Just Before They Found Me
a micro fiction
The rainbow stretched fifty feet in the alley. At the end of it, a hunched man lay beside a heaping pot of gold. It smelled ripe, like an orchard at the start of a fire.
People at the home said I was delusional…but I wasn’t blind. The dumpsters, the walls, the homeless: it was beautiful.
Shadows lifted as the sun joined me. Together, we stood, watching the white coats see me, come closer, grab my arms.
Most people think that the rays have to be angled in order to show a rainbow. They’re wrong. The sun faces everything head on.
Artist: Silvia Siri
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Thank you for reading! This is part of a micro fiction series where I take a photo and write a story inspired by it. Each story is 100 words.
If you enjoyed, you might like this one:
About the Creator
Mackenzie Davis
“When you are describing a shape, or sound, or tint, don’t state the matter plainly, but put it in a hint. And learn to look at all things with a sort of mental squint.” Lewis Carroll
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More stories from Mackenzie Davis and writers in Fiction and other communities.
If You Love Me, You'll Do It
I met Jason when I was five years old. I could say that I loved him from the moment I saw him. He was so handsome to me and I felt in awe by his presence. When they introduced him as the new kid in school, I wanted to be his friend right away. I remember it like it was yesterday. I remember his smile and how he didn't seem shy. He appeared confident and ready to learn. I waved at him and said "hello," before anyone else could even say a word. He sat next to me, and I asked him if he wanted to be friends. He looked so happy as he said, "Yes!"
By Sidney Smith (Sid Smith)6 days ago in Fiction
Comments (5)
You have such a talent for dense brevity. Every word a window to a larger story. Take the line, "like an orchard at the start of a fire" -- a hint of pyromania in the narrator's past, perhaps, on the path that led to the white coats? Or even just the word "ripe" and its delicious double meaning, trash or fruit. What can I say about your story? "It was beautiful."
Thank you so much for bringing out the beauty of what people usually regard as filth! It smelled ripe, like an orchard at the start of a fire. I loved this line in particular!
Mackenzie, can you please tell me what you were thinking about when you wrote this? I’m struck with emotions reading this piece and I want to understand it better.
"Just Before They Found Me" resonates with me. Love the revealing light -head-on.
I love these pieces, Mackenzie!! Such a great idea to keep the creative juices flowing :) You have inspired me with this wonderful story. Loved the last line!!