Another Friday, another Flash Fiction from GIBBERISH
Here are your prompts for today:
Write about finding an unexpected fence.
sweet rain poisoned me
“I feel no obligation”
I had run this path a hundred times. I loved the river in early summer when the mimosa trees bloomed and the baby ducks gathered under the roots. The far shore held promises of hidden trails and shadowy adventures, but I liked the sunward side of the river.
And then, overnight, a fence appeared in the middle of the river as far as I could see. I hadn't noticed it at the beginning of my run, but when I finished I went to the water as usual to cool off. Where the fence began and ended I couldn't tell; all I knew for sure was that yesterday the view across the river was clear and I could dream about future adventures, but today, there was a fence prohibiting any crossing.
I sat at the edge of my side of the river and noticed for the first time the absence of ducks. No geese, either. In fact, I saw no animals of any kind, from insects to fish or squirrels. Above me, no hawks floated lazily by on the winds. I took off my shoes and socks to put my hot feet in the cool water, which turned out to be a mistake. The electric shock flung me backward; if I had been standing it would have toppled me, maybe even into the charged water. As it was the soles of my feet, from the heels to toes smoked and blackened. I felt heat at the back of my head like I had stepped on a lightning bolt. I didn't feel any pain, but I could see that at some point my brain would register the injury and there would be a reckoning of agony.
Why was there a fence and why was the river electrified? Who set it up? What was the purpose? And how could I get home?
The old woman leaned toward the children from her wheelchair. "What happened next? How did you get away? Is the fence still there?” Questions from the children came fast and furious.
"Oh children, there is much more to tell, but it will have to wait for another day. You only asked how I lost my feet, and that is the story. The burns from the river were too much, and day by day, over a few weeks, doctors removed them bit by bit until there was nothing left below the ankle."
"But why, old one, why was there a fence? Who put it there? Who took you away from the river?"
The old woman chuckled and said, "I am tired today. There will be no more stories until tomorrow. Then I shall tell you of the fence that keeps us safe from the shadow side of the river."
Mysterious!! I love it, i am so happy to see these prompts put to good use!
Wow!