Another weekly photo prompt (this week by Mary Shipman), and we’re off! Friday Fictioneers is the most addictive Flash Fiction challenge around. Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is our fearless leader. Check out her blog, Addicted to Purple to find more stories, and details on how to join us. A giant Mazel to Sandra Crook, whose stories continue to blow me away, and garner well-earned awards!
As always, I appreciate honest, constructive feedback. Please leave a comment.
© Mary Shipman
Friday Fictioneers: Something Wicked This Way Comes…
“Stay alert, no chances–– This guy is capable of anything.” Detective Harley whispered, as he and three officers headed up the stairs.
Dust motes hung in rays of sun, filtering through the old wood siding. As floorboards creaked, the men paused, their tense breaths echoing in the stale silence.
A muffled groan pushed them back into action. Harley, taking two steps at a time, gun ready, burst into a room at the top.
“My God!” He reeled back, covering his mouth.
Several small bodies lay abandoned in a corner. Two women hung naked from dark rafters, one–– horrifyingly, alive.
(Word count: 99)
* * *
Help Me Reach My Goals! KAPOW! I’m going big in 2016: I’d like to hit 1,200 Likes!! Have you stopped by to spread some fairy dust? Follow me on Twitter, LeBron James does (yes, for real)! Most importantly, if you like a post I’ve written, hit Like and leave a comment. Honest, constructive feedback is always appreciated. Click Follow; you’ll get each new post delivered by email, no spam.
©2011-2016 All content and images on this site are copyrighted to Dawn Quyle Landau and Tales From the Motherland, unless specifically noted otherwise. If you want to share my work, I’m grateful, but please give proper credit and Link back to my work; plagiarism sucks!
TALES FROM THE MOTHERLAND 
Very True Detective….fun, in a dark kinda way 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not my usual, but this photo took me there! Thanks Kat. xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Whoa, Dawn! Very dark with great imagery.
LikeLike
Thanks Cathy. Yes, not exactly a cheerful, Friday read… but the muse takes us where the muse takes us!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes she does! Besides, the shadow side is also a part of each of us… And makes everything richer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh wow, very dark. I think you captured the image perfectly, because it’s very creepy indeed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Carrie! Coming from my favorite creepy writer, I’m especially honored! Have a great weekend. xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. You too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooooh, a turn to the dark side. You are capable of many surprises!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jan! I like to keep y’all on your toes. 😉
LikeLike
Oh this one was great! Makes me wish there was a book to find out more! You are amazing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
And you, are far too kind! Thanks Heidi, I’m always grateful for your supportive feedback!
LikeLike
Whoa, very horrifying ending! Still a great story, and I’d love to know exactly what happened here!
LikeLike
It’s always good when a story leaves you wanting more… or, it means you didn’t pain a clear picture. I’m glad you enjoyed it, and appreciate you stopping by Tales From the Motherland; thank!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You definitely did paint a clear picture that leaves you wanting more! I very much enjoyed the story 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your imagery was great. I read crime stories all the time, and you scene could have fit into many of them. I wanted to keep on reading, but … – Mike
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe I’ll write more one day… it’s always good to have readers! Thanks Mike.
LikeLike
Very dark and disturbing. The courses that the picture charts can be from anywhere.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the feedback, Oldentimes; I really appreciate it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Dawn,
Yikes. I had a hard time clicking like on this one. Not because it wasn’t well written as always, but because it was really horrifying.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like to veer to the dark side sometimes, Rochelle. Glad you stayed with it. 🙂
LikeLike
I think you take the prize for the darkest tale this week… I find it most disturbing actually that one was still alive (though I should rejoice)… the scene when they walk up the stairs you managed to capture the tension so well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll take any prize I can get… well, almost any! Thanks Björn; I always appreciate your feedback!
LikeLike
A powerful piece of writing, Harley’s going to remember this case for a lifetime. Mike
LikeLiked by 1 person
It seems like one you wouldn’t forget! Thanks for the feedback; I appreciate it. 🙂
LikeLike
Oh, what a horrifying image of the women hanging with one being alive and the abandoned bodies in the corner. I agree with Bjorn. You take the prize for the darkest this week. This image will stay with me for a while. Well done, Dawn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Amy! I know you are talented at writing this creepier stuff sometimes; it was fun to dip my toes in the water. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on ugiridharaprasad.
LikeLike
Pingback: Friday Fictioneers: Something Wicked This Way Comes | ugiridharaprasad
Thanks for sharing my piece of Flash Fiction; I appreciate it!
LikeLike
Eeeeeek!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not sure I shall sleep tonight, but well done!
LikeLike
As a chronically sleep deprived person, I hate to think of keeping any one up at night, but I’m pleased that you liked the story, Liz! Thanks!
LikeLike
Ohhhhh EWW!!! Excellent! Suspense and horror. Nice! It was one thing with hanging bodies, but one very much alive …??? YIKES! Packed a PUNCH!
Incredible, Dawn! Five out of five nooses. 🙂
LikeLike
Five out of 5 nooses… hmm, seems appropriate! Thanks Kent! I always appreciate your thoughtful feedback!
LikeLike
Truly dark and horrifying. Nicely done.
LikeLike
Thanks so much Subroto; I appreciate it!
LikeLike
Tight and tense.. and oh so good!
LikeLike
Thanks so much Audra!
LikeLike
That is noir of the noirest kind! Well-told and chilling, but what a surprise!
LikeLike
Thanks Perry! Clearly this photo left me feeling very noir!
LikeLike
i guess the guy wasn’t caught. if anything, they got in time to save one of the victims.
LikeLike
That is about the only good thing that happened here! Thanks Plaridel.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree with Perry about the noir. My mind saw this one in black & white.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was always a fan of B/W, so that suits me! Thanks Russell!
LikeLike
That is just so graphic and horrific Dawn! You really took me by surprise there – a stunner!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Coming from my favorite dark story teller, I’m honored. Thanks Sandra!
LikeLike
Well that was dark
LikeLike
Yes, it is.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now that’s disturbing…horrifyingly alive could not be imagined. Great job.
LikeLike
Thanks so much; I really appreciate the feedback.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, ouch, that really hit me in the gut and now I feel slightly nauseated. Great horror writing, I’m reeling here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love em and leave em reeling! 😉 Thanks for the feedback.
LikeLike
I agree, this is not your usual genre, Dawn. Disturbingly dark and powerful, but well written. —- Suzanne
LikeLike
Thanks Suzanne. Glad it worked, breaking out of my usual.
LikeLike
Loved the tension that built to that ending. It was awesome. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Kourtney! It’s nice to have you stop by; I appreciate you taking the time!
LikeLike