Well, I almost made it to Friday this week, but only by patient waiting!! Be sure to click on the link below to read the rest of the stories or feel free to join by submitting your unique piece of Friday Fiction.
Survival
Dark, lowering clouds glowered overhead as he attempted the trip home, stealing furtively from cover to cover. Once, something clutched his sleeve. He yanked free, running without looking, his pounding heart drowning out other sounds, as if not seeing what it was would save him. Occasionally he paused, waiting motionless for silent, dark figures to move on. He couldn’t afford to be seen.
A sharp crack.
He stifled his indrawn breath. Noise might alert someone. Home was just ahead but there was a figure… in his doorway!!
“Alex. How was school?”
He grinned. Game over.
“Great, Mom. Got any cookies?”
This, that and the other thing 
I love that release at the end, and it’s just right for the time of year! Fun.
LOL, into the mind of a child, a nice place to visit. Well done.
Thanks. I thought the prompt was likely to bring out lots of sober a/o depressing stories, so I tried to see what upbeat story would come to mind.
Sounds like a child with a vivid imagination. You roped me in and then made me feel really good about it.
Thanks, Rochelle. I appreciate the feedback and I’m happy you liked it.
LOL, love the ending. You definitely had me thinking it was something else 🙂
Great story! Loved the suspense, loved the surprise ending!
That was clever. There great suspense in the first part – you really had me convinced, and worried for him. And then the release at the end was delightful.
A story of two halves; nicely done.
You capture a child’s imagination so well!
Calvin and Hobbes. Well done.
Thanks. 🙂
Very clever! My heart was pounding along with him. A nice exposition of the fantasy life of children.
Here’s mine: http://unexpectedpaths.com/friday-fictioneers/for-the-world-is-hollow/
Glad you enjoyed it. I’m working my way gradually through the ever-growing list. Trying to get ready to move (after moving a daughter to college) is keeping me busy, so reading, commenting and replying are enjoyable things to ration through the day (or several days.) 🙂 See you soon.
Great take on the prompt. Nicely written. Mine is here: http://readinpleasure.wordpress.com/2012/08/31/friday-fictioneers-harmattan-rain/
Thanks. I look forward to reading yours soon.
Heehee, a few people have gone for schoolboy fantasies this week – I liked this one especially. Personally I’m not a fan of too much assonance – so lowering and glowering was a bit much for me – but that’s a personal thing.
I’m over here – http://elmowrites.wordpress.com/2012/08/31/friday-fiction-white-pegasi/
I debated about those two words, but I liked them both so much that I decided to leave them. Thanks for reading and commenting. You’re in my next row of stories so I’ll see you later in the day. Clutter calls and I must answer!
I admit it. I fell for it. You had me on the edge of my chair in suspense then reeled me in like a fish on a hook. Outstanding job. My hat’s off to you.
http://russellgayer.wordpress.com/
Russell, thanks so much! That means it worked. I appreciate you letting me know.
You had me, hook, line and sinker!
To a little boy, there’s nothing more serious than a game. Great insight.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Rachel. glad you enjoyed his game.
Oh I love this, takes me back to the days of raising my sons. Well done!
Kids have wonderful imaginations, don’t they? So pleased you enjoyed the story!
You had me there for a moment…i like it very much
What fun! Such an unexpected unexpected ending.
Thanks taking the time to come by, read, and comment. Glad you enjoyed it!
Brilliant. I remember playing games like this as a kid. The nice kind of scary and you really did capture it.
Thanks!! Appreciate your time to both read and comment.
Ahhh kids, I love their imaginations! Good take!
Glad you liked it. Thanks for reading, “liking” and commenting. Always appreciated.