Samantha
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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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleVery 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.
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.
Thanks so much for your comment, Preston. We do sympathize with Samantha! I’d like to think that this is some sort of misunderstanding–perhaps she was a victim instead. ‘Like to think’ and ‘victim’… this shouldn’t be mentioned in the same breath now that I think about it ?
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleHow 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!
Thank you, Linda! I was really interested in seeing what the reader’s thoughts were when it came to Samantha. I wrote it with three possible outcomes in mind. This was a lot of fun to put together!
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.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThanks, Margarida. Somewhat open-ended, my hopes were that the reader would form their own opinions on Samantha. I like that you said ‘precariously wondering’. I think that’s a good way to describe what I was attempting to achieve!
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!
You are right, we all know them… People exit our lives often and we don’t question it. Unfortunately, most of us tend to be ignored until we are deemed interesting! Thank you so much for your comment, Allan. I appreciate it!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleWow! An interesting story. The tables have eventually turned around. Where did she go? She must have had some budding plans in her mind.
Thank you, Thompson. i got everyone thinking here… I have been putting a lot of thought into Samantha as of late–this may call for a part two at some point.
Wow! You keep us all wondering here, Melissa. Perfect ending. And I would say that I am eager to read the part 2, Melissa.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThanks, Lotchie! I’m glad you enjoyed the story. I appreciate your kind words once again.
You are always welcome, Melissa.
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 »
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThanks for the comment! I am leaning more towards your thoughts. I hope she is doing it for her safety– possibly even for her mental health!
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!
I thought the same thing, Marianna. Opinions are based too often solely on a person’s looks and behaviour. I can’t help but to think– if they had just taken the time to get to know her… this probably wouldn’t have happened.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleAgreed, that crossed my mind too. I agree with Lotchie, I would also want to read more!
Congratulations, Melissa.
Thank you, Lotchie!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleYou’re welcome.