Photo Prompt: © Ronda Del Boccio
That night, when the children went missing, they fanned out, flashlights in hands and a dark crawling about in their hearts, which even the large projector brought out by the local sheriff’s office could not stop the spread of.
They looked in every corner, under brambles and in culverts and in places too small to hide a squirrel, let alone a child. The three had vanished so completely, one could have believed they had been naught but phantoms.
Yet phantoms wouldn’t have left canyons in souls, eroded deeper with the daily grief. For the kids were never found.
For Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers
Na'ama Yehuda 
WOW !!!! scaring !!
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Toda… Alas all too often a reality….
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Too sad for words…
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Thank you… And yes… So very sad that such things happen…
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Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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Na’ama Y’karah,
Tragic story that’s all too common and chills one to the marrow. Well written as always.
Shalom,
Rochelle.
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Thank you, Rochelle! Yes, alas all too common.
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Chilling words, but beautifully written. I am in awe of the atmosphere you can create and story you can tell, with so few words 🙂
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Oh…thank you for the lovely feedback! I enjoy these prompts in both writing and reading other’s work for exactly that reason!
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My absolute pleasure 🙂
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🙂
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Tight, gripping. After reading it, I looked at the picture again and this time it looked scary. Great writing.
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Thank you! Isn’t it amazing how point of view can change everything?….
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A chilling take, amazing atmosphere, very well done.
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Thank you Iain!
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This story is far too real, Missy!
And so very well done, of course.
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Thank you Dale! All too real for too many… Xoxo
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xoxo
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“canyons in souls, eroded deeper with the daily grief” is such a beautiful way of putting it. Very well done.
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Thank you! 🙂
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Beautiful writing of a horrible fate. I can’t even begin to imagine the pain of the parents.
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It is hard to imagine, and I hope very few ever are left being required to endure it (though, alas, some do, and it is all too many no matter their numbers). Thank you for the comment! Na’ama
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The sorrow that never ends.
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Indeed it is for those who are left managing it. I am so gratified the feelings were communicated! Thank you for the comment! Na’ama
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You are very welcome.
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🙂
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Starkly told. very effective telling.
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Thank you, Violet. These super short prompts are good exercise in tight writing for me … 🙂 Glad it was effectively told! 🙂
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Beautifully written. Shows the fear and pain in the heart of those searching.
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Thank you, Abhijit! I’m glad the emotions in the story were communicated!
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Oh my. Such a sad mood in this story. Terrific descriptions of the search and their devastation. Well told.
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Thank you, Margaret.
I’m gratified that the emotions and settings were ‘communicated’ — thank you for reading and commenting! Na’ama
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Powerful and sad, well done.
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Thank you, Michael! I’m gratified that the emotions were communicated. Thanks for reading and commenting! Na’ama
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Nonfiction in too many ways. A raw, powerful piece Na’ama.
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Thank you, Dawn! Alas, it is indeed nonfiction for too many, in circumstances that may differ but with devastation that is still profound.
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So true!
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🙂
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I have chills. You expressed well the horror of children gone missing. Excellent atmosphere!
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Thank you, Brenda! I am gratified the atmosphere was transmitted … So glad you read and commented! Na’ama
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