They didn’t know where she was. She preferred it that way.
The windows were all missing. No doors. Graffiti covered the shell of building.
It was far from town, but sometimes travelers stopped to stare, and some used the empty rooms for all manner of unsavory business.
She spent most days in the nearby woods. Foraging. Snaring. Keeping watch.
At night, she kept to the relative shelter of the basement, hanging bits of chain on entryways to serve as warning chimes.
She dreamed of restorations. Of locks on doors.
She wanted more.
But it was home enough.
For now.
For Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers
Photo prompt: © Carole Erdman-Grant
Na'ama Yehuda 
Many of us may be reduced to such circumstances when the whole world collapses. :>( We are living in challenging, scary times.
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It is certainly true for all too many. May the world find purchase in kindness over cruelty. For most people are good.
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I like the idea of using “warning chimes”,
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Better jingly than sorry …
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She is somewhat protected from the elements. Maybe this will be the catalyst for her being able to start anew. I am rooting for her.
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Me rooting for her, too! I think she’ll find a way!
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Somehow, I’m not worried. She will!
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Yep! I think she will indeed!
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A familiar memory, but has my life changed that much?…
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oh … I hope it has, at least enough! Keep safe!
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We are doing our best, Na’ama…
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Yes, that is all any of us can do, sometimes, and it has to be good enough! I’m sending energetic reinforcements and good juju!
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Bless you, Na’ama, we like a bit of juju…
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Ain’t juju glorious? It is very flexible. Use as needed. Juju ongoing … 🙂
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Thank you again, Na’ama…
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It’s a good place to start, hopefully it will become something more.
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Amen to that! May safety find purchase and life improve for her.
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Interesting story
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Thank you, Sadje!
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You’re welcome
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🙂
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A tantalising piece. You leave it up to us to imagine what she’s running from and where she’ll end up. Personally, I see her forging her resolve for revenge
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Ah, revenge? I haven’t thought of that, but … who knows. I guess some may depend on first having more than just the resources to survive. Then, she can forge ahead, in whatever direction she may find works best for her. Revenge rarely does, but for some … mayhaps.
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Living alone is not easy. Nice take on the prompt.
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Thanks, Vartika. Indeed, and yet, for some, the solitude may feel better and safer than the alternative …
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Your story made me think of times when I made assumptions about people’s happiness and life style choices. How often I learned that they were happy but I could not see how.
In any case, loved it and I hope everyone finds as much happiness as possible in life. 🙂
Well done, Na’ama.
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Amen for that, and may her survival be followed by deeper roots and more safety.
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Life is risky. Love is downright dangerous. 🙂
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Life is pretty risky, seeing that 100% of us end up dead from it! 😉
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I’ve noticed that. 🙂
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🙂
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She’s a survivor. Let’s hope she makes it until the restoration.
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Amen to that! And, yes, she is a survivor!
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That’s a tough life, but it sounds like she’s making the best of it.
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Indeed it does! And sometimes, that’s a step in the safe direction …
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Home is what one makes of it.
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Often, yes! 🙂
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She’s one tough lady. I like the way you give us such a clear picture of her by describing what she does. Good writing, Na’ama. I enjoyed your story.
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Thanks, Penny! Yes, she’ll have to be tough to live this way, and I’m glad for her that she found a way. 🙂
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This is great. It has me wondering how she came to be there. What is she hiding from? Will she ever have the home she is dreaming of? I love that your story leads me on to imagine all kinds of scenarios.
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Thanks, Margaret! I’m glad we can all think of her, and dream for her, and hope for her … 🙂
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A feral existence by day, dreams of beatitude at night. Nice one Na’ama.
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Thank you, Keith! Here’s to better!
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She’s learning she can depend on herself to survive. It may be a tough way to do it, but she’ll put those skills to good use.
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Yep! So glad you ‘got’ her! Tough is sometimes necessary, but if it is at least on her terms, it is better than the alternative …
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