Flash non-fiction – Gavin Whyte

Theft (101-Word Non-fiction)

You and your dad pulled into the driveway.

“I don’t believe it,” said your dad…. continued

You had your friend over to play.

You were in your bedroom, then he vanished. You assumed, because of how he darted out, that he was going to the toilet…. cont

Bonfire night.

As was the annual tradition, you and your family were across the road, at your grandparents’ house.

Every Saturday, weather permitting, you and your family went for a walk.

You shared your birthday with your great-auntie, your grandad’s older sister.

Their mother had died before he even had the chance to get to know her, and so his sister was like a mother to him.

“That’s where she lived,” said your grandad.

You stared at the house. In the whole neighbourhood, only this one was pink.

The teacher, you forget her name, is teaching you and a couple of others about recycling.

You’re in bed, crying.
You want to cry loud enough to be heard, but you’re too old to wail.

Lying against the wall, opposite, was a three-legged dog…

Your grandma wasn’t the kind of person to want to scare you. Nor can you remember her telling you many stories.