A Warning For Others...
(Winner of the 300 word Daily Flash Fiction) |
…so I have to write this, to warn you if you see this place, because now I’m trapped here, telling this story over and over… It happened yesterday when I walked out of the library and noticed an older gentleman getting on a bus when something fell out of his pocket. I tried to alert him, but he apparently didn’t hear me and the bus drove off. I walked back and picked up the man’s lost item. It was a black and white photo of an old little cottage. On the back was printed one word: Important! I had no idea why it would be ‘important’, and I was sure I’d never see him again, but I still put the photo in my wallet, just in case. Later that afternoon while jogging, I happened to take a different route, when lo and behold, there was the cottage, partially hidden behind a grove of oak trees. I knocked on the door, and the same gentleman answered. I explained to him what had happened and showed him the picture. “Oh, thank you so much,” he said. “Won’t you come in?” I told him I just wanted to return his picture and get going, but he insisted I join him for a soda. After our introductions, I asked him why the picture was ‘important’. “Because I was lonely,” he said. “But now I won’t be lonely anymore.” He could see my bewilderment, so he continued. “You see, this picture is a moment frozen in time, just like this cottage is frozen in time.” His smile grew broader. “And now, my new friend, you are frozen in time...” …so I have to write this, to warn you if you see this place, because now I’m trapped here, telling this story over and over… (300 Words) |