Mia watched out of her bedroom window as she always did when
she couldn’t sleep; not looking at anything in particular for it was completely
dark and as her eyes adjusted, all she could see were shapes from the garden
but they were familiar shapes. The night
was still and Mia clutched her teddy tight to her chest for the little warmth
it had; wanting to reach for her blanket, when she saw movement in the next
garden; her neighbour, Mr Browne who was so lonely since his wife had left him
three weeks before.
She watched, transfixed as she saw him light a small bonfire, the flames feeding on a liquid he had poured over
them, flourishing wildly, lighting up the rear of his garden like it was day.
Mia liked the way the orange flames leaped and flickered
against the black curtain of night with embers drifting up into the night
before petering out and she hoped Mr Browne enjoyed the comfort and warmth as much
as she did.
Her attention was drawn to what Mr Browne did next and Mia
let out a muffled gasp as she squeezed her teddy to her face and saw what Mr Browne
was throwing on his fire; burying herself under her blankets, Mia couldn’t rid herself
of the image of Mrs Browne’s head feeding the ravenous flames.
For more 5 sentence fiction, please visit Lillie McFerrin where you can read more entries for flame. xx
