Red, orange or pink lips? The choice was hard. Which one?

And then there were the shoes. Purple, brown, gold, light blue, white, or plain old dull grey? No contest! The purple ones always seem the most comfortable to wear and walk in.

And what about the dress? Multicoloured? Or how about the new bright green one with yellow flowers on it? After all, it’s new and still has the price tag attached. It’s about time it got shown off for the first time. There’s plenty of eyes to see it.

As for the nails, the gold nail varnish looks fantastic and smells like pear drops, a favourite sweet that always brings happy memories of Grandma.

It’s time for me to look in the mirror. I can’t help but feel a surge of confidence and excitement as I take in my reflection. How gorgeous I look in all these colours, don’t you think so?

Is that somebody coming into the house and walking up the stairs? Yes! My heart skips a beat. Oh, no! Panic, panic, what shall I do? My mind races, trying to devise a plan, but fear freezes me.

It’s too late. My father, a man whose presence always brought a mix of fear and anticipation, is already in the room. I don’t even have to turn around to find out he’s there, as the stench of alcohol, tobacco, and hints of my schoolteacher, Mrs. Freeman’s perfume, hit my nostrils.

My whole day went black. The only good thing was that I could watch the bruises change various colours as they faded.

Photo by Alexander Grey on Pexels.com

Written for Esther Chilton’s writing prompt – Colours.


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42 responses to “Flash Fiction – Colours Behind The Mask”

  1. Did You Miss Any Of These? Monthly Round-Up - June 2024 avatar

    […] Flash Fiction – Colours Behind The Mask […]

  2. dgkaye avatar

    Sad and poignant Hugh. Good story! :)

  3. Terri Webster Schrandt avatar

    A poignant tale, Hugh. Proudly wearing the colors of Pride. Only to wear faded bruises. Tear-jerking.

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Thank you, Terri. Sadly, a story of today’s world.
      Happy Pride.

  4. Eugi avatar

    Wow! I didn’t see this ending coming, Hugh! Sadly, this happens in present times, and unfortunately abuse trickles down from generation to generation. The results of archiac mindsets should not be tolerated because physically and mentally they take their toll.

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      I completely agree, Eugi. And even though it’s a crime to physically harm a child in some parts of the UK, it still happens.

  5. Liesbet @ Roaming About avatar

    Oh no! From joy to horror. Poor kid. It’s sad and unfair. I’d tell the dad that with such an “open mind” about cheating, he should have an open mind about other matters. And, since he’s seeing someone with a name like Freeman, you’d think he’d allow others – children, men, and women – to be and feel more free also.

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      That’s all very true, Liesbet. Mrs. Freeman was the first name that came to mind while writing this piece. In my days at school, we were told to talk to a teacher about our problems. I wonder how she would have reacted to this problem. Maybe a follow-up?

      1. Liesbet @ Roaming About avatar

        Great idea! The talking to a teacher (I used to be one) and the follow-up!

  6. Author Jan Sikes avatar

    You left a lot to the reader’s imagination, Hugh, and I love that. There is no doubt in my mind what the scene was and how it played out. You took us from complete joy to utter destruction. Well done.

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Thanks, Jan. I based this flash on true stories I’ve been told by others. Sadly, it still happens to children today. I wish we could do more to stop it.

  7. V.M.Sang avatar

    A lovely, happy beginning with a terrible ending. As you and many of your comments say, a sad reality for many.

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Yes, a sad reality of today. Thank you for reading and commenting.

  8. WebbBlogs avatar

    Wow what an ending Hugh. So sad 😞

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Thank you. Yes, it is sad, but it is still a sign of the times.

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