Self-Protection, by Emma Burnett

21/4/2023

Headphones: on
Music: loud
Tuna sandwich: open
Bag: on the seat
Scowl: firmly in place
Train: moving again
But…
He stands in the aisle looking down at me. His mouth moves, so does a hand.
There are plenty of other open seats.
Music: off
Headphones: off
He speaks again. “Can I sit here?”
Blatant objection: “Why?”
“Why not?”
Bag: on the floor
Elbow: bumped
Heart rate: high
“So, what’s your name?”
Panic: panic, panic
Eyes: averted
Headphones: back on
Face: scowl on
“Jesus. I was just being nice. Bitch.”
Music: loud
Body: leans away
Train rides: uncomfortable, invasive
Mood: sad

anthony covatta

21/4/2023 01:23:24 pm

Well done. And sad, yes.

Emma

23/4/2023 04:04:55 pm

Thank you

Rashna Tessa Walton

21/4/2023 02:50:46 pm

Here's too a more trusting world. I like the style in which you set out the story, Emma.

Emma

23/4/2023 04:05:35 pm

Seconded. And, thank you.

Paul Freeman link

21/4/2023 04:42:32 pm

Well-formatted story. Very thought provoking.

Emma

23/4/2023 04:05:56 pm

Thanks, that’s a really kind thing to say

David Milner

21/4/2023 09:22:06 pm

Don't ask twice. Well said, Emma.

Emma

23/4/2023 04:06:22 pm

Too right. Thank you.

Sue Clayton

24/4/2023 06:12:55 am

Such blatant intrusion into her space was never going to end well.

Don Tassone link

25/4/2023 01:38:50 pm

Painfully real. Well done, Emma.

Comments are closed.

"Classic"
100-Word
Stories

Friday Flash Fiction
Rules

Kinda obvious, really...

Fiction only
Stories of 90-100 words only
Don't be nasty or cheat
Include your name and a story title

EDITOR'S CHOICE
Each week, our editor selects a story or (occasionally) a poem as 'Editor's Choice'.

It's a personal favourite, no more. Do you agree?

Please feel free to comment (nicely!) on any stories – writers appreciate it.

Just at the moment, though, the comments are switched off for the Christmas Contest.
(It wouldn't be fair.)

Naturally, we reserve the reserve the right to remove comments we feel are inappropriate, or where there's a possibility they may come from a source associated with online spam or abuse. If you have one, please switch off your VPN and don't post from a public server.

Since Friday Flash Fiction began in September 2013, 100-word stories have remained its 'beating heart'.

Normally, 100-word stories are scheduled for 07.00 BST (GMT in the winter) on the following Friday. However, where a larger number of stories (more than 25) are due to be published on the same day, we publish the later ones EARLIER around 4.00 am. On the rare occasions where there are more than 50 stories, we'll post an even earlier set, probably around 2.00 am UK time.

We have a FACEBOOK PAGE where regular contributors can share ideas and discuss stories. Why not join in?

We occasionally send out little newsletters running competitions – and subscribers are also our voting panel. If you'd like to join us, please click the Subscribe to newsletter button below.

Subscribe to Newsletter

No spam, we promise!

Archives

December 2024
November 2024
October 2024
September 2024
August 2024
July 2024
June 2024
May 2024
April 2024
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013