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WELCOME TO TUESDAY FLASH FICTION at GOBBLERS & MASTICADORES!

A mother’s worst nightmare unfolds in front of her.

At times, too much indulgence can be dangerous.

She only looked away for a few seconds.

Her world is turning upside down in front of her.

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She was there. And then she wasn’t. Ten seconds, and my world had changed, forever. The horror. No words can explain it. I shouldn’t have let go of her tiny hand. But she wanted a pink balloon. She was right next to me. Her pink dress visible from the corner of my eye. I’m a […]

A Pink Balloon by Terveen Gill — Gobblers & Masticadores

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18 Comments on “A Pink Balloon by Terveen Gill — Gobblers & Masticadores

  1. Oh, man, Terveen…this piece is terrifying. I can’t fathom the fear a parent must experience in such a situation. Just a sort of blind terror and a sense of helplessness. Your writing chops continue to amaze me. Honestly, “gifted” doesn’t even begin to describe you, Terveen. Amazing stuff as always. 🙂

    • That’s really kind of you, Mike. Some things just are just easier to portray when one can imagine the feelings and put themselves in the situation. Imagination can be so powerful. 🙂

    • You’ve said it perfectly, John. Just that repetitive prayer to a bigger power – please, let it be alright, just this once…

  2. Wow, missing children has been a huge problem in many places. I mean this traditional value of family and lineage drives people into the vicious idea of buying children from smugglers and human traffickers . I heard about a story of a woman who has to quit her job because every day she has to stay outside of the school to pick up her son. Otherwise, she’s afraid that her son would be stolen…

    • That’s really sad, Haoyan. When certain fears turn into phobias for whatever reasons, then life becomes the biggest nightmare. I suppose one has to think and act in a balanced way. Thanks for sharing this.

  3. A hard hitting piece of writing, Terveen, something a parent dreams will never happen. There a few worse feelings than turning to see that space where your child was, even if it was just for a few moments.

    • First the loss, then the regret, then the blame. I suppose unfortunate incidents like these can literally tear families apart. And the cases that remain unresolved are like a death sentence every day of one’s life. Thanks so much, Davy.

  4. There is fear more than loosing your child in a crowd. It happened to me once and I was mad and beside myself. I empathise..

    • It definitely is a feeling no parent wishes to experience. Despair and madness describe it perfectly. Thanks for sharing this, Cassa.

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