Samantha was a contradiction.
With her partially untucked shirts and mismatched socks.
Her midnight-blue hair combed in glossy strokes.

She’d walk antisocially to her cubicle. They also happily ignored her. Except for Jim, he monitored her sales. She must’ve been a satisfactory employee because she continued to pass my reception desk daily…

Sometime later, I no longer noticed her cheap fragrance. I no longer saw her forlorn face staring at the checkered floor as she entered.

The news referred to her as a “person of interest.” Missing… Her apartment emptied.

Suddenly, everyone at the office became interested in Samantha.

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Voice-Team
Voice-Team(@voice-team)
Admin
8 months ago

Very original and descriptive. The main character evokes many emotions in the reader – disgust, sympathy, fear, compassion, but most of all, mystery. Who is this person? Where is she now? What happened to her? A lovely story, which leaves us with a myriad of eager questions – always the mark of a great flash fiction story.

Preston Randall
Preston Randall(@preston-randall)
9 months ago

I just have to say this may be my new favourite. We immediately sympathize with this character but the phrase “person of interest” puts everything in doubt. The ending is perfect.

Linda Rock
Linda Rock(@linda-rock)
9 months ago

How quickly we change our opinion of someone just by reading the words ‘a person of interest’. Up until then I felt for Samantha. That last line is inspired, Melissa! Perpetrator or victim? Samantha’s story is one that certainly leaves us guessing! Brilliant!

Margarida Brei
Margarida Brei(@margarida-brei)
9 months ago

Samantha makes a wide jump from slovenly antisocial to “person of interest.” The mind boggles over the ideas that she could be a victim or criminal. You leave the reader precariously wondering. Good job, Melissa.

Allan Neil
Allan Neil(@allan-neil)
9 months ago

Samantha – the girl who never was, who left no space. We all know them, until…’person of interest’. You’ve left us on the edge of a cliff, Melissa. We’ll always wonder, as will the narrator of this tale. Good one!

Thompson Emate
Thompson Emate(@thompson-emate)
9 months ago

Wow! An interesting story. The tables have eventually turned around. Where did she go? She must have had some budding plans in her mind.

Lotchie Carmelo
Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
9 months ago

Wow! You keep us all wondering here, Melissa. Perfect ending. And I would say that I am eager to read the part 2, Melissa. 

Lotchie Carmelo
Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
Reply to  Melissa Taggart
9 months ago

You are always welcome, Melissa.

Emily O'Leary
Emily O'Leary(@emily-oleary)
9 months ago

It’s fascinating how quickly our perceptions can change, and how quickly people will jump on the bandwagon when something unfortunate happens to someone they barely had time for before! I like to think she’s in hiding for her own safety for some reason — though I can imagine a lot of her fellow employees will be giving it the “really odd one, that Samantha, never a nice word to say to anyone.”… Read more »

Marianna Pieterse
Marianna Pieterse(@marianna-pieterse)
9 months ago

At first, I felt sorry for Samantha, but by the end, I was convinced that she had been kidnapped and set up to look guilty. Another thing that came to mind was how quickly a person forms an opinion or accepts someone’s guilt based solely on rumors. Great story!

Marianna Pieterse
Marianna Pieterse(@marianna-pieterse)
Reply to  Melissa Taggart
9 months ago

Agreed, that crossed my mind too. I agree with Lotchie, I would also want to read more!

Lotchie Carmelo
Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
8 months ago

Congratulations, Melissa.

Lotchie Carmelo
Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
Reply to  Melissa Taggart
8 months ago

You’re welcome.

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