FFftPP: The Long Search

Posted on by Louise Bunting

This post is for Flash Fiction for the Purposeful Practitioner challenge, run by Roger Shipp. This challenge asks that you write a story of up to 200 words in response to the photo prompt and an optional opening sentence. This week’s sentence is: “The last time, everything fit in three duffles…”  I’m afraid I forgot to include it this time. Oops!

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Photo Prompt – from Public Domain Archive

The Long Search

She was living in an apartment overlooking the beach when he found her again. He almost didn’t recognise her at first, despite having held her image in his mind through all the long years since he’d last seen her. Her hair was longer now and bleached fair by the sun. Age had moulded her features. The brightly coloured fabric she wore displayed a self-confidence alien to the shy, mousy girl he remembered. She looked…

Happy.

He couldn’t remember her ever looking so happy.

Despite the years and the money he’d invested in tracking her down, doubts began to fester as he stood before her door. His hand stilled, poised to knock, as peals of laughter sounded from within.

She was just there – so close – but he hesitated. What if she didn’t want to see him? What if he reminded her too much of the hideous events that had torn her away? What if –

The door opened before he could knock.

Jennifer stared at him, unblinking; eyes wide and mouth agape. “Benji?” she finally asked, recognition brightening her face.

“Hey, Sis.”

His doubts faded as her welcoming arms engulfed him.

Word Count – 192

To read the other entries, click the little blue frog!

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27 thoughts on “FFftPP: The Long Search”

    1. No matter how many years have passed since they last saw each other, their love is unchanged. I’m glad you enjoyed it, Jessie. 🙂

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