Blindsided

PHOTO PROMPT © J Hardy Carroll

As soon as Amy Leigh saw the blindfold, she panicked. Voices collided around her and those tiny bells reverberated in her ear. Yet she allowed her teenage children to tie it around her head. They didn’t mean any harm. She tried focusing on the celebratory voices around her. But all she could hear was his voice. Husky. With bruised lust. Her jaw ached from gritting her teeth against the blood rushing through her body.

Finally, it loosened. Bright sunlight pierced her eyes. She blinked hard and found herself sat in front of a homemade chocolate cake.

“Happy Birthday, Mum!”

99 words

I have not been on the blogging scene for a few weeks. One of those times where life takes you for a spin in its new G-force machine. Looking forward to reconnecting with you all this week!

Written for Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Write a story in 100 words or less. Submit to the link below and join in the literary fun.

bigfred

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Responses

  1. neilmacdon avatar
    neilmacdon

    And that’s a powerful return. Welcome back

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Thank you, Neil! It is good to be back 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  2. Lady Coloresque avatar
    Lady Coloresque

    We had the same idea. Yours was better, though! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      We did have the same idea! Great minds think alike 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  3. Susan A Eames avatar
    Susan A Eames

    Loved how you conveyed the back story in this. Nicely done!

    Susan A Eames at
    Travel, Fiction and Photos

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Glad it came through in the story.

      Like

      Reply
  4. Iain Kelly avatar
    Iain Kelly

    Some memories are impossible to forget. Powerful story.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Especially traumatic ones. Thank you, Iain!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  5. rochellewisoff avatar
    rochellewisoff

    Dear Fatima,

    I wondered what she was expecting. Happily it all ended up right. Nicely done. Welcome back.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      She had an anxiety attack due to her PTSD. It does tend to blindside those suffering from it. Thank you, Rochelle. It is good to be back too.

      Like

      Reply
  6. Na'ama Yehuda avatar
    Na’ama Yehuda

    Powerfully written, Fatima!
    The realities of trauma – and its reminders – are well described.
    I feel for her. I applaud her for being able to muster through it. I also hope that she’d find a voice to say what does not work for her (perhaps just close her eyes herself next time, and not allow a blindfold…) so that her energy does not drain into the past even as she tries to remain in the present.
    Well done!
    Na’ama

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      You have totally hit right at the heart of my story. About PTSD and its victims. You have offered up an excellent solution that helps PTSD sufferers and others alike.
      Thank you, Na’ama!

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
      1. Na'ama Yehuda avatar
        Na’ama Yehuda

        I’m glad Fatima.
        Your piece shines an important light on the realities of all too many in the world, who are walking wounded and trying with gritted teeth to manage what for many others seems mundane and neutral or even supposedly pleasurable. Raising awareness to such things is important, for the person with PTSD may – literally – be the person next door.

        Like

  7. plaridel avatar
    plaridel

    blindfold can do strange things. glad she got back to reality in time.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      It definitely can. She had a traumatic event in the past, possibly abuse involving a blindfold. And it triggered her PTSD.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. msjadeli avatar
    msjadeli

    Triggered.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Absolutely, and I think she managed the anxiety attack well.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. msjadeli avatar
        msjadeli

        Yes!

        Like

  9. Keith's Ramblings avatar
    Keith’s Ramblings

    I can’t imagine what occurred in the past. Thank goodness she has someone who cares.

    My story – ‘A stab in the dark’

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  10. pennygadd51 avatar
    pennygadd51

    You imply the backstory wonderfully well. The PTSD comes through clearly, and the abuse; and you leave the reader with tantalising questions by your mention of Amy’s teenage children, and the obvious love they have for their mom, and she has for them. That’s very clever, economical writing. Kudos!

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  11. Abhijit Ray avatar
    Abhijit Ray

    Too bad the voice that created so much arousal turned out to be that of her son. She should have known it like the back of her palm.

    Like

    Reply
  12. granonine avatar
    granonine

    Welcome back–I’ve noticed your absence, and it’s good to “see” you again.

    I love the happy ending here. Victory over a terrible earlier experience 🙂

    Like

    Reply
  13. Dale avatar
    Dale

    Excellent story, Fatima! Guess the break was not a bad thing.

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  14. theministryofshrawleywalks avatar
    theministryofshrawleywalks

    A fine ending for a tense piece, welcome back!

    Like

    Reply
  15. patrickprinsloo avatar
    patrickprinsloo

    She has some sad history. Hope the children can make her better with time.

    Like

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  16. James McEwan avatar
    James McEwan

    Phewo, alls well that ends well. I hope she enjoyed the cake.

    Like

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  17. michaelwynnauthor avatar
    michaelwynnauthor

    You made a great job of showing someone repressing her fears for the sake of her children. very well done

    Like

    Reply
  18. bearmkwa avatar
    bearmkwa

    Hopefully, the new memory will help to erase the old. Let her now associate blind with chocolate!

    Like

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  19. Shirley McCann avatar
    Shirley McCann

    A lot of sadness and torment in this story. Nice job. Interesting reading the different takes on this photo.

    Like

    Reply
  20. Margaret avatar
    Margaret

    Very powerful. You’ve captured the moment so well – her panic, her determination to control herself for her children’s sake, and the wonderfully loving moment at the end.

    Like

    Reply
  21. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) avatar
    Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

    what a pleasant release in the end. Maybe it will cure her of her fears …

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    Reply
  22. Brenda's Thoughts avatar
    Brenda’s Thoughts

    A powerful story of trauma remembered. I’m glad it ended well and that she has her family around her.

    Like

    Reply
  23. Inside the Mind of Isadora avatar
    Inside the Mind of Isadora

    Sometimes, being blindfolded can create so many thoughts.
    I’m pleased it ended well. Welcome back, Fatima. Happy Hump Day !!!
    Isadora 😎

    Like

    Reply

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