7/31/2019 Simon's New Cape: Short Story, Flash Fiction

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The prompt I have used this week is the following, in bold, then my story follows shortly after:

A twelve year old boy decides to become a superhero:

It was a cold, early January weekend and Simon was playing with his Christmas toys. Simon loved

the weekends because he got to come and see me.

His mother worked on the weekends, and his father was long gone. So he came round and spent some

time with me, his one, and only, nana.

Simon loved coming round because I let him play, undisturbed, as long as he was well behaved. I also

baked him cakes and cooked him his favourite meals.

As Simon played with his Christmas toys, I watched him from the corner of my eye, making sure he

didnt hurt himself or get too over-excited. At the same time I had the news on the television.

I was watching Simon and listening to the news when suddenly an article came on that grubbed hold

of my attention.

The reporter was telling me the dreadful news about a war in some faraway place.

I took a huge a huge gulp and tasted my worry as the reporter continued to tell me that the British

army would be getting involved.

I licked my dry lips and wiped my fear stained brow. I thought about my son Jack, who was part of

the army. He had been injured a few times whilst on duty and I didnt want him to be injured again, or

worse.

Each time a news reporter came on and informed me of a fight, or a war that needed the Britisharmys support, the taste of fear and worry would hit me in the back of the throat.

I looked over at my only grandson, hoping that he would stay twelve. Praying that he would stay

young and innocent forever and that he wouldnt end up like his uncle Jack, or divorced and unhappy

like his mother, Rebecca.

The sound of clanking toys laid my worries for the child to rest for a short while.

Simon. I called to him softly. He looked up at me. Would you like a slice of cake? I ask. Simon

nodded, I was glad of this as it gave me a reason to escape the report on the fighting.

I held onto the sides of my aging armchair and lifted myself out; I walked over to the kitchen counter

behind me and reached for the draw. I opened it and pulled out a cold metallic knife.

I placed the knife on the glossed, wooden surface of the counter and walked over to the fridge. As I

opened it, the light and cold air hit my face and cooled my worried brow. I pulled out the cold china

plate which held the chocolate cake that I had baked the night before. I closed the fridge door and

placed the cake filled plate onto the counter.

I then placed both my hand on the counter edge for a few seconds, staring deep into the cake, into

space, and day dreamed. I was hoping I would somehow find an answer or a release from the pressure

building in my pounding heart.

7/31/2019 Simon's New Cape: Short Story, Flash Fiction

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Suddenly I felt a tug on my Knitted cardigan. Surprised, I turned round and looked down. I saw

Simon staring up at me, his light blond hair shimmering at me. He was wearing the blue comic-hero

cape that his mother had bought him for Christmas.

I kneeled down to see what my little grandson wanted.

Whats up dear? I stroked his soft cheek as I asked. He placed his hand upon mine and I felt a

strange sensation travel from his hand to mine. This sensation then travelled up my arm. I looked at

Simon in bewilderment.

Nana, He looked me straight in the eyes. His pale blue eyes had a certain, special sparkle to them. I

want to help Uncle Jack.

My fear forcibly built, my heart sunk. It started pounding at the bottom of my stomach. It started

racing and forced tears to collect and well up. This was exactly the words I had dreaded.

As my fear built, Simons hand tightened slightly and another shoot of the strange feeling somewhat

calmed me.

You dont have to worry Nana. He paused and smiled. He let go of my hand, letting it drop to my

side. He touched the middle of my chest, it felt as if he had extended through my ribs to massage and

calm my racing heart. I want to become a superhero.

I smiled at the little boys innocence. He still believed in superheroes and thought that, with this cape,

he could become one.

You will always be my superhero dear. I whispered into his ear, brushing his soft, pale hair behind it

as I did so. Unfortunately you cant help your Uncle Jack or...

I can though Nana! Simon interrupted; he stepped back from me and looked up at the counter where

I had just placed the cake. I followed his line of sight and wondered what he was doing.

The next thing I saw was unbelievable and incredible. I blinked constantly, thinking I had fallen

asleep and was dreaming, yet the tears of amazement that rolled down my cold, wrinkled cheeks

informed me that this was real.

The metallic knife which was lying on the counter next to the plate started to rise; it hovered over to

the cake and cut through it.

I stared back at Simon in astonishment, wondering what was happening.

See Nana, He exclaimed. I can help Uncle Jack and become a superhero.

I looked at my grandson in shock as his smile gleamed at me.