The winner of the August Unseen Flash Fiction Contest is @ExplosiveEmily with her story THE TUG!

If you like what you read, please show support by voting and commenting. While you're at it, head over to her profile page and check out her paranormal apocalyptic story, THE BOY WITH THE POCKET WATCH.

THE TUG by @ExplosiveEmily

I couldn't believe my eyes. I hadn't been able to set foot off of the hotels' grounds no matter how many times I had tried, but now I was walking through the streets of town. My heart was racing and I knew I would never return to the hotel that had become my prison.

I raced through the crowded streets, the quaint little buildings flying past me. Around the corner of the next street I came upon a small park. The grass was bright green and tall trees cast shade across the park leaving little dapples of light where the sun peeked through the leaves.

I watched as a boy twirled a pretty girl around in the air before setting her down and kissing her softly. At the same moment there was a strong tug in my stomach and I thought of the hotel. I shook my head bewildered. Why would I want to go back there? I continued on my way weaving through the bustling streets.

A wonderful smell hit my nose and I followed it until I had stepped inside a tiny bakery full of various breads and little pastries in brightly lit glass counters. I smiled and turned around to look behind me when I heard a quiet tinkling of a bell hanging above the door.

An older couple walked in smiling and holding hands. The man was gazing at the woman with eyes full of love. I felt the tug again.

No sooner than stepping outside, I flew straight through an elderly man helping a gray headed lady pull her hair up into a bun and the pull presented itself again.

I decided to see if the pesky tug in my stomach would cease if I went back to the hotel.

The pull led me to a room and inside a couple was cuddled together, I knew they couldn't see me, but my face still grew warm. Looking closer I saw the girl was me and I was smiling at the boy who had his arms wrapped around me.

I woke suddenly. The name Nolan was in my thoughts and I sighed. It was just another dream.