Promise- FWG- FB 300-word flash fiction based on the picture below. No triggers. For my sister 🫶🏼

It was clear to those who lived in the underworld what it meant when the white dove appeared. It was all they spoke about. The dove answered dreams.

She fell victim to a mysterious illness, paralyzing her as a teen. Undiagnosed, she was tossed into the sea with the others who baffled doctors in every field.

Her legs were replaced with a magnificent gold and emerald fish tail. She swam through the ocean, experiencing its beauty. Good days followed bad ones; she believed her years with a troubled heart would lead to a life of happiness.

Her hair blew in the squalls carrying the bird to her side. The sky darkened, waves crashed, the sea creatures retreated to their hidden habitats. The dove’s coo soothed her worry, unsure, though she wanted to receive her promise, a gratifying love from a husband and a child. A family is what all below dreamt of.

And…. so it was written in the stars.

The dove hovered over the beautiful woman, opening its wings, gently placing its feathers over her eyes, tickling her nose.

She fell fast asleep.

“Momma!” Awakened by a smaller version of herself. “Can I put eyeshadow on you?” The child asked. A man appeared in the doorway, walked over and kissed the woman on the forehead. He took the child’s hand.

“Let your mother sleep. You can play later.” He whispered, leaving the room.

     In the corner sat a wheelchair. 

She lifted the covers to again see her legs, wondering if she’d been asleep during this journey. Suddenly the dove reappeared with a gold band in its beak, sliding it on her finger, she understood the promise was fulfilled.

The wheelchair was hers as was the family.

Her life, meant to live. It wasn’t just a fish tale.