Post 1636. Wednesday November 15
As flames licked the smoke-filled sky, banging, crackling, and the sound of exploding windows filled the air.
A paramedic knelt beside a fire-ravaged man. ‘Up there, my little girl’ he whispered with his dying breath.
‘I hear something’ yelled the Fire Chief.
‘Daddy, where are you?’
‘Look, there. We’ll never reach her, get the air cushion’
A terrified child climbed onto a window ledge, let out a chilling scream and jumped.
In a garden where an apartment block once stood, a young lady places flowers on a bench and strokes the words carved in its backrest.
Daddy, you passed me on your way up to heaven they read.
Thanks to Rochelle for hosting and J Hardy Carroll for the photo.
That is just beautiful. Your story has brought tears to my eyes.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Irene, I couldn't have wished for a nicer opening comment.
DeleteAwww, gives me goosebumps. Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteI'm delighted you liked it Karen, thank you.
DeleteLovely, but sad, story, Keith. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Denise.
DeleteDear Keith,
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written tragedy.
Shalom
Rochelle
Thank you for your comment Rochelle, and of course for hosting the challenge I look forward to the most each week.
DeleteThat's so touching!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jane.
DeleteWhat a poignant story, Keith.
ReplyDeleteThank oyu for commenting Lore.
DeleteA very touching story.
ReplyDeleteCheers Trent
DeleteWhat a tragic thought. I hope it gives her some comfort.
ReplyDeleteI'm certain it does. Thanks Iain.
DeleteThat was horrible and wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThe best of both worlds! Thanks James.
DeleteYou've done it again, Keith... made me gasp and brought tears to my eyes.
ReplyDeleteSusan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
That's very kind of you Susan, thank you.
DeletePoignant narration!
ReplyDeleteThanks Reena
DeleteThat's so sad. A fitting tribute for a father desperate to save his little girl. Nicely done Keith
ReplyDeleteHe'll never be forgotten. Cheers Lynn.
DeleteTo the end, he was her guardian angel.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. Thank you mimi.
DeleteKeith, this is one of your best. Perfectly done. Kudos.
ReplyDeleteWow, thank you Linda!
DeleteTouching, poignant --- the best adjectives are used. ;) Loved it!
ReplyDeleteTime to invent some more! Thank you so much Christine.
DeleteHi Keith. Wow. Truly.
ReplyDeleteI'm delighted you liked it, thank you.
DeleteSad and touching. Very nice!
ReplyDeleteCheers Alistair.
DeleteSuch a graphic tale.
ReplyDeleteTouching with graphic details.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting YS.
DeleteBother you, Keith, I shall have to go and fix my mascara where it's run!
ReplyDeleteWow, such a powerful last line.
Please accept my sincere apologies Penny! Thank you.
DeleteA sad and very touching story Keith.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Norma.
Kind of you to say so, thanks Morma
DeleteA beautiful story, Keith, particularly poignant this week with Grenfell Tower back in the news.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I had in mind though I decided not to make a direct reference in my piece. Thanks so much liz.
DeleteOh, this breaks my heart. A few years a go a man set fire to his family home after an argument. He intended to kill the adults, but his niece who normally went to church with her grandmother was the only one who got trapped. She was at the window crying for her auntie to come get her, but the flames were too intense. By the time the firemen got there and reached her she was gone.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, that's awful and a very similar situation to the ficticious one I came up with for my piece. I cannot possibly imagine what that must have been like for the auntie. Thank you so much for reading and commenting Susie.
DeleteSo beautiful, and yet so heartbreaking. This is a fabulous piece, Keith.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind words. This week's prompt has resulted in so many tales of woe. Hopefully we'll all find something amusing in next week's.
DeleteGorgeous piece of writing, Keith. Evokes lots of emotions. Well done.
ReplyDeleteIt's kind of you to say so Varad, thank you.
DeleteWell, I am choking and words are falling short...
ReplyDeleteI had no idea my piece wold have the reaction it has. Thank you so much for reading and commenting Balaka
DeleteA spine-chilling story, and gripping - a well told tale.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much.
DeleteWow! That last line brought tears to my eyes.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading and tking the time to comment Alice
DeleteI let out an "aaawwwww" at the end of this. Such a beautifully told sad tale...
ReplyDeleteI heard you! Cheers Dawn
DeleteSuch a poignant tale, written so beautifully.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much moon.
DeleteSweet sad tale, Keith.
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased you liked it Dawn.
DeleteReally like this. Creepy and sad at the same time. Last line is fantastic
ReplyDeleteJust as I hoped! Thanks Rachel.
DeleteA beautiful story full of emotion, Keith. Good writing. ---- Suzanne
ReplyDeleteMost kind of you, thanks.
DeleteWhat a heartbreaking story you brought this week...
ReplyDeleteA different week a different style! Thanks so much brudberg.
DeleteSimply beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Clare
DeleteSo touching...
ReplyDelete