I'm Hearing Voices - Emotion Flash Fiction


Oops! Friday's Top Ten will return next week. Today I invite you to read on.

This is my third and final post in the I'm Hearing Voices blogfest hosted by Cassie Mae at Reading, Writing, and Lovin' it! and Angie at Live to Write...Edit when Necessary. Thanks Cassie Mae and Angie for dreaming up this blogfest and taking care of all the details.

In today's post, I'm to pick an emotion and in a flash fiction piece of 250 words MAKE you feel it! Make you connect with my character. This will be a challenge in 250 words. I may have gone with more than one emotion. Just sayin'.

I've had fun sharing a little about Summer with you. I hope you're intrigued and will search wildly look for In Name Only when all I do is shout about it it becomes available later this year to read the rest of Summer's story.



Lake Tahoe was Libby's absolute favorite place on earth. She loved daydreaming on hikes through the forest while crushing needles under her feet and inhaling their fresh pine scent. Skiing down the slopes of Heavenly. The wild abandon of kayak racing with her friends, followed by parties on the beach. The corners of her mouth lifted.

She might live in San Francisco, but her dad's cabin, nestled part way up a mountain overlooking the lake, was the home of her heart. After the hellish week she had, she looked forward to a juicy steak and two days of sleep and laid-back relaxation.

But in the cabin's kitchen, on that day five years ago, Libby's world changed forever.

No more carefree parties. Only constant awareness of every sound, every movement, every face.

She became a chameleon holding invisible jobs. She carried on conversations, smiled and chuckled when required. And her dead soul felt nothing. She had no friends, no home, no family. All she wanted was to soar and sink with laughter and tears, but neither came. Only emptiness.

The wheels of the U.S. Marshals Service Gulfstream kissed the tarmac of the Corpus Christi Naval Air Station and brought her thoughts to the present. A long sigh escaped her lips. When she stepped through the door, she would have a new identity—Summer Newcombe, a woman with no reason to need a place to hide.

Once more she would be safe. Until he found her again.


Total Words: 245

Comments

nice work! I really liked "kissed the tarmac". Great imagery.
Tracy Jo said…
I am intrigued. This was a cool blogfest...I feel like I did get to know Summer throughout the week and am looking forward to reading more. Happy weekend!
Kyra Lennon said…
Lovely scene! I have thoroughly enjoyed these little snippets about Summer!
Anonymous said…
Powerful writing.
Wow, that took a twist. Didn't see the 'Witness Protection Program' aspect coming.
Linda G. said…
Oh, intriguing! Especially that last line. I'd sure turn the page!
JoLynne Lyon said…
Love the contrast. I'll be back when the blogfest is over.
kjmckendry said…
Ohh interesting twist.
I love skiing in Tahoe! It's beautiful.
Luanne G. Smith said…
Love! Well done. Interesting blogfest to follow all week.
Mason Canyon said…
Definitely want to know more about Summer Newcombe and this stranger that searching for her. Great post.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Mason
Thoughts in Progress
Linda Kage said…
Oooh!! I shivered just reading that last line. And such beautiful description.

So...where will this be available later this year???
Dani said…
I want a copy. This was great! I'm a fan!
LR said…
Very cool. Sounds like a great story!
Anonymous said…
I like the happy memories should can take with her despite her change of circumstances and ooh the twist in the end when you realise that happy glow has been shattered by her fear of being found by him again.
Emily R. King said…
Great ending! I want to read on.
Angela Cothran said…
Love the last line. There is hope here but also fear. I like that.
Cassie Mae said…
Now I'm going to be jumping up and down with you when I get to read the rest of this! This was so great, really felt her fear and hope throughout this piece. :)
Carol Kilgore said…
Just a quickie everyone - I'll be back here later tonight and tomorrow to catch up and visit. Today real life intervened and I've just now returned.
Carol Kilgore said…
Hildred - Thanks!

Tracy Jo - I'm glad you're still intrigued!

Kyra - Your enjoyment makes me happy :)

Delores - Thank you.

Alex - Gotcha :)
Carol Kilgore said…
Linda G - Great!

JoLynne - Wonderful! I'm glad :)

kmckendry - Tahoe is one of the most beautiful places I've seen.

Luanne - Very interesting blogfest. I've tried to visit everyone, but I didn't make it. Then today turned into a bust for doing much of anything on the computer.

Mason - I'm glad you want to know more.
Carol Kilgore said…
Linda K - Patience :)

Danielle - Wonderful! Stay tuned for an announcement.

LR - Thank you.

Madeleine - Good. I was happy to share this.

Emily - Great!
Carol Kilgore said…
Melissa - I try.

Angela - Thanks.

Cassie Mae - I'm glad the emotions came through.
Arlee Bird said…
You can run, but you can't hide. Is that how the story goes?


Lee
A Faraway View
An A to Z Co-host blog
Twitter: @AprilA2Z
#atozchallenge
Cortney Pearson said…
Great writing, I'm definitely intrigued!
Carol Kilgore said…
Arlee - That's one version.

Cortney - Thank you.
Kelley Lynn said…
Super imagery! Great writing. Loved this.
Anonymous said…
Very well written, Carol. And intriguing. I want to read more.
Ann Best, Author of In the Mirror & Other Memoirs
Jenny Woolf said…
Oh, love the way you end on a note of suspense.... and how well you evoke the carefree feeling that she had at first.
Carol Kilgore said…
Ann - Thank you.

Jenny - Always leave them wanting more :)
Leigh Covington said…
Oh my word! Honestly? I'm dying here! I am definitely intrigued and must find IN NAME ONLY when it comes out. WOW! Wonderful job!
Golden Eagle said…
I feel bad for the character. It must be awful to be pursued by someone indefinitely.

Great writing!
Carol Kilgore said…
Leigh - Thanks so much!

Golden Eagle - I think that would totally suck, too.
Anonymous said…
I hope she's safe, but of course fear makes for a great story.

I hope you're enjoying your weekend.
Carol Kilgore said…
Medeia - Let's hope so!
Talli Roland said…
That last line is chilling, Carol!
Carol Kilgore said…
Talli - Then it worked :)
Jess Stork said…
This was interesting, it made me wonder what happened before this part of the story. Intriguing.
Nas said…
Intriguing and interesting. Makes me want to read the before and after of this story.
Carol Kilgore said…
Jess - Good :) And thank you for commenting.

Nas - I'm glad you want to read more!
Julie Flanders said…
Just caught up with this post and I'm so impressed! I love it. You did such a great job introducing Summer through this fest, I can't wait to read In Name Only. :)
Janet, said…
Very good! I loved it and it makes me want to read more.
Carol Kilgore said…
Julie and Janet - I just freed your comments from the filter. Thanks, and I'm totally honored you want to read more.

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