Flash Fiction Friday
I went a little whimsical today!
This week’s flash fiction story is a LOT lighter than I usually write. I’m still a little on the witch’s familiar kick, but I wanted to go more cute and lighthearted. This could perhaps be a short story for a younger audience and I hope I capture the “feels” in the conflict resolution.
I hope you enjoy…
Broomsticks, Storms, and a Hamster Named Marmalade
“No!” Marmalade cried and ducked his orange-and-white fluffy head inside the empty teapot.
Hazel sat at the kitchen table, where she lifted the ceramic lid and smiled at the hamster. “Aww, come now, Marmy. It’s not so bad once you get used to it.”
The tapping of rain against the window began.
“It’s dangerous up there!” he protested. “One good gust and I’m as good as gone!”
“We can put a little harness on you to secure you to the bristles.”
“The other familiars already make fun of me. I’ll be the laughing stock of the town if I have to wear a harness.” He sighed. “I honestly don’t know why you chose me to be your familiar. I’m useless.”
The patter of the rain grew louder outside.
“That’s not true. You’re wonderful.” Hazel counted on her fingers all the ways he helped her this week. “You gave me that idea for the sleeping potion for Myrtle. She’s getting so much rest now. And you figured out why my cleaning spell wasn’t working. And even though you’re tinier than all the others, I think you’re the most powerful.”
“You’re just saying that.” But Marmalade poked his head out of the teapot and stopped shaking.
The downpour outside eased up a bit.
“No, I’m not. It’s true.” Hazel pet the top of Marmalade’s head with the pad of her finger. “You’re the best little familiar I ever had. I swear.”
“The others don’t have any trouble flying on their witch’s broomsticks,” he complained.
“I’ll bet if you talk to them, some of them will admit to being afraid the first time they went flying with their witch.”
“Nope. I already tried that, and they made fun of me. If they were afraid, they weren’t willing to admit it. At least not to me. Face it. I’m useless if I can’t fly with you. If I can’t fly with you, I can’t help magnify your power. If I can’t magnify your power, you won’t reach your full potential. If you don’t reach your full potential—”
“Alright, now. That’s enough.” She scratched him under his chin. “No more of this nonsense. We’ll try to fly again tomorrow, okay?”
Marmalade sighed with relief, and Hazel noticed the rain stopped and the sun peeked through the clouds.
But tomorrow was no different than the day before.