Going Home

airport

© Dawn M. Miller

Sarah and her children had arrived at the airport by Amtrak. Against her better judgment, she’d let six-year-old Sam and four-year-old Kate order meals at the nearby McDonald’s.

They were going home, the only real home she’d ever known.

Her husband Ben had never liked her parents. They’d always seen him for who he was. Linda had been blinded by her need to be loved. She endured beatings, but finally her eyes were opened when he raised a hand against her children.

She’s rather die than let them suffer, but if Ben killed her, they’d be at the mercy of a murderer.

This was the first time the children had been on an airplane and they were so excited. In time the memories of their father would fade. They’d stop asking where he’d gone and when he was coming back.

The police were convinced he’d abandoned his family and run off with that stripper.

No one would ever find his body.

Linda would finally give her children the family they deserved.

Written in response to FFfAW Challenge-Week of February 21, 2017. The idea is to write a piece of flash fiction between 100 and 175 words based on the photo prompt above with 150 being the ideal. My word count came in at 175 exactly.

To see other stories based on the prompt, go to InLink.com.

29 thoughts on “Going Home”

  6. As Iain says, you never know the stories behind the people who you pass in an airport, or a train station – so many mysteries, though probably best not to think too deeply. No doubt some dark tales are hidden there.
    Great story. I only have one question – who’s Ben?

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    • I’ll go back in and check. I wrote the story very quickly, so I’m sure I made some mistakes. Yeah, she’s a murderer, but she was only dangerous to her abusive husband, and only because she was defending her children like any mother would (OK, not every mother would commit murder).

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