Never Not Unsaved

tire in snow

Sunday Photo Fiction prompt 11-29-2015

I was there that day.

That day they still talk about.

They were always lost

That day that woman skidded into the river—her two young boys in back. Everyone stopped–everyone who saw it. Just before Christmas, too. Folks slammed on their brakes and threw open their doors and charged down the banks. More than me plunged in after them, while the rest made hoarse and frantic calls. Red station wagon, in the river. There’s kids in there.

We got them out, though. Pulled her out first and then those boys. All of us hugging on the banks and thanking God. Congratulating ourselves. We saved them.

It wasn’t until later we realized—they were always lost.

This story is a work of fiction inspired by true events: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-10-27-2529961022_x.htm

This has been an edition of Sunday Photo Fiction, hosted by Al Forbes. To read more entries or to submit your own, click the blue froggy button.

18 Comments

  1. ceayr's avatar

    Good story.
    And nailer of a last line!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. K. Rawson's avatar

      Thank you & thanks for reading 🙂

      Like

  2. Fabricating Fiction/Louise Jensen's avatar

    Oh that’s such a sad news report. Well interpreted.

    Like

    1. K. Rawson's avatar

      Very sad story indeed. Thanks for reading.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. angietrafford's avatar

    The last line is so effective, and also haunting.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. K. Rawson's avatar

      Thanks Angie and thanks for reading 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Steve Lakey's avatar

    The tension and false ending make this a great read. Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Mandibelle16's avatar
    mandibelle16

    Very thoughtful story.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. JS Brand's avatar

    A terrible true story, well told as fiction. Thank you for providing the link to the true event that inspired your version. I don’t understand how the attorney could say, “Whatever incident that (the first event) entailed has no bearing on this investigation”. But I don’t know the full facts. Maybe nobody does.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. luckyjc007's avatar

    Wonderful story of happiness turned to sadness. The last line was a real zinger!

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Susans Soul...'s avatar

    Such a sad and haunting tale. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Sunday Fiction's avatar

    When your time is up, there is nothing you can do to stop it. You can only postpone it slightly.

    A great story Karen, and a tragic one in the news as well.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. K. Rawson's avatar

      Thanks and thank you for reading

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sunday Fiction's avatar

        Always welcome 🙂

        Like

  10. Priceless Joy's avatar

    That is such a letdown! Thinking they were being saved and the happiness it brought only to find out different. Great story Karen!

    Liked by 1 person

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