The girl giggled. The babysitter’s fingers acted the songs he sang, flying before landing suddenly on the bed beside the child. They tweaked her nose before flying upwards. Rosalind laughed, clapping her hands. Down came the fingers landing on the rabbit adorning her nightdress. They lingered, tracing the bunny’s outline on Rosalind’s chest before flying into the air to dance. Down they came touching her arms lightly before flying up to the sky again. Rosalind shrieked gleefully. Quickly the fingers pounced, on her tummy, walking lower and lower.
“John. We’re home.”
“Next time sweetie.” John promised Rosalind before leaving.
In response to Charli’s prompt where she asks:
March 29, 2018, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about fingers that fly. Think about the different ways we use our fingers and what happens when we add speed. Go where the prompt leads.
Respond by April 3, 2018. Use the comment section below to share, read and be social. You may leave a link, pingback or story in the comments.
If you want your story published in the weekly collection, please use this form. If you want to interact with other writers, do so in the comments (yes, that means sharing your story TWICE — once for interaction and once for publication). Rules are here.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
Brilliantly written.
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Thank you Lisa.
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This is so creepy. Yes, very well written, the tension coming from the child’s absolute innocence and delight in his “game”. So creepy. I am very relieved that they came home and that you were at 99 words.
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I agree! The tension is immediate. And yes, creepy indeed.
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Glad you felt the tension. Thanks.
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Thanks D. although sorry to have creeped you out. I wonder what you will make of the next 99 words (if Charli gives a prompt to fit them.)
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Ya know, you can just write it.
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I know…..
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Chilling! Should kids be left with babysitters of the opposite sex?
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Thanks Reena. Often it is a family member who is trusted. Most who prey on children come from within the family or are friends of the family, Otherwise I agree – I think you’d have to think twice about leaving a small girl with a male babysitter. A sad indictment of our society as most males would not contemplate harming a girl in this manner.
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Oooh. I just kept saying oooh and squirming in my seat as I read this. Brilliant but awful.
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Thanks Juliet. This was a piece I’m glad to see you squirming at.
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Very well written. I’m sure it made us all squirm.
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Ooooh, Irene, this is very creepy.
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Thanks Robbie. Yes it is creepy.
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What you managed to convey is how innocent a child is when groomed by a sexual predator. It definitely makes the reader squirm, but more importantly, think and be more aware of what to look for or be more suspicious.You wrote this one well.
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Thanks Charli. Sadly it is often family members that we and the child trust. Innocence can be lost without anyone but the perpetrator being aware.
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That’s often the truth of it and also why it is difficult to overcome. I think it’s a brave act as a writer to portray difficult topics, but ones that people need to better see to understand the cycle of childhood sexual abuse.
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That is true Charli. Writing is a way of giving understanding.
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I was so enjoying the childhood game and laughter, Irene. And then he ruined it. So pleased the parents arrived in time. I wish Rosalind could tell them what mischief John was up to. Sadly, they will probably have no idea until the damage is done. I don’t think we should judge all men by those few who prey upon innocent children. Not all men are bad.
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I totally agree Norah and I actually tossed up making the character a woman because they can also be abusers. We used to know a man who was a kindergarten teacher who gave it up because he felt the mothers eyed him suspiciously. So sad because our male role models become fewer and I think children need a mix of both.
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The suspicion makes it very difficult for males to work with young children. It’s sad that they all get painted with the same brush, whether deserved or not. And yes, some abusers are women too. So sad.
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Very sad.
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Indeed.
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Wow, Irene, I had to read this a second time to check the creepiness wasn’t only in my head. A horrible story, all too credible, perfectly handled.
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Thank you Anne. For me it is good that readers feel that way – but I apologise for writing a creepy horrible story.
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Of all the 99 word stories I just read, this one struck at my heart. I’ve been that little girl.
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I’m sorry you’ve had that experience. It must be hard to come to terms knowing that someone we trusted could take advantage in that way. Sending hugs.
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Some day, I might write about it. Did you know it is estimated that 1 out of every 4 girls has had a similar experience?
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I used to work in intensive care and we went through a period of six months or more when we had so many admissions that stemmed from a history of sexual abuse in childhoood that it seemed to be more normal than not to have been inappropriately touched (I didn’t know the exact statistics). I can remember ringing my Father and thanking him for not having done so to me. That showed me just how much difficulty many have years later after such actions. I hope you have dealt with your experiences in a way that has allowed you to move on happily in life. When (if) you write about it make sure you do it in a safe environment for yourself with someone who can help you through it as those memories are going to be hard to relive.
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It took years, I’ve worked through it. What is so hard for people to understand is that whether or not there was physical pain, it warps a child’s entire preception of what a relationship is supposed to be. I had a great father, it was other men in the community that people trusted who weren’t so great.
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I’m glad you’ve worked through it but I understand what you mean about it affecting you perceptions but unless you have been through it the full enormity probably can’t fully be understood. Men of trust – we have basically lost our trust in those we look to for role models such as police, church, politicians and teachers. I just hope it doesn’t take away the fabric of society that makes us human.
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Some days I believe it IS the fabrick of humanity. There are few people who, given a little power, don’t abuse it.
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I agree. I often have discussions re corruption that I like to think that I would maintain my integrity and not be corruptible but how do you know? I have never been in a position where anyone wants to corrupt me — would I be any different to all the rest. I simply don’t know. I would like to think I would. In days gone by we were able to look up to people as role models – were they always corrupt? Probably but we didn’t know it. Sexual predation by those that are in positions of trust is simply unforgiveable.
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That, I agree with entirely. Recidivism rate is so close to 100% it’s no joke. We need to be rid of sexual predators so they never have a chance to do it to again, especially child again.
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Totally agree.
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Oh…the ominous tones that play…
when trust misplaced allow fingers to lay
too close to innocent hearts.
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That is quite a poetic comment Jules. Sadly yes.
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(I’m just ‘drawn’ that way…poetically)
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❤️
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