PHOTO PROMPT -Copyright-Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
They stepped out of the gift shop, her hand in his. The crowd on the sidewalk was packed nearly shoulder to shoulder and flowed like a lazy river.
Her hand slipped.
He stopped and turned, but she was gone–lost in a sea of people twice her height.
“Dahlia!” he shouted.
“Daddy!” she screamed from somewhere to his left.
“Don’t move!” he commanded and pushed his way through the crowd.
At the curb he stopped and scanned the street.
“Dahlia!” he shouted again.
She didn’t answer.
He panicked and pushed his way back toward the gift shop screaming for her.
—
Written for Friday Fictioneers.
Big news, minions. Wicked Little Things is now available for preorder! It’ll officially hit digital shelves on the 1st of December.
Keep your eyes peeled for my next post (later tonight or tomorrow) where I’ll be complimenting you, begging for your help in spreading the word about my new book, and offering you a chance to win a free copy–all at the same time, while juggling eight chainsaws and hula hooping. Okay, that last bit isn’t exactly true, but the rest is.
Also, have you joined my mailing list? And, why not? Yes, I’m looking at you. You’ll still get a free copy of Zombie Tree just for joining. How can you turn such a stupendous offer down?
Adam Ickes 
November 12th, 2014 at 9:36 AM
I remember that fear from when mine was so young. This brought it all back.
November 12th, 2014 at 11:06 AM
Ah, I see that there’s another story this week along similar lines, but yours didn’t end on such a happy note. Good writing.
November 12th, 2014 at 12:34 PM
A poignant story about the swift loss of a child. Well done. 🙂
November 12th, 2014 at 2:46 PM
I see we were on a similar track although with entirely different endings. Or were we? Allowing for your penchant for writing horror, the way you’ve left it doesn’t preclude Dahlia having merely been swept away in the crowd and finding her way back/having someone find and help her/having Dad find her in some way. Heart-wrenching story, no matter the ending.
janet
November 12th, 2014 at 3:57 PM
I hope he finds her.
November 12th, 2014 at 5:48 PM
Adam, That has to be every parent’s worst nightmare, Really scary and well written. 🙂 — Susan
November 13th, 2014 at 8:14 AM
That’s a frightening story – I can imagine his panic. I hope she’s okay.
November 13th, 2014 at 1:15 PM
Great title and sadly it happens even quicker than we can read your 100 words. Tragic.
November 13th, 2014 at 1:20 PM
Too many lost children this week. Are you folks trying to drive me to drink?
I like the mystery in this, Adam. We are left unsure of so many things. What kind of an accident was this–an actual accident or an intended kidnapping? Well told.
All my best,
Marie Gail
November 13th, 2014 at 4:40 PM
Dear Adam,
A parent’s worst nightmare. And you leave us hanging. That wasn’t very nice of you. I hope he finds her. Nicely told.
Shalom,
Rochelle
November 14th, 2014 at 12:29 AM
Dear Adam,
Hollywood’s getting a bad rap from all the missing children stories. What’s in the water there? Yours is one of the best.
Aloha,
Doug
November 14th, 2014 at 6:49 PM
How frightening to lose a child in a huge crowd. I’m sure I would lose my mind. This is horrifyingly real.
November 15th, 2014 at 1:56 PM
Scary business well told.
November 15th, 2014 at 3:41 PM
Terrifying! You captured the frightening feeling.
November 15th, 2014 at 4:58 PM
I like your river and sea imagery for the crowded streets. It works really well and your title sets this up well. This is just how it could be – so quick. Disturbing story.
November 16th, 2014 at 4:52 AM
Very scary, as a parent this is my absolute terror ! Well written ! v
November 16th, 2014 at 11:53 AM
Nothing, NOTHING, is scarier as a parent! Wonderfully written, Adam.
November 16th, 2014 at 4:24 PM
There’s one of the scariest scenarios for any parent. I hope he finds her. Is it kidnapping or just an accident?
November 17th, 2014 at 8:28 AM
Chilling.
November 17th, 2014 at 9:24 AM
I’m not a parent, but from your description I can imagine how such a scenario might feel. Well written!
November 18th, 2014 at 11:09 PM
Dear Adam, This is a mother’s worst nightmare. I’ve had the boys hide from us once and I was so scared. A man, in the mall, ask if we had a little red headed boy because there was one hiding behind the pillar on the staircase. Your story is excellent and brings out the fear of the reader. Perfect tension. You did well! Nan 🙂
November 19th, 2014 at 2:07 AM
Oh, this is so intense. You covered so many emotions.