Broken Dreams

Today is the day for this month's Knights of MicroFiction hosted by Jess and me.  In case you missed it here is the prompt:  

In 400 words or less, your character(could also be more than one), has a chance meeting with someone who will change their life.

And if you'd like to join us, we'd love to have you.  You still have time just post by 11:59 pm Jan 16th and add your link to the linky list below.

Ok here is my entry.  It ended up being 394 words.  Hope you enjoy it.  

BROKEN DREAMS

Sam rolled off the couch and slowly stood.  He wasn’t hungry but when had he eaten last?  He stumbled past piles of dirty laundry and headed for the kitchen.  His reflection in the hall mirror startled him.  He looked more like a Neanderthal than a man.  His shoulders were hunched and he hadn’t shaved for a month.

Would he ever wake from this nightmare?

 

He opened the fridge.  Not a single thing. He stared at the bright white shelves.  Why the hell would someone make them so bright?  Or maybe it was his eyes, he hadn’t turned the lights on for a week.  

He preferred the dark now, it was soothing; it helped him forget...

No not forget, nothing could do that.

 

His stomach now reproached him with a loud rumble.

 

It was too soon.  But the fog in his brain cleared enough to understand the need for survival was greater than his need for seclusion.  He had to find food.

 

He stuffed his bare feet into his Timberland hiking boots and without tying them staggered out the door and down Walnut street. He almost passed the grocery store.

  

Inside, he  grabbed a cart and wandered down the aisles.  After a few minutes, he realized, he had gone through almost the whole store, yet his cart was still empty.

 

Tuna fish cans were stacked on the shelf in front of him.  Simple enough.  He grabbed five.

In an odd moment of clarity, he thought of bread.  For a sandwich.  He retraced his steps to the bread aisle and gazed at the different plastic wrapped loaves, as if confused by the choices.  He bent down to look at one marked “Heart Healthy”.

Out of nowhere, a cart slammed into him and knocked him over.  

“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry!” a woman’s voice said.  She reached out to help him up.  He pushed her hand away and grumbled.  

Then he looked up and saw her face.  Her bright smile sparked a feeling in his heart.  She was the map for his lost soul.    

“Are you all right?” she asked.

“I’m fine.”  The fog in his head slowly dissipated.

She held out her hand and this time he took it.

“Can I make it up to you? Let me buy you a coffee next door.”

He heard himself say, “Ok.”

     

Maybe his nightmare was finally over.   

****

Well that's what I came up with. What do you think? Do you have any news you want to share? What's going on in your world today?

Kathy :)