Flash Fiction Fridays

This flash fiction piece focuses on a very traumatic even in Marc Bishop's life. It is the disappearance of his brother Michael. Marc is one of the main characters in Missing.

Michael, Where Are You?

Marc shifted on the twin bed. The springs creaked and groaned under his slight weight. He needed to go to the bathroom, but the bedroom was so dark. "Mike?" He couldn't see his brother on the twin bed not more than three feet from his own.

"Go back to sleep." His brother said, his words mumbling together. He moved and turned his back on him.

"It's dark, really dark." Marc felt tears in his eyes along with the pain in his bladder. "I gotta pee." The room's shadows reached out to him, and he felt his bladder twist. He was going to wet the sheets, if he didn't go. "Come with me."

"No, not getting out of bed." Mike yawned.

"Where's the flashlight?"

"Ugh." Mike's arm reached out from the dinosaur blanket. His hand groped the nightstand until he found the flashlight. "Here." He rolled it toward his bed.

Marc reached down and grabbed it. He flicked the golden light on, and the beam illuminated the boys' bedroom. He hopped out of the bed and waddled quickly toward the door. His bladder felt so full.

He reached the bathroom in time. His mama would call him a big boy for going to the potty by himself. He even stood on his stool and washed his hands.

Satisfied with his small victory, he entered their bedroom. The flashlight's beam grazed along Mike's bed, but Marc didn't notice the empty covers. The little boy climbed into bed, turned off the flashlight, and fell asleep.

Mike had disappeared.