Friday Flash Fiction - week 25

A Job in Kyiv

It’s wet, cold and miserable in Kyiv. That’s what it said in the job description and that suits me just fine. It matches my current mood and what is quickly becoming a permanent personality trait.  

I arrive on 1st September in a small passenger aircraft and as we descend through the clouds the city emerges basking in sunshine. This puts me in a worse mood than before; I’m annoyed it isn’t raining. I’ve been promised gloom, after all. 

The job needs doing, that’s what I should focus on. I check into the hotel with the perfect vantage point (thoroughly researched before my arrival) under a name that isn’t my own. I unpack nothing. I carry a case that holds what is necessary for the job and a small brown bag. This piece of hand luggage is my only concession in an otherwise faceless existence. I don’t wear any clothes that would make me stand out; own nothing flashy like a signet ring; have no artificial, and therefore traceable, scent. The bag is made of Moroccan leather and I bought it 20 years ago on my first trip. It goes everywhere with me. I need it. It’s my lucky charm. 

I assemble the gun and open the window. There’s a breeze, but it’s not strong enough to affect my aim. And now I just need to wait for my target. 

L. Besley

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Flash Fiction diary

This story was inspired by a line in an email. A school was looking for new teachers, but it had warned: it's wet, cold and miserable in Kyiv! 

Took part in the CAKE.shortandsweet Wednesday Write-In again this week. Prompts: shatter, wasp, fresh bread, sorry, singed. This week I didn't get all the prompts in. I probably could've worked them in somehow, but didn't want to force it. Click here to read Shattered Memories.

The launch of Flash Fortnightly on the Artipeeps website was a huge success, so many thanks to all who read it and commented! If you haven't read it yet, click here for Runaway Baby. 

Had my second publication in TIME OUT HONG KONG this week. Very excited to be a part of that team! Unfortunately you can't see them online, you'll just have to buy a copy (if you're in Hong Kong, that is)!  

I've also stepped, rather gingerly, into the 21st century and have set up a twitter account! If you'd like to follow me, I can be found bumbling my way through this technology @laurabesley 
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Flash Fiction is short enough to read whilst you're waiting for the kettle to boil. It's fairly quick to write too, but with it being so short, every word has to count. 

On 4th May 2012 I decided to embark on a project: to write a piece of Flash Fiction every day. I'm hoping this will keep the creative juices flowing and ultimately help me hone my craft. Every Friday I'll be posting 'the best of the week' onto my blog for you to read. If you have anything to say (good or 'constructive'!), I'm open to comments.  

Thanks, as always, for reading.