Have you seen this woman?
I’ve done it. I think I’ve remembered everything. I hope so – travelling with a baby’s tricky.
I pace the departure lounge. Yes, I feel guilty. I want to apologise as I try to quieten her. They’re all hoping they’re not sitting near us. I sense them whispering, but I try to ignore it.
Five minutes before boarding I see them arrive. There’s still time. The terminal’s crowded – they can’t see me.
I sit behind a large pillar, cover her face, pray that she’ll stop crying.
If they make it in here with that photo they’re showing around, I’m done for.
*****
This is for Friday Fictioneers, once again. Thanks to Rochelle for hosting and for this week’s photo. Click here to read all the other 100 word stories.
Onto the page 
Hard flying with small children. I can’t sympathise with both sides… Great capture of a real situation.
Was the baby kidnapped? The photo part confused me a little.
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It’s hard enough at any time, but doubly so for this woman, given that she’s trying not to draw attention to herself and the baby. Thanks, Tannille.
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Oops can lol. One word changes the entire sentence meaning.
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🙃
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Great drama, Margaret. Being trapped at a gate with people searching for you is the worst form of being trapped
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Thanks, Neil. Glad the drama came through.
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Good story. I know she’s wrong, but I hope she makes it.
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I think I do too, but I’m not quite sure what she’s done, so I’m a little undecided about where my sympathies lie. Glad you liked the story.
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Sounds like a longer story is brewing.
I say go for it. ;0)
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My guess is that she’s fleeing an abusive relationship and now he’s brought his “extended family” along to track her down. Nice one!
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That could be it. In that case, I hope she makes it onto the plane. Thanks, Ali.
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That’s an excellent tale, with loads of backstory. Even better, the twist changes our perception of the backstory as well as the story itself. Nice work!
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Oh that’s so good. So much of this had to be left out to make the word limit that I wasn’t sure it would work. Many thanks, Penny.
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At first, I saw nothing but another crying child in another airport terminal, then it took an unexpected turn. Kidnapping or escaping?
My FriFic tale!
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That’s the result I was hoping for, so I’m very happy. Was she kidnapping or escaping? I had one of those in mind when I wrote, but I think I’ll leave it open – much more interesting for me that way, to see what readers think.
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A good story well written, Margaret. If it’s a kidnapping, I hope she gets caught. If not, I hope she makes it. Chances are, they’ll check everyone if it’s serious. —- Suzanne
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Thank you, Suzanne. I’m hoping the same as you.
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i don’t think she could get away easily with a baby in tow. amidst the crowd, she stands out like a sore thumb.
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You’re right. She just needs to get onto the plane before the ones looking for her spot her. She might just make it then.
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So close to her escape, and a baby drawing attention to them – I don’t fancy her chances and nowhere to run too. Great tension.
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There’s only minutes between success or disaster for her. She might make it. Thanks Iain.
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In my mind, she’s fleeing from her abusive husband, so I’m cheering for her. An excellent ending that leaves us wondering.
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Thank you, magarisa. Ambiguous endings can be effective, or annoying. I’m very happy you thought it was ‘excellent’.
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Perhaps ambiguous endings can be effective AND annoying? 😉 You’re most welcome, Margaret.
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There’s great tension and drama here. I’m also undecided whether I want her to make it or not, depending on why she’s being wanted. But her dilemma feels so real, I can’t help but sympathize. That sentiment about people not wanting to sit close to the mother with the crying baby… I’m afraid that’s most of us. So real.
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It’s great that you’re able to empathise with her without being sure about what she’s done. That’s one of our aims, of course, to build characters readers can connect with at some level – so I’m delighted with your response, Gabriele. And yes, having once travelled with a very troubled 3 year old on a 14 hour overnight plane trip, I know all about how it impacts on everybody.
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A lot happening here. I I could have sympathy for her, but I need to know more. Now!
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Hmm. She’s a woman in a desperate situation, but whether it’s of her own making or not – I could tell, but I think I’ll leave it up to you. 🙄 Thanks, Patrick.
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Sounds like a scene out of a dystopian future. The tension is off the charts!
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Thats great. It could be from such a setting – I’m a big fan of futuristic fiction. But I must confess it wasn’t in my mind with this story. Thanks, Jade.
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🙂 You are welcome.
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This makes me think of all those cases where children are left with one parent in another country… those cases are just growing I think
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So true. Children are often low on the parents’ list of priorities. Thanks for commenting, Bjorn.
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Well-captured.
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Thank you.
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You are lifting someone else baby! That is cruel. May be you leave the baby on a seat and disappear. Let police find the baby and hand her over to her mother. She must be disconsolate.
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Are you sure that’s what she’s doing? You may be right. I hope she takes your advice.
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What is she doing? Why is she afraid when those people, I am guessing police, walk-in? Why is she worried that the baby is crying?
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Desperately trying to escape, this raises a lot of questions Margaret, is she fleeing from danger or kidnapping the child. If the first I hope she makes it. Nice one
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Whatever she’s done, I’ve grown quite fond of her, and I hope she makes it too. Thanks, Michael.
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Nicely done. I like the ambiguity, you don’t know if she is kidnapping the baby or fleeing a bad situation with the child,
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Thank you. Before it was edited down to 100 words, there wasn’t so much ambiguity. I’m glad it worked.
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Ooooo this started in a way that made me think one thing then turned with the photo comment. Well done !
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That’s a very good response – just what I was aiming for. Thank you, Laurie.
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