Don’t Turn Back

Flight Attendant Siam Mendes steadied his hands on the control. It had been 6 hours since they lost contact with the Air Traffic Control. Their pilot was dead and the co-pilot was being restrained by a group of stewards. Amidst screams and swears from the co-pilot, Siam tried to concentrate, recalling the basic training he had as a recreational pilot. A slick aircraft flew to his right side. An angry face from the cockpit peeked out and a hand brandished something. Soon another lightweight flew to his left. 

Then the radio beeped soothingly, ‘’Mr. Mendes, can you hear me?’’ 

This story {99 words) was written for Charli’s Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge. Do click here to read the other stories in the topic, Danger Zone.

Tremble

The clouds tremble in the folds of the sky, scattering droplets in all directions. An oak tree’s branches nod in sympathetic understanding. A few miles from the oak tree stands the rose bush, feeling no such empathy towards the rain. A young leaf suspends itself from the safety of the rose bush and jumps towards freedom, oblivious to the travails of the tough world. The entire rose bush shakes, having lost its newborn. The ever-hungry sea, a little farther away, trembles with desire, as it watches fresh raindrops. The new drops join the salty sea to make energetic ripples, awakening sleepy sea dwellers.

turbulence in sky

big clouds invade

a small cloud

Raindrops

droplets of rain

earth’s wishful mouth

open for torrents

My New Short Story in Terror House Magazine

Hello Friends,

My new short story, The Return was published in Terror House Magazine yesterday. Here is the link to the short story.

Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge – At Last

He did not belong to anyone. He used and threw them. Now he was sick from a terminal illness, lying alone. His housekeeper of 10 years walked to him and changed his clothes without emotion. “Thank you,” he told her. Had he spoken to her? She looked at him, stunned. He could detect some deep feeling behind her eyes for the first time. He had never known her eyes were intelligent and kind. Why had he not seen her before? The way she looked at him! He held her hands, gratified that he had found true love at last.

Thanks to Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge for this week’s word prompt.

Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction- The Doll

It was cloudy when Macie returned home. She had been little more than a machine for the past 2 years. Her husband sighed, reaching out to take her hat and coat. All of a sudden, a fierce gust of wind shook their living room. The wind blew through his study, scattering his papers and bringing down a doll, which he had hidden from her. He did not hear the doll fall, but Macie did. She rushed over and picked it up, her eyes watering. She looked at his stunned face and sobbed for the first time in 2 years.

This story was written for the Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge. Thank you, Charli, for giving us the opportunity.

Carrot Ranch Challenge – Melanie

He squinted at the braided girl in brown hair with his half-blind eyes.  The first time he saw her, she was dancing to the same tune. Has it been 60 years? They were married the next year and she had passed away a year after their marriage. She was back now, wearing the same dress. “Melanie’, he whispered weakly. Melanie, for the first time in her traditional attire, danced exuberantly. She looked at him and sensed that something was wrong. She hurried over to him. ‘Grandpa’, she shook him. His limp body fell to the ground with a thud.

This is in response to this week’s Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge.

Carrot Ranch Challenge – Forgot

He stood in front of the crowds, his mouth wide open, and his guitar hanging by his side. He stared at the ogling girls and the scowling boys who had been dragged there by girlfriends. He had forgotten everything. What was he supposed to do? “Come on, man. You are the greatest rock star of the century. Get going.” his lead guitarist hissed at him. The rock star blinked. He could remember nothing beyond his 10th birthday when his dad had insisted that he learn guitar. “I had always wanted to be a rock star.” his dad had said.

This is in response to Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge. The word prompt is Rock Star.

Caterpillar

Dead caterpillar

my hands numb

on my silk gown

The Girl

A girl –

Her words prick like thorn

vulnerable liquid eyes deny