Human Interest (Flash Fiction)

- August 31, 2012

He sets the toys carefully aside on the floor, revealing the shotgun hidden beneath them. His fingerprints paint red smudges as he brushes the doll’s synthetic curls and remembers the little girl who called her baby.

His shirt sticks to his wound. He’s tired from the walk but numb to the pain. It’s probably too late for him — definitely too late for her. It’s not too late to make a scene, to ensure their senseless deaths aren’t hidden halfway through the local news.

The wagon wheels creaking behind him, he limps into the assembly.

Let them see what they missed.

Ashley M. Hill found her voice in science fiction when her curiosity about technology coupled with the lifelong urge to tell stories. Her interest in social and feminist issues shapes how she approaches the genre. She's pursuing computer and network repair for her day job.

3 Comments

  • Ted Boone says:
    August 31, 2012 at 3:37 pm

    Holy moly! Did you limit yourself to 100 words on purpose? Or did the story just fit that limitation? Personally, I find it to be a bold choice, and utterly suitable for the tale you told. Excellent!

    Reply
    • Ashley Poland says:
      August 31, 2012 at 3:57 pm

      Thank you! :D I did, actually; I really love the effect of drabbles, and I wanted to see if I could make it hit without using a lot of words. (Also: I was late in submitting, and have always wanted to do a drabble for flash fiction week.)

      Reply
  • Ted Boone says:
    August 31, 2012 at 7:42 pm

    Congratulations, you forced me to Google “drabble.”

    As for late: I think we should propose a Flash Fiction Week where we only allow ourselves 60 minutes to think of an idea, write it, and post it.

    Reply

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