Flash Fiction Compilation

Wanted

I still remember the day she knocked on my door, her face covered with soot, her clothes drenched in mud, but with a smile as if someone just announced her birthday. Little did I know that it was not only her birthday, but that it was the tiny dragon on her shoulder that had been born just a few hours before and who has undoubtedly been the one and only cause of all this chaos. And all the problems that followed. Sometimes I really wished I had not taken her in. Without a doubt, my life would have been a lot easier without her. It also would have been a lot less chaotic, unexpected and , as much as I hate to admit it, a lot less fun.

Sometimes I wonder what would have become of us, had I not been home that day, had she chosen a different door instead of mine. One thing I know for sure - If it wasn't for her, I would not be the person I am today. If it wasn't for me, she would not be alive today.

I do not know how often I swore to myself, I would never have children of my own. One childish girl was enough to keep me busy for a lifetime. The innocent yet shamelessly amused smile, when she confessed how she made a mess at the market that one day.
"It's not my fault.", she said. "I cannot be held responsible for others mistakes."

It turned out, to be absolutely her fault. She was the one who got in an argument with one of the venders again and it was her little dragon friend whom she had never been allowed to bring to the market in the first place, that took the initiative to come to her rescue. What then remained were the ruins of at least five burnt down stalls and an angry mob on their heels.

Needless to say, it should not have been the last time for something like this to happen.
I will never forget that self-reliant smile when she told me, "If you want to do it, do it. Boundaries don't exist, if you fail, it's just because you haven't tried hard enough." To her it did not matter what the people's opinion on her were.

She listened to nobody, explained herself to nobody, not even to me. As long as I can remember, she had always been this way, and always would be. I cannot tell you how many times I have tried to reason with her. To explain to her why she could not just move someone's house because it obstructed the view, to convince her not to steal that golden necklace she could not afford, just because the owner had two of them. I have lost count. In the end it would always be the same outcome.

"Just please don't get caught.", is what my final answer would be, every time.
And every time, she would just roll her eyes and walking out the door, she would turn one last time to wink at me with that never-fading smile on her face. "Never."
We both knew it was a lie. It always was. She knew that I would always be there to get her out of trouble. So I guess I am the one to blame for not teaching her to be more careful.

....

It has been four years since I had left. Now that I am standing right at her front door, ready to knock and pull her into my arms, I can't help but let out a small laugh as I stare ahead in disbelief. Whatever I had expected when I decided to return, this was not it. Although I should not be too surprised, after everything we have been through this was bound to happen sooner or later. I should rather be surprised that it hadn't happened until now.

Very slowly I reach out to what has been pinned to the old wooden door frame. The paper is crumpled and dirty, but I would recognise that face everywhere. Yes it was definitely her. Big innocent eyes, a faint smile on her lips and above, written in red capital letters:
„WANTED, DEAD OR ALIVE."
With a bounty, enough for the whole town to spend a life without worrying about work ever again.
What on earth had she done this time?
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Hey there! So this is my first Flash Fiction. Let me know what you think :)