Flash Fiction Friday (54)

Dottie over at Tink's Place have come up with the idea for a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate you post your story on Friday - 350 words, give or take.

I have to thank Blodeuedd at Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell for introducing me to this fun meme. I don't know if I'll be able to keep up with every week, but I'll give it a try from time to time.

The Image This Week:

(Image was found by Dottie on Facebook, artist unknown)

Story by:  Melissa

Josephine slammed the door shut behind Kalid's crawling limp and stormed to her balcony for fresh air well needed to call her.

She stood on her limestone balcony, hands resting on the wide stone railing, taking deep cleansing breaths of the salty sea air.  She opened her eyes, looking down at the dark evening gown she wore.  Shacking her head she should have known right then and there when he insisted on buying it for her, clothing not her, he was planning.  She never wore gowns, let alone dresses or skirts.  She should have never given in.

Josephine turned her face to the moon peaking out from behind her home planet.  The moon illuminated her homes outlines of land and water along with the swirling atmosphere.  To see such details, it was so close, yet so far away.  It's torture to look upon it without being able to return.  Josephine took another long deep breath of fresh air as she wishes she could return, some day.  The melancholy hit her, she was free there and she abused it.  The ways of this world are backwards compared to the freedom of her memories there.  These men find it a game, hunting, to find a challenging wild woman and tame her to his ways.  Instead of a ring on their partners' hand, they use collars.  Collars!  Josephine shivered at the thought as anger started to bloom again.

Movement on the ground to her left caused Josephine to turn her attention from the planet and moon toward the parking area.  She felt a ping of guilt for the action she took, harsh but to the point.  The man took long enough to emerge from the apartment complex.  He must have paused a few times along the way to collect himself.  He was limping, but standing straighter now.

Josephine turned her eyes back to the rolling ocean crashing on the rocks, letting the sound calm her sparked anger then guilt.  She then chuckled at the thought that crept into her mind.  Hell, I may have just made myself more desirable in this world's manly mind, a prey worth dominating.  Oh, more troubles to come from the opposite sex...but have to make due and have fun while here.