The Blood of Remorse

 

copyright-Kent Bonham

A disturbing murder case was weighing heavily on Jim Delaney’s mind as he walked up his sidewalk.  A sound came from the storage shed. Jim unholstered his pistol, not willing to take any chances after a day like today. He saw movement and instincts took over.

Jim unmasked the bloody body and nearly threw up. Stumbling into the house, he opened a bottle of whiskey. As he drank, he spotted a note:

APRIL FOOLS,
I finally got you! Meet me at Finnegan’s and we’ll get drunk.

Jim’s pistol fired one last shot, leaving the wall stained with the blood of remorse.

 

* * * * * * * * *

The above story is my submission to Friday Fictioneers. For those of you that don’t know, Friday Fictioneers is a group of bloggers from around the world who respond to a photo prompt of Rochelle Wisoff-Fields choosing with a story of approximately 100 words. Find more fictioneers here.

Bridge to Infinity

Copyright – Adam Ickes

A year ago, twenty-five four year olds started Maestro’s guitar program, now six are alive. Kim Lu pinned a G# instead of a G as she played through the new piece Maestro had given them. Maestro’s right hand was heavier this time. Unconscious, Kim experienced a love that has been absent since her mother was executed. She saw a bridge that appeared to go to infinity. Excitement came over her as she started to move across, feeling free. Terror took control when reality began to tug her back.  She awoke with tears in her eyes and Maestro’s voice ordering one-week starvation.  

This story represents my entry into Friday Fictioneers. Thanks for reading!

Forsaken

Copyright – Alastair

I’ve always had a wild side, you know, live fast and die hard. I have spent years burying it, deeper and deeper until it was finally gone, so I thought. After years of suppression, we moved out of the city, it was a long commute but it was nice to feel as if we were getting away.

One day the guys at work got on a Kevin Costner kick, I know right. How does that guy keep getting work? On my way home, I was running that question threw my head when my inner speed demon got loose and took control of the throttle. I watched the speedometer blow by 100 and a calm buzz took over. Then… bam, right into this tree.

My soul has been stuck here ever since. I spend my days longing to see my family again, my life and mistakes playing back over and over. I wish someone, anyone, would smash their car and join me by this forsaken stream. I don’t feel like I can take this hell alone.

* * *

That car is flying, yes, yes… boom, crash… YES.

“What happened? Am I dead?”

“NO, NO.”

“Hello, are we dead?”

“Kevin Costner… Why, what have I done to deserve this!?”

 

I hope you enjoyed this story, it is my entry in to this week’s Sunday Photo Fiction Challenge. Click the link look at other entries.

One-Way Ticket to Mars

“The hatch is sealed off. This is the only section left,” she told him as she caught her breath.

“One-Way ticket, they were right.” he said, looking down at his feet. “I guess I always thought there would be another ship, something.”

“Sir, we made it further than anyone expected. We’re pioneers, our names will go down in history books.”

“Is that why you came here, to

get your name in a book?” he asked, looking up at her.

“No, I took this trip to hide from my problems on earth. Let’s be honest now that it’s coming to an end. When I found out you were commanding this voyage I knew I had to go, I had to try, I’ve been in love with you since high school… If I had only known.”

“You missed the mark on that one,” he said, attempting to smile.

“So, what do you miss about earth?” she asked.

Copyright – Sunday Photo Fiction

“Sunrise, that magical warm glow. Watching as the sun begin to peek up over the horizon…”

“We’re the LAST man and woman left on this planet,” she interrupted, “I’ve been trying to get with you since I was old enough to think those thoughts… come on something,” she insisted.

“Why is it always that with you?”

Author’s Note: In my mind, everything will be backwards on Mars. Maybe Mars One will find out someday.

Where have you been

“Where have you been?” she asked when he walked through the door.

“Thinking…”

“For three days?” she screamed, her concern melting away and anger taking its place. “My god I have been worried sick. I told your work there was a family emergency. I even called the cops.”

“I was just thinking. I can’t keep doing this; I have to get off the treadmill. I can’t go back to that cubical.”

“Are you kidding? You will go back to work. We have bills to pay, kids to put through college. Stop this crazy talk. What has gotten into you?”

“I guess you’re right.”

***

The clock said three AM, she could here him typing from their room upstairs. “Why does he have that old typewriter out? Uh, it must be part of this depression he’s going through, he’ll be better in the morning,” she thought, then covered her ears and went back to sleep.

She made her way downstairs as the sun came up, but he was nowhere to be found. The typewriter was sitting on the desk with a sheet of paper hanging out. She picked up the paper and read:

Have you ever had a day when something inside you was calling? Saying, don’t go to work, just let go and enjoy the day. I had that day. I squashed the voice and went to work. I was paranoid at first, wondering if tragedy would strike, curious to know if I missed my opportunity to opt out. But something much worse happened. The building didn’t collapse, I didn’t get fired, no, I didn’t even get scolded. Nothing, nothing happened. I sat in my cubical and droned through the day.

Lunch came and went, underwhelming and tasteless, leaving me tired and yearning for another caffeine wake-up. I sucked down a cup of coffee, looked at my watch, and prayed the next four hours would go by quickly. And they did. In fact the next thirty years went by quickly. Like I said, something worse happened. I squashed that inner voice and left it to die. That was the day I bought into the hype, just do what you have to do, do what your told. That was the day I quit living and started existing.

Three days ago I woke up and remembered that day. I decided to take its advice, the voice that is, thirty years late but I had to do something before life got away completely.

I took a trip to the cost, found a rock and just sat there. I had no agenda, no plans and no timeline. But I did find a sense of peace I have never felt before. Now I know it’s a peace I will never feel again.  Goodbye

This short fiction story is my entry into the Daily Post’s weekly writing challenge.