Ficlets

Something Like That

Streetlights cut cones of light into the morning fog along State Route 73. Feeling foggy herself, Geri guided her Volvo, old reliable, along the winding road. At a bend, she spotted him, a gangly teenager in a baggy fatigue jacket holding his thumb out.
As a policy, she didn’t pick up hitchhikers, but he looked so forelorn, so helpless, so harmless. Besides, she was still wearing her shoulder holster under her navy blazer.
So she stopped, waited while the boy climbed in, and listened to a mumbled ‘thank you’ from behind shaggy brown hair that hung over his eyes.
“Headed home or running away?” she asked as nicely as she could.
“Yeah, something like that.” The boy had shuddered at her question.
“Come on, kid, where do you live? I’ll take you home, okay.”
His body locked, and his eyes went wide, “No. no. no.” He was whimpering, pressing his body against the door.
“Hmm,” Geri said thoughtfully, “Nostophobia.”
The boy relaxed a bit, curious, “What?”
“Fear of going home.”
“Yeah, something like that.”

Comments

Average Reader Rating:

Something Like That
A Clockwork Apple
Posted 9 months ago

I really like the imagery.
Something Like That
Alexa ♥
Posted 9 months ago

I like the sense of impending doom. What? Oh, that’s just me. Oops.
Something Like That
YodaOnCrack
Posted 9 months ago

Some really good descriptions here…
Something Like That
artistsrunwild
Posted 9 months ago

I like this….the build up is really nice and not too over dramatised…i like it how she is nice and understanding to him and it seems believable
Something Like That
SKermitgorf
Posted 9 months ago

Really good. you captured the teenage guy look perfectly. I chose as one fear- fear of leaving home.
Something Like That
Stovohobo
Posted 9 months ago

You being a psychologist, I figured that you would pretty much rule this contest. I do like the story, and no, I haven’t heard of that phobia, contrary to some others. Very nice emotions and descriptions.
Something Like That
Laine P. Grey
Posted 9 months ago

Nice descriptions. So vivid that I could see everything taking place.
Something Like That
THX 0477
Posted 9 months ago

Sadly, and despite all my training as a psychiatrist I think I’m still getting rocked on this challenge by several other applicants. Always appreciate the positive comments all the same.
Something Like That
Yeah Write!
Posted 9 months ago
on the contrary, thx, as i have said before, (namely in the ficlet devoted to your greatness “All Hail THX 0477 ”) you rock! haha!
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this is not the comment i had planned on writing but obviously it IS a real phobia! ("doofus! moron! foolish nonpsychiatrist earth child!" that's atleast what the voices tell me)
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