photo (c) J Hardy
WARNING: Disturbing content
Chosen by a Goddess
For years I watched them. My faded blue uniform, dingy yellow pail on wheels with filthy water, and heavy mop gave me a front-row ticket to the show.
Every morning and afternoon, they knelt before me, a chorus of chattering goddesses, their firm young bodies, scarcely covered many times. Oblivious to me, a school fixture as unnoticed as a metal wastebasket, I leaned and watched and watched.
Until one noticed me. Our eyes met and her kind face smiled – for me.
I waited each day until she stayed late one winter afternoon.
She was light as an angel’s feather.
[100 words]
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the creative host of Friday Fictioneers.
Tao Talk 
Very moving. Great use of 100 words. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much, JP.
LikeLike
Very eerie. Did i detect something sinister here? Good writing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much, Neel.
LikeLike
The mind of a paedophile is a hard thing to fathiom, but I like the suggestion of social insignificance and powerlessness
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you are right, Neil. Combine that with access and opportunity and you’ve got a real problem.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gosh Li! You excel again. In just 100 words you created the atmosphere and then that last line. I had goosebumps.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Punam, the moment I looked at the photo the story told itself!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh gosh, very disturbing, and so well written xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I’ve been reading and watching spooky things and believe it influenced today’s story. Thank you, Bernie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was reading this as pure fantasy or mythology before it struck me! Frightening tale of innocence taken by a “monster” in the shadows.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Dora, yes 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
Scary, well narrated, Li. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks, Kitty!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Disturbing Content sums it up. Quietly horrific.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Iain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh wow, Li, that was a disturbing read. Well crafted and engaging, but disturbing nonetheless.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, very. Thank you, Fandango. It’s why many females are afraid to smile at strangers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yuck.
But real, too.
I know a child who was molested by someone in a similar ‘invisible’ position in her school. Took another child complaining to have her speak up. Difficult but truth.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, Na’ama 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Lisa,
“Unnoticed as a metal wastebasket.” Poignant and powerful. I hope the notice at the end was in a good way. It can be taken as either or. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rochelle, yes it can. Thank you for your comment.
Shalom,
Lisa
LikeLike
A very disturbing story, but very well done. Unfortunately, I think it happens far too often (once is too often…)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Trent, thank you. I agree.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Too close to the truth I’m afraid.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😦 yes
LikeLike
Disturbing story, very well written.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Magarisa.
LikeLike
It is disturbing alright but very hard hitting message here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
People like this are around us all the time. How can you teach your children enough to keep them safe but not so much they’re in a heightened state of anxiety about everyday interactions. Well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, good question, and thank you, Sandra.
LikeLike
How and why does our world produce such predators? It feels so unnatural to me, yet far too many of them exist. (K)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wish I knew the answer to that question.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not sure I want to read what happened next – thank goodness for the word limit.
Here’s mine!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not sure I do either, Keith. Thank you for reading and your comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
like they say, it only takes one to make our day. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the idea this could be a perfectly innocent tale.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sinister, indeed. The imagination conjures what you didn’t say.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Linda.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, that’s positively sickening… great writing, but… Sends shivers down my spine. My school had a “weird” janitor like that.. almost. He was just WEIRD… don’t think he ever hurt anyone though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think with all of the surveillance cameras in schools these days, a weird janitor would have trouble getting away with much, but even the students know the places the cameras don’t reach…
LikeLiked by 1 person
We had a couple of teachers I wondered about…great writing Lisa.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I think there are a lot of them about.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I knew some high school teachers who could never get by with the things they pulled today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Disturbing stuff, a predator in the school.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Am I right in detecting something a little creepy there? Disturbing, but oh so well written Ms. Jadeli.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re detector isn’t wrong. Thank you very much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooooo dark. In my mind he is caught and goes away for life… and he ain’t liking where he’s going.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like that ending!
LikeLike
You said it; this is disturbing content. And real. And common, as common as a metal wastebasket. You captured the creep with this one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Honie.
LikeLike
Man that is a Really Disturbing Story but it is well told. That last sentence “light as a feather” just about did me in. I remember playing that game as a kid. I hope this creeper gets caught before it is too late. Ugh.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading and your comment, Anne.
LikeLike
Disturbing but powerful. Very well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Subroto!
LikeLike
Without the warning in the beginning, this could almost be read as something innocuous like making a new friend. Instead, it’s subtly horrific. Well written.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your assessment of the story.
LikeLiked by 1 person