Flash Fiction No. 1
Flash Fiction Prompt: Use the same opening line and see how different your stories are thematically. (Max 500 words)
“Father’s fury was a storm I withstood, time and time again.”
• HOMECOMING •
Father’s fury was a storm I withstood, time and time again.
The son of a god should hold no fear in their heart. Those were the words passed down to me when I was younger.
My father knew only anger and righteousness, masquerading as tough love.
My mother, on the other hand, had more strength within her than all of the gods combined.
A mortal woman to have weathered my father’s storm as long as she had—before the depths of the underworld took her—was a feat of god-like strength in and of itself. After she was gone, though, nothing held back father’s hurricane of hatred.
Unfortunately, I always seemed to be caught right in its path. Or maybe, I’d always been there. Born into the eye of his storm, drowning in the swells right from the start. What were the sins of my father’s past? What pain had shaped him to be the monster he’d become?
He’s always been a monster, I thought, staring out at the ashen sea. Just as you’ll become one day as well.
The fury inside me writhed just as much as the ocean in front of me did. Tempestuous waves clawing at each other, rage burning my chest, yearning for release.
I told myself I’d never become the kind of god he was. Never harbor such vile and intense hatred for a person, the way my father did for me.
But as I dug my hands into the white sands of the shore, I realized that fate had other plans.
You must be wondering where I am by now, I thought, my fingers dragging across the deep scars that marred my chest. Even after a thousand years, the memory of the thunderous temper and the crackling of power as it pierced through my flesh never left my memory.
I only hoped that my mother might forgive me for what I was going to do. That she would know I had no other choice. Know that all of this was of his own doing.
His fault.
His fault.
His fault.
All of this pain and torment brought upon our family was because of him.
My mother deserved better.
I deserved better.
Tonight, I would show my father that he was not immune to the storms of his own making.
Tonight, I’d show the entire realm that the gods were not immune to justice.
Tonight.
Tonight.
Tonight—I would kill a god.
Thanks for reading this week’s flash fiction! If you’re interested in participating, feel free to comment yours below! I might even share out some of them on socials + newsletter every month!
Go check out how Kiara Rose did her version! ❤️
Best,
Matteo Franco
