“Sweetheart, we love you so much. Pleeeeease come home, ” Sue desperately begged her daughter. “There’s lasagna for dinner… your favourite.”
Alice kept her gaze fixed on the floor, refusing to make eye contact. Seeing her mother again was like soaking in a warm bath, reminding her of how things had been once upon a time. Yet, the anguish in her soul, burned like a red-hot poker. That’s why she jabbed herself with the needles… to numb and forget the unforgivable.
“Alice, Emily misses her big sister.”
The heartstrings tightened until she could barely breathe.
No escape, Alice grabbed her bag.
….
100 words.
This has been another contribution to Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wishoff-Fields, where we write up to 100 words to a provided photo prompt. PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson
Best wishes,
Rowena
Beyond the Flow 
You’ve manage to convey a huge, heartbreaking story in so few words! Well done.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Nice take on the photo – very dark, thought-provoking story!
Powerful story, and little hope for her future.
Wow, powerful, particularly given the title… Very well done, if heartbreaking.
How can Alice stay angry when mother is so loving and made her favourite dish? Sweet story. Brings back faith in humanity.
The ever successful guilt trip.
She should tell her mother, for the little sister’s sake. Heartbreaking story.
The title says it all. Heartbreaking.
Oh gods! She’s not going back, is she? Unless she confronts him and saves her little sister from the same fate.
There’s a dark side to Alice’s story she’s desperate to hide and forget. Such a tragic tale. Well done.
Thank you, Brenda.
Liz, this very dark story took on a life all of its own and was actually very different to how it began. I worked on it for a few hours and it was only towards the end that I had her going back as the sister was a late addition.
In my mind, she’s going to confront the whole thing and save her sister and herself and I think she’s one of those characters who falls into the reluctant hero camp. In a way, I wouldn’t be wanting to be counting on someone like her to save me, but at the same time she’s a survivor and has grit and strength she probably doesn’t know she had. and I know she’s going to see this through.
Best wishes,
Rowena
Thanks, Sandra. The awful thing is, of course, that this story is very real and predators can be so deceiving.
Best wishes,
Rowena
Yes. she will find the words, which are floating around there almost within her grasp.
Best wishes,
Rowena
Yes, Violet but she’s going to find the grit to somehow turn this around although I don’t know what if anything will heal her after such extended abuse. I hope…
Best wishes,
Rowena
This is quite desperate, on her own she could stay away and out of danger but she has to protect her sister and so has no choice but to return. Hopefully she’ll find a way to save them both
You have portrayed a tortured soul. Before i read the comments I wasnt sure if she was going “home,” or moving again, to get out of reach of her past. I guess because I wasnt sure, if it was an in-person visit or a phone call. But your title definitely indicates menace awaits her there, if one is reminded of the evil stepparent trope.
Oh good grief! The therapist in me is rising to an angry boil! This story plays itself out all around the world in so many different ways it boggles the mind. You’ve captured the situation perfectly. Excellent.
It was the lasagna that made her change her mind, I’m sure.
Thanks, Linda. You can’t believe how some of these situations come about and get as I worked on the story and it twisted and turned gaining a momentum all of its own, that’s where it ended up.
I could relate to the desperate Mum in the story and making the girl’s favourite meal in a bid to lure her home, when she doesn’t know what’s gone on. I did have a line which I think I took out: “There are some things lasagna can’t fix”.
My hope is that she goes home and puts an end to it all. Stands up to him. Tells her mother. Hopefully, then they can all start over.
Best wishes,
Rowena
Thanks, Michael. Such a tough place to be in and unfortunately not unique. I really hope they sort this out and get away.
Best wishes,
Rowena
Thanks so much, Susan.
It just makes me sick to think of how many children live in situations like this. I hope her sister is able to escape as well.
Such sorrow, great story.
Thanks, Kat. That story really had no ray of light. Yet, another situation where the road ahead is straight up a vertical cliff hanging on by your fingertips.
Best wishes,
Ro
Thank you, Amie. I don’t know what took me down this path into such a dark story but I almost felt led by the hand as though she wanted me to know.
Best wishes,
Rowena
A home cooked meal is very good for the soul.
Best wishes,
Rowena
That’s how it happens sometimes
wow – excellent Rowena!
Thanks, Gary. I was pleased with how it came together, even though it’s very dark.
Hope you’re having a great start to your week.
Best wishes,
Rowena