Ergo, the Ogre

Hulga Redux

Photo © Sandra Crook

It’s time for Friday Fictioneers again. Rochelle has chosen the above photo as our prompt.

Kelli lay in the crunchy grass at Harmony Park staring up at the sky. She wished there were at least clouds to look at, but the sky was clear. So, Kelli watched as the sun slowly crossed the sky.

Judging by the sun, she must have been laying there for about three hours. Not one person had passed by. Her mom said she was too young for a cell phone, so she couldn’t even call for help.

Kelli’s situation reminded her of a Flannery O’Connor story in which a man stole a girl’s prosthetic leg.

Why are people such jerks?

Ergo, the Ogre
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26 responses to “Hulga Redux”

  1. Neil MacDonald Avatar
    Neil MacDonald

    Why indeed?

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  2. Dale Avatar
    Dale

    Oh man!!! People really can be such jerks!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. The Abject Muse Avatar
      The Abject Muse

      They sure can, unfortunately. Thanks for stopping by!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Dale Avatar
        Dale

        Sadly! It was my pleasure :)

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Violet Lentz Avatar
    Violet Lentz

    I would image a kid without a cell phone very well might feel as if they had lost a leg!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. The Abject Muse Avatar
      The Abject Muse

      I would imagine so. What would they do without them?

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. CGraith Avatar
    CGraith

    I like all the hidden story in this short piece. Nicely done. And is that FlannerynO’Connor story real?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. The Abject Muse Avatar
    The Abject Muse

    Thanks so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Yes, it’s a real story by Flannery called “Good Country People.” It’s a story that will stay with you forever. :-)

    Like

    Reply
  6. James Pyles Avatar
    James Pyles

    That’s really awful.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. The Abject Muse Avatar
      The Abject Muse

      Which part? The writing, subject matter, or all of it? :-)

      Like

      Reply
      1. James Pyles Avatar
        James Pyles

        Not the writing. What happened to her.

        Liked by 1 person

  7. Alicia Jamtaas Avatar
    Alicia Jamtaas

    Great write that left me with so many questions! Why is she lying in the crunchy grass? How could anyone help her if no one passed by? Did she get sunburned? Why doesn’t Mom wonder where she’s been for three hours?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. The Abject Muse Avatar
    The Abject Muse

    Someone stole her prosthetic leg; therefore, she cannot stand up.

    That’s part of the problem, nobody saw her.

    I don’t know if she got sunburned. Good point!

    No doubt her mom is worried. I bet Kelli gets a cell phone after this. :-)

    Thanks for stopping by!

    Like

    Reply
  9. Alicia Jamtaas Avatar
    Alicia Jamtaas

    Got it! I thought the reference to the stolen prosthetic leg was just a thought going through her mind, not reality. Sorry, my bad. And there aren’t enough words allowed to let us know if she got sunburned or not. It was just a thought because I burn so easily. Thanks for your reply. And, yes, people can be horrid at times.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. The Abject Muse Avatar
      The Abject Muse

      Please don’t apologize. It’s my bad because I should have made it clearer so there would be no question or confusion. I’m glad you asked about the story otherwise I wouldn’t have known. So, thank you.

      Like

      Reply
  10. rochellewisoff Avatar
    rochellewisoff

    Dear A.M

    Who does that? Steals a girl’s prosthetic leg? Good, but infuriating story. How long before someone comes looking for her?

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. The Abject Muse Avatar
      The Abject Muse

      Her mom should be along any minute. It is infuriating, I agree.

      Thanks Rochelle, and Shalom.

      Like

      Reply
  11. theministryofshrawleywalks Avatar
    theministryofshrawleywalks

    Oh no! Poor girl, what a tragedy, but act can she do? It’s a great take, totally unexpected! Nice one

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  12. The Abject Muse Avatar
    The Abject Muse

    Thank you! So glad you enjoyed. :-)

    Like

    Reply
  13. Denarii Peters Avatar
    Denarii Peters

    I used to work for a company that made prosthetic legs. Should I ask them to raise an order for a new one?

    Like

    Reply
  14. plaridel Avatar
    plaridel

    i feel sorry for her for not being able to stand up under the situation.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  15. GHLearner Avatar
    GHLearner

    Testing because I was told comments are closed…

    Like

    Reply
    1. GHLearner Avatar
      GHLearner

      Now it seems to work. That poor child, how mean can people get indeed. What a rotten thing to do, to steal a prosthetic limb, no matter how old the wearer is.

      Like

      Reply
  16. Lisa or Li Avatar
    Lisa or Li

    Please bring her help before the sun goes down. Maybe a part 2 next week??

    Like

    Reply
  17. Laurie Bell Avatar
    Laurie Bell

    Oh nicely done. Subtle yet powerful
    Why are people such jerks?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. The Abject Muse Avatar
      The Abject Muse

      Thank you so much, Laurie!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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