johnpender.net » Friday Flash » Beast
Beast
Shadows danced eerily across the log walls as a breeze from the ceiling’s fan slowly rocked the candles’ flames. The bed of coals in the massive stone fireplace glowed brightly; a pop echoed through the room, wakening the sleeping man. A small geyser of flame erupted and quickly withered and died.
Startled, he sat upright and fumbled for his Winchester. Taking aim at the window before him, he breathed a sigh of relief. For beyond the glass, the moonlit silhouette of pine trees swayed gently to and fro in the distance. “Just the wind, Johnny (although that wasn’t his real name; he always called himself Johnny). Just the wind.”
He lowered the rifle and leaned back on the sofa again, fixing his gaze on the dying fire. His eyes grew heavy, hypnotized by the beauty of the scene around him.
The sasquatch stared at him with malevolent eyes through the window on the opposite side of the room as he dozed off to sleep, the man unaware the creature had slipped past the perimeter alarms.
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Filed under: Friday Flash
Wonder what is his real name? Such hints! I think there is a lot more to this story.
People are just so clueless on how beasts can be so very clever and patient for their victim to fall asleep again.
I liked the imagery in the first paragraph, and the sasquatch’s trickery. I wonder why the beast comes after him? Enjoyable flash, thanks for sharing.
I agree with the others that this reads very much like a teaser. Fake names and the Sasquatch! What more could have readers crying out for more!?!
Short. Sweet. And Very Mysterious. Just the way I like ‘em!
I agree with Cathy, that snippet about him using a name that isn’t his own opens a whole new line of enquiry!
Great atmosphere. I really enjoyed it
An eery and atmospheric start to a potential hunter/hunted story perhaps?
Ohhh. Creepy! Great job creating the atmosphere and then teasing us with the ending.
Short and enticing. I especially like the part about calling himself Johny even though it’s not his name. Opens up a whole slew of questions about his personality.
It’s very enticing and makes you want to know what happens next. Perhaps it might be part one of an ongoing story? I enjoyed it.
Clever telling in this story. Just a little hint at what is about to occur.
Adam B @revhappiness