The Box

Daily flash fiction entry for 8/17/2025

I held the box of journals close to me. I was what I had of my mother. The train blurred the scenery as we passed. Out there, the rainbow leaves trembled on the trees, falling with every gust. I held back my tears. I set the box on the seat next to me. Randomly, I pulled out one of the journals. The cover was dated from mother's pregnancy. I opened to a middle page.

"Sweetie, I just got my first picture of you. The image isn't t great, but the doctor said you are a girl. I am so excited. Your name will be Natalie, after me. Your grandmother made a blanket with my name, and it will be yours. That way, you will have something from her."

I slammed the journal closed. She seemed to want me before I was here. Why did she abandon me? I can't understand what she was thinking. Didn't she know what he was like? I fished another journal out. This one is from around when she abandoned me. I opened it to the middle.

"Oh, Natalie, I hate that I had to leave you. I had one chance to leave, and I took it. If I hadn't, I am sure he would have killed me.. But it is okay, I don't think he would hurt you. You are his treasure."

How wrong she was. He didn't just beat me, he...probably would have killed her. I wiped my eyes. I never wanted to believe his lies. The train slowed. It pulled into the station. I gathered the box. I was glad my husband waited for me on the platform. This trip taught me one thing: only one of my parents was a monster. That meant there was hope for me.


296 words before dropnote

prompt ▼

Daily flash fiction challenge.

Daily Flash Fiction Challenge  (13+) Enter your story of 300 words or less. #896794 by Arakun the twisted raccoon

Prompt for 8/17
Write a story that includes the words: train, box, leaves
Have fun!