This week at the Carrot Ranch, Charli Mills challenged writers to In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a place where children once played. It can be a field, a playground, or any place that attracted children to play. But now it is empty. Abandoned. Go where the prompt leads!
This is my response. I hope you enjoy it.
Locked and Abandoned
Grow up.
Stop those childish games.
Remember your manners.
Cease with the stories.
Fairies aren’t real.
Santa’s for fools with more money than sense.
She was a dutiful daughter and diligent student. She submerged herself in lessons, wiped her mind of childhood nonsense and got on with the serious business of being grownup, though she was not yet nine years old.
She went on to be dux at school and won the university medal but had no friends to celebrate with.
Sometimes, in night’s solitude, she’d hear a jangle of keys and a tiny voice crying, ‘Let me out!’
Thank you for reading. I appreciate your feedback. Please share your thoughts.
Note: The collection of stories made in response to the previous prompt Gloria can be read at the Carrot Ranch.
Norah Colvin 
Quite chilling, that last line, Norah. Gave me the shivers. I loved how you moved this story along at a lovely pace.
I’ve never heard of ‘dux’ either. So that’s a new word for me.
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A creative take a playground that gets abandoned with adult rational and responsibilities.
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Thank you, Kate. I’m delighted you see it as creative. 🙂
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That is haunting. Nicely said, Norah.
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Thank you, Jacqui.
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Fabulously poignant story, Norah. You express it so well.
And you’ve taught me a new word – had to look up dux and I see it’s Scottish!
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Thank you for your encouragement, Anne. I’m pleased the message was strong. It’s one close to my heart, as you know.
But I am surprised about dux. I thought it was commonplace and that its use here probably originated in England. So thank you for that piece of education too.
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That tiny voice, almost lost but not quite – o my heart. Thanks Norah
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Thanks, Susan. I hope that tiny voice is eventually heard and responded to.
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So thought provoking
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I’m pleased you think so. Thanks, Yvette.
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🙂
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