“The Long Road Home” – A Flash Fiction

“The Long Road Home” by Avalon Media available here:
http://shrsl.com/?~8swh

Despite numerous diversions, I had followed through on my plans to make the trip to Santa Fe.
No matter what the Universe threw at me, I was determined to follow through, after all, I had made the promise to stand by my sisters side on her special day, even though I loathed weddings and knew it would mean I would have to encounter slimy old Uncle Thomas.
None of that mattered, nothing did, because I was happy for her, more importantly for the first time in her life, she was happy.
Diversions or not, I had to go in a hurry, and took a wrong turn that would end my life.

Copyright Claudia H. Blanton 2015

This post was inspired by this weeks prompt “Diversions” by Lillie McFerrin. The above image “The Long Road Home” is available on RedBubble here.

The Tea – A Flash Fiction

 

“The Dreams In Which I’m Dyin'” by Samantha Aplin 

 

“Soon”, she said to the impatient child, stirring the tea, the clouds of steam rising above the slightly cracked cup, slowly allowing the brew of roots to cool to a consumable temperature.
She tried not to frown, her eyes filled with a sorrowful smile as she nodded reassuringly at the little one.
This would have to make due for now, no breakfast available to fill their empty stomachs, but at least, the heat the tea brought would allow them to move about in the bitter cold.
For a moment, a flicker of despair rushed across her face, but she caught herself, adjusting it back to the well-practiced facade she had worn now far too long.

Copyright Claudia H. Blanton 2015

The above image is by the talented Samantha Aplin and is available on RedBubble. Please support independent artists, thank you.

The flash fiction was inspired by Lillie McFerrin’s flash fiction prompt “Steam”, and the #1word blog hop prompt “Soon”.

The Boot – A Flash Fiction

“The Boot” Vintage Design by Avalon Media
http://shrsl.com/?~8ptp

“Look what I found!”

Her voice was filled with such sweet excitement, that the older man could not hold back a smile. At one point he had dreaded to bring this young student with him to the site, not looking forward to the lack of knowledge an inexperienced person would surely bring along, but her enthusiasm made up for all of that and more. He reminded her of who he used to be, not too long before her arrival,  hoping to explore those hidden treasures, left by the civilizations before the Great War.

There was so much more to find, but the tedious work had taken his toll on him. So had the grim prospects of finding leftovers that showcased the detailed and widespread cruelty,  humankind had brought upon one another.
Her view was not tainted by such sights, not yet, and he hoped it would never come to that.

“What is it, Natasha?”, he answered, putting as much smile into his voice as its deepness allowed him to display.
“Behind that heavy broken thing you call furniture, I found this.”
She pointed at a faint painting, placed directly upon the aged wall and looked half questioning, half filled with pride.
“I have no idea, why anyone would use such a monstrously looking boot as a vase, yet in it’s strange composition it is quite pleasing, don’t you think?”
He glanced at the surprisingly well-preserved image in front of them and nodded softly. What alight-hearted, pleasing surprise, indeed.

Copyright Claudia H. Blanton 2015

The above image “The Boot” is available as a framed art print on RedBubble. Thank you for your support.

Chocolate Cake – A Flash Fiction

“Chocolate Cake” by Avalon Media

I guess, it did not matter that we were the outcasts of the neighborhood, after all.
As I watched others lives fall apart, we all still had each other, no matter how many times people thought Mother was crazy for planting the garden by the cycles of the moon, or how Dad would allow us to put curlers in his hair, right before going to the grocery store, wearing them proudly.
The normal people, who looked down upon us, seemed to care more about our behaviour than their own lives. Divorce, arrests and suicides left us – unlike them – untouched.
But instead of returning their treatment with the same, my weird, flower-in-her-hair Mother, would bring them a smile and chocolate cake.

