Exceptional A unifying force arrives. (550 words) A Padlocked Heart by LisaMay      ~ Family ~ fiction story Contest Winner

After school, Jeremy pedalled to the hardware store to buy a latch and a padlock with his pocket money. This’ll keep that brat out, he thought. When he arrived home, he raided his father’s workshop, found a drill and a screwdriver, then fitted the latch to his bedroom door. Aah, privacy at last. Things had changed a lot recently for their family. Jeremy’s favourite uncle, Harry, lost his battle with cancer a month ago and now Aunty Sue and their daughter, 6-year-old Katy, were living with Jeremy and his mum and dad. It was a small house and 13-year old Jeremy was feeling the pressure of group living. There was no space anywhere. Whenever he came out of his room he tripped over stuff stacked in the hallway, or he bumped into sad people. The grief in the house was overwhelming. All he wanted to do was hide out in his bedroom, alone, but his cousin kept trying to follow him, pestering him for attention. He didn’t want anyone to see him crying, so Jeremy locked the world out. His dad said one morning: “You did a good job with that latch, Jeremy, but I wish you’d be more kind to Katy.” “She’s annoying. She’s just a little kid,” Jeremy grumbled. His mum joined the conversation. “Exactly. She’s feeling lost, too. She needs some love.” “Uncle Harry would’ve wanted you two to be good mates,” said Aunty Sue. “Katy looks up to you, and not just because you’re much taller than she is. You’re her hero. Heroes don’t hide in their bedrooms.” Aunty Sue’s words of emotional blackmail stung Jeremy. He slunk back into his bedroom. Later in the week, he heard a different sort of scratching noise on his door. “Go away!” The scratching continued, becoming more insistent. Jeremy opened the door, ready to be grumpy at Katy. She was standing there with a big grin on her face. What a transformation! It wasn’t her who’d been scratching at his door – it was a little grey kitten. Katy said in explanation, “Mummy found this kitty alone and scared at the park. She’s lost. She needs some love. So do you. I know you’re sad. Let’s play together.” The kitten had already climbed up Jeremy’s trouser leg and was now nestled in his arms, chewing a shirt button. Her wispy tail tickled his chin. He laughed. “What pretty, smoky-coloured fur she’s got. You could call her Smoky,” Jeremy suggested, snuggling his face against the kitten’s tiny body. “I thought of Misty, but Smoky is good too. Let’s call her Moky,” Katy compromised. “Now it’s my turn to pet her.” “She’ll get lost in all those piles of stuff in the hallway. She’d better wear a collar with a bell on it so we can find her. I’ll buy one at the shop,” offered Jeremy. The next day, little Moky was wearing a purple collar with a tinkling silver bell. She scampered up and down the hallway, jumping in and out of boxes and climbing stacks of books. “There’s probably more space in your room to play with her,” Katy said, glancing hesitantly at Jeremy while she held the kitten in her arms. He scooped Katy up in an encircling cousin-cuddle, kitten and all. “Yes, there is. Come on in.”   Writing Prompt ~ Family ~ (fiction) Write a fiction story with Humans as the subject ~Read all rules! minimum word count 500/maximum word count 550/black font only No vulgar words, sexual terms, murder, ghosts, time travel, or profanity No references to political figures, parties/innuendos/references, past or present, or ideas such as Marxism No Christmas stories/Valentine's Day or adoption/birth of children, or a human in the hospital/hospice care with little time to live No writing, animation, music included with one picture allowed ~ Family ~ fiction story Contest Winner Recognized

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