Trina liked empty cities the best and this is her best memory of New York.
She looked up, the Sun rose, partially eclipsed by a big black Moon.
Trina sat primly on the only bench on Queens Boulevard when she saw the shadow of a little boy skipping rope.
She quickly opened her journal and wrote, ‘In the land of tall thin shadows’
Then she pulled a piece of chalk from her skirts, dropped to her hands and knees, and drew a hopscotch court.
The shadow boy stopped skipping rope and came closer.
Trina stood. “Hello,” she curtsied. “I’m Trina, and you?”
“I am a child of the Universe,” replied the shadow boy.
“I see.” Trina searched the ground for a small stone to use as a marker. “You have a right to be here?”
The shadow boy shook his head, “Maybe yes, maybe no.”
Trina laughed: “Did you lose your boy?”
“I think so. Have you seen him?”
“This is my world. No one comes here, not even shadows.”
“I don’t have a right to be here?”
“Strictly speaking, no.”
Trina found a stone and tossed it onto the court.
“What happens when you vanish?” she asked.
“I don’t exist.” The shadow boy replied.
Trina was appalled. “You stop thinking?”
“I think so.”
“How awful!”
“But I always come back when the little boy goes out to play!”
“Always?”
“Yes.”
Trina reached up and hid the Sun behind a big black moon.
Queens Boulevard went black and the shadow boy was gone.
Trina was sad.
She reached into her skirts and found a torch, then she opened her journal and wrote, ‘They sleep without dreams’

‘In the Land of Tall Thin Shadows’ (c) Rob Goldstein, March 2019
‘Shadow Boy’ (C) Rob Goldstein March 2019
Header Image from pixabay
I wrote this for the March Speculative Fiction prompt on Myths of the Mirror. You can join here: https://mythsofthemirror.com/2019/03/01/march-speculative-fiction-prompt/
Rob, I’m so sorry I completed missed this. That was a difficult week.
I love the story. Your creation of the shadow boy is brilliant. I enjoyed Trina’s interaction with him and the unique world you built for the story.
Sorry to be late, but glad to have found it now. Hugs on the wing.
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There’s no such thing as late. I think you were packing up your life and moving it cross county when I wrote this.
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I was home by then, but I was still getting over the extreme sleep deprivation I gave myself… and getting used to the much higher altitude. Actually, I think my body is still acclimating — that maybe that’s partly to blame for the difficulty getting over this allergic reaction… Anyhow, I wasn’t able to keep up with anything for a few weeks there, with all the moving related stuff.
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Intriguing story Rob, you could probably write novella out of it. 🙂
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Thanks Debby. Trina is flash fiction kinda girl. 🙂
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We all have our own private worlds…(K)
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Oh yes. 🙂
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Excellent! Trina scares me, but I want to read more from her.
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Thank you, Trina is interesting to write but I don’t see the scary dimension. Why does she scare you? I’m curious as a writer.
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Because she’s detached. She reminds me of little kids who like to pull wings off of bugs, not to be cruel, but being cruel in their curiosity.
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Ah yes. I see. That can be scary. Thanks for the info. It’s good to know.
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Reblogged this on Myths of the Mirror and commented:
Entrancing writing from Robert. I hope you enjoy. 🙂
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I will take better care of my shadow when I see it next Rob….lovely story.. hugs
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Thank you Sally. They hate losing their people. 🙂
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I like this. I will reread it when things quiet down for the night–when I can process better.
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What a fantastic and insightful use of the prompt, Rob!
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Thank you, Jan. This particular image was easy to work with.
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I never know what to expect from your fiction – and that’s a wonderful thing!!
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Thank you, Christy. I don’t know what to expect either; I guess that’s why I love to write.
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And why we love reading your creations. Do you have published books in addition to your blog, Rob?
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Nope. Just anthologizes, really obscure anthologies. 🙂 I stopped writing in the 1990’s to focus on a career in IT, in 2000 I returned to the field of mental health. I resumed writing in 2012. I’m currently
taking tutorials on designing and publishing a book.
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I loved this. I can’t decide if she’s clinically detached or a sadistic (bleep), but fabulous story!
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I love this comment Staci. I think she’s a bit of both. 🙂
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That only makes her more intriguing.
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Thank you, Staci. 🙂
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The title alone is poetry.
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Thank you. You’ve made my day.
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🙂
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He’s a protector! Love this, Rob ❤
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That’s really astute, Jacquie.I think he is. Wow!
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I think you are as well, my friend ❤️
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Probably. 🙂
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I love reading your engaging story with vivid imagery, Rob. I want to know if the shadow boy would come back and how to bring him back!! 🙂
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Hi Miriam. Yes, he comes back when his boy goes out to play in the Sun. I’m glad you like the story. It was fun to make it up. 🙂
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That makes sense, Rob. Yes, I enjoyed reading it. 🙂
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Thank you, Miriam. I’m looking forward to next months challenge.
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Oooh, Rob. It’s be another good one, or you can use the prompt to write another one. I’m busy promotion my book this week. Hope you’ll download a copy even if you don’t have time to read it, hehe.
https://theshowersofblessings.com/2019/03/05/free-download-promotion-songs-of-heartstrings/
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I’ll download and copy it and make time to read it. 🙂
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Thank you very much, Rob. I appreciate your support. 🙂
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🙂
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🙂
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Desiderata in action. Love this take on the photo prompt, very surreal and imaginative.
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Thank you. I love the surreal. I appreciate your visit and comment. 🙂
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Awesome work Robert. Thinking of you, sending good karma your way. Hugs.
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A most interesting idea, Rob. I love the idea of the shadow boy and his disappearing when the sun doesn’t shine. Where do the shadows go? You could write a book about what happens to them.
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What I love most about writing is finding out what I’m thinking. 🙂 Thank you, Robbie.
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A fabulous style, almost poetic and vivid as your words could create the scene of conversation!
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Thank you. I enjoyed writing this. 🙂
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Oh, Robert, you entranced me again. What a beautiful piece of writing. Thank you so much for taking up the prompt and sharing your imagination. I love this and can’t wait to share.
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I’m so pleased, Diana. I’m glad the Trina character popped up again. 🙂
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I noticed that. 🙂 I liked that as well.
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I love this and all the images you created with it.
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Thank you! The header image came from D. Wallace Peach. The image of the shadow boy is mine. 🙂
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I applaud both:)
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🙂
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Very intriguing, Rob. A moody, thoughtful piece of micro fic that beautifully echoes the photo.
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Thank you, Mae. I’m so glad we live in an age of flash and micro fiction. The photo is quite an inspiration.
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Great intriguing flash fiction, Rob! The image meets the story in a very beautiful way. Thank you for sharing. Michael
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Thank you, Michael.
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:-))
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This piece of flash fiction is beautiful, Rob, and speaks volumes despite its short length. Sad, hopeful, not hopeful, morose, and evocative.
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Thank you. I enjoyed the process of writing it. Alot of credit goes to D. Wallace Peach who provided a gorgeous and inspiring image.
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Agreed. Diana keeps our writing juices flowing!
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Yep. 🙂
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An intriguing story, Rob, and I love that first image on the post. Fabulous.
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Thanks Mary. That header image comes from Myth’s of the Mirror. It really is beautiful.
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How absolutely wonderful, shadows..how intriguing they are , even if you are in the know and your artwork : exquisite…dreamy.
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Thanks Paula. The header image comes from Myths of the Mirror. The Shadow Boy image is mine.
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