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Footsteps
The house was quiet, much more quiet than usual. Laying in bed before falling asleep, the silence was delightful after the chaos of the day. The children slept peacefully in their warm beds and my wife was rugged up underneath the warm doona, her breathing soft and rhythmic. I watched the moonlight peek in through…
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Behind closed doors
This was not what I’d expected when the call came in, double checking with dispatch that I’d been given the right address. “I think there’s been a mistake. Could you re check the address please?” This surely was the wrong place. I parked the car in front of the large period home, drawing the ire…
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Serendipity
Life doesn’t always follow the script. The best moments are often those that come out of the blue, striking like a lightning bolt and taking us completely by surprise. It was a typical peak hour in the subway. Platforms burgeoning with patrons on their way home, after the daily migration into the towering skyscrapers that…
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Lock and key
The filing cabinet was always locked. Mark’s study was his sanctuary, as he called it. It was upstairs at the end of the hallway, well away from the rest of the family. He’d often retreat into the room, particularly after a hard day at work, locking the door behind him to play his old vinyl…
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Country roads
Making the long trek up the highway to the farm was an adventure, and one we all looked forward to. We pass through many quaint little country towns along the way, each with their grand masonic halls and ornate church buildings, now overgrown and neglected. The once thriving populations of these small communities, now resigned…
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The Promise
It was a beautiful summer morning with the sun rising on the horizon, the silence of the neighbourhood allowed me to gather my thoughts and prepare for the day ahead. The birds were particularly chipper today, their song echoing from the trees in the park as the sun created a stunning red silhouette behind the…
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Into the fold
I vowed never to return to this place that had caused me so much angst and at the time I truly meant what I had said. We’d had our clashes as families often do, but that night was different. Nothing could’ve ever prepared me for those words. Words can cut you to your core, creating…
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In the shadows
Nobody ever noticed that I was there, people barely blinked an eyelid whenever I walked into a room. As a matter of fact, well anywhere really. It had been this way my whole life, ever since my mother’s frequent amorous attention was drawn to the company of strange men rather than to her only son.…
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Out of the blue
My phone pinged as a message came through. Things had been great this past year as our relationship continued to blossom. Jane was everything I had ever hoped for, the seemingly perfect match. We met through mutual friends and the connection was instant and electric. Enamoured by her vivacious personality and infectious smile, I loved…
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Essence of a life
The funeral had been organised after his sudden and unexpected passing. I was filled with a sense of dread and overwhelmed with grief. To eulogize a life is a great responsibility but one that was immensely difficult, creating a complex tempest of emotions. It had taken me many days to write. I’d read and re…
Roads less travelled
Flash Fiction, Short Stories and other assorted musings.
I’d like to warmly welcome you to my blog ‘Roads Less Travelled’. I explore the power of language and story and how they are used to convey the human experience. Below is a collection of flash fiction and short stories, in an eclectic range of genres. There are a variety of fiction and biographical pieces, drawing inspiration from visual prompts, the natural world and of course my imagination. Feel free to like, comment and subscribe for regular updates.
Everybody has a story to tell, so I hope you’ll come along and venture with me down the ‘Roads less travelled.’
Roads less travelled 