(100-word flash fiction)
He had come home one day and found them all gone, including his house. There was just a bomb crater in their place.
But his heart refuses to believe they are dead. By day, he combs the refugee shelters, eyes bright with not blinking.
At night, he soothes himself with memories. How little Fatima she would spring into his arms, smile brighter than sunrise, a tinkling santur for laughter.
He hears hopeful stories of boats and stories of death.
Finally, he spots her. The sunshine of his life. On a newspaper page.
Only, in her eyes, the sun had set.
~~~~~~
Tried hard to write a lovely, little sweet story, but my muse is a stubborn one 🙂
Thank you Rochelle, for hosting this weekly party of eclectic flash fictioneers 🙂 And, your photo is lovely!
PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
Just Joyfulness 
So tragic…
Yes. But could also be true.
So much pain in this.
Yes. Tragic but probably happening right now.
Great first line. The surprise and shock hooks you in
Thanks Neil.
His pain is so vivid, his memory so full of hope, and the ending so… heartbreaking.
Thanks Magaly.
So sad… I almost thought he would find her… it’s like losing her twice.
Yes. Thanks Bjorn.
This is a sweet sad story.
Thanks Tamal. I am curious as what the meaning of your name is.
“Tamal” is a kind of tree. It has a important place in Hindu mythology and Romantic Bengali literature 🙂
Tragic story,powerful writing. Well done.
Thanks Iain.
Dear Joyful,
Tragic story that made my heart ache. Well done
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks Rochelle.
What a good story this is. You touched my heart. Well done.
Thanks Lindy.
The story of our era. Heartbreaking and well told.
Thanks very much.
Oh, how I hated to like such a tragic tale, but it was just told so d*ned well. You captured the hope of looking for one’s loved ones after a disaster so very very well.
Thanks. Yes, I can imagine it would be a nightmare.
This was beautifully written. You broke my heart several times. I am not sure it will recover after the last line.
Thank you for reading. Yes, tragic but true.
So sad, I was hoping along with him as he searched up until the last line.
Sad but really happening in war torn parts of the world, alas.
This was so vividly told, which made the end so much more devastating.
Thanks Rommy. My style is rather stark, I have been thinking of softening it 🙂
So much feeling in such a short piece 👍🏻🙂
Such a heartbreak.
Yes. But true in many places.
nicely told….. a story from the many similar ones around us these days 😦
Yes, true, unfortunately 😦