Sia tapped an unsuspecting puddle with her toe. Startled it rippled away, gently distorting the realities reflected on its surface.
The ripples transformed her brother, straining to peer into the dark general store, to a boy scavenging after Christmas. Barren trees became crumbling sticks, not even good for fire.
The sky was falling.
“Something’s wrong.”
Marta’s back spasmed and her lungs burned as she coughed. Thin strings of blood stretched from her lips to the palm of her hand.
Only her son caught sight of the panic in Marta’s eyes.
“Nothing’s wrong Sia. Stop daydreaming and come on.”

Word Count: 98
For Friday Fictioneers courtesy of Rochelle Wisoff Fields. Thank you as always.
Marta coughing blood, Sia day dreaming of a dire future. A sad story. Nicely told.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It appears bleak! Thank you so much for reading
LikeLike
Sia perhaps has a skill of premonition of dark times ahead. Nice one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good writing …
gramswisewords.blogspot.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading!
LikeLike
Sia appears to have a gift – not that it is pleasant to foresee bad times…
Well done, Kelley!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is descriptively written, and rather enigmatic. It would be possible to write off Sia’s thoughts as those of someone always seeing disaster – the Chicken Little of the title who expects the sky to fall in – except that Sia’s brother saw panic in Marta’s eyes. Perhaps you are contrasting a real emergency where Marta should be obtaining medical help with Sia’s imagined disasters?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think that’s part of the mystery here. We don’t know whether or not Sia’s brother also saw the blood in Marta’s hand or only the panic in her eyes. Maybe he believes Marta is just worried that Sia’s over active imagination will get the best of her. Of course, what if Sia isn’t imagining? Thanks for reading Penny
LikeLike
Maybe Sia’s foresight will buy them enough time to change the future she sees.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe, if anyone takes her seriously. One can hope. Thanks for reading Violet
LikeLike
That’s as graphic a description of a haemhorrage as I’ve read in a while. Thankfully it’s some while since I had lunch.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad I didn’t ruin lunch! Thank you for reading
LikeLike
All illusion? Crazy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
An illusion or the truth? Thanks for reading
LikeLike
Doesn’t sound like good things are coming their way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not at all! Thank you for reading
LikeLike
Wonderfully thought provoking little tale. Well done.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
That was a very creative interpretation of the picture.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great story, Kelley! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person