{This is a response to the Friday Fictioneers 100 word challenge. Thank you for the prompt and thank you for reading, swimmers and non-swimmers alike!}
Webs of light bounced over the tile walls. Erratically, as if volleyed back and forth, on a chlorine breeze.
Lila lay on her back, effortlessly hoisted up, on strong, liquid shoulders.
Solitary. Floating. Recovering.
Lost in dreams, she half-surrendered to sleep, while gentle ripples nudged her turquoise cradle.
The other girls at swim practice had somewhere to go. Cheer-leading. Boyfriends, even. Although each was barely fifteen.
For now, for Lila, the pool sufficed.
Through meshed eyelashes, she half-perceived a hint of ghostly movement. Stirring, she scanned the bleachers.
Her near-sighted gaze revealed nothing. She floated calmly on, as if alone.
I felt as if I was relaxing in the water with her. Lovely, thought provoking piece.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Thanks Susan! Swimming can be very soothing.
me thinks being nearsighted can help one to stay calm. 🙂
Especially in thepresence of ghostly movement. ?
I like the way your story ended.
Thank you, Ms Jade! A little jolt at the end.:)
You are very welcome, Andrea.
It was all sounding rather tranquil until it appears that perhaps she’s not as alone as she thinks…
Bingo! Thanks draliman.
Beautiful descriptions, Andrea. I felt myself relax… Nearsightedness is definitely a plus for keeping calm. And anyway, for all we know that ghostly presence is a friendly one…
True Dale. Much of the story is left untold.
“Hoisted up on strong, liquid shoulders.” Lovely line, beautiful piece of writing.
Thank you so much, granonine.
You captured a tranquil feeling. Like Granonine, I liked “Hoisted up on strong, liquid shoulders.” A protector of sorts.
Thanks Tannile.
Oh no! “As if alone,” does not bode well. I’m nervous. Well built suspense! =)
Thank you Brenda. Im getting the impression i lulled my audience into a false sense of security…?
As if alone… this sounds like someone is stalking her.
Yes, I think someone is definitely in the room with her.
Dear Andrea,
I felt every wave and liquid shoulders. There’s no greater solitude than being in the water.
Shalom,
Rochelle
True, Rochelle.