FWG – Flash Fiction 300 words – Time Past

Every year just as Fall began to show its colors, Kenny Trummel would appear at the station, ask to see me and then insist I take him on the same ride we have taken for the past few years.

He was nine years old when his Mom and Sister went missing down by the old mining site. He lost everything that day. He had no Father to speak of.

The once gravel road showed little signs of travel and was now blocked off to the public after many discourteous videos began to surface on the internet, placed there by self-proclaimed Ghost Hunters and thrill-seeking teenagers. This town didn’t need that type of publicity.

We pulled into the drive and Kenny stopped me from continuing on. “Sherriff Ford, park here. We don’t want to stir up the leaves that have fallen just in case there’s any clues to Momma and Gi-Gi’s where-a-bouts.” Gi-Gi was short for Giselle, she was five when they disappeared.

As time went on the land became more and more lively as if beauty itself kissed each and every acre. We got out and combed through the area and just like the years past, our efforts were in vain.

When we reached the end of the road, Kenny fell to his knees and began to pray, I joined him on the ground though it took me longer to get down there; my knees were failing me.

The sun was bright, nearly blinding but I could still see the Fawn and Doe approach Kenny and stand over him with familiarity. He gazed up at them and then whispered the words “I love you.”

Just like the years before, that was our cue to exit.

“What if a time comes that you no longer see the deer?” I asked, once we were both settled back in the cruiser – Concerned for this poor boy’s heart. “That would mean I am no longer looking, Sherriff. Seek, and ye shall find.” He replied.

I believe Kenny knew I was here more than I let on – I would never stop looking for them. But, what Kenny didn’t know is that Giselle was my daughter.