(100-word flash fiction)
The phone rang at the oddest hours. At night when she was asleep.
It was always a child, whispering plaintively, sometimes frantically but in a strange language. She was sure it was a prank, someone mimicking a child’s voice to pester her. The next time, however, an adult shout was heard followed by the sound of a slap and whimpering.
She decided to record the call. She had to wait for two months.
She then spent the rest of the night on Google Translate which translated, “Save me from these people. Help me find my parents. Please come rescue me.”
_____________
I had the good intention of writing a nice, happy story. But my mind got hijacked by a post I read about men stalking and grooming young pre-teens with the criminal intention of sexual predation. We might write what we think are dark and dismal stories but the reality, it seems, is far more unfathomably dangerous than what we can imagine.
However, on a lighter note. I am much grateful to the lovely Rochelle for providing the space and platform for all of us Friday Fictioneers to meet and write 😁
Photo prompt –
PHOTO PROMPT © J Hardy Carroll
I’d like to see the continuation of this
Hmmm …. it might turn out into a novella about international gangs and human trafficking 😦
Imagine getting a call like that. I wonder what I would do. A brilliant take.
Click to read my FriFic
Thanks Keith. What would you do?
I read your story Keith. Couldn’t post a comment on your blog. Killer title. And story too 🙂 LOL 😀
Horrifyingly good.
Thanks Sandra.
Dear Joyful,
This could turn into quite a thriller. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks Rochelle
Chilling. I can picture that scene, hearing the desperate voice. Well done (definitely not a light one!)
Thanks Iain. Such is life.
A great take. I was gripped and found myself empathising with both the recipient and the caller. I’m really keen to know whether the recipient contacted the police and what happened next, but of course we’ll probably never know.
Thanks JS. I hope if this happens in real life hopefully the recipient will do something.
This was a chiller, Joy. Nice take on the prompt!
Thanks 😊
I am glad she took the time to use google translate and figure this out.
Yes. Thanks for dropping by.
Very unnerving. Let’s hope they can use what she recorded to find and rescue these victims.
Let’s hope. Tha ks for dropping by.
This was very grim, dark and disturbing. Very well written. I guess the receiver of the call has to do something about it right? after all the child has been calling her number only.
Thanks Varad. Yes, she will have to do something.
Realistic , graphic. Well written. I just wish it were a fairy tale.
Thanks so much.
Hearbraking. And so well written. You’re right, reality is a lot worse than what most of us can come up with in fiction.