Short Fiction Blog

The girls didn’t need to hear anymore. They wanted no part of the sheriff, and they didn’t have to stick around to hear what Duke thought of the idea. They headed up the hill and out of sight as quick as their legs would take them.

Once over the top of the hill they both collapsed. “She’s so beautiful Isabel, let’s take her for a ride,” Isabel mimicked Betsy in a sing song voice. “I can’t believe I let you talk me into stealing that horse this morning!”

“You had as much fun riding the horse as I did,” Betsy snapped back. “We weren’t stealing her, just borrowing for a few hours. Everything would have been fine if you hadn’t of fell off and let her run away!”

“It’s not like I wanted to fall off. You’re more worried about the horse than the fact that I could have been killed!” Isabel snarled.

“No, I’m more worried that I’ll never get to know the sexy stranger now,” Betsy said with a smirk. Both girls started laughing as they headed down the hill towards home.

Turned out Isabel was right. Both men entered the barn still deep in conversation. As they passed through the door, the girls heard Duke say, “I don’t know what happened to your damn horse, she was here this morning when I did feedings.”

They couldn’t hear the strangers reply because the men were too far into the barn. With hand signals, Isabel motioned for Betsy to follow her. Slowly, they crept around the side of the barn until they were right at the door.

Isabel peeked around and saw the men standing at the far stall. The stranger was scowling at Duke and shaking his head. “She’s not here now though, is she?” he said.

“Obviously not, but that doesn’t mean I know what happened to her,” Duke replied. “I had to go into town right after feeding the horses this morning. I checked the barn soon as I got home and saw Dancing Lady was missing. I called you right away. For all I knew, you’d come and got her.”

“I didn’t come and get her. I left her for you to take care of. If I had somewhere to keep her, I wouldn’t have needed your services at all now would I?”

“Look mister, I don’t want no trouble. I take care of horses under my care. Someone stole the damn horse; you know it, and I know it, so let’s cut to the chase. What are you gonna do about it?” Duke snarled.

“I guess we get the sheriff out here,” the stranger recommended.

The girls took off running across the yard. About half way to the barn, Duke started to turn in their direction and they had to duck down behind the well. “That was a close call,” Betsy hissed.

“Yeah, but he didn’t see us. Come on, let’s go,” Isabel said, grabbing Betsy’s arm and dragging her from behind the well.

Once they made it to the barn, both girls had to catch their breath. By the time they looked around the corner, Duke and the stranger were walking their way.

“Isabel, they’re coming this way, do something!” Betsy shrieked.

“Be quiet, Betsy, they’re probably going into the barn. There’s nothing around here they’d need. If you hush they won’t even know we’re here.”

He walked out of the shadows, Stetson pulled low over his eyes.

“What a swagger,” Betsy moaned to Isabel.

They both followed his every move while he crossed to the stables. Once there, he started a serious- looking conversation with Duke, his body getting tenser by the moment. Duke seemed to be loosing his temper rather quickly himself.

The girls wondered what all the fuss was about. They hadn’t seen Duke this riled up in a long time; not sense the sheriff found his still up on Rock Mountain last spring. That caused a ruckus the whole town won’t soon forget. Everyone missed the moonshine.

“I wonder what all the commotion is about?” Betsy asked.

“Duke probably stiffed him on some shine,” Isabel replied. “You know he got his new still up and running last month. I hear he’s charging more to make up for lost time.”

“I don’t think Duke would be dumb enough to stiff this guy, he’s big. Sure wish we were close enough to hear what’s going on.”

“Let’s sneak closer then,” Isabel whispered. “We can go over there behind the barn. We should be able to hear them from there.”

Betsy eyed the distance to the barn skeptically. They had to go a good fifty feet at least, part of it out in the open. “They’ll see us, Isabel,” she whispered back.

“No they won’t. They’re too busy arguing to pay attention to anything else.”

Betsy thought about it for a few more minutes. Finally, curiosity got the better of her. “Ok, let’s do it. But we gotta hurry! I don’t want to get caught.”

