Thursday, April 23, 2015

A to Z: T is for Treasure

For A to Z 2015 I will be posting flash fiction, all random, all the crazy musings of a crazy mind. Hope you like them.

This is the finale of a three part tale. Read part one: L is for Larry’s Quest here, and part two: Q is for Quest here. And now:

T is for Treasure

Larry tucked the letter into his pocket, leaving the rest there. That was his first mistake; his second was going back to his car. He’d suspected that his mother’s neighbors had been watching him, and he’d been right. They were waiting for him by the building when he rounded the corner.

Larry skidded to a stop.

Leon, the ringleader, spotted him first. “Hey, you’re Alberta’s boy, ain’t you?”

“That’s him,” a voice answered from behind him. Larry turned to see a man coming at him, carrying the box of discarded letters.

Larry silently swore under his breath as his mind tried to come up with something, anything, but he didn’t have to bother. Leon came up with it for him.

He grabbed the box from the other man and rummaged through the letters; letting most of them spill to the ground. He looked like a man with a purpose, like a man who knows what he’s looking for.

And he was. Leon’s eyes lit up as he grabbed a single letter, as he let the box fall to the ground.  Those with him seemed to recognize it as well. They, all of them, knew Larry’s parents and their treasures much more than Larry ever could, as Larry himself was just beginning to see. 

Regret was the extent of Larry’s treasure; shame his only prize.

-Mel

15 comments:

  1. Writing flash fiction really sharpens the focus, doesn't it?
    Thanks for stopping by the Untethered Realms blog today!
    River Fairchild – A to Z April Challenge
    Untethered Realms

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  2. Hi Melanie,
    Powerful. I need to go back and read from the beginning. I have never tried flash fiction. Maybe I might take a stab at it next time around. By the way, I love your images on your banner. Stunning! Enjoy the rest of the A to Z Challenge. Can't believe it's almost over.

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  3. That's real unfortunate for Larry. I enjoyed following his story though through those few posts.

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  4. Aw, poor Larry. We all have those Leons in our lives, trying to steal our treasures.

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  5. Regret and shame? I think I need to buy Larry a beer. He needs one.

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  6. Did Larry abandon his parents? Not sure if I feel bad for him or not?

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  7. Another of your very interesting flash fiction pieces. I've enjoyed these.

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  8. Thanks for finishing Larry's story. I've been waiting happily since q.

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  9. Regrets and almost got it--Thanks for sharing Larry with your readers.

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  10. Oh dear, poor old Larry. I hope this mob get their comeuppance.

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  11. T is also for Tantalizing! A gem in embryo. Do you have a goal update today?

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  12. I would have RAN like the wind if I was Larry... but then again, hindsight is like Monday morning quarterbacking (if that's even a word :)

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