She sat in the corner, sucking her thumb, and fingering a soft blanket. The Aid workers, there to help, found her vacant stare more than even the most hardened could handle.

“Why, daddy?”
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Written for Trifextra Week 8. 33 words on LOST without using the word.

32 responses

  1. Amanda says:

    This hurts my heart, but thank you for writing it. We ignore too much.

  2. NatureGirl says:

    Wonderful Link up. I will have to look at more of your writing! Nice job. Best line…
    “sucking her thumb, and fingering a soft blanket.”

  3. I’m picturing spring here in tornado alley. This was very powerful.

  4. Mel says:

    This one is very intense. My heart aches.

  5. kgwaite says:

    Terrific visuals. I love this little girl.

  6. Laciejay says:

    This is great, wonderful imagery

  7. Stephanie C says:

    Deeply troubling. Extremely clear. Well done!

  8. Gene says:

    Another hurricane survivor.

    Well written. 🙂

  9. Tikk Tok says:

    Wow- heavy. Good, though!

  10. I, Rodius says:

    As a dad, and as a kid whose family took in 39 foster kids, some abused, over 13 years of my childhood, I can only say, “Argh!” If it makes a physical sensation in the reader, it can’t be a bad thing.

  11. The vacant stare almost comes before my eyes when I read this.
    Nice composition.
    Regards,
    Ruby

  12. Such a heart-wrenching story.

  13. jannatwrites says:

    This was touching/sad. Beautiful story.

  14. becca givens says:

    Heart-wrenching and powerful ~~ to all the lost, indeed! Thank you for your visit, and leaving a breadcrumb for me to follow! 🙂

  15. Nicole says:

    Disturbing.

  16. I had to wait to comment on this one until I finished sobbing. In 33 words you managed to set up the entire scenario and bring it to a heartbreaking climax. Good job!

  17. El Guapo says:

    I am frequently amazed by the depth people manage to get in these 33 word challenges.
    This piece is a perfect example of that.
    Very moving and well done!

  18. This sounds very much like a child who has survived domestic violence of some kind. Perhaps Daddy killed Mommy. Which reminds me – do you read My Inner Chick? It’s a good blog focused on raising domestic violence awareness to try to fight against it.

  19. This is sad. A small person robbed of family and innocence. Nice writing!

  20. karen says:

    Solid. Again. This is excellent.

  21. Sad one. So well written.

  22. Tara R. says:

    Why indeed. So very sad.

  23. Disturbing and intense. So much power in a few words.

  24. Trifecta says:

    Great response, Barbara. There’s so much emotion in your short piece. It really grabs the reader by the throat. Very nice job. Join us for the weekday challenge too.

  25. Dana says:

    Oh, Barb… you made me cry here but it’s a good cry, both healing and empowering. <3

  26. Amelia says:

    Heartbreaking.

  27. Sightsnbytes says:

    I like this one, very moving!

  28. Rachel says:

    Thanks for the comment on my blog for you I made the captcha disappear! It does little to prevent spam anyway.

    I like this piece. It is so sad but very well written.

  29. Very descriptive, moving and powerful piece.

  30. Gina says:

    This gave me a feeling of devastation and sadness. Very heart wrenching. What a story in only a few words.

  31. Colonialist says:

    A real horror story, this – forget about the normal monsters and vampires.

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