The fall Flash Fiction contest, with the theme “Frogs” was held on Sept. 28. Over the next few weeks, this paper will run the winning entries. Below is the fifth place winner. To read all the winners, go to: fremontculturalartscouncil.org.
Escape to the Frogs
By Thomas Staaden
Steve was outside yet again. He snuck out after hearing his parents argue yet again, almost screaming in fact. He could almost cry, but Steve had to go to his happy place. That was the creek next to the house. He wandered down the hill to the nearby creek, where his closest friends lived.
He got to the creek and found his little friends. Freddy, Rocky and Hoppy. He spotted them sitting by water, making the constant ribbit sounds that they always made. Steve crouched down into the weeds, and smiled.
There was a time they would hide under the water, like he would try to do at his third grade class. But eventually, this frog family had warmed up to him, and would tolerate his presence, the only ones who would. Steve watched them as some of them swam and tried to catch flies. He could even see one hopping toward him.
It was Rocky, who knew Steve would have a fresh worm for him. Steve pulled out one of the worms in his jacket that were collected just to feed to Rocky. He pulled out the worm, and barely held it up before…
Rocky jumped, and caught the worm in his mouth. He ate it all in one gulp. ‘Ewww’, Steve said, quietly smiling.
The frog sat there for a second. Steve wanted to watch them all night. But what he really wanted to do was join the family of frogs…
Then Steve heard the sirens; he knew it was for his human family. One of the neighbors must have been upset at their shouting again. Steve turned toward the Frogs, and waved goodnight.
He needed to get back; he couldn’t get in trouble.