Copyright Claudia H. Blanton 2015

The above flash fiction is a part of the Five Sentence Friday Flash blog hop and was inspired by this week’s prompt: “Family”

The above image “Chocolate Cake” is available on RedBubble as throw pillows and posters, and on Zazzle as postcards. Thank you for supporting Avalon Media

Avalon – A Flash Fiction

“Avalon” by Avalon Media
http://goo.gl/I7ekCW

The memories of your presence in this space were almost too much to bear.
Every corner, every inch of this island held a piece of our togetherness, your hand touching mine, your kisses on my lips. Even through the scent of the exotic flowers, I could still smell you, feel your strength, envision your powerful stride. Losing you, so early in life, was just not fair. No matter how much I missed this place, our place, I should have never returned to Avalon.

Copyright Claudia H. Blanton 2015

This website and our company Avalon Media are named after the Island of Avalon, of the California Coast. The above image is a digitally altered photography of the island,  with the intent of giving it a vintage feel. One of the most beautiful places I have ever been to, the small Avalon holds the magic of the Mediterranean without ever having to leave the United States.

The above photograph is available on various applications, including Throw Pillows, Duvet Covers, Mugs and as a scarf, as well as framed art here.

Prisoner – A Flash Fiction

“Simply Cute” Pattern Design by Avalon Media

Many aspects of him frightened me, but none chilled me as much to the bone as his need for perfection.
Patterns laid perfectly in unison with each other, never one aspect out of place, and the glance in my direction, when something was not up to his standards alone, made me shiver in fear. In a constant state of fright, I lived my life prisoner to his obsession, an obsession I was supposed to be grateful for. If I was not, the bruises on my face would bear witness of the price I would have to pay.

Copyright Claudia H. Blanton 2015

If you liked this story, why not check out my design store on RedBubble

Nobody – A Flash Fiction

Your departure was reminiscent of your arrival, filled with fanfare and grandiose moves, an orchestrated deliberate performance to the very end.
This was, after all, the main reason I could never quite understand you, the need for overacting, overwhelming everyone in your presence as if you needed their oxygen just to exist.
Little me, had no place in that world, there was no room left for anyone else, no matter how charming any fleeting moment spent in the embrace of your attention was.
And what really had I expected from the moment I met you – me, the nobody, you the powerful star.

Copyright Claudia H. Blanton 2015

The preceding story is a part of the blog hop by Miss Lillie McFerrin, and was inspired by this week’s prompt: “Departure”.

If you enjoyed this Flash Fiction, why not check out my book “Mixing Spices: A Flavorful Guide to Creating Awesome Herb and Spice Mixes” on Amazon Kindle

Fire – A Flash Fiction

Your heat engulfed me with such a force, that it became hard for me to breathe, but you weren’t even close.
The mere presence of you attracted an undeniable sensation, I could not ignore, and never had. But, until this moment, until your passionate dark blue eyes rested upon mine, I thought you had never even noticed me. With a smile, you whispered my name, and my heart bursted into flames.

Copyright Claudia H. Blanton 2015

This post is a part of the Five Sentence Flash Series hosted here

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The Park – A Friday Flash Fiction

I always wondered how someone could say that they feel alone, in the middle of this wide open space. Not a day went by when this part of the park did not have visitors, even when the wind blew harder than usual, or the smoke of a nearby fire made it difficult to breath. Nothing kept people from coming back, not even rain. The hustle of this space was one of its appeals to me, because within it, I felt a part of it all, the world I sometimes shut out, when working at my computer, creating another part of the creative puzzle that would eventually make a coherent story.
I never understood, until this day, when you broke my heart.

Copyright Claudia H. Blanton 2015

The Future – A Flash Fiction

One day, not long from now, when we all have done the deeds that brought us to this point and time, we will be the forgotten ones.
When a war, we could have stopped, swallowed us whole, and the creation of more and more wasteful things, has taken over – the machine rising above men.
It is my sincerest wish, that this day will never come, but as I overlook what was once peaceful skyline of New York, streets burning, buildings crumbling, and people hurting each other over a slice of bread, I know we have already forgotten how to be human.

Copyright Claudia H. Blanton 2015

This post was inspired by this weeks Flash Fiction prompt : “Forgotten”.