There were no mirrors in my apartment. Not through design or fearfulness; only circumstance. Some days I would go down to Cara’s, sit on the edge of her bath and watch her at her morning mirror: checking the whites of her eyes, the gaps in her teeth, that no hairs had sprouted from her chin. She would smile and grimace at herself. She needed the mirror to know she existed and that she hadn’t aged in the night. Sometimes she would swing open the cabinet door, and only when her eyes found mine did I know I existed too.
*
This is a 100-word flash fiction, part of the Friday Fictioneers, hosted by the lovely Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. This week the picture above has been supplied by Ceayr. Click here to find out more, read some other stories or join in.
More intrigue about Cara and the narrator. I can’t wait to read the whole story. Great reflective take, too. 🙂
Thank you!
Oh, that last line packs an emotional punch. Well done!
Thanks Jan
I love this! Beautifully written.
Thanks Josslyn
You’re welcome. 🙂
I wasn’t aware this was part of a longer piece until I read the comments. It works beautifully as a self contained piece. a long drop down the inverted funnel of a flash fiction challenge into a whole world. Just lovely
Thanks Neil. I’m just dropping my characters from my third book (which I’m currently writing) into different situations to see how they might react. Not sure what will actually make it into the longer piece.
What an interesting exercise. May I borrow your technique?
Intriguing characters. The last line , if the context is right, sounds very romantic.
Thank you!
Lovely–this is a great moment and I’m interested in the characters right away.
Thanks so much Emily, that’s great to hear
Fabulous. That last line….
Thank you!
It does stand alone and well. Has intrigue in that sense.
It works, Claire! It really works great! Awesome job! 🙂
Thank you, glad you liked it!
Such a ghostly existence.
Thank you – that’s what I was hoping to achieve.
An interesting take on the prompt.
Thanks Dawn
Nicely done! THe last line! Wow!
Thank you!
Ghostly… I like your idea of dropping characters into situations to see how they react.
Thanks Mike
Wow. What an intriguing situation. The small details seem to slow down the passing of time. Great finish – I love the meeting of their eyes and all it means.
Thanks Margaret
Dear Claire,
I love the little teaser and can’t wait to read your next book. Beautifully written and it does stand alone.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks Rochelle
Loved that, Claire – wonderfully intriguing!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Thanks Susan
I also wasn’t aware it was part of a longer piece, but also agree it stands well alone. I like your new avatar. Well written as always, Claire. 🙂 — Suzanne
Thanks Suzanne