From song to story: A flash fiction event.

not long ago I was feeling like a joiner, so I took part in a an end of month event in a writer's group I follow on Facebook. The premise was simple, A 500 word flash story inspired by one of your favourite songs. It was not the easiest thing to put together.Both the length and interpretation of a song I have listened to a million times making it much more arduous then I imagined when I first sat down to "knock it over" in 30 mins!  I was quiet happy with the results however so I thought I would share my first piece of flash fiction with you all. Feel free to leave your own in the comments!

Where the Wild Roses Grow, (Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, feat Kylie Minogue)

“Don't blink, don't blink!” This is the mantra going through my head, if I blink they will know I'm not dead. I am not sure why but I really don't want these men in blue uniforms to know I am alive. They look at me with pity, their eyes are so sad, but I can't trust them I can't trust anyone. I don't remember how I ended floating face up in the river, why I came down to the river at all. What I do know is my head hurts and I'm cold, the kind of cold that creeps all the way down to your bones, I don't feel like I will ever be warm again.

Finally, they start to move away, one lingers at the water's edge. He is familiar but I can not place him. I feel like I know him, but from where? He crouches and tilts his head studying me.

“Don't blink, don't blink, don't move!” I really don't want this man near me, I don't want him to know I am still alive. He looks over his shoulder then turns back and smiles at me.

“Oh God, he knows I'm not dead!”

Even through my fear, this man is beautiful, as he reaches to touch me I will myself to stay still, I long to feel his skin against mine, but I really don't want him to touch me. He runs his fingers down my cheek, he is so warm and I fight the urge to shiver in delight.

“My sweet Rose.” His voice is intoxicating, I would follow this man anywhere, he terrifies me, but still I would follow him if he asked. My name is not Rose however, he has me confused with someone else. He leans forward and takes something from my mouth, a rose I didn't even know was there. He holds it to his nose and inhales deeply looking into my eyes with such intensity I am sure he can see through to my very soul.

He is staring at me.

“Don't blink, don't blink, don't let him know.” Just when I am sure I can not keep my eyes open any longer there is a noise behind him. He jumps up and quickly stuffs the rose down his shirt, he blows me a kiss.

“Now you know where the wild roses grow!” He turns and walks away as my soul screams.

“Blink...blink...blink now Elisa!” But I can't blink, I can't move, I can't tell him I am not his rose. It all comes crashing back to me, the beautiful new policeman that came to the diner, if only I hadn't been the one to pour his coffee, if only I hadn't smiled.

If only I had known where the wild roses grow!