Flash Fiction

 

What is flash fiction? Flash fiction is a genre prized for its ability to convey deep truths and universal human emotions in just a few short paragraphs. When done well, flash fiction resonates with readers from all walks of life. I am using flash fiction writing prompts to challenge myself, get my head back in the game, and sharpen my thinking on the fly, so I can better focus on my novels. 

 For my 'practice' I am limiting myself to 750 words and staying within the parameter of the prompt. Mainly because a lot of contests I have looked at use those guidelines. There will be no telling which story I will submit to a contest, I am just trying to post one a week here on the blog to see what you guys think, and mainly just to challenge myself in the event no one reads them. (lol) 

This one is a quick one with kind of a horror flavor, keeping with the theme of the month. Enjoy! :) 

The Queen

The cold wind stung the side of Travis's face like ten thousand razor blades. From the parking lot the dark water hadn't looked so tumultuous, but the closer he got to the dock, he noticed the direction of the swells. They were angry, roaring over everything in close proximity to them, covering the shipyard with a cold, almost frozen mist. It was September? Wasn't it? He found himself questioning everything in his life lately. Funny how one seemingly small moment in time could wreck a man. He got that now. 

He turned and walked down toward where the pleasure crafts were located. He passed the fishing boats and tankers, envying the men who worked on them. They had simple lives he supposed. The idea of getting up, going to work, working hard all day, and going home when you were done, seemed like heaven to him. A much better way to spend your time than kissing the asses of suited men, only to have them turn around and stab you in the back. Shit, if he made it through this mess he was going to disappear on to the back of a fishing boat.

He knew there was no coming back from here though.

Pulling his collar up tighter around his neck, he lowered his face toward the changing wind. It was coming right at him now. Whatever storm was blowing in was going to be a good one. But all Travis could think of was the last time he set sail on The Queen.

It had been a glorious summer day, sun high in the sky, and he was high off the beautiful woman next to him. He had promised her the world. Diamonds, vacations, mansions in the sky. In the end they were all empty words, words of a disillusioned fool.

Suddenly The Queen loomed in front of him, her gleaming hull a stark white contrast to the dark mist following him. He glanced quickly over his shoulder as his hand found the ring in his pocket. No one had followed him, mark it on the calendar.

He stopped just short of her plank, steadying his breath, he needed his nerves to be rock solid for the task at hand. He reached out to grab the rope when suddenly he felt a large hand on his shoulder. “Congressman, funny to find you out here. Is there anything we can help you with?”

He felt the dread in the deepest parts of his soul. The voice was icy, mechanical, and familiar. He turned to meet the black eyes that had started the whole mess. “Jacob. No, I think I’m good. Just tying up some loose ends, making sure she's closed for the winter before I head back to Washington.” The laugh that came from the other man was humorless, almost condescending. “I bet you are. But as you know, we really can’t let you do that. October first the story hits the press, we need you to play your part. The grieving husband and all.” 

Travis cringed. Bile rose into his throat and threatened to come up all over the other man’s shoes. If he was going to end this, he needed to end it now. He slowly pulled the ring from his pocket, with one last glance he pressed it to his lips and then threw it over his shoulder into the dark water. Jacob grabbed him by the neck and pulled him back from the dock’s edge. “Now I appreciate the theatrics but we can’t have anymore of that.” 

With all the strength he could muster, Travis pulled free of the larger man and jumped for the edge of the dock. He slipped, whacking his face on the side before he managed to push himself off the ledge. Welcoming the cold water as it infiltrated his lungs, he didn’t even struggle. He wanted death like a shot of whisky, stinging, yet warm and comfortable. He saw her, his love, as he floated in the last grips of his consciousness, welcoming the sweet relief of not existing. 

Suddenly Travis’ eyes opened, the cold gray sky the same one he wanted to escape. The icy rain still pelting him, the waves still beating the shore. Jacob’s face all he could see. The man got closer to him, their noses almost touching. “Did you forget? You can’t escape hell. There is no death. Only the dying.”