LEFT DANGLING
PHOTO PROMPT © J Hardy Carroll
By Neel Anil Panicker
The irony of life stared them from above five hundred feet. Strapped to their seats, their legs and feet fastened by soft but strong leather fasteners, the twins shrieked and squealed, the sheer shrill in their still unbroken voices rising like a crescendo above the boisterous din of other equally vociferous pre-teens.
Clasping her twi
n brother’s hands, Sheena stared down from her boxed car at the ground below, the bumble bee of weekend revelers mere tiny specks. Two of them were her new ‘mum and dad’.
She wondered if today was the happiest or saddest day of her life.
©2018neelanilpanicker #fiction #flashfiction #FRIDAYFICTIONERS #100words
Hosted by the ever charming, super talented ROCHELLEWISOFF at https://rochellewisoff.com/2018/01/17/12-january-2018/
neelwritesblog 
At least her new mum and dad took them to the funfair
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That’s some consolation. Thanks Neil.
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Such a contrast in moods there, Neil. The palpable activity of the funfair conflicting with the reflective mood of your character. Nicely done, I liked that.
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Thanks a lot for the appreciation. It means a lot, Sandra.
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That last line was a jolt that was so emotive. Was one person both Mum and Dad? (or two people were). I found this fact distracting from a very good story.
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Thanks a lot, Irene. I am so glad you liked it. Her new ‘mum and dad’, two people.
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Are the twins separating? Nice little cliffhanger there, Neel. Also, I wrote something along similar lines 😀 The prompt is such, eh?
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Yes, they are, Varad. Thanks a lot for the appreciation. I shall read yours shortly.
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Foster parents? Adoptive parents? Or more sinister; the symbolism of the leather restraints points that way.
Good story.
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Sinister or not_ that’s for the future to tell. Thanks a lot for the appreciation, Penny.
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Dear Neel
Time will tell the answer to Sheena’s question, won’t it. I’m hoping for happiest. Good one in any case.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks a lot. Your appreciation means a lot, Rochelle.
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A story within a story. Great mood contrasts.
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Thanks a lot.
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A very bittersweet day. Thankfully she has her twin and hopefully her new parents are kind to them.
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Hope so. Thanks a lot, Kelly.
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If she has to ask that question, I’d say the saddest.
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It looks so, James. Thanks.
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Rides can make you feel that way. Good story, Neel.
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That’s a philosophical take. Thanks a lot, Hardy.
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I like tha way you left the readers to read in between the lines. Nicely done.
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That exactly was the intention and i am so glad for your appreciation. Thanks YS.
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I liked the drop from childish hysteria to very deep emotion.
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Thanks Jane.
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A great scene with deeper questions left hanging. Time will tell, but she can hope, right?
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Thanks K
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Thanks Christine
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Great story. I liked the bittersweet twist at the end. So new parents, but the twins are being split up?
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Hmm…looks like. Thanks K
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So many questions from all your readers! A total mesh of youthful exuberance and reality check…
By the way, you can drop the two in front of the twins as it is like a repetition, twins being two and implying they both squealed…
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Have done so. A typo. Thanks for the appreciation, Dale.
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Always. You write so well, Neel!
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Beautifully written, Neel.
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Awwe, separating from her twin brother. Must be gut-wrenching for poor Sheena.
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It surely is. Thanks for the appreciation, Anurag.
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That was a lovely one Neel- the contrast of their real life situation can be felt so well. Atleast they have the same new Mum and dad- I would have thought they are adopted by different set of parents
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Yes, very rightly pointed out. That’s indeed some consolation. Thanks for reading and commenting, Aks.
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You paint such a powerful contrast between the exciting thrill of the ride (that still has a darkness to it, emphasizing how they’re strapped in, no choice) and the graver contemplation of what this new family situation will mean for them Fascinating take on the prompt!
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Thanks a zillion, Joy.
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That would be a lot for a small child to cope with. Good writing, Neel. 🙂 — Suzanne
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I loved that last line, Neel. It leaves an open door of wondering what happens next.
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