Written for Friday Fictioneers. Our host Rochelle
asks us to use the photo below as inspiration
to write creatively in 100 words or less while
making every word count. This is my flash.
Things were easier then, life was different. Kids felt safe in their little bubbles. I’d cycle to my piano lessons, cutting through the empty lot without a shred of fear.
I’d ring the bell for my lesson; if my teacher didn’t answer immediately, I’d wait on the bench. One time I waited so long, I was about to leave when the door flew open and a girl came running out, sobbing, her clothes a disheveled mess. My teacher called out after her.
My only reason for ever feeling fear was the way my piano teacher looked at me that day.
NAR©2024
100 Words
This is “Wash Away Those Years” by Creed
All text, graphics and videos are copyright for Nancy ~ The Sicilian Storyteller, Nancy (The Sicilian Storyteller), The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk, and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.
The Elephant's Trunk 
you lulled me into a sense of security right until the sting at the end ..
well done Nancy . 💜💜
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Thanks, Willow. A sense of security is what these sick bastards are hoping for. 🩶🩶
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yes I deed 💜💜
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Such a horrifying change of pace right at the end. Made me shiver. The safe bubble of childhood is gone. I hope this child is believed and the teacher is immediately held accountable.
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Me too, Angela. These bastards need to be locked away. No child should live in fear.
Thanks so much for reading.
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Dear Nancy,
I hope that was the end of her piano lessons with that “teacher.” I hope she’ll tell her parents. You captured the time frame and the things that buried memories are made of. Chillingly well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, Iris.
Yes, I also hope this kid raced home to report what happened. Hopefully the parents have educated their children about the dangers of the world and the kids know their parents will believe them. All too often it doesn’t end so happily.
Shalom,
🕊️
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You’re welcome, but who’s Iris?
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Forgive me, Rochelle! My biggest fear just came true and I apologize for that faux pas. Too many emails, too early in the day; whatever the excuse, I hate when that happens. I’m sorry. I need to be more careful. Thanks for bringing that mistake to my attention.
🕊️
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LOL…not to worry. I’ve done the same thing. Particularly with the newer FF’rs. 😉
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Uh oh.
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Not a good scenario, for sure. Hopefully this kid will race home and tell is parents what he saw.
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Well, that’s disturbing. It’s really not a great way for parents to discover this isn’t a safe person to be around their kids. (If the parents will believe the story. Too often, they haven’t.)
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And that is a huge part of the problem. It’s impossible for me to imagine not believing my children if they came home with a report like that. Parents need to support, protect and educate their kids on the dangers of the world …. not make the situation worse for them.
Thanks, Iris.
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Oh, the tragic moment when a child no longer lives in the safe bubble but comes to understand the world of fear. I hope she runs and is able to tell her parents. There’s a world full of vulnerable children who have nowhere to turn. A chilling, thought-provoking, and excellent write, Nancy!
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Thank you for your very gracious comments, Brenda.
It is a heartbreaking situation for all children everywhere. We need to protect our children, yes, and also educate them. The safer and more comfortable they feel talking to someone about this, the closer we will come to ending this epidemic.
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Ohh no. That’s a traumatic experience indeed. It’s better to run away and never look back
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Shweta, I agree! Even better is to tell someone.
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Nancy, your story gave me the goosebumps. I can sense the teacher’s eyes looking at her, perhaps wondering if she would tell anyone, or appraising the next victim? They are everywhere and secrecy is their greatest protection 😦
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“They are everywhere and secrecy is their greatest protection.”
Damn straight, Lisa, and that is also the greatest drawback in finding these bastards and bringing them to justice. No one, especially a kid, should live in fear.
Thank you for your great comments, Lisa. 🫶🏼
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Nancy in our fast-paced world, it seems like nobody has time to really listen to what kids say, but it is vital that we listen. Sandra wrote a story last week about a kid not coming right out and saying it but giving clues. We have to learn to read between the lines for our youngsters’ sakes.
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Thank you, Lisa.
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Great turn-around in the last line
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Very nice comment, Neil. Appreciate it.
Thanks!
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Oh hell no! She had been safe up till then. Now? Nope. Turn around right now and tell your parents, little girl!
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Exactly! So many are afraid to say anything, though. Many times even parents would accuse them of doing something to provoke the assault. What a horror show for these kids!
Thanks, Dale, and thanks for an intriguing photo.
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I know. I know my MIL accused my husband of lying when he told her being an alter boy came with unwanted things…
Glad you were inspired 🙂
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Back in the day when priests could do no wrong, especially if they were Irish or Italian. Oh man! If those confessional walls could talk! 😂
🥰
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Right. Assholes. The shit they got away with. I never understood why Mick would go to one when he was in deep trouble, considering how he had been treated.
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Yeah, that’s screwed up. Poor kids, got nowhere else to turn. Obviously not getting the support at home. Sucks big time.
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It is. Did you ever see that movie “Spotlight”? Ouff. Not for nothing he referred to his mother as the Witch.
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Oofah! That’s rough!
Don’t think I know that movie.
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Based on a true story about how the Catholic church hid the many guilty priests by reassigning them to other parishes.
Excellent movie.
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Nothing like spreading the filth!
I’ll have to watch some time.
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Exactly. Yes, you must
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i suppose it’s time to get out there quick and never come back.
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My thoughts exactly!
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We (were) all so vulnerable, yes? 😰
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Ignorance sometimes is bliss! I don’t know about you but I never felt like I was in physical danger from anyone when I was a child. Perhaps if I think hard and long enough something will creep out of my subconscious but why would I want to do that?! Leave the memories alone.
Thanks, Liz.
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A look, children know in an instant.
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And that’s the time to run and tell anyone who will listen.
Thanks, D.
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It is, and I think as a society we are getting better at teaching our children that.
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Oh my, that’s a look they’ll never forget.
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The one that sends a coldness straight to the heart.
Thanks, Keith.
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All the safeguarding in the world won’t stop that one person. Not if they are determined. Topical flash.
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You are, unfortunately, correct. Thanks for reading and commenting, Sandra.
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scary to experience and worse perhaps to still remember long after…
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It’s a horror for sure, Destiny. Thanks.
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pleasure, Nancy. ..🤍💫
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A very frightening feeling for a young person
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It’s a nightmare.
Thanks, Sadje
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Indeed.
You’re welcome
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