Leaving the Dead

A woman revisits her childhood. A 100 word story

Leaving the Dead

The tree, like the world around her, was no longer prolific; dying, just as those she knew and once loved were dead. Diane had once thought the tree beautiful. When she was a child, her parents brought her to the lake and she climbed out on the long branch that stretched across the water. Diving in, she became a mermaid, daughter of Poseidon.

Now, inching along the branch, she wished those dreams were true. Behind her, the Walker that used to be her husband lunged, teeth gnashing. Dropping off the end, Diane fell into the abyss, leaving the dead behind.


Word Count: 100