The crumbling walls, moss covered stones, the statues with their features set in still acceptance, and especially the roots that grew as if reclaiming lost space, soothed her frayed nerves. She loved to simply sit among the ruins and contemplate, or sometimes read a book on the cool steps with only the whispering wind for company. Well, there was an old man she saw daily who didn’t count, as he seemed scarce aware of her presence, sitting against the same pillar pillar each day and staring into space. ‘Someone who loves solitude, just like me,’ she thought, till one day she found the same face staring back at her from the pages of the book she was reading, a history of the temple dating hundreds of years back. Suddenly feeling chilly, she lifted her head to find his eyes boring into hers with a knowing look in them.

©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. Special thanks to Nada Adel for this week’s FSF! This week: RUINS