The sun’s rays falling on her face woke her from sleep, and she found that strange.
Mom should have woken her up much before sunrise as they both had planned to walk to the edge of the forest to watch Dad’s convoy, which was returning to base after almost a year, roar up the mountain road.
She quickly jumped out of bed, brushed her teeth, pulled on the new frock, hurriedly ran a comb through her unruly hair, but there still was no cheery voice of Mom urging her to hurry up.
Mom was seated in her room, her face deathly pale.
That is when she knew the sounds of the night had not been a dream after all.
©Shail Mohan 2014
What it’s all about: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week Lillie McFerrin posts a one word inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate can write a five sentence story based on the prompt word. The word does not have to appear in the five sentences, and is just for direction. This week: SUNSHINE
Shail's Nest 
That is indeed powerful! And a soooo sad too 😦
Thanks Kajal. An army brat feels it more so I guess.
Powerful ending.
Welcome to Shail’s Nest and thank you!
The 5 sentences said all there is to convey! A lump in the chest now!
Thanks, Sandhya.
Sad…really sad. 😦 But expressed really well.
Thank you, Rekha.
A very unusual take on the prompt, beautifully written as always.
Thank you for reminding the civilians among your readers about a situation that many families of defence personnel have gone through.
Thank you. A stark reality especially for those serving in ‘sensitive’ areas.
Absolutely brilliant.
Thank, you Govind. But what’s this, no 4-liner?
Brevity, they said, is the soul of wit
after reading this I cannot but admit
I enjoyed reading it every bit
this 5 sentence story that you have knit.
So ther goes the 4 liner. Was so dazzled by the brilliance that i couldn’t think of a 4 liner 🙂
Ahh there it is, the trademark 4-liner! 🙂
Brilliant verse to complement the story.
Oh God !! That made me sad 😦
But beautiful as usual Shail…
Thanks Uma 🙂
Thought provoking and beautifully sad, Shail:)
Thanks, Vishal.
I love how your stories build and then close. They don’t close, really, because I carry them away, and nurse the poignant ones, dance with the joyful ones. This one hurts.
Beautifully written.
Thank you, Usha. Your words stay with me and encourage me to write again! 🙂
oh.. that was sad.. 😦
That was the story that the picture brought to mind, sadly.
A punch in the end. Sad and touching.
Thanks, Janaki 🙂
beautiful shail.. very powerful ..
Thanks, SG 🙂
Nothing more beautiful than brevity. Loved it!
Thank you, Bindu 🙂
Powerful but sad five sentences.
Yes, sad. The picture had that effect on me.
Wow – that packed a punch! So sad 😦
Thanks Ken 🙂
hmmm.. didnt expect tat sad ending.. :(..
Yes, somehow that’s the thought the picture evoked.
😦 Always loved your fiction.
Thank you, IHM 🙂