This morning on Twitter I came across a link to a blog called Supplicium Post Mortem, which hosts a weekly writing challenge called Flash Fiction Friday. The goal of the challenge is to tell a story in 250 words or less, ideally using all three of the “wildcard” words or phrases provided for the week. It sounded fun, so I decided to give it a try. This week’s wildcards were “wine glass”, “16 degrees”, and “padawan”. “Padawan” was impossible to fit into the story, but I managed to use “16 degrees”, and I made references to wine, even though I didn’t mention the glass. I figure that’s good enough. I’m happy with the final result. So, I present to you my Flash Fiction Friday entry, “Suppression”, which, according to Microsoft Word, is exactly 250 words in length. Without giving anything away, I will say that some readers may find it disturbing. That’s the effect I was going for. Proceed no further if you don’t want to take your chances. You have been warned.
———-
SUPPRESSION
Christina wasn’t sure when she’d become drunk, but at some point she became aware of the fact. She was laughing at an inane joke her father had told, and she suddenly had to pee. She felt dizzy when she stood, and hot, even though the thermometer displayed a cool 16 degrees. It was her first time drinking, and the feeling was unexpected.
“Daddy,” she said, giggling, “I’m drunk.”
She berated herself for drinking the wine. She’d known what her father’s intentions were but thought she could still protect herself. She was wrong.
Her father rose from his seat across the table, stepped toward her, and wrapped his arm around her.
“It’s okay, sweetie,” he said. “Do you know what I’m thinking?”
Christina couldn’t focus. “I have to pee.”
“Answer my question first.”
She sighed, closed her eyes. “You—you’re thinking…. I dunno.” Eyes still closed, she lost balance and slumped back down into her chair, guided by her father’s gentle hands.
“Babygirl, I’m sorry for this,” he said. His tone was sincere.
“I know, Daddy,” Christina mumbled.
She was defenseless. The alcohol had numbed her psi talents for the first time since she’d developed them a few years before. Telepathy, telekinesis—both gone. Ten minutes later, Psi Defense Unit agents had her in custody. They sedated her and put her in their van.
Her father watched through the window as they drove off toward the extermination facility. He returned to the table and, with tears in his eyes, finished off the wine.
———-
WOW! You really blew my mind with this little story, Travis. It had such sinister undertones, I half expected that her father was up to something so hideous I almost looked away. Because it’s a world that obviously does not accept people with her ability, it works so well. Wow, just wow!
As I said on Twitter, Jenny, I’m glad you enjoyed it. You’re an outstanding writer yourself, and your opinion means a lot to me.
Oh, very dark. And it points to a much larger piece. Thanks for joining us!
I look forward to doing this sort of thing every week. Thanks for coming up with the Flash Fiction Friday idea.
[...] Travis King [...]
That was unexpected; I too thought the worst of her father – thanks for joining us. Look forward to moer.
Nice job with 250 words. Didn’t see that coming, but neither did she. Welcome to the group and hope to see more.
WHOA that was a nice surprise, sinister, and not where I thought it was going! For such a short piece, it conveys alot!
[...] Missed Connections: “Last Sunday” If you read my post from last Friday, you know all about the Supplicium Post Mortem blog and its Flash Fiction Friday challenge. Well, [...]