Flash fiction: Flash fiction is an umbrella term used to describe any fictional work of extreme brevity, including the Six-Word Story, 140-character stories, also known as twitterature, the dribble (50 words), the drabble (100 words), and sudden fiction (750 words)

The beginning of the end. It started with you. When you pried my fingers open one by one and dispassionately watched me fall down the precipice. Down, down, down I went, curled into myself, waiting for the inevitable sickening thud to end it all. Instead I found myself suspended midair. Wings. I had sprouted wings. Small still, but growing stronger with each flap. I could fly. I could soar. Best of all was the knowledge that I did not need you. Not you. Not anyone. Not now. Not ever.

Down below me was what I feared. The throng. Staring up at me. Up where I flapped my wings and managed to soar, I was by myself. And in danger too, they implied, their hands waving frantically. Come back, come back. Join us. There is safety in numbers. But I threw my head back and laughed in heady happiness. The shackles had broken. My eyes were open. I didn’t need numbers to lose myself. Or you to live. Up here I was alone. And free. Finally, truly free. I owe you this one.

©Shail Mohan 2017