She walked on the icy pavement in front of the warehouse; oblivious to the trees that had cried through the night too. Chattering teeth were her answer to the icy silence of the yard. Unable to move anymore, she plopped down in front of the door; hugging herself, trying to stay alive. The sun peeped out, breaking free of its cold shackles and she waited – for death or an angel, she didn’t know.
“Follow your dreams,” they say. But they never say how; how to make a living in an alien city; how not to die there alone and miserable.
Flash fiction in response to Friday Fictioneers hosted by the lovely Rochelle Wisoff.
Thought trail 
Great to have you back, Fluid Phrase!
Nicely written – I like the use of ‘icy’ twice, the first time literal, the second time metaphorical. I like the tears of the trees.
I hope your MC survives, and eventually prospers.
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Thank you so much, Penny! You have been perceptive as usual. The words were used intentionally. 🙂
I hope she survives too. At least in India, in winter, there are too many unaccounted deaths of the homeless. It pains me every single year thinking how many more we are losing like this 😦 – all for want of warm clothes and some food.
I hope people realize the gravity of the situation and do their bit to help, even it is just donating used sweaters, blankets etc. It might save a few lives.
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Oh goodness, that was very well told, but so sad!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thank you so much for the kind words, Susan! Really appreciate it.
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Follow your dreams is a callous and empty taunt for so many. You capture that well
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Very, very true. Especially for the very young, who have no clue of the real world out there.
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Life can be hard, cold, lonely. I hope things change for her soon.
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I hope too! Thank you for reading and commenting.
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I refuse to believe that she will die there alone. Even if the city is alien, people are the same everywhere. We cannot, should not accept that humanity is dead and everyone would be brutal and callous. She will be rescued by a big Publisher, who will offer her a grand book deal, and she’ll write happily ever after 🙂
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That’s a grand optimistic vision that can light up any dull winter day! I do agree that humanity is not dead. Seriously I have come across people of such kind and generous nature that it warms my heart even on the worst of days. The world owes them a lot. That said, I do wish there was more of humanity around, some more compassion and a lot more love.
Thank you so much for the lovely comment!
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A timely tale for the season. For any season, really.
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That’s true. Thank you so much for reading and commenting!
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Dear FP,
Sadly her dream has turned into a nightmare. I hope her angel shows up. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Thank you for the kind words. Everybody hopes for an angel. Me too!
Thank You,
FP
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Chilling reality to one not prepared for “real life”. Let us hope a kind being passes by in time to help her get started…
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I sure hope so too!
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oblivious to the trees that had cried through the night – LOVE this line.
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Thank you so much Alicia!
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