The January Short Story Contest on the Accentuate Writers Forum has been extended. The new deadline to have entries in by is Valentine’s Day.

If anybody out there was thinking of entering, but just didn’t have time, you are in luck! Get those creative juices flowing and whip a story up.

Here is the blog post about the extension. You can find a link there to the forum for more information.

All you authors out there really should enter the contest. We have fun encouraging each other and waiting with baited breath to hear the winners announced when it’s all over.

The prizes are nothing to sneeze at either! Go and check it out!

Did any of you enter the 24 Hour Writing Contest held yesterday? I entered for the first time with some others from the Accentuate Writers Forum.

I have to say, I really enjoyed this contest! The others had told me it was fun, but I wasn’t sure exactly how it all worked. I love writing flash/really short fiction, so this particular contest was right up my alley.

I like my story. I really loved the other stories my friends on the forum wrote! It’s great that we all got the same exact prompt but came up with unique stories!

If any of you entered, good luck! Now the hard part starts…waiting to see who wins!

A will start another new story soon. Hope y’all liked the last one. I know it was short, but that’s just the way it wanted to go! I enjoyed writing it.

I’ll try to make the next one a happy story, but I make no promises. For some reason I write dark better than happy. Do any of you authors out there find you are better at one particular type story than another? Or are you very versatile and just write about everything?

I can write about other stuff, but the story flows better when there are darker elements to it. I hope you like whatever story I come up with next!

 This is my contribution to the Three Word Wednesday prompt for the week. Hope you like it!

Darkness bathed the night. He watched, knowing she would be home soon. The cadence of crunching gravel alerted him to her arrival before the lights from her car illuminated the humble little house.

His resolve was strong. She would be his!

Ears attuned, he waited impatiently to see if her friend would show up. When sufficient time had passed, he crept closer to the house. His mission now was to get her back outside.

When he spotted a metal trashcan sitting by the back door he knew fate was smiling down on him. He darted at the can, smacking it against the side of the house, and quickly retreated to the edge of the yard.

He had observed enough of human nature to know they always came out to check noises. He waited. The back door opened cautiously. He could see the woman had a stick of some sort in her hand. She was surveying the surrounding area, looking for danger. She didn’t look quite far enough.

Assured no menace was present, she stepped out to check the noise. Seeing the overturned trashcan, she shook her head. After lying the stick down, she bent to right the can.

He pounced! Claws bared, teeth grimaced, he knocked the woman to the ground and tore at the flesh of her upper body. Her screams filled the night, unheard by any but him. He saw his reflection in her widened terror-filled eyes. A snarling beast, saliva dripping from its mouth, black fur matted with congealed blood.

Licking his paws clean, he paused for another look at the woman’s prone form. Savoring the last taste of her, he silently retreated into the night.

He watched the woman take sacks of food into her home. She was blissfully unaware of his presence, whistling while completing her task. A slight breeze carried her scent to him, making him quiver in need. When she bent over the trunk to get another sack, he caught a glimpse of her thigh. His stomach muscles tightened with need.

He wanted to pounce, but the bright midday sun held him back. He had never killed during the day, and wanted to take no chances of discovery and capture. He would wait and watch, until the time was right. If her friend didn’t return tonight, she would be his for the taking.

He licked his lips at the thought, anticipating.

Cleaning up after the kill, his mind wandered back to the woman. She was never far from his thoughts, always taunting. She was the first to elude him, not once, but twice. She would be alone one day soon he was sure. And when she was, he would strike.

He could already taste her, the nectar of her life’s blood, on his tongue. He believed it would be sweet, but slightly tangy, satisfying his hunger in ways no other had.

He had tried to resist her at first. He didn’t like the spell she cast over him, controlling his lust. Every time he drew away, something compelled him back. Her scent wouldn’t diminish, but stayed with him, drawing him near. He didn’t know what it was exactly, but he had to have it. And he would, one day very soon.