Flash Fiction Day 11: immineō
Prompt: The language of flowers, pyjamas, a secret passageway.
Animals can
often tell when something is wrong. Usually, they are able to detect changes in
air pressure or other weather fluctuations, and they might try to get to safety
when sensing a threat. Plants are not so lucky; try as they might, they are rooted
in place and cannot get very far, despite their similar ability to perceive oncoming
danger. Some think that children also have this gift—though a gift is likely
not what they would call it.
As the
twins lie in bed after lights out, they hide under their blankets from the
monster at the window. The shallow feeling of security provided by the duvet
and the house walls is not very helpful. Their parents always reassure them
while tucking them in that there are no monsters under the bed, but they never
say anything about the ones outside, other than that there is no way anything
from outside could get in without the adults knowing. The twins look for secret
passageways during their playtime but can never find any, so this provides them
with some relief. They squeeze their eyes shut to fall asleep as quickly as
possible, desperately wishing for the morning to come.
Now that
everyone is in bed, the house sits still in the darkness, quiet, save for an
imperceptible ripple in the water in one of the flower vases. Adults never
worry about monsters; they probably feel safe inside their houses. They really
should learn to listen to children.
👏🙌
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