MftS: Silent Guardian

Posted on by Louise Bunting

Here’s this week’s entry into Monday’s Finish the Story flash fiction challenge, run by Barbara W. Beacham. This challenge gives you a picture prompt and the first line and asks that you finish the story in 100-150 words. The given line is in italics.

Photo Prompt: © 2015 Barbara W. Beacham
Photo Prompt: © 2015 Barbara W. Beacham

Silent Guardian

From her small balcony, the witch watched the world go by.

It was a peaceful life – the perfect escape from civilisation’s exhausting demands. Charms draped the house in jingling disorder, shielding it from her neighbours’ notice; others sewn into her clothes diverted their attention as she mingled with their crowds.

As much as she loved the quiet, she did have to admit to the occasional bout of loneliness. Her three hundred years of guardianship had stretched on in the long silence demanded but, at times, she longed to talk to… someone. Anyone.

Those times were rare, however.

As she watched the girl skip along the path – a path that had been familiar with her tread alone for centuries – she knew her peace was about to be shattered. She shivered, unsettled, as she faced the realisation that her duty neared its end. The universe had chosen her replacement.

Her long silence was finally over. She rose to her feet.

“Greetings, Child,” she said.

Word Count: 150

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43 thoughts on “MftS: Silent Guardian”

  2. This is wonderful Louise! The fifth paragraph is particularly wonderful! I especially love, “The universe had chosen her replacement.” and how it fit with the entire paragraph. Wonderful!

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  4. Great story. I love this one. Have you ever thought of compiling your stories and publishing them? You could self-publish, although a big publishing house would be wise to pick you up!

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    1. Thank you, Sabina. I’m very flattered by your comment. 🙂 I have actually been thinking of putting a selection together, though I want to write a few more longer pieces first.

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  5. A lovely tale Louise, enjoyed it very much.
    Is there a word missing in this sentence? ‘Charms draped the house in jingling disorder, shielding it her neighbours’ notice; ‘

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    1. Thank you, Keith. I’ve got quite a lot of stories that could easily be expanded into something bigger! Thanks for visiting. I’ll check out your tale in a little while. 🙂

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  14. Ooh, witch as guardian, interesting take! But yes, you do make it sound like such a lonely life. I hope she at least gets to spend time talking with the young girl for a while (and training her) before the end.

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    1. It’s been a very lonely life, although that has suited her to a large degree – but, yes, she’ll get to spend a good few years training her replacement before the end. 🙂

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  15. Although some may call it an existence, the appeal is a high one indeed.

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    1. It was a life that suited her for the most. Hopefully her replacement likes her solitude just as much. Thanks for visiting. 🙂

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    1. Thanks, Suzanne. 🙂 This is one of those flashes that I could easily expand into a longer piece! I’m very glad you enjoyed the read.

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