In the stillness of the night, Mary trudged through the snow to where the calf Buddy lie asleep. There, she unlocked the gate and led Buddy to the barn where she’d nestle against Buddy and tell him the story her mother used to tell until she fell asleep. It was all she could do for Buddy since her father insisted Buddy should stay out in the cold to endure the snowy winter and there’s no use talking to her mother for she’d agree.
Unfortunately, her father found out. “How dare you disobey me, girl!” Her father said as he whipped his belt across Mary’s back. “I said no. No means no.”
Mary whimpered and cried. “You don’t understand, father. He’ll freeze. He’s only a babe.”
That night, as Mary nursed her wounds in the barn, her mother appeared with a backpack and a ragged coat. “I’m sending you away,” she said.
“No, mother, I’m not going anywhere.” Mary replied rebelliously.
“Seeing what he can’t do, I’m scare for you. There food and money. Now go.”
(~175 words)
I am participating in Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writer, where we write a piece between 100 and 150 words (more or less 25 words) in length inspired by the photo prompt above.
This is Another Story 
Well, he’s quite the barbarian.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s certainly a cruel man.
LikeLike
How sad! Not only does her father beat her but now her mother wants to send her away (for her own protection). Seems the mother should leave with her. Great story, Yinglan!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. I think the mother stayed so she could concoct a story and then the father wouldn’t go look for Mary. The situation might become more dangerous if the mother left as well.
LikeLike
That’s true.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some are very cruel, towards humans as well as animals.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very true. Thank you for reading.
LikeLike
Wow, the cruelty of some people, and of all people, a father towards his own daughter!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s sad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a cruel fellow. Buddy looks harmless.
LikeLiked by 1 person
An evil man, but also I think a weak mother who stays with him and sends her child away And Buddy doesn’t have much of a future ahead of him either… Well written..
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you. I agree with all of the above.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wonder if that’s the first time Mary had ever disobeyed her father, for the mother to be surprised by the beating.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t believe it was the first time she disobeyed. I believe it was the first time she got caught and her mother was surprised of his reaction to his daughter’s disobedience.
LikeLike
Sad and cruel ….
one tries to show compassion but gets beaten up… Nicely written here
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Yes it’s truly sad and cruel how something like this can happen to someone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Heartbreaking. Simply heartbreaking. Nicely written, though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, I’m majesticgoldenrose, and I am glad you used my prompt. Great post, btw! Unfortunate but you write welll!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoyed crafting a story from your picture. 🙂 Thank you for reading.
LikeLike
Wow awful guy, the girl should go . . . And take the calf too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think the girl should go too and definitely take the calf.
LikeLiked by 1 person