My Heart Had Stopped
A short piece of flash fiction from Sarah Elliott ponders the happiest memories.
She could only experience the exhilarating fullness of perfect joy. Nothing more, nothing less. The happiness and warmth of her friends and family poured out towards her. This was them at their very best, physically and soulfully. Men had swapped their sportswear for standardised suits and ties, and women had booked out spas and salons to imitate red-carpet celebs.
The day had run perfectly to time as though her military father had planned it from beyond. A symphony of sighs, discreet sniffs and muffled sobs filled her ears as she had floated down the aisle. There was no recollection of actually walking, making that final journey towards the one face she yearned for.
Petals and rice rained down whilst camera flashes blurred her eyes and her memory. Sweet tinkling of silver meeting glass heralded in long practised speeches. Effulgent in emotion and beauty she sat, regarding the whole room taking it all in.
Regarding the whole room taking it all in, she wanted this blissful bubble to play on repeat lasting forever. She would have an eternity as long as she kept her back turned away from the light, ignoring the gentle whispers of her father.
“It’s time to come with me now.”
Sarah Elliott is a writer, poet and self-published author (Warrior Wisdom Sun 2022, United Under One Sun 2023). Her articles and author interviews can be found on The Horror Tree website and her work has been published in Red Rose Thorns magazine, Writing in Community anthology and Hope is a Group Project. Sarah is busy writing a Tarot-inspired collection of flash fiction, short prose and poetry. The Substack newsletter titled A Writer’s Life chronicles her writing journey. Sarah is the interview coordinator for the Horror Tree website and an editor for Trembling With Fear (Horror Tree magazine).
Intriguing, Sarah.
Great stuff Sarah!