“Candyfloss for a sweet smile”
Elena cherished pink sweetness and returned a dimple-smile for yet another clown.
It was fair, and she was its princess, her mother told her so. Before she left.
“Wait here”, mother said, but glitz and merry-go-rounds pulled like magic. Elena strayed.
The clown took her small hand in his:
“What’s your name, sweet girl?”
“Elena, and I’m not allowed to talk to strangers.”
The clown laughed,
“But I’m no stranger?”
+++
Returning Sandra found her daughter talking to Mike. Despite his clown costume she would never forget the fists of Elena’s father.
“We’re leaving”, she shouted.
—
The Carousel took me to the fair-ground filled with clowns and candy-floss, and here I wanted to betray you a little from my usual darkness to maybe another one… hope I succeeded, this one was hard to fit in 100 words.
Friday Fictioneers is a great prompt returning weekly on Wednesdays, led by Rochelle who just celebrate her retirement. Visit her site for more info or click on the frog below for more stories.
I can also take the possibility to announce a little bit on a book-project that is getting close to conclusion. Fifteen short stories set in one building in Stockholm written by me and 14 other authors. We hope that the release party can be held in Stockholm, November 7.
Björn Rudbergs writings 
Oh. The chills as a mom.
Well written.
Sometimes a father is a family’s worst enemy.
And my spine tingles with the thought of it.
How sad. Congrats on the book!
janet
Sad indeed.. I look forward holding the book in my hands.
Wow…chilling story! I was so worried for Elena!
Maybe it’s Elena’s mother you should be worried for .
oh my…there is more to this story…well done! 🙂
I’m glad Elena’s mother arrived in time (I’m thinking a possible kidnapping) and that she’s seemingly gotten away from Father’s evil fists. Congrats on the book, Bjorn. Very exciting.
Or Mike was just waiting for the Mother to get back..
Bjorn, you know I am a big fan of your writing, and I thought this was great, up to the break.
I think it could have finished there, very effectively, so I assume you were making a point with your postscript.
I wanted to trick you into believing the abducting.. but maybe it was a tough twist to manage..
Could Elena’s mom be on the run from her former partner? I always love twists to a story.
On the run, or just divorced.. clearly Elena is not too used to her father.
Yeah, thought as much. Great write up! 🙂
I thought she had been abducted and was glad to find out that she had not. Even if it was her violent father, her mother pulled her away. I’m happy you added the second part.
Ah.. it’s not too easy to get this together, I’m glad it worked for you.
Keyhole Stories, I am intrigued. Your story had a less sinister ending than I suspected. I’m glad it was an ex and not an ax murderer.
You had me going for a second there. I am glad it did not turn out so bad for the child, I am not sure how her mother will get by though. Also, congrats on the book and good luck!
I loved that it took me one way, and then shot me back another 🙂
Now I see a bloody clown. This is all the more disturbing since I don’t like clowns much. Great take. Congrats on your book, Bjorn!!
a happy ending of sort but it must still be traumatic for the kind.
Congrats on the book.
I thought you will end the story with the child going with the clown. Thank god, the mother found her.
Sounds like an interesting book. Glad Mom came back in the story before it was too late.
Congratulations on the book. And an unusual story, the ending surprised.
Clowns are creepy!
Good piece.
I think you did quiet well in 100 words. A sweet moment between mother and daughter, the innocent wandering of a child, the fear of every parent, the relief and terror of who she went with… Excellent.
P.S. I do think the comma after Elena in the second sentence shouldn’t be there.
Quite right, the comma is now removed,
It turned dark, but not exactly in the way I was expecting. Good story!
The mask of the clown. Always a bit scary. Well told.
I felt uneasy while i read, from the beginning to the end. Well done and congratulations on the book!
“The fists of her father” is a killer line. Excellent, spine-chilling story. And congrats on the book!
Thanks for the twist. I hate to think of what would have happened otherwise. When will men stop hurting their families?
Good story with a great twist at the end, Bjorn. All the best for the coming book. 🙂 — Suzanne
Dear Björn,
Congratulations on the book. May you sell hundreds! Good story, rather sad ending.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Knowing the “fists” too well …sounds like Elena’s mom is running away from an abusive person. Well crafted story.
Congratulations on the book – an intriguing idea!
Can taste the bitterness below the pink sweetness of your story.
Congratulations on your book! And your story was darkness layered on pink candy-floss– quite scary. Glad the mother found her before the horrible father did any more harm.
Big Congratulations on the book … hope it’s triumphant !!!
I’m sensing a terror in this mothers voice. She seems fearful of Elenea’s father. Divorce or estrangement can be a horror when the couple has extreme issues. I’m glad it was the father and not a stranger. Too many of those around lately; although, he could be just as dangerous.
Great story, Bjorn. I enjoyed it very much. It’s thought provoking.
Isadora 😎
Horris little story skilfully told. I hate clowns anyway.
I can taste the candy floss, the fair and the darkness – a bitter sweetness.
Good luck with the book launch.
Lily
Yep, you definitely had be thinking one darkness, then traded it out for another at the end. Well done.
Such a chilling story, Björn, and so glad it ended better than it might have. Clowns… chills.
Mazel tov on the book; this is wonderful news for you!! So happy!
Great news on the book 🙂
And I’m never letting my kids out of the house. This week’s stories are bad-news for a nervous parent!
Well done… I agree with C.E… you could have left us hanging! But loved it with the extra!
Congratulations on the book! Scary story as I am not sure the father is such a nice person.
All this picking on clowns is starting to give me a complex. Generally, I just get picked on by middle-aged women and grandmas. They like to poke my nose or “squeeze my honker,” if you know what I mean. They use me like a toy. I feel so abused.
Ah.. yes I think this clown was a fake one though… but I think clownophobia is a growing problem…
Behind the mask is always a different face. Nicely done.
Little Elena is so vulnerable and trusting – ‘the princess of the fair’. Then it all comes crashing down – nice twist. I’m glad Mother came back to save the day. Congratulations on your book. It sounds like a wonderful idea.
Oh geez, this made me cringe!
Congrats on the book..so exciting!
Enjoyed greatly! It is awful on kids to be torn! Well done.