PHOTO PROMPT – © Emmy L Gant
She absently dropped a candy wrapper in the trash. Her eyes remained fixed on the factories in the distance, smoke billowing from the always churning smokestacks.
It was the man, a well-regarded gentleman by most accounts, who’d made her a pariah among the workers in those factories. More specifically: what she’d done to the man. He would have done horrible things to her and the girl if she hadn’t. She couldn’t prove it of course, but she knew. She did what she did to save them.
A smile crossed her lips, certain he’d never find the girl, his only daughter.
—
Written for Friday Fictioneers.
Click here to read stories from the rest of the Fictioneers.
Adam Ickes 
March 9th, 2016 at 8:43 PM
Looks like there’s more to the story. Interesting take on the prompt.
March 10th, 2016 at 7:02 AM
Yeah, there is a lot more. I left it vague intentionally. Could go any number of ways.
March 9th, 2016 at 9:45 PM
It sounds like the man deserved his fate, Adam. She was driven to it. Anything to protect your child.
March 10th, 2016 at 7:05 AM
Maybe he deserved it, or maybe she’s got a touch of the insanity bug that leads down dark alleys where monsters are perceived but don’t actually exist. Who knows for sure?
March 10th, 2016 at 12:27 AM
Alas, I once again find myself at your blog sans liquid refreshment. The only alcohol in the house is my wife’ Jameson, so I’m not likely to imbibe prior to sharing any thoughts here.
I like the story–the mystery and everything you say juxtaposed to the pregnancy of everything left unsaid. I would like “her” to have a name though.
Good work.
All my best,
MG
March 10th, 2016 at 7:08 AM
Her name is Sarah. I left it out to go along with the rest of the vagueness of it all.
March 10th, 2016 at 5:26 AM
Dear Adam,
I’m a bit perplexed by who she and the girl are. I like the mystery of it. There’s definitely more to this story than meets my sleepy eyes. Good writing as always.
Shalom,
Rochelle
March 10th, 2016 at 7:11 AM
There is a lot more to this story. So much left unsaid and/or implied, but the whole thing is a mystery. I’m not even sure how deep that rabbit hole goes, but I haven’t seen the bottom yet.
March 10th, 2016 at 7:26 AM
Quite a lot of mystery in there! It sounds like she did what she had to do to protect the girl, though.
March 10th, 2016 at 7:27 AM
Ha, I just saw the title – sorry I unwittingly echoed it in my comment 🙂
March 10th, 2016 at 10:05 AM
Very intriguing Adam.
March 10th, 2016 at 11:16 AM
Raises so many questions, sets the imagination galloping.
March 10th, 2016 at 6:01 PM
I like the mystery! I can imagine any number of scenarios, each more grisly than the last. Well done.
March 11th, 2016 at 1:07 AM
She killed the girl so he couldn’t get at her a/k/a she’s nuts! She probably dropped her into the always churning smokestacks.
Nice story, but you are one sick mud-running dude!
March 11th, 2016 at 6:56 AM
I assume she entered the girl in a witness protection program, aka Barnum & Bailey Circus, as a high-flying trapeze artist.
March 11th, 2016 at 2:47 PM
Mmm. So many unanswered questions. Well done.
March 11th, 2016 at 5:50 PM
Well written; intriguing character.
March 12th, 2016 at 8:21 PM
Intriguing!
March 15th, 2016 at 6:49 AM
You’re right, Adam. This could go toward insanity or heroism. Well written in any case.