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The Casket of Fictional Delights

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Transience

by Marion Moffatt

Flash Fiction Frightening, Unsettling

Darkness.
I’m awake. I am aware.
But I cannot see. Cannot feel. Cannot hear.
I fight the urge to panic. But panic anyway. Panic doesn’t help. Nothing helps. I am in a state of
nothingness.
Blind panic.
Deaf.
Panic.
Time passes. I am aware. Am I aware? Of time passing? I know who I am.
Yes.
What I am. Where I am….
Where am I?
Breathe. I cannot breathe. Yet I must be. Mustn’t I? Try to remember. I haven’t forgotten anything. Try to remember. What to do in a crisis. ACE. No – ABC. Airway. Breathing…Airway, breathing, C for C for sssir. C for circulation. Circulation. A heart beat. Beating time.
Time passes.
I am aware.
I can count.
Time passes.
What is the last thing I remember?
Heading home.
Getting off the train.
Up the steps to the road.
A car horn.
Church bell.
Icy rain on my face as I look up at the bull on the roof.
The vicar’s message on the noticeboard: A spire? Inspire? Expire?
I can hear moaning.
I can hear.
Moaning?
I can feel. Something. Cold between my legs. And wet. What? I can feel my legs, no, my groin. I can smell…ugh…wee. Now I hear gasping, sobbing. My eyes are wet too. What the hell?
I try to call out.
I try to move my hand. My head. My eyes.
‘Mum!’
Zoey’s home from school.
‘Zzy,’ I try to call her. But all I can do is dribble.
‘Can Harriet stay for tea?’
She’s shouting from downstairs. I must be in the bathroom. The floor is cold. No carpet.
‘Zzzzy.’
‘Mum?’
I hear two voices. And footsteps on the stairs.
I hear the light switched on.
I blink.
Darkness.

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About Marion Moffatt

Marion is currently working on a novel set in Feltham Young Offenders Institution. She has an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Surrey.

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News

Christmas is Coming

We are gearing up for Christmas here at The Casket.  We have two stories by Morgan Parks  in December

A Bigger Tree Each Year

Lucky Elf

And the Brooch of the Month comes from Estonia.

Don't to forget to let us know what you think of all our stories and our brooches  @casketfiction.

 

Check out other short stories on The Casket of Fictional Delights

The Goldsmiths' Fair

Journeys through Jewellery

Rue Pigalle designs women-only trips around the world, for intimate groups of art, jewellery and culture lovers.  Isabelle describes herself as having three passions; jewellery, art and craftsmanship. She takes her clients on journeys of discovery around the world, destinations include Paris, Barcelona and New York.  There are trips to London planned in 2020 and as a prelude Isabelle asked me to write two pieces on this year’s Goldsmiths’ Fair. Followers of my Brooch of the Month blog will know I regularly visit and shop at the Goldsmiths’ Fair, so I was delighted to take up the challenge and report back all the highlights for readers of Rue Pigalle.

Goldsmiths' Fair Week One

Goldsmiths' Fair Week Two

Tweetings

  • It is Christmas time here at #TheCasket, this festive #Brooch is from #Estonia https://t.co/BVIWvoxtAY https://t.co/hwDetseGUB, 8 hours ago
  • New Brooch of the Month from The Casket of Fictional Delights - https://t.co/EsB8HYHqI1, Dec 10
  • RT @WordFactoryUK: Don't miss @RazzMag's brilliant interview with @cathygalvin1. She talks controversial novels, finding your voice, and championing emerging writers. https://t.co/fLy0EdWBMp, Dec 10
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Prefer to listen? - from the beginning The Casket of Fictional Delights has specialised in producing high quality podcasts of short stories and flash fiction compilations. The podcasts are recorded by actors and voiceover artists and produced by a professional studio manager ensuring we maintain a consistent high standard. I’ve chosen three to highlight the variety and quality of work we have to offer - visit our Podcast page for more. I hope you enjoy listening to them.

Casket podcast highlights

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Text & stories © Joanna Sterling 2019
Stories © various authors
Audio by Menna Bonsels
Maintained by Brighton WebTech
Brooch photography by Mark Colliton