Hello all !
As always life here is very hectic. I don’t know why I think it will ever be any different, but I can hope. However, it is that time of the week where I get to see what photo prompt our wonderful hostess Rochelle Wisoff-Fields has picked for us. And what a fab photo it is! i had lot’s of ideas for this weeks flash fiction, but this is what I settled on.
I hope you enjoy it!
In the Shadows.
By Heidi Busby Brown.
The underpass looms ahead, the street light casts an orange glow before melting into the shadows.
I shouldn’t be here.
‘Please don’t…’ A voice calls out from the dark.
The sound of my footsteps echo around me as I race forwards.
A woman lies crumpled and beaten on the dirt floor. Kneeling down next to her I see a knife handle protruding from her stomach.
I notice her eyes widen, staring over my shoulder.
I tense, my fingers grasp the smooth handle.
I’m yanked backwards, she grunts as the momentum pulls the knife free.
I swing round aiming high, my arm shudders as the knife meets its mark.
‘I’m sorry.’
I close my eyes and take a deep breath in, counting to five, release to five.
It’s been two years since I saved the woman and murdered a serial rapist/ killer.
I’m a hero.
I pull the new switch blade out of my coat pocket.
Then I wait in the shadows, just as my Dad taught me.
****************
Thank you so much for stopping by and taking the time to read my offering for this week. Feel free leave a comment, I love to hear what you think!
If you would like to join in or read more flash fiction from the Friday Fictioneers click on the blue frog below. I promise you won’t be disappointed !
🙂
Dear Heidi,
Methinks the ‘hero’ leads a double life. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I confess – I’ve a soft spot for a vigilante. Enjoyed the read.
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If I’m reading this correctly, the first serial rapist was his father and he’s continuing the tradition. Good description, Heidi. Well done. 🙂 — Suzanne
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I’m so chuffed you got it! I thought I may have been a bit too sutble. Though vigilante works as well for it. Thank you Suzzanne 🙂
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Well done! Nice twist.
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Ah! So he killed his father to be a hero? Or maybe to take over from him? 🙂 Interesting!
Leo @ I Rhyme Without Reason
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Great piece of action-filled drama.
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Oh I think that it’s hard to be a hero the second time around.
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Lots of suspense and a nice twist at the end. Like father like son, it seems.
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Hero turns vigilante! Great story, very descriptive and well written.
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A chilling story.
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I get your plot from the comments above, but liked the other implied idea that a hero inherits the urge to kill… like a virus.
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A little Dexter action is what I thought of when reading this! Good job!
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love the twist! :))
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I dont know i he was a helper or killer. Nice take
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Can’t any of our heroes just be heroes?
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Phew!
Powerful stuff, dynamite twist into utter darkness.
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Well written and horrifying! but I guess he’s only doing what he was trained to do.
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When is a hero NOT a hero!
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Passing on the family trade. Most chilling – the light, the echoing footsteps, the tone. Creepy.
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I agree with Dale. I got a glimpse of Dexter in the beginning but the twist towards the end changed it. Nice piece. 🙂
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Actually, I didn’t get that he was a serial rapist/murderer at all. I noticed in your comments that he was. I thought he was just a vigilante. Wonderful story and well written!
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Like some others I thought he was just a vigilante, trained as such by his father, until reading the comments. A good story, whichever way you read it. 🙂
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Very chilling, great tension, no matter how you read it.
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