
He wasn’t a bad boy, the tearful mother professed to the crowd who gathered on the beach. Yes, he was precocious, as his teachers would attest, but he was a bright and friendly child with a clever imagination. Surely you can see that; just look at him happily playing tag with his new friends by the water.
It was dreadful, no denying, but it was a horrible accident, the weeping woman explained. A simple game of hide and seek gone terribly awry. Teams of two, boys against girls. Her son and his little friend Jack took turns hiding in a hollow on the beach, each one covering the other with sand and rocks. It was really the perfect spot to hide.
Her son scampered off behind a nearby dune to wait in hiding when the girls called out “Ready or not, here I come!” They quickly found him behind the dune and he chased them, forgetting all about his friend buried beneath the sand and rocks. Only when he heard urgent voices yelling “JACK! JACK!” did he remember his friend.
He ran to the spot where Jack was hiding, desperate parents on his heels, but it was sadly too late for his little friend. Of course no one blamed him; it was a game turned deadly, fun between innocent children.
Later, as the boy sat on his bed, he removed a slip of paper taped behind his bedpost. With a red crayon, he crossed off the name “Jack” from the list.
NAR © 2023
250 words
The wee turd!
Cool tale of a Tory in the making, Nancy.
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Well done!
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Did I not answer this?
Apologies to you, CE, for this horribly late reply. As difficult as it is to comprehend, you must have slipped by me [gasp].
Mea culpa…..
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Wow! Great story, my friend. A stunning twist at the end.
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Thanks so much, luv! I’m a big fan of the curve ball; keeps people on their toes! Thanks for sharing your thoughts today❣️
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You’re most welcome!
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Well, there’s a variation on jack-in-the-box. Perhaps he might spring out one day. 🙂
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Hahaha!! Sounds like a great idea for a follow-up, Doug!
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Dude!*
*compliment on a story that sneaks up, saving the twist until the last possible moment… like the next-to-last bite of a sandwich and you see the mold on the remaining crust.
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And you sit there wondering how much mold you ingested before noticing that spot on the remaining bit of crust. I hate when that happens, Dude!
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What a cunning child and chilling twist, Nancy. ‘The Hide and Seek Murders’… I can see the book on the shelves now! 🙂
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Sounds like an Agatha Christie collection! Quite a bit of alright with me! 😀
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Mwahahahaha! 😈
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You know, it’s a horrible thought but I’m sure it happens 😳
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Oo, what a creepy ending! Loved the writing.
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Thanks so much, Layla! I’m really enjoying being creepy! 🤣
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Well that was one hell of a twist
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Thanks, Deb! These stories are such fun!
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I’m enjoying them 🙂
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Thanks a bunch! 💐
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It’s always a good omen when the first thing one reads in the morning is something as well-written as this. Thanks.
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Damn! Thanks, Ron. I’m kinda stoked for the day myself after reading that comment!
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Ooooo, I’m glad I not on his radar, …I agree, chilling, …coffee, I need coffee, …Never did like little boys, …they’re better grown up, …✨👏✨☕️✨…
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Morning, luv! Having birthed only boys, I’m a bit partial to the male of the species. Each age group brings its own distinct type of fun into my life. 💫
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Ah, … well, I grew up with 5 brothers, …I think they’d have buried me if they’d have thought about it, … but I survived, .😉… ..glad your boys add fun, that’s a special bond, mother and son…..✨🦋✨
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Five brothers? Yes, consider yourself lucky!
Now we have a little granddaughter and there’s something ineffable about that little fluff of cotton candy I never experienced before! 💕
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Awww some, 🤗… ….1 of 7, was I, (oops, sounds like I was Borg -ed😉)….5 brothers and a sister, …we fought a lot, …but there was laughter too, …Your granddaughter sounds so loved, precious and (softly) huggable, … ✨🤗✨
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I think one day the mother will find out her son IS a bad boy!
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Hopefully before the next name gets crossed off the list!
Thanks, Vera. Always nice to hear from you!
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Ouch – psychopath in the making.
Well disguised twist, Nancy, although, on rereading, the clues are there.
Nicely done.
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Thanks, Jenne, my dear!
This was one of those little stories where I wanted the reader to ask him/herself “Did he or didn’t he?” Things aren’t always as they seem.
Always fun to read your comments!
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oh, this is dark Nancy!
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I wondered about it being too dark, Di, but not for too long.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts today.
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You’re welcome…………….. TBH I like a bit of the unexpected
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Midway through reading your story, it occurred to me that he wouldn’t be able to find Jack buried (unmarked) under a sandy beach … like if you drop your keys on a beach – good luck finding them again.
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That reminds me! I have a story about a wedding ring lost in the waters off Cape Cod. It may be time to resurrect that one!
Morning, Misk!
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Good evening, Nancy!
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Chilling.
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Ooh! So glad you thought so. Thanks for your sterling review!
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