A contented sigh escaped her on seeing the husband appeasing their daughter.
How adorable they look, with him doing monkey tricks and she sitting stoically, she mused.
The doorbell broke her reverie.
She dashed out with a kiss in their direction, oblivious to the panic-stricken child.
“Come to daddy!” he smiled as the door closed.
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95 Responses
How terrifying! How wily of the dad, that even the mom cannot sense this child’s fear. Well done, Shilpa!
True and how devastating it could be for the child to know that her mom is not able to understand her pain and fear!
Thanks Vidya!
Oh that’s heartbreaking …so many real life stories go this way too 🙁
Sadly, yes!
Chilling
🙁
Appalling.
Totally!
Oh No!!! Poor kid 🙁
🙁
Chilling. And the Mom unaware and clueless about the “stoic child”.
How sad is that! 🙁
How terrifying!! And how oblivious the mother, unable to see the child’s terror. Heart-wrenching.
Sadlu this happens with so many kids! 🙁
Gosh! That Sent chills down my spine….there are so many children in real caught in such monstrous situations….sad!
Sad indeed!
Holy shit! That was chilling, Shilpa.
Thanks Sreesha!
What ease you have used to trick the malice into this story, which seems benign on the surface but has such a sinister undertone.
Shilpa I am quite loving your fiction tales – you are truly a mistress of this genre!!!
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Thank you for your kind words, Shalini!
Thats terrible.. The home.. is supposed to be the safest place.. BUt for many kids it isnt actually so!
Sadly a home is far from safe for some kids!
It is so difficult to creatively express something so traumatic and sensitive. well done.
Thanks Pooja!
Child abuse and neglect cases are growing in number due to the changed lifestyle of today.
I had goosebumps while going through the post and even after that.
Heart-wrenching !
Well said. It is something that is growing at an alarming rate. Thanks Sheela.
Very disturbing…..
It is, sadly!
Sadly, it’s true with so many girls!! And you’ve put it just perfect!
Cheers
Yes it a grim reality of our times. Thanks Geetika!
The thought of it makes my skin crawl! Some ugly realities of life these are. I really wish the mother was more vigilant.
I really wish that too and wish that no child ever goes through this abuse and trauma!
How can a father do that to his own blood? Something I can never digest.
Sick and mentally deranged people do that!
The saddest part is that this is such a reality in today’s world! At times I think that how can moms be so oblivious to this. Honestly, I don’t know whom to blame at times. 🙁
I know, how can the mothers not know. They are to be blamed too!
It took me a moment or 3 to realise the reality … I had to re-read and be afraid again …
It is a terrible and sad reality! 🙁
Thanks for reading, Susan!
Oh that is so sinister. Well written Shilpa
Thank you Suzy!
That seems so normal… Until you add in the ‘child abuse’ factor. And sadly, isn’t that exactly how it is in real life?
Yeah, the criminal minded are so good at creating facade and appearances!
Nooooooo!
Sad…but it happens more than people realize.
Great flash fiction!
Yes, you are absolutely right. Most of the times, such crimes stay undetected and continue to happen for years altogether!
Thanks Michelle!
Oh dear! That sent a chill down my spine. How terrifying for the child to be with a father like that and what a pity that the mother hasn’t been able to see it yet.
In all it is a pathetic situation for a child. And how devastating and scarring that is!
Such a sad story and unfortunately, all too real
Debbie
Yes, it a sad and grim reality. Thanks Debbie.
So distributing, yet it presents a reality that we cannot shy away with! Gave me the chills, Shilps!
Thanks Aditi.
🙁
🙁
home is the most secured placed for kids, how fearful is that
Beautifully penned
Thanks for sharing
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Yeah, imagine your own home is not safe for you. Thanks Bushra!
Sad that even the mother cannot see this! 🙁
Truly tragic and sad for the child.
Oh, Shilpa! That was SO well done! Gave me a chill. The poor little girl. I felt so much for her. I’m sure this kind of thing happens more than we want to even think about.
Yeah, CSA is more hidden than known.
Thanks Cathy.
This sent a chill down my spine! A sad truth, well written.
Mayuri
Thank you Mayuri.
Chilling. Hope no child has to suffer, Shilpa.
Amen to that!
I remember reading this book by Jodi Picoult titled Change of Heart. In the end, it is shown that the convicted criminal was trying to save the victim from her father, and not abusing her himself! It was such a stunning book! Do read it, (even though I have spoiled the surprise for you )
10/10 for the subtle way in which you described the situation, and for the effective use of the title.
I will check that out. Thanks for the recommendation.
Glad you liked this attempt, Mithila.
Bleh. That tale gives me the shudders!
~Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, Indie Author
It is shocking and a sad reality 🙁
Chilling! And that’s how it happens.
Yes, sadly!
And that’s how it happens! Chilling indeed.
True that!! 🙁
That’s such a scary thing that the Mum isn’t able to see what’s going on. Well done, Shilpa.
That’s truly scary indeed. And how sad it is for the child that she is not able to confide in her mother. Thanks Parul.
Very sad and disturbing. This is a reality for many and its just horrifying.
Agree completely!
Heartbreaking story told in so few words! Some children have such terrible secrets and the other parent is oblivious. Good one, Shilpa.
Yes, it happens with so many children. The poor kids have to bear all the pain and trauma all by themselves, sometimes for years!! Thanks Debbie.
Oh I wish the mum had noticed the daughter’s stoic face. This is chillingly heartbreaking.
Wish she had! 🙁
This one gave me the chills, Shilpa. Child abuse is one thing that always terrifies me too much. The world is getting darker.
Oh, it is truly terrifying. Imagine your protectors becoming your predators!
Oh my god, I can;t even think the trauma on the child. People like that should rot in hell.
You bet!
Oh God!A horrible nightmare.Please God keep all children safe.Very accurately potrayed in such few words.
Amen to that.
Thanks Amrita!
Gosh! That was scary! Terrifying! Heartbreaking. Child abuse is one thing that scares me the most.
It is indeed a scary and terrible thing to happen to any child.
something unbearable shilpa….. brought to my mind a case wherein the father abused his daughter, and the girl ran away from home to be rescued by an NGO which I was part of … very pathetic and traumatic for the child… not easy to deal with too… very relevant post shilpa.
Oh that’s so sad. I wonder if the scars of pain and trauma ever heal for such kids!
That’s so sad when the very people who are meant to protect change sides and become the ones to harm the child.
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