Saturday 18 May 2013

Friday Flash Fiction -week 46



A Great Story

The only smell in the tiny dark room was her own seven-day body odour. It was disgusting, like a pile of dirty towels stashed in the back of a gym. The thin door swung open and Paula caught a hint of something flowery. From her position in the far corner of the dank room she looked up, but the woman quickly put down a tray and scuttled back out, locking the door behind her.  On the worn carpet was a tray of food, the first food she’d seen in days: a homemade ham and pickle sandwich on brown bread and a box of Ribena. She bit into it and started to cry. Initially determined to savour it, chewing each mouthful slowly and carefully, her resolve swiftly melted and she scoffed it, shoving in each mouthful like an animal. Like the animal they’d turned her into. 

Paula had graduated in 2004 from her university of choice. She’d done an undergraduate degree in English Literature and then an M.A. in Journalism. Her career had started slowly: working for local papers and getting bite-sized chunks into the national newspapers on the pages no-one read. And then her friend’s cousin was killed in Bristol’s first honour killing and Paula had found her first great story. Her friend had warned her to keep out of it, but she hadn’t listened. She was hungry only for the story. 

Heavy footsteps stopped outside the door. 
‘Finished?’ he asked.
She nodded. 
‘Get up.’ 
She croaked. ‘Why?’
‘We’re going for a little ride.’ 
‘Where to?’
‘Never you mind.’   


Laura Besley


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Flash Fiction diary

May is National Short Story Month. I've joined A.M. Harte's Senseless Challenge


We have five senses.
May has five Fridays.
Each Friday is dedicated to one of the senses.

The schedule is:

May 03: Sight
May 10: Sound
May 17: Smell
May 24: Taste
May 31: Touch

There are no rules. You can take part for one week or all five. You can write about not having that week’s sense or only having it. So...here goes! 


Flash Fortnightly #13 is Pot of Gold. A rather dark tale with colours to cheer it up (a little). Click here for the link. 





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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.

18 comments:

  1. But...where are they going? You had me empathizing with your character, especially when she couldn't stop herself from shoving food in her mouth.

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    1. Where are they going? That's the million dollar question! ;)

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  2. I feel dread and fear for the poor woman - well done building up the tension Laura! I cant help thinking she's done for, she should make a break for it if she can.

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    1. I think she might be done for too! :(

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    2. Journalists often want things to happen in order to sell stories. Now, something's happening . . . )

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    3. Something is certainly happening...!

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  3. Yes, where are they going? I felt really sorry for her and could see her dishevelled sate in my minds eye.

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    1. I'm not sure where they're going, but I don't think it's good! :(

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  4. Hey Laura! I nominated you for The Very Inspiring Blogger award! http://bev-thebevelededge.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-very-inspiring-blogger-award.html#links I hope you'll accept it and spread the love!

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    1. WOW! Thanks Beverly - I'll be sure to pass on the love :)

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  5. A very intriguing story, Laura!

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    1. Thanks, Chuck! It all started with the ham and pickle sandwich and grew from there.

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  6. Oh dear, to be careful what we wish for eh! I'm looking forward to next week's 'touch'!

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  7. I too want to know where they're going. Great descriptions Laura!

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  8. Very visceral and intriguing story. Also liked how the hunger in the beginning echoes her hunger for the story.

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    1. Thanks for your comment. I'm pleased you enjoyed it.

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