note: This was written as part of a flash fiction writing contest at the blog,\u00a0The Clarity of Night<\/a>, back in 2006.\u00a0Here is a link to the original post<\/a>. The idea was to write 250 words based on a provided prompt.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cDo not touch\u201d were the words Mark and Elizabeth heard repeatedly regarding the painting that now hung illuminated in the hallway between their bedrooms. Much to Mark\u2019s chagrin, the artwork had accompanied them to their new house.<\/p>\n Though Mark took great care to hide it in the back yard while they packed, his parents had somehow found the painting. Something about the picture made Mark feel uneasy, as though its composition was more than mere canvas and paint. One night in their previous house Mark was on his way to get a glass of water and was sure he heard a girl laugh inside the painting. He now runs past the painting, not willing to chance even a glance at it.<\/p>\n It was Elizabeth who made sure the painting hung in their new house, fishing it out of the bushes out back before they moved.<\/p>\n To a six year old like Elizabeth, \u201cDo not touch\u201d meant \u201cTouch, but make sure Mom and Dad don\u2019t see you.\u201d The sight of Elizabeth mere inches from the painting, softly clutching Winnie the Pooh\u2019s worn hand, startled Mark.<\/p>\n \u201cElizabeth, you know we\u2019re not supposed to touch that,\u201d Mark whispered forcefully as he approached his sister.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s ok,\u201d answered Elizabeth. \u201cI touched it before.\u201d<\/p>\n Mark ran toward his sister, hoping to stop her from touching the painting. Unfortunately, he was too late. All that remained of his sister was a lonely teddy bear and a giggle from inside the painting.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Do Not Touch by Paul Liadis note: This was written as part of a flash fiction writing contest at the blog,\u00a0The Clarity of Night, back in 2006.\u00a0Here is a link to the original post. The idea was to write 250 words based on a provided prompt. \u201cDo not touch\u201d were the words Mark and Elizabeth heard repeatedly regarding the painting that now hung illuminated in the hallway between their bedrooms. Much to Mark\u2019s chagrin, the artwork had accompanied them to…<\/p>\n