Flash Fiction: Disposal

The stench of decay floods my nostrils, and with my arm pressed to my nose and mouth, I make a futile attempt to block the vile odor. I stride past the rot decomposing in the sun, having been left to the elements. It has rained for days.

Inside, I locate a lawn and leaf bag from beneath the kitchen sink, shoving aside cans and bottles of cleaners and polish. Their pungent odors offer my lungs a brief reprieve. With a snap of the wrist, I flap the bag open and steel myself for the task at hand.

Outside, my dreaded duty awaits. I do what I must. With the base of my palm, gaze askance, I deposit the disgusting remains into the bag. With the addition of each bloated fragment, the bag weighs heavier, its dead cargo stretching taut the brown plastic. Continue reading

A Little Photo Fiction

Two-hundred words based on this photo prompt at Sunday Photo Fiction:Skeletal Couple

Tabitha steadied the gun and took aim. A red line marked her target, wiggling as her wrist quavered. She pulled the trigger.

“There.” She foisted the gun on Stephen, then returned the flatware to its shelf. “What’s next?”

Stephen sighed and studied the papers he held. “Uh, twelve chargers?” He glanced around the housewares section, empty save for another browbeaten guy and overeager woman. “Wouldn’t that be in electronics?”

She giggled. “No, silly. It’s a decorative base for the plate.” Continue reading

A Little Photo Fiction

Two-hundred words based on this photo prompt at Sunday Photo Fiction:

Sunday Flash Fiction FallsKiyara sprinted down the sidewalk, shouldering past old ladies lugging shopping bags, kids dodging cracks in the pavement, and business men preoccupied by their cell phones. Oblivious to all but her escape route, she ignored the commotion in the street, where a Hummer had rear-ended a compact sedan. Continue reading

Flash Fiction Challenge: Part Two

This week, I’m sharing Part Two in Chuck Wendig’s Flash Fiction Challenge. (To recap, the object is to post a 1,000 word story beginning. Each week, another writer will build on the story culminating in a four-part tale written by four different authors.) I’m building on a story beginning by Sheri Williams.

Sisters (Part Two)

rainy windshield

Photo by Jusben. (Morguefile.com)

My finger pinched in the metal opening mechanism, but I shook out my hand and jerked open the umbrella. I muttered  a curse and bit down on my injured finger to diffuse the pain. I headed east, the clicking of my heels muffled by the rainwater. Realizing I was nearing a run, I forced my legs to slow down. Breathing in the fresh smell of summer rain, I replayed our lunch meeting. Continue reading

Flash Fiction Challenge: Part One

In an effort to hit my 1,000 words/day goal, I’m trying something new: Chuck Wendig’s Flash Fiction Challenge. (HT: Sheri Williams) The object is to post a 1,000 word story beginning. Each week, another writer will build on the story culminating in a four-part tale written by four different authors.

I have a definite theme for this piece, and a vague idea of where I’d take it. It will be interesting to see what others do with the story.

Sanctified (Part One)

Bald Eagle in Flight

Marina trudged up the trail. Beads of sweat trickled down her forehead, stinging her eyes. She stopped and leaned her hiking pole against a fat oak trunk. The damp handkerchief in her back pocket smelled of perspiration but was her only means of effectively wiping her brow. Continue reading