirts and dresses…her son’s yellow romper suit with the red teddy on the front.
castelsarrasin 
This one struck a cord with me, Sandra. Recently a 10 year old girl was kidnapped on her way to school in Colorado. Turns out she’s a dear friend’s great niece. The situation’s looking pretty grim. Your descriptions, as always, painted the perfect backdrop for you heart-piercing story.
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Thanks Rochelle, we’ve had the same thing here the past fortnight, concerning a 5 year old girl. Your heart goes out to the poor families.
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Rochelle…Unfortunately, they found her body today. My condolences to her loved ones and your friend. Let’s hope they find this monster…soon.
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Relief, glad she found the missing romper suit that had been blown away, or would they find a missing baby!
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I can always rely on you for a spot of lateral thinking, Sue! Hope all is well with you. Thanks for dropping by – will email.
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A lot of foreboding and very realistic. So many raw emotions captured here. Well done.
Here’s mine: http://unexpectedpaths.com/friday-fictioneers/disharmony/
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Thank you, glad you liked it.
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This is very well written Sandra. The way you described the scene is amazing! It all came to life, the despair and helplessness of the family and the secretive place that was the town.
Not a word wasted, not a sentence out of place. Thanks for sharing this.
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Thanks for commenting Parul.
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Very gripping and well writtern, Sandra. Mine is here: http://readinpleasure.wordpress.com/2012/10/12/fridayfictioneers-i-want-out/
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Thanks!
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A lovely piece of writing Sandra, and oh, I so want this to turn out well.
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So did I Claire, as I do for all those who are going through something similar.
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Oh my!!! This grabbed at my heart…situations like this one just scares the heck out of me…very well done.
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Thanks boomiebol.
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Well written–right down to the last sentence. Of course, I, like others, hope for a happy ending.
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Thank you for commenting; glad you dropped by.
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Vivid and captivating, Sandra. This reminds me of those horrible stories in the news occasionally about children going missing on holiday, like Madeiline McCann. I don’t know how the parents cope. Your ending is fascinating – there is a lot more to come here, I fear of both hope and despair.
I’m at: http://elmowrites.wordpress.com/2012/10/12/friday-fiction-cooling-off/
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Thanks for commenting Jennifer. I wrote it in the spirit of achieving a happy ending, just in time.
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Lovely piece of fiction, very well written.
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Thank you for commenting.
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You used your story so well to describe the emotions without using direct words! Excellent.
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Thanks, glad you liked it.
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Hi Sandra,
You set up your strong premise so well in your opening sentence and your ending propels the reader toward a conclusion, while leaving much to the imagination. Very well done. Ron
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Thanks for commenting Ron, glad you liked it.
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That truly would be a nightmare holiday. You captured the desperation beautifully. Thanks for visiting mine as well.
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It’s something you can never quite put out of your mind, isn’t it? Thanks Anne.
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This is so strong. I’m really glad she paused and looked up when she did.
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Just in the nick of time, I think. Thanks for dropping by Sarah Ann.
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I could really feel the emptiness and helplessness with this, which goes perfectly with the photo. Great writing.
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Thanks Sheila!
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Oh, Sandra. Wow, great imagery and detail. Well done! I like the word, “cobbles,” and feeling the heat through thin sandals. I had that sense, too, in mind. Nice job!
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Thank you, pleased you liked it.
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Wow, nicely done. I probably say the same every week, but you have a great, easy style. It lets me focus on the story, and on the nice touches, without anything getting in the way.
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Thanks Brian, you’re very kind. 🙂
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Love your excellent writing, Sandra but I’m confused and it seems I’m the only one. Did they find the romper suit, but not the child? If not, hopefully. the suit will lead them quickly to the child.
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Well I think you have to make up your own ending Lora; personally I think she’s found the house where the abductors live, and she’s lucky that it was laundry day…
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Lucky indeed they hadn’t left yet, and the abductors aren’t slobs! I’m going with the hopefuls because I’m an overprotective mom who can’t bear to think otherwise, especially given what really does happen in the world.
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I’m with you on the ‘hopefuls’ side. I simply can’t conceive of how you would get through something like this, though. Thanks for dropping by Kathy.
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I could take more than 100 words to analyze this story but let me put everyone’s mind at ease. If the person or people took the time and cared enough to wash the kidnapped child’s clothes, then the child will be found alive and well. Probably well fed, too. Loved the craftsmanship, tension, and “happy” ending of your story!
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Exactly, Paul! I had in mind a young to middle aged childless or recently bereaved couple trying to fill a gap and pass the child off as their own. Sadly, these days that’s not generally the reality of the situation. Thanks for commenting.
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So much Angst in this beautiful picture, but this was a unique take on it. Very good.
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Thanks for commenting. Glad you liked it.
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reading that ending can make one shake in their boots. well done.
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Thanks Rich, glad you liked it.
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Yes, my reaction was “ugh.” Good job. Randy
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Thanks for commenting Randy.
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The images come alive here, and hope goes out to the family in the story. Glad it is only fiction. Very well told. A recent real life story here in Colorado with the abducted 10 yr. old is not. Her body was found dismembered. And another attempted abduction was tried by the perpetrator, still not found. It was because of the story here that I decided to give my story a happy ending. As writers we can write was is not real and not have to dwell on it, cope through, but with the real life events such as this, and the massacre in June in a theatre in Aurora, when 12 were shot and killed and 58 others injured (just an hour’s drive from where I live in Loveland), leaves us with disdain, but it happens because of the evil that prevails.
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Perfect lead into a good ending – letting us know not only that the child is to be found, but that he is alive, for why else would the kidnapper bother to wash the garment? Well done. 🙂
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You did an excellent job of evoking all the senses (heat through the sandal, etc.) and the heartache of the moment. I agree with Paul. This is one time where a happy ending is a definite possibility.
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Hi Sandra,
I can’t see how to contact you on your website, so I’m hoping this message will still get to you even though the flash fiction it’s linked to is from October 2012.
I’m running a Flash Fiction Masterclass in a couple of weeks and I’d like to start with some great examples and use your one called ‘Last Day on the Island’. This one has stuck with me over the years, and I still love it. Would you let me use it in my class (full acknowledgements of course).
Thanks,
Claire
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Hi Claire, thanks for your message. Of course I’d be delighted (and indeed honoured) for you to use Last Day on the Island for your Flash Fiction Masterclass. You’ve made my day. 🙂
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Ah, that’s great news. Thanks Sandra. x
